January 27, 2015 - 10:43am
BY MICHAEL FLYNN
Blink-182Yesterday, Blink-182 released a statement that longtime vocalist and guitarist Tom Delonge would be replaced by Alkaline Trios Matt Skiba for the 2015 Musink Festival. They cited Delonges desire to focus on non-musical projects as the reason for his dropping out of the upcoming festival appearance. The statement reads as follows:
Matt Skiba of the Alkaline Trio will join Blink-182 in replacement of Tom DeLonge at the 8th annual Music and Tattoo festival. We were all set to play this festival and record a new album and Tom kept putting it off without reason. A week before we were scheduled to go into the studio we got an email from his manager explaining that he didnt want to participate in any Blink-182 projects indefinitely, but would rather work on his other non-musical endeavors. Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus plan to honor all Blink-182 commitments including the Musink Festival and are excited to have singer/guitarist Matt Skiba join them for this project. No hard feelings, but the show must go on for our fans. Additionally, Skiba will CONTINUE to make new music and tour with the Alkaline Trio.
While the statement only explicitly states that Delonge has dropped out of a single performance, the internet has erupted with reports that Delonge is out of the band for good. The concern fans have shown is understandable Delonges signature whine is a defining element of Blink-182s sound and his absence would leave a huge void.
Delonge himself has caught wind of these rumors, and has released a statement addressing them:
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
Delonges attempt to provide clarity has only created more mystery. Why would the band allow the publication of official press releases about Delonge quitting the band if he hadnt done so? Will this motivate Delonge to play at the Musink Festival after all? Is this the beginning of a bona-fide breakup?
Theres no question that the band is in a dysfunctional state. But Blink-182 has weathered worse storms. The band broke up once before in 2005, only to reunite in 2008 after drummer Travis Barker survived a plane crash. The brotherly bond created from playing music was enough to bring them back together once before, so whos to say it wont happen again?
More on this story as it unfolds.
Source: http://michigandaily.com/blog/filter/tom-delonge-dispels-rumors-he-quit-blink-182
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