Blink-182 slam Tom's departure

Travis Barker feels Tom DeLonge is "in shock" after "finally being exposed" by Blink-182.

Yesterday band members Travis and Mark Hoppus released a statement explaining that guitarist and vocalist Tom had left the band, which came after the news that Alkaline Trio guitarist/singer Matt Skiba would be playing at the upcoming Musink Festival with them.

Tom responded via Instagram, insisting he had not quit the group and has no idea where the "weird press releases" came from.

Travis and Mark then sat down with Rolling Stone to give their side of the story, explaining that all has not been right with the trio for some time.

"The press release that came out today is 100 percent from Travis and me and we stand by it 100 per cent because it's all true. There's no ambiguity," Mark stated.

Travis added: "It's just funny to me. I think he's just in shock that he's finally been exposed. The truth is out. I just don't think he knows how to deal with it... You don't want to twist any grown man's arm to do anything he doesn't want to do, but step up to the plate and say, 'Yeah, I don't want to play with those guys. I've been saying I'd record with the guys for the last two or three years and I'll just do Blink shows when I need money.'"

The guys explained there have been problems amongst the band for some time, mostly relating to recording new music. They suggest that while they were always happy to get started on a new album, Tom was not so keen unless they had a record deal in place. It's alleged this is because he did not want to spend his own money on the venture.

Eventually Travis and Mark thought things were in place for a January 5 recording session, having only spoken to Tom via email. However, they allege he pulled out of the plan at the end of December and said he was "out indefinitely". After a "flurry" of emails between management teams, it's claimed Tom's manager eventually sent a short missive declaring: "Tom. Is. Out."

Many would expect the guys to be upset, but bassist and vocalist Mark admits it wasn't that surprising as he suggests Tom had always seemed disinterested in the venture.

While Mark appears philosophical about the changes, it seems Travis is angry.

"We always covered up for him before. It was always, 'We're going to record an album,' then, 'Tom refuses to get into the studio without a record deal.' So everyone does hella amounts of work to get a record deal and now Tom isn't part of Blink-182. It's hard to cover for someone who's disrespectful and ungrateful," he fumed. "You don't even have the balls to call your bandmates and tell them you're not going to record or do anything Blink-related. You have your manager do it."