RS: What was your reaction to Tom's statement that he didn't quit the band?

Barker: I think he's just bummed because Mark and I were finally honest.

We always covered up for him before. It was always, "We're going to record an album," then "Tom refuses to get into the studio without a record deal." So everyone does hella amounts of work to get a record deal and now Tom isn't part of Blink-182. It's hard to cover for someone who's disrespectful and ungrateful. You don't even have the balls to call your bandmates and tell them you're not going to record or do anything Blink-related. You have your manager do it. Everyone should know what the story is with him and it's been years with it.

When we did get back together after my plane crash, we only got back together, I don't know, maybe because I almost died.

But he didn't even listen to mixes or masterings from that record. He didn't even care about it. Why Blink even got back together in the first place is questionable.

Barker: It's just funny to me. I think he's just in shock that he's finally been exposed. The truth is out. I just don't think he knows how to deal with it, so he says, "I didn't quit the band. I'm booking Blink shows as we speak." You're not the booking agent. We all know that's a lie. You don't want to twist any grown man's arm to do anything he doesn't want to do, but step up to the plate and say, "Yeah, I don't want to play with those guys.

I've been saying I'd record with the guys for the last two or three years and I'll just do Blink shows when I need money."

RS: If Tom says tomorrow that he wanted back in and the three members should start recording a new album, would he be welcome?

[Long pause]

Barker: Mark's the sweeter one, so I'll let him answer [Laughs].

Hoppus: Travis and I and the whole Blink-182 organization have bent over backwards for years to accommodate all of the stuff that Tom wanted to try.[...]

It's been years of pushing back and I have to tell you: It feels humiliating to be in a band where you have to be apologizing for one person all the time.

That's how it's felt for a long time.