Blink-182 issued a statement today that singer-guitarist Tom DeLonge had left the popular pop-punk band, but in an update to this story, DeLonge says he did not quit the band. The news initially was buried in an announcement today that Blink would perform with Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba at the eighth annual Musink Music and Tattoo Festival this March.

Back in 2005, Blink-182 split for the first time. Tom DeLonge started his Angels & Airwaves project, while bassist / vocalist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker launched +44. Blink reformed in 2009, announcing the reunion at that year's Grammy Awards. It took the band until 2011 to release 'Neighborhoods,' which received mixed reactions, but was overlooked by many fans. The group would later attribute the disappointment to a disconnection between band members, who would email each other pieces of music rather than spend long sessions in the studio.

Almost six years after Blink-182's comeback, Tom DeLonge apparently made his exit. The band's publicist sent the following statement to Radio.com, explaining DeLonge's leave and the band's decision to bring in Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba for live shows:

Matt Skiba of the Alkaline Trio will join Blink-182 in replacement of Tom DeLonge at the 8th annual Musink Music and Tattoo festival. “We were all set to play this festival and record a new album and Tom kept putting it off without reason. A week before we were scheduled to go in to the studio we got an email from his manager explaining that he didn’t want to participate in any Blink-182 projects indefinitely, but would rather work on his other non-musical endeavors.” Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus plan to honor all Blink-182 commitments including the Musink Festival and are excited to have singer/guitarist Matt Skiba join them for this project. “No hard feelings, but the show must go on for our fans.” Additionally, Skiba will continue to make new music and tour with the Alkaline Trio.

In a Facebook post on his personal page, Tom DeLonge writes that he did not quit Blink-182:

To all the fans, I never quit the band. I actually was on a phone call about a blink 182 event for New York City at the time all these weird press releases started coming in... Apparently those releases were 'sanctioned' from the band. Are we dysfunctional- yes. But, Christ..... #Awkward #BabyBackRibs

In a further statement, DeLonge added:

The ONLY truth here is that I have commitments that limit my availability this year. I love Blink-182 and I’m not leaving.”

The Musink Festival will take place March 20-22 in Costa Mesa, Calif. Stay tuned as updates on Blink-182 continue to roll in.