Tom DeLonge Thanks Matt Skiba For Allowing Blink-182 To « Thrive In My Absence » After Joining The Group

Blink-182 fans were stunned this week when Tom DeLonge announced he was joining the band, along with the original lineup to record a new album and hit the road for a world tour.

The group made it official with a tongue-in-cheek video released on Tuesday.

DeLonge originally exited in 2005, but returned in 2009; he moved on again in 2015, with Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba stepping in after DeLonge was out of sight.

Now that DeLonge has reunited with Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker, Skiba’s role in the group is officially gone, which DeLonge acknowledged with an open letter filled with gratitude to Skiba that he shared via Instagram on Thursday.

READ MORE: Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus reunite for world tour and new album

« Hi Matt-Tom DeLonge here. Wanted to take a minute and thank you for all you’ve done to keep the band thriving in my absence, » DeLonge wrote.

« I think you are extremely talented (I still love and listen to your band to this day). You have always been so nice to me, not only in the press but also to other people. I really noticed The emotions between the three of us in the blink of an eye have always been complicated, but Mark’s cancer has really put things into perspective,” he continued.

READ MORE: Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus talks reconnecting with ex-teammate Tom DeLonge: ‘I have hope for the future’

“But to be honest, the group wouldn’t even be here today if it wasn’t for your ability to step in and save the day. So, from my heart to yours, thank you for being a member of our group,” he concluded.

The reformed original lineup of Blink-182 will release their new single, « Edging, » on Friday, October 14, with the tour beginning in March 2023 and continuing through 2024.

So far, Canadian dates have been confirmed for Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.