Blink-182 shared a new photo on Instagram recently that features Alkaline Trio guitarist, Matt Skiba, in the place of Tom DeLonge. The band parted ways with DeLonge in January, setting in place some awkward events that included the guitarist denying his dismissal and members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker bashing him. The new lineup is slated to perform at the Musink Festival later this month billed as "Blink-182 with Matt Skiba."
Hoppus and Barker appear to be making a statement, but it's unclear whether Skiba will be DeLonge's permanent replacement, Alternative Press notes. If Skiba's duties with Alkaline Trio don't permit him to continue with Blink after the gig, then the group will be in the market for a guitar player. A reunion with DeLonge seems unlikely any time in the near future.
The two original Blink members wrote a lengthy statement about the split, saying that DeLonge hasn't been interested in the band for awhile.
"We booked Jan. 5 to go into the studio. On Dec. 30, we get an email from Tom's manager saying that he has no interest in recording and that he wants to do his other, non-musical stuff and that he's out indefinitely," Hoppus wrote. "There's a flurry of e-mails going back and forth for clarification about the recording and the show and his manager sends [an email] back saying, 'Tom. Is. Out.' Direct quote. This is the exact same email we got back in 2004 when Tom went on indefinite hiatus before."
Following the initial news that DeLonge was no longer a member of the band, the guitarist took to Facebook to say the reports were untrue.
"To all the fans, I never quit the band. I actually was on a phone call about a blink 182 event for New York City at the time all these weird press releases started coming in... Apparently those releases were 'sanctioned' from the band. Are we dysfunctional- yes. But, Christ..... #Awkward #BabyBackRibs," he said
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