Blink-182: Tom DeLonge Had Band Considering A Name Change, Former Guitarist Releases New Book

Were chart-topping pop-punkers Blink-182 considering a name change after founding guitarist Tom DeLonge left the band? Blink bassist Mark Hoppus recently shed some light on the band’s moniker mulling while the alien-chasing, bygone Blink member DeLonge released his brand new book, Strange Times: The Ghost in the Girl, on Tuesday, October 4. Indeed, it would indeed be strange times should Blink-182 choose to go by another name.

Blink-182 released their seventh studio album, California, earlier this year. The anticipated comeback effort was their first recorded work with Alkaline Trio frontman Matt Skiba in the place of former guitarist and vocalist DeLonge. Meanwhile, the Blink-less Tom has been hard at work on his Strange Times book series; The Ghost in the Girl follows last year’s graphic novel from DeLonge, Strange Times: The Curse of Superstition Mountain.

As reported by Alternative Nation, Mark recently shared with Alt 92.9 Boston’s 929 Podcast that the Blink boys discussed the possibility of a Blink-182 name change after Tom left the group. As transcribed by AltNation, Hoppus told podcast host Jason Rossi that Blink eventually decided to keep their legendary band name after deciding to carry on their hit-making legacy with new member Matt in Tom DeLonge’s stead.

“We talked about it, but we really felt like this is Blink-182, and we really kept true to the spirit of what the band is. Matt is a new player coming in, and he’s really stepped up to a very difficult challenge in a really classy manner, stepping into some difficult shoes to fill, and being respectful of that, but also standing up for himself, and making a name for himself in the band. It’s a delicate situation, and I think he’s done really well.”

As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Tom Delonge’s contemporary, conspiracy-mining efforts appear to be his main concern of late. The former Blink guitarist apparently feels no need to reconnect with his Blink bandmates, instead publishing tomes like the Strange Times entries and this year’s Sekret Machines Book 1: Chasing Shadows.

Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge told Alternative Press more about his recent work, The Ghost in the Girl.

“This is a story reflecting some of the peripheral moments in my life. Of a suburban kid who grew up breaking rules, getting kicked out of high school, and obsessively looking for the more unusual and imaginative experiences that this world has to offer.”

Much ballyhoo was made in the press over the last few years concerning Tom’s disinterest in performing with Blink-182. Reportedly, the band awaited DeLonge’s return to Blink studio sessions on numerous occasions before finally offering the guitarist position to Skiba. DeLonge’s last work with the group, 2012’s Dogs Eating Dogs EP, was self-released by Blink and flew mostly under the radar of mainstream music outlets.

While both the Blink camp and Mr. DeLonge are currently keeping their options open for a future reunion, contention among Tom, Hoppus, and Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker appears to be preventing a reconciliation from happening anytime soon. To wit, Tom insists that he never quit Blink and that the band simply carried on without him. Blink-182 asserts they had no choice in recording a new album without the founding Blinker.

Blink-182 formed in 1992 in San Diego with original drummer Scott Raynor. Barker replaced Raynor on drums in 1998. Currently, Mark Hoppus is the only original Blink member still performing with the group. The current lineup of Blink-182, featuring new guitarist Skiba, has been on an extensive U.S. tour this year promoting California.

Do you think Blink-182 should have changed their band name after Tom left the group? Have you picked up Tom’s latest book, The Ghost in the Girl, or read any of his previous Strange Times series publications? What do you think of Blink-182’s latest album, California, with Matt Skiba on guitar and vocals instead of DeLonge? Let us know all of your Blink-182 thoughts in the comments section below, we’d love to hear from you.

[Featured Images by Kevin Winter/Getty Images & Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]