Blink 182’s Tom DeLonge Writes A Letter Regarding Band’s Split

Tom DeLonge of Blink 182 has written a letter to his fans in response to the band’s latest fallout. Recently, it was announced that Tom has decided to leave the band ‘indefinitely’ according to the L.A. Times. In another recent interview with Rolling Stone, bandmates Travis Baker and Matt Hoppus revealed that this decision stemmed from a 10-year-old beef between the members.

Back in 2005, Blink 182 split up due to what DeLonge described as overworking. During that time, the band was touring constantly, and Tom and his bandmates not only felt the pressure, but took it out on each other. In addition, the band members reportedly had a communication issue that caused Tom DeLonge to remain with the band for longer than he felt was appropriate.

In their recent Rolling Stone interview, Baker and Hoppus admitted to not being able to cover up DeLonge’s distant attitude which caused the band to finally split. Travis Baker was especially outspoken on his issues with Tom.

“It’s hard to cover for someone who’s disrespectful and ungrateful.”

Likewise, Mark Hoppus had his own statements to give about the decade long problem with Tom DeLonge. Mark stated,”It feels humiliating to be in a band where you have to be apologizing for one person all the time. That’s how it’s felt for a long time.” According to Baker, DeLonge behaved cowardly, refusing to inform his bandmates of his personal frustrations and instead of speaking out, Tom DeLonge failed to perform his duties as a band member.

“You don’t even have the balls to call your bandmates and tell them you’re not going to record or do anything Blink-related. You have your manager do it.”

Travis admitted that he finally got his wish when he received a very short email from Tom’s manager. The email read “Tom. Is. Out.” It was a message that Travis Baker described as a “relief.” The band had been preparing to begin recording their new album, and the only thing preventing the project from moving forward was Tom DeLonge.

Now, the band has recruited Matt Skibo of the band Alkaline Trio to perform in DeLonge’e place. Tom DeLonge then wrote a heartfelt letter to his fans, admitting to leaving the band, but also explaining that it was not his original plan.

The end of DeLonge’s letter reads:

“…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.

I know them very well, and their current actions are defensive and divisive.

I suppose they’re doing this as a way to protect themselves from being hurt.

Like we all do.

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… to commit.”