Blink-182's Hoppus Addresses Travis Barker Replacement Claim
. (TeamRock Radio) Blink-182's Mark Hoppus has played down Tom DeLonge's claim that the pair spent a week discussing the replacement of Travis Barker. The suggestion appeared as part of the public meltdown since DeLonge distanced himself from the band, with an official statement - which he disagreed with - stating that he "didn't want to participate in any Blink projects indefinitely." In a tweet this week, quickly removed, DeLonge said: "A year ago Mark and I spent a week on the phone with managers debating parting with Travis. Don't pretend there isn't more to this story." Now Hoppus confirms there was a conversation after Blink toured Australia without Barker - but says it grew out of the drummer's continued problems with flying after the 2009 plane crash that nearly killed him. Hoppus tells AltPress: "Travis didn't go on that tour, which was a possibility that we'd known about from day one. When we agreed to tour Travis said, 'If it gets to the day and I'm not ready, we need a backup plan.'" When Barker told his bandmates he couldn't fly, they brought in Brooks Wackerman as a stand-in. But that led to an argument between Barker and the band's Australian rep. "The promoter thought Travis has never intended to come to Australia, and felt he'd been duped," says Hoppus. "That wasn't the case. After the tour, Tom was very upset about being put in that position. Tom was having these calls, 'Can we replace Travis? Can we do whatever?' But it was really just Tom blowing off steam. I listened, commiserated, called my manager and said, 'Tom's upset right now - he's talking about trying to replace Travis, but that's not going to happen.' "Sure enough, after a month Tom was like, 'I was just angry. It was a bad situation. Of course I don't want to kick Travis out the band.'" Read more here. TeamRock Radio is an official news provider for antiMusic.com.
|
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Days 4 & 5: Starship Lands on the Pearl, Alan Parsons Takes It Home
Kandace Springs - Run Your Race
On the Blue: New Horizons Cruise Day 1: Marbin Gets the Fun Started
Hot In The City: Prog Band Tu-Ner Coming to Phoenix
blink-182 Launching North American Stadium And Arena Tour
Watch David Gilmour's 'The Piper's Call' Video
Check Out Powerman 5000 'Dancing Like We're Dead'
The String Cheese Incident Take Fans On Epic 'Roll Around The Sun'
Watch Motley Crue's 'Dogs Of War' Video
Richie Sambora Returns With 'I Pray', The First Of Four New Songs
The Smashing Pumpkins Reveal New Guitarist
Linkin Park Top Hard Rock And Vinyl Albums Charts With Papercuts