Matt Skiba of Akaline Trio filled in for Delonge, and is also scheduled to perform with the group at the Musink Festival in Costa Mesa, California this weekend. Slowly but surely, this band is undergoing a facelift.
Earlier this year, bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker announced that Delonge had indefinitely quit the band and that the group’s fate was unknown. In an interview with Rolling Stone, the two claimed they had been pushing Delonge to begin recording a new Blink album for nearly two years with no cooperation on his end. Hoppus and Barker were itching to make music and appease their fans, but felt Delonge was not making enough time for his band.
Delonge had his own side to the story. In an open letter to fans posted via his Facebook account, he admitted that his hands were tied in other projects for the time being, including recording an album for his other band, Angels and Airwaves, and writing a children’s novel. However, Delonge argued that the entire band was at fault for its issues.
“…there’s three of us – we’re all accountable.” Delonge said in the post. “At the end of the day, we’ve always been dysfunctional, which is why we haven’t talked in months. But we never did. In the 8 years we have been together it has always been that way.”
These problems just barely scratch the surface of the conflicts being faced by the band, but the point is clear; this is a group with some major communication issues. But who’s right? Are Hoppus and Barker justified to demand that Delonge put time into growing their band? Or does Delonge have the right to pursue other projects he may just like better?
It’s quite easy for most fans to side with their favorite member, and so many people are not looking at the matter from all sides. The situation is only tough because nobody is truly wrong.
Blink-182 is a priority for Hoppus and Barker. They’ve been a band for over 20 years (not counting the hiatus) and have remained dedicated to their work. They’ve both held other side projects, including other bands, but nothing has ever come close to being on the same level as Blink to them. It’s hard to blame them for being upset that their other partner, bandmate, and long-time friend can’t find the time to work on something they all used to adore.
Delonge has found other peaks of interest that demand much of his time. His other band, Angels and Airwaves, needs his attention as well, and he also works on films, books, and websites, all on top of raising his two children. He is under contract for multiple projects at once, making it difficult for him to commit all of his time to a single source. Hoppus and Barker wanted his undivided attention. Delonge couldn’t give it to them.
Delonge’s reign in Blink-182 is over, but everyone seems to know it but him. It’s clear that he’d rather pursue other endeavors, and that’s perfectly okay. But it’s time for him to be honest. Earlier this week, Barker told Yahoo, “If anything, I just wish he would own up to not wanting to be in the band and go do his other stuff.” He took the words out of my mouth.
But Blink-182, I miss you. Pun intended.
