The rumors and speculation have been floating around for months and now it’s official. The most famous line-up of the band has gotten back together.
The band was initially formed in 1992 by DeLonge and Drummer, Scott Raynor. The most famous version of the band took shape in 1998, just before hitting the studio to record their third album Enema of the State. The lineup of Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker continued with huge success through 2004 before many factors caused a pause in the group’s activity. In 2009, the group reunited until things fell apart internally and in 2014 with the departure of DeLonge. In 2015, enter Alkaline Trio‘s Matt Skiba to replace DeLonge and pick up with the success the band had previously enjoyed including another hit album and tour. In 2020 things seemed to slow for the band and with Hoppus’ very public health issues in 2021, Travis Barker continued to play with numerous artists and helped to produce a hit record for Machine Gun Kelly. On October 11th, 2022 it was officially announced that Tom DeLonge was back with the band. A lot has happened since that short time.
They have a new song:
A huge World Tour has been announced for 2023/2024:
and Tom Posted this about their upcoming release:
What if I was to tell you we just made the best album of our career
-Tom DeLonge
and if you’re wondering if there is any bad blood between the group and Matt Skiba, hopefully this clears things up:
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 thriving in my absence. I think you are enormously talented (I still love and 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.
-Tom DeLonge to Matt Skiba
Matt’s response to the situation was made clear on his instagram post
CONGRATULATIONS to the homies @markhoppus @tomdelonge and @travisbarker on their triumphant @blink182 return/reunion and the release of their new single today‼️‼️I’m sure there’s a joke in here about releases and happy endings I’m missing but I am truly grateful for my time with blink and I am truly happy you guys are a band and a family again. 💕THANKS TO THE BAND AND ALL THE BLINK FANS FOR HAVING ME. You were delicious!
So here’s to the future for a band that has gone through so many trials and tribulations over the years. Surely more fun, friendship and frolic await us all!