Blink-182 Breakup: Mark Hoppus Comments On “Friendly Divorce” From Tom DeLonge

Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus confirmed that the band is in the process of saying goodbye to Tom DeLonge.

Blink-182: Matt Skiba To Replace Tom DeLonge?

Blink-182 members Hoppus and Travis Barker announced in January that DeLonge would be taking an indefinite hiatus from the band. At the time, they made it clear that DeLonge had been holding up the band, keeping them from creating new music. “A week before we were scheduled to go into the studio, we got an email from [DeLonge’s] manager explaining that he didn’t want to participate in any Blink-182 projects indefinitely but would rather work on his other non-musical endeavors,” read the statement.

DeLonge denied quitting the band, but admitted they were “dysfunctional.” It seems that DeLonge is finally ready to officially break ties with the Hoppus and Barker. “We are right now going through what so far has been a friendly divorce with our former guitarist,” Hoppus said in a recent interview.

Hoppus may have called it “friendly,” but DeLonge’s departure from the band has been far from drama-free. In March, Barker said he wished DeLonge would just quit and stop stringing fans along. “I think the right thing for him to do would [be to] just man up and quit the band instead of telling people he didn’t quit and just be real with the fans,” Barker said.

As their “friendly divorce” from DeLonge continues, Blink-182 has recruited Matt Skiba, guitarist for Alkaline Trio, to step in for DeLonge during their set at the Musink festival. And fans are hopeful that Skiba could join the band full time, or at least help them record new music.

Skiba himself said recording new music with Blink-182 is a possibility. “I think that’s a great idea, and it’s something we have discussed. It’s something I would be very excited to do. 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 said.

Skiba was quick to say he is not a permanent member of the band, saying that before anything can be made official, there are “some things that those guys need to figure out.” However, Skiba admitted that becoming a permanent guitarist for the band is “a hope of mine.” In the meantime, Skiba is touring with Alkaline Trio this summer.