Blink-182 releases first post-Tom DeLonge single
The news that Tom DeLonge was departing from Blink-182 sent a blade of sadness through the hearts of TRL-era teenagers everywhere. Now the group has released its first single without the band’s co-founder.
The single, “Bored to Death,” is off the forthcoming album “California,” out July 1. The band replaced him with Alkaline Trio singer/guitarist Matt Skiba, so the pop-punk credentialling remains intact.
The song is a pretty spot-on update of the band’s sound, pairing teenage nostalgia and tense drumming with a KROQ-ready chorus. Considering one of the band’s two singers and songwriters is gone, it’s hardly any huge departure from their now seven-albums-deep catalog.
The split wasn’t entirely amicable - DeLonge told Rolling Stone he was “blindsided” by the news he was out of the group - but has been keeping busy with an alien-themed sci-fi book series, among other projects.
The new lineup comes to the Forum in Inglewood on Oct. 1, where the emo-adult regulars at Taking Back Tuesday will render their final verdict on the new era.
Follow @AugustBrown for breaking music news.
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
