Former blink-182 frontman Tom DeLonge has told Kerrang! that he plans to return to his old band one day – but that right now he’s just far too busy with Angels & Airwaves and his company To The Stars Academy of Arts & Science.

In a new interview discussing the incredibly ambitious return of AVA – including epic new single Rebel Girl, which is out now via Rise Records – the vocalist and guitarist says it’s been a learning curve to get to the point where he feels comfortable unveiling his new projects and ideas to the world, especially knowing that “there’s going to be people that are wanting blink”.

“I get it – trust me, I love blink and it’s given me everything in my life,” Tom says. “And, you know, I plan on doing it in the future. But right now there’s just no way – I have way too much going on because Angels & Airwaves is a part of To The Stars, and that’s why it works.”



Reflecting on his personal and creative journey to get to this point, Tom remembers: “Breadcrumbs and baby steps got me here, and even when I left blink the first time, I dealt with a lot of losing my identity and people being angry with me. I had to rebuild who I am and what I want to do with my life, and the world didn’t support it, really. I understand why, but then over time, they started to understand who I am and why I need to do the things I do. They go, ‘Okay, this guy is really into these big concepts and this anthemic, triumphant music,’ and all that shit, and then they see me go and start my company and they go, ‘Holy shit, he’s really into space and these themes.’ (Laughs) And I think what’s happened now is people are realising that I know what I’m doing, I know what I’m going after, I know how to do it, and it’s going to be wonderful when it all comes together.”

The frontman also says that he did feel nervous returning with with new music and the first Angels & Airwaves headline tour in seven years.

“You know, every artist – whether they admit it or not – feels that,” he says. “‘Does it still matter that I’m doing stuff? Do people like it? Am I just preaching to the converted here?’ That definitely goes through every artist’s head, because, at the end of the day, every artist is going to be insecure about what they’re creating and putting out for the world to judge! But that’s also the rush. I do remember having feelings like that, but at the end of the day, if you look at everything I’ve done in my life, it’s always been a big ‘fuck you’ to everyone (laughs). I do what I want, you know? I’m gonna do what I do, I’m gonna do what I want, and as long as it moves me and stirs my emotions, and as long as it can help people and the way they feel about themselves, then I’m gonna do it. I’ve got to create, and if I don’t I get really depressed.”