Thomas Matthew “Tom” DeLonge, Jr. (born December 13, 1975) is an American musician, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is best known as the former guitarist and co-lead vocalist of the American rock band Blink-182, in addition to his work with Angels & Airwaves. DeLonge grew up in the suburbs of Poway, California, where he embraced skateboarding at an early age. DeLonge received his first guitar shortly thereafter and began writing original punk rock songs. He formed Blink-182 with bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Scott Raynor during his high school years. The band created a following in the mid-1990s through independent releases and relentless touring, particularly in their home country and in Australia. They signed to MCA Records in 1996 and their second album, Dude Ranch (1997), featured the hit single “Dammit”.