Blink-182 Move Closer to 'Friendly Divorce' From Tom DeLonge

Tom DeLonge's split from Blink-182 hasn't exactly been smooth and under-the-radar but bassist/vocalist Mark Hoppus announced in an interview that the band is extremely close to sorting out all legalities and completely severing ties with the soon to be ex-guitarist.

"We are right now going through what so far has been a friendly divorce with our former guitarist," Hoppus told Das Process. "Hopefully things clear up and it doesn't get all manager-y and lawyer-y and all that and we can move forward."

In late January after failing to commit to recording a new LP, DeLonge "indefinitely" left the long-running punk band, never officially leaving the group he co-founded with Hoppus. "There are legalities involved with this," Hoppus told Rolling Stone. "As Tom pointed out, he technically didn't quit the band. Then it gets all lawyer-y, which I will leave to the attorneys and managers." His hesitance to leave the band led to drummer Travis Barker's agitated declaration that DeLonge should "man up and quit."

Leaving the band in what seems like limbo, Blink-182 have tried to continue making music, pursuing interest and playing shows with long-time friend and Alkaline Trio front man Matt Skiba. Looking forward to a "friendly divorce" the group hopes to continue in trio form, recording a new LP with Skiba.

"I think that's a great idea and it's something we have discussed," Skiba told Alternative Press about recording. "It's something I would be very excited to do and I've known the Blink guys for about 15 years, and we've become good friends. Playing songs I haven't written with Mark and Travis is a blast, so to go in and create music with them would be amazing."

Skiba remains a separate entity from the band for now, there are "some things that those guys need to figure out before we can start saying I'm a permanent member. But that is a hope of mine." While Blink-182 resolve legal disputes, Skiba and Alkaline Trio will set out to plays summer shows. Since DeLonge's departure, he's planned ahead for the rest of 2015, intends to release more music with Angels & Airwaves and already released his studio album, To the Stars...Demos, Odds and Ends.