Tom DeLonge Promises Fans '4 Albums In One Year'; Discusses Blink-182 Feud

Former Blink-182 guitarist and co-vocalist Tom DeLonge has big plans for 2015. Shortly after news broke of his departure from the band in January 2015, it was revealed that the musician was set to release his first solo album, “To the Stars … Demos, Odds and Ends.” But that’s not all he’s got up his sleeve. The 39-year-old promised fans four albums this year, along with 15 -- yes, 15 -- books over the next four years.

He later clarified, saying two of the four albums would be released with his band Angels and Airwaves, while the other two would be solo projects. His music will be accompanied by novels, something DeLonge says he’s been working on for quite some time. In the months since his split, the musician has released two singles -- “New World” and “The Invisible Parade” -- off his upcoming solo album. He reportedly plans to release one last track on April 6, a little over two weeks before his album is set to go on sale.

As for his book deals, DeLonge revealed via Instagram that he is currently “in six contracts with best-selling authors.” He claims that the authors, none of which he named, are co-writing 15 novels with him. According to his post, which has since been deleted, the book deals played a major role in his leaving the band.

“I told my manager the contract that was sent to me for the Blink deal contained weird new language that I had to drop all that music for almost a year. I said I couldn’t, but I could record the album in and around those things that were already in the works. He wrote them an email, saying, "I’m out." (I didn’t know, and he was only talking about the deal.) Next thing you know, a press release saying things I didn’t say. Here we are…. Well, read a f---ing book -- at least one of mine, please,” he wrote.

He has since clarified, saying the novels will “come out over the next four years.” The artist also claims to have written “the fastest punk song” he’s created in over a decade. He did not clarify the song’s title or on which of his forthcoming four albums it will appear, but said, “I hope it makes you destroy stuff.”

DeLonge’s departure from Blink-182 sparked a very public feud between him and former bandmate Mark Hoppus. Hoppus said the former front man was “ungrateful” and “disingenuous.” He later released a statement in which he revealed how he and drummer Travis Barker received the news.

“We were all set to play this festival and record a new album and Tom kept putting it off without reason,” the statement said. “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.”

DeLonge addressed his feud with Hoppus on Twitter, saying he “will never dislike” him. Despite the harsh comments Hoppus made about him, DeLonge says they were friends for too long for him to allow this to come between them. Hoppus did not respond.

Meanwhile, Barker says there are “no hard feelings” between him and DeLonge. He did, however, add that he felt he should “man up” and leave the band permanently.

“I think the right thing for him to do would be to just man up and quit the band instead of telling people he didn’t quit and just be real with the fans. I think that would give him some closure too and really do what he’s passionate about,” Barker said in an interview with Alternative Nation.

Blink-182 has now played three shows without DeLonge. The band currently has Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba standing in for him.