Tom DeLonge: ‘If I Wanted to, I Could Be Back’ in Blink-182 ‘in a Period of Days’
Tom DeLonge is best known to music fans for his work with Blink-182 and Angels and Airwaves, but over the past couple of years, the musician has turned his focus to a variety of projects, mostly consisting of books and films investigating the mysteries of science, the universe and UFO research. The commitment to the variety of projects led to the other members of Blink-182 deciding to continue without him, snagging Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba to fill the void as they recorded and toured in support of the well-received California album this past year. But even though his attentions have been focused elsewhere, DeLonge says he's very much still interested in returning to Blink.
Speaking with the San Diego Union Tribune, the co-vocalist says, "Blink is in my DNA. I talk to Travis [Barker] quite a bit and we try and figure out how and when it's going to make sense [for my return]."
DeLonge continues, "It's not like I walked away. They have someone doing my job for me. It's just that I'm so busy. If I wanted to, I could be back in a period of days." DeLonge is quick to point out that he along with Barker and Mark Hoppus own everything Blink-related.
When asked if he missed the band, the musician stated, "Oh, yeah, I miss the relationship we had, and the growth, and the crazy times. But I don’t miss the grind. Like, every band has a grind, so you have to love it so much that you tolerate the grind. And, being on tour was such a grind. I didn’t love it enough; it was too much disruption for me. And playing the same songs every night and moving your body (the same way) with your guitar, it felt like you were ‘vogue-ing,’ like you were faking it. ‘Here’s the same song again — 1, 2, 3, 4!’ I felt like a robot."
He went on to state, "That’s when I said, 'I need a break.' But, now, the grind to announce what we will be announcing soon and to do these books and the movie is unreal! And this is by far the biggest thing I’ve ever had in my life. It’s way bigger than (anything) I ever had with the band. It’s exciting and stressful, not only because of the enormity of it, but because of what I know."
DeLonge was recently presented with a UFO Researcher of the Year award from the International UFO Congress for his work and interest regarding extraterrestrial life. DeLonge is releasing the book Sekret Machines: GODS with co-author Peter Levenda this week, taking readers on an eye-opening investigative journey to the heart of the UFO phenomenon. The book features a foreword by renowned scientist and author Dr. Jacques Vallee.
According to a description of the book, Sekret Machines: GODS “is based on unprecedented access to officials at the highest levels of government, military and industrial agencies who have provided insights and assistance never before experienced by any researchers in this controversial field. GODS takes us beyond speculation to certain knowledge of what exactly lies at the heart of the most important phenomenon ever to confront human understanding.” The book is being released by Simon and Schuster in coordination with DeLonge's To The Stars company.
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