It’s been a tough few days for Blink 182 fans, as Tom DeLonge’s status within the band has been at times confusing. But it appears the guitarist has indeed left the group and will be replaced by Alkaline Trio’s Matt Skiba at this year's Musicink festival in March.

Tom DeLongeTom DeLonge is out of Blink-182

It all began on Monday (January 27th) when bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker released a statement saying DeLonge had quit and would be replaced by Skiba.

In the statement made to Radio.com the two remaining Blink members said, “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 endeavours. No hard feelings, but the show must go on for our fans.”

More: Tom DeLonge Claims He "Never Quit" Blink-182, Despite Reports

But then things got a little confusing as DeLonge took to Instagram to deny he had left the band which he founded back in 1992 with Hoppus. “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,” DeLonge wrote on Instagram.

“Apparently those releases were 'sanctioned' from the band. Are we dysfunctional- yes. But, Christ..... #Awkward #BabyBackRibs”

Then in an interview with Rolling Stone, Barker and Hoppus further confirmed that DeLonge was out and called their former bandmate “disrespectful and ungrateful.”

Hoppus explained how the band had been getting ready to record their new album and thought everything with DeLonge was fine, despite not having spoken to him in person for months.

Mark HoppusBlink bassist Mark Hoppus

“We booked January 5th to go into the studio. On December 30th, we get an e-mail from Tom's manager saying that he has no interest in recording and that he wants to do his other, non-musical stuff and that he's out indefinitely. There's a flurry of e-mails going back and forth for clarification about the recording and the show and his manager sends [an e-mail] back saying, "Tom. Is. Out." Direct quote. This is the exact same e-mail we got back in 2004 when Tom went on indefinite hiatus before,” Hoppus said.

Regarding DeLonge’s claims that he hadn’t left the band Travis Barker said, “I think he's just bummed because Mark and I were finally honest. We always covered up for him before. 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.”

Adding that, “why Blink even got back together in the first place is questionable.”

More: 4 Things We Want From Blink-182's New Album

“When Tom finally said, "I'm not going to go into the studio or play this show," it was kind of a gigantic relief because at least he finally said it,” Hoppus added.

“But to then say, "I didn't quit the band," it's just not true. It's disingenuous. I just wish Tom does whatever makes him happy and stops holding Blink-182 back from what we all agree that we're going to do: play shows, record music, continue this legacy and have a good time doing it.”

Next for the band is a headlining slot at the Musink Festival, organised by Travis Barker, taking place on March 22nd in California.