It Sounds Like Tom DeLonge Might Be Back In Blink-182

Tom DeLonge might be on the brink of rejoining blink-182. Speculation abounds this morning about a potential DeLonge return, following a weekend Instagram interaction from the man who replaced him in the band, Matt Skiba.

The Alkaline Trio frontman responded to a fan who commented about his status as a member of blink-182 replying that "your guess is as good as mine. Regardless, I am very proud of and thankful for my time w @blink182. We shall see…”

This interaction between Skiba and user @blinkinpark89 follows a noticeable recent trend of blink-182 not posting any fresh content featuring Skiba. Added to DeLonge's increased volume of posts on his own socials, they do seem to be painting a picture of a DeLonge return.

Speaking with GQ last year, bassist and co-frontman Mark Hoppus caused a flurry of excitement from fans when he confirmed he was open to the idea of a DeLonge return.

"We haven't really talked about that, but I'm open to anything in the future,” said Hoppus. “I don't know how that would work if it's all four of us. Like we're all going to live in the same house again?” 

With Hoppus getting the all-clear from a cancer scare, an ordeal that he told GQ brought them closer together,  Skiba uncertain of his role in the band and the increased social activity, the narrative of a prospective return grows stronger.

With the 20-year anniversary of their celebrated self-titled record on the horizon in 2023,  a reunion would be pretty well-timed, from a commercial perspective. 

Since Longe's departure from the band for a second time in 2015, blink-182 have released two full-length albums with Skiba, 2016's California and 2019's Nine. To date, DeLonge's last work with blink-182 was 2015's Neighborhoods, which received a mixed response from fans.

Travis Barker was rushed to the hospital recently with pancreatitis, causing widespread panic throughout the blink-182 fanbase. Thankfully the drummer has recovered and is back doing what he does best.