Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has discussed the band’s new album and the recent departure of co-frontman Tom DeLonge, saying that the singer wanted the group to sound more like U2 or Coldplay on their last album.

The pop-punk trio released ‘Neighborhoods’ in 2011, before DeLonge was replaced by Alkaline Trio‘s Matt Skiba last year.

Speaking in interview with Youtuber Mr. Wavvy, Barker referred to Skiba as “the only person” that could fill in for DeLonge. Discussing DeLonge’s departure, he said: “You got two of the three members and one has basically just tapped out and is being extremely difficult and won’t compromise.”


Barker is currently working on a new Blink-182 album with Skiba and founding member Mark Hoppus. He described their music as “eternal youth for a lot of fans” and stressed his desire for the band to stay true to their roots.

NME

The drummer added: “Mark and I never wanted to change. The last couple of albums, Tom wanted to sound like U2, to record songs that basically sound like Coldplay. For us, we were always like ‘Blink is Blink, man. We want to sound like fucking Blink-182’… That’s what side-projects are for. I love Blink for what it is. We love Blink and we love the sound of Blink.”

Last year, Barker admitted during an interview with NME that some things have changed with DeLonge no longer in the band.

“They sound different but still the same,” the drummer said of the new music. “Obviously, it’s Matt Skiba singing so there’s hints of Alkaline Trio, or at least Matt’s contributions to Alkaline Trio, mixed with my drumming and Mark’s voice and stuff. It’s really cool and I really love what we’ve done so far.”