Blink-182’s Tom DeLonge fronts new Fender campaign shot in Melbourne
Fender has launched a new campaign with punk-rock legend, Tom DeLonge of blink-182, filmed in Australia during the band’s sold-out tour of the country earlier this year.
The legendary music brand has this week launched the second signature guitar in honour of DeLonge – the fan-favourite Tom DeLonge Starcaster – after first working together in 2002 on the very first iteration.
In a ‘In conversation with’ video released to coincide with the launch, Fender filmed DeLonge discussing the new guitar in venues around Melbourne like Rod Laver Arena, the Melbourne Observatory, and even on a boat on the Yarra River.
Check out the full video below.
“I love this guitar, I really do. It’s the coolest guitar ever made,” DeLonge said.
“Firstly, it is called a Starcaster – that’s the most important thing. It goes to space and expands your mind.
“I made some changes to the original Starcaster; I’ve streamlined the electronics, added the 70s headstock to round out the weight, and chose the matte finish with black hardware, so its look matches its modern feel.
“This guitar shows my evolution as a player but also has the hallmarks of where I came from and what I’m about.”
Blink-182 wrapped up their Australian tour – the first to feature DeLonge back on stage with Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker in over 20 years since his return to the band – last month, with sold-out arena shows all around the country.
The launch coincides with Fender celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Stratocaster guitar this year. Appearing on a recent episode of Mumbrella’s one-on-one podcast series, Fender chief marketing officer Evan Jones said the customers are as important to Fender as the artists who take part in their campaigns, with iconic names like Rage Against the Machine’s Tom Morello, Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, and even Australia’s own Tash Sultana, featuring in recent works.
“We want to develop creative content and campaigns that are as thoughtful as the products that we make, knowing how much work goes into those products. But we also want to develop campaign campaigns that artists will want to be a part of, because if they want to be a part of it, then the organic sharing, the social pickup, the earned potential of it, it will be high,” Jones said.
“And let’s face it – consumers today, their bullshit meter is high and we need to respect that… “
Listen to the full episode here.
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Neil Griffiths is the editor of Mumbrella. He joined the company in October 2023.
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