Blink and they’re gone?

The forever youthful members of the pop-punk rock band Blink-182 have defined their musical legacy of making it culturally permissible to write punk rock songs and play punk rock songs with catchy tunes, fun lyrics, outrageous music videos and a rebellious attitude, while also hitting the right chords of deeply personal and emotionally powerful songs. This combining of genuine pop and genuine punk rock is undeniably impressive. In other words, their street cred on-stage has always been strong.

Sadly, the bond off-stage between Mark Hoppus, Travis Barker and Tom DeLonge reportedly has not.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that Blink-182 would be reuniting for another record. Yes! In the past couple of days though, it seems that Mark and Travis are finally publicly revealing their long-held frustrations with their band mate and friend Tom. No! It appears Tom’s quit the band/is out indefinitely (depending on who you ask). And, if we’re to interpret recent statements, it appears that their relationship as both band mates and friends are on rocky terms at the moment. Rolling Stone got the exclusive interview, which reveals the three punk rockers have not been communicating in-person, the issue of having a label and whether this is just one big miscommunication…

“It’s hard to cover for someone who’s disrespectful and ungrateful…To say, ‘I didn’t quit the band’ is just not true. It’s disingenuous.”

Good news for the band’s fans is that it’s been reported Matt Skiba of Alkaline Trio will replace Tom for their future show at the Musink Festival.

“Beyond that, we’ll see what happens. Last time this happened, Travis and I didn’t say anything and we did +44, which wasn’t Blink-182 because we weren’t playing Blink songs. But Travis and I are intent on protecting the legacy of Blink-182 and continue to do what we’ve been doing for the past two decades: continue playing the songs.”

The war of words will surely continue. Judging by the interviews and continuous responses by each party during the past couple days (and past several years), it seems like this separation has been building for quite some time. It’s really sad because of what the band and its songs have meant for so many. The band’s time hasn’t passed. Their staying power has more in the engine. But, this stuff happens. Only Blink-182 knows what will happen long-term, in terms of playing their hits, recording new music and touring.

For now, here’s the song all too appropriate for this situation:

All we can say about the original trio is that we’ll miss you.