Tom DeLonge Angels and Airwaves frontman and Blink 182 vocalist and guitarist has helped define the punk pop musical movement in the early 90s. Growing up in Poway California, DeLonge had mix of all the influences he needed to someday create a distinct sound and style of punk music. His Christian upbringing, life in California as a teen, and peer pressure in high school often resulted in a stark contradiction, which then fueled much of his writing in his early years.
Although he has always been interested in music, being influenced by great artists like U2, Dag Nasty, The Cure, and Screaching Weasels, Tom did not initially dreamed of being in a band, much less making a living as a musician. According to a Tom DeLonge interview, his first calling was to become a firefighter in his local town. "I was originally going to be a firefighter. I was in the San Diego Cadet Program,” he said.
The beginnings of Tom DeLonges’ success with Blink 182 was first molded when he transferred to Rancho Bernardo High School after being infamously kicked out from Poway High School for being caught drinking during one of the school’s basketball games. There, he met Mark Hoppus and Scott Raynor, the would-be building blocks of his future band. They decided to form a band with the name Blink with Mark on bass, Scott on drums and Tom on guitars and vocals. On the other hand, the band was faced with plagiarism charges as a British techno act of the same name filed a case against them. In the end, the band settled for the name Blink 182.
1998 marked a spike in Tom DeLonge’s life and his stint with Blink 182. That year, Travis Barker replaced Scott Raynor on drums, leading to the band’s official release of their first album, Enema of the State. Since their debut, Blink 182 had been an important part of shaping popular music and culture of the late 90s with their hit songs and music videos. In 2004, however, the band, announced an indefinite hiatus due to communication problems between Tom and Mark. Artistic differences among band members also triggered the surprising halt of Blink 182’s rising career.
While the band was on hiatus, Tom did not stop pursuing his artistic and musical endeavors. He formed a band called Angels and Airwaves, which he once dubbed as the most creative project he has ever done. As some fans and critics would comment, Tom’s gig with Angels and Airwaves sounds was like Tom’s effort to veer away from his image as Tom DeLonge, guitar player and vocalist of Blink 182. The music he created with his new band was indeed a breath of fresh air from the typical punk pop sound we have been accustomed to with Blink 182.
The band’s hiatus ended when Tom, Mark, Travis appeared together at the backstage of the 2009 Grammy Awards. During the event, they hinted plans for a comeback tour, which stirred excitement among fans. Mark Hoppus also officially announced in his blog that they are ready to go back to the studio to start some work for their new album and upcoming tour.
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