If you're a fan of Blink-182, then you already know that this band is one of the most interesting acts out there. Be it Tom DeLonge's UFO obsession, Travis Barker's relationship with a Kardashian, or how much money the band members are worth, there is a lot to unpack with these guys.
Years back, the group members had a lot of tension, leading to Tom DeLonge departing the group. It came as a shock, but what was even more shocking was the singer returning to the band late in 2022.
Let's look at the group, how things became fractured between them, and how Tom DeLonge has handled his return to the spotlight with a ton of grace.
Blink-182 Enjoyed Major Success, But Problems Started To Emerge Behind The Scenes
Blink-182 performs at The FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, Florida.
In the annals of rock history, few bands have left as indelible a mark on the genre as Blink-182. Formed in 1992 in Poway, California, this trio of musical mavericks – Mark Hoppus, Tom DeLonge, and Travis Barker – quickly ascended to the pinnacle of pop punk, churning out catchy anthems that resonate across generations.
Blink-182's meteoric rise to stardom commenced with their third studio album, Enema of the State, released in 1999.
Propelled by infectious hits like "All the Small Things" and "What's My Age Again?," the album propelled them to international stardom. It went on to sell an astounding amount of copies worldwide, solidifying their status as pop-punk pioneers.
Their success didn't end there. The band's fourth studio album, Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. This album showcased their maturity as songwriters, with tracks like "First Date" and "Stay Together for the Kids" delving into more profound and relatable themes while maintaining their signature humor.
As the years rolled on, the group continued to crush on the charts, galvanizing their legacy in music. However, chinks in the armor began to show, and the group soon found that their problems were simply too much for one member to deal with.
The Group Was Fractured, And Tom DeLonge Left
At one point, Travis Barker experienced a near-death experience in a plane crash. This, according to RadioX, caused problems, as DeLonge was pressuring Barker to fly again.
The site notes that there were rumors about DeLonge leaving to dig into UFOs, but this was not the case. Nevertheless, the members parted ways.
Said the band in a statement, "A week before we were scheduled to go in to the studio, we got an email from [Tom'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. No hard feelings, but the show must go on for our fans."
This, however, was countered be DeLonge.
"I love Blink and am incredibly grateful for having it in my life. It has given me everything...At the end of the day, all of this makes me really sad. Sad for us. Sad for you- that you’re witnessing this immaturity."
The singer wasn't done there.
"And even as I watch them act so different to what I know of them to be, I still care deeply for them. Like brothers, and like old friends. But our relationship got poisoned yesterday. Never planned on quitting, just find it hard as hell to commit."
Matt Skiba entered the fold, and he performed his duties admirably. Sure, it was different, and took some getting used to, but Skiba was a great addition to the band.
Eventually, to the excitement of everyone, DeLonge returned to the group.
Tom DeLonge Made His Return, And The Band Is Rocking Again
October 2022 marked the return of DeLonge, and the world felt right again!
There were no hard feelings between the band members and Matt Skiba. In fact, DeLonge issued a public statement, thanking Skiba.
"Hi Matt - Tom DeLonge here. I wanted to take a minute and say thank you for all that you have done to keep the band alive and thriving in my absence. I think you are enormously talented (I still love to listen to your band to this day). You have always been so kind to me, not only in the press, but also to others. I really noticed. Emotions between the three of us in blink have always been complicated, but Mark's cancer really put things in perspective. But to be honest, the band would not even be here today if it were not for your ability to jump in and save the day. So from my heart to yours, thank you for being a member of our band," DeLonge posted.
Things got ugly for Blink-182, but they've finally figured it out.
