Tom DeLonge thanks Matt Skiba for keeping Blink-182 ‘thriving’ during his absence
Original Blink-182 member Tom DeLonge shared a heartfelt message he sent to Matt Skiba, thanking him for filling in with Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus during his years-long absence.
“I wanted to take a minute and say thank you for all that you have done to keep the band thriving in my absence,” the guitarist wrote to Skiba, who joined the rock band as DeLonge’s replacement in 2015.
“I think you are enormously talented (I still love and listen to your band [Alkaline Trio] to this day). You have always been so kind to me, not only in the press, but also to others. I really noticed.”
DeLonge, 46, went on to explain how “emotions” within the band have “always been complicated,” noting that Hoppus’ cancer diagnosis in 2021 “really put things in perspective” for everyone.
“To be honest, the band would not even be here today if it weren’t for your ability to jump in and save the day,” he continued. “So from my heart to yours, thank you for being a member of our band.”
News broke earlier this week that DeLonge was reuniting with Barker, 46, and Hoppus, 50, for the first time in nearly 10 years.
The trio is embarking on a massive world tour that kicks off on March 11, 2023, in Tijuana, Mexico, and wraps Feb. 26, 2024, in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Following the news, Skiba, 46, took to his own Instagram Friday to congratulate the band and give a shout-out to DeLonge.
“CONGRATULATIONS to the homies @markhoppus @tomdelonge and @travisbarker on their triumphant @blink182 return/reunion and the release of their new single today‼️‼️” he captioned a pic of the trio’s promo pic for “Edging,” out now.
“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.” he continued. “THANKS TO THE BAND AND ALL THE BLINK FANS FOR HAVING ME. You were delicious! ❤️M. #fromchicagowithlove.”
Tickets for the tour – which will feature special guests Turnstile in North America, Rise Against in Australia, The Story So Far in the UK and Europe and Wallows in Latin America – go on sale starting Monday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m.