While fans are rejoicing at Tom DeLonge rejoining Blink-182, his return means Matt Skiba is no longer in the band. In an Instagram post, DeLonge shares a message that he sent to Skiba expressing his gratitude to the Alkaline Trio frontman for his time and contribution to Blink.
“I wanted to take a minute to say thank you for all that you have done to keep the band alive and thriving in my absence,” the message reads. “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,” DeLonge continues. “I really noticed.”
DeLonge notes that “emotions” between him and Blink members Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker “have always been complicated,” adding that Hoppus’ recent cancer battle “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,” DeLonge writes of Skiba. “So from my heart to yours, thank you for being a member of our band.”
Skiba joined Blink in 2015 following DeLonge’s departure and played on the band’s last two albums, 2016’s California and 2019’s Nine. California debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
With DeLonge now back in the band, Blink is planning a world tour in 2023. They’ve also recorded what DeLonge calls “the best album of our career.” Its first single, “Edging,” will drop Friday.
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.