Travis Barker Opens Up About Blink-182’s New Album Without Tom, Says It’s Awesome
Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has spoken out about the band’s new album – the first without joint lead vocalist Tom DeLonge. The spectacularly passive aggressive quotes from Barker are an insight in to the bands downfall thanks to DeLonge without exactly blaming anyone. Bravo.
Barker reckons we’re all in for a bit of a treat saying that new bandmate Matt Skiba (formally from Alkaline Trio) and original bassist Mark Hoppus have been pushing each other in the studio to produce a new LP that, so far, is sounding “great” without Tom’s iconic vocals.
Speaking with Upset magazine, Barker said that the band were feeling the pressure and really want to ‘kill it’ with their first couple of singles without DeLonge. He said that he was confident that the band have entered a “new chapter” and that the new sound is “awesome” – something he claims Blink weren’t able to do when Tom was in the band. According to reports, no one in the group has accepted “mediocrity”. Reooow.
So far, it sounds like things are working out with Skiba and Barker spoke about his influence on the groups new direction, commenting:
“Just having someone like Matt who’s in the studio everyday is great. You got to show up, that’s the first part … It’s a new chapter and we’re not striving for mediocrity, we’re looking to kill it. We’re gonna make a great album.”
Travis, 40, says the new album is close to being ready and he believes it will be out in the US “summertime” with tour dates to follow.
It’ll be the first album from the ‘All The Small Things’ rockers’ since 2011’s ‘Neighborhoods’. Speaking about the progress, Barker said :
“I’m excited … We have 15-20 songs right now. it’s awesome because we’re all actually in the studio, where we couldn’t get that with the old line-up. It was impossible to get all three of us in the same studio … I think with a band you can’t just phone it in. You gotta be there. For that great chemistry and for everyone to really vibe you gotta all be in the same room.”
Asked when fans can expect the new LP, he said:
“I think summertime [US]. There’s tentatively some plans to play shows during summer. Everything will come together and be revealed in due time. It’s gonna be great.”
We’re definitely feeling this…