+44 тобы: Blink-182 мүшелерінің жаңа жобасы

American rock band

+44 (read as Plus Forty four) was an American rock supergroup formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2005. The group consisted of vocalist and bassist Mark Hoppus and drummer Travis Barker of Blink 182, lead guitarist Shane Gallagher of The Nervous Return, and rhythm guitarist Craig Fairbaugh of Mercy Killers. Hoppus and Barker created +44 shortly after the initial 2005 breakup of Blink 182 and before it was later reformed. The band's name refers to the international dialing code of the United Kingdom, the country where the duo first discussed the project. Early recordings were largely electronic in nature, and featured vocals by Carol Heller, formerly of the all girl punk quartet Get the Girl. The band's sound gradually took on a heavier tone as Hoppus and Barker purchased a studio in which to record. Although anticipated by the music press, the band's only album—When Your Heart Stops Beating (2006)—underperformed commercial expectations and received mixed reviews from the critics. The group toured worldwide throughout 2006 and 2007, including a summer slot on the Honda Civic Tour alongside Fall Out Boy. Hoppus later began preparing material for a solo album, put plans for a second +44 album on hold in 2008, and the group entered an extended hiatus with the reunion of Blink 182 in 2009.

By 2004, blink 182—consisting of bassist Mark Hoppus, guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker—had emerged as the biggest pop punk act of the era, releasing the multiplatinum album Enema of the State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), which reached number one. The band took a brief break in 2002 when DeLonge suffered a herniated disc in his back. During this time, he collected several darker musical ideas he felt unsuitable for blink 182, compiling them in the album Box Car Racer. This latter was recorded with the help of Hazen Street guitarist and longtime friend David Kennedy, and was intended as a one time experimental project, but evolved into a full fledged band, with Barker behind the kit. This side project would cause great division between DeLonge and Hoppus, who was not included and felt betrayed. The trio embarked on a European tour the following fall, during which DeLonge felt increasingly conflicted both about his creative freedom within the group and the toll touring was taking on his family life. He eventually expressed his desire to take a half year respite from touring, in order to spend more time with his family. Hoppus and Barker were dismayed by his decision, which they felt was an overly long break. DeLonge did not blame his band mates for being disappointed with his requests, but was himself dismayed that they could not seemingly understand. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, DeLonge agreed to perform at Music for Relief's Concert for South Asia, a benefit show to aid victims. Further arguments ensued during rehearsals, rooted in the band member's increasing paranoia and bitterness toward one another. He considered his band mates' priorities very different, coming to the conclusion that the trio had simply grown apart as they aged, had families, and achieved fame. The breakdown in communication led to heated exchanges, resulting in his exit from the group. It was announced on February 22, 2005, that blink 182 would be going on an "indefinite hiatus". DeLonge would not speak to Barker or Hoppus—whom he once considered his greatest friends—for several years. Despite this, Geffen Records president Jordan Schur reportedly told Barker that "any press you do, make sure you say everything is cool".

Hoppus and Barker began laying down new ideas. While away on a trip in April 2005, Hoppus participated in an interview with MTV News in which he revealed the band's existence. When the two regrouped, they decided to stop giving interviews about the new project. The band's name is a reference to the country code needed when placing a phone call to the United Kingdom, where Hoppus and Barker first discussed making music alone. After moving all band gear into the new recording center, the entire direction of the band evolved into a more organic sound. The release date for When Your Heart Stops Beating was anticipated and publicized by the music press. As early as August 2005, Internet rumors began to circulate that the album would be released in January 2006, although the band's management denied the claims. Thanks to Hoppus' and Barker's silence on press interviews, misinformation flooded the Internet in the months prior to the record's release, and countless impostors posted fake songs online. "No, It Isn't" was leaked in December 2005 and caused speculation, as it addressed the break up of blink 182 head on. Hoppus did not give any formal interviews prior to the release of the album, instead working on it in relative secrecy, spending time updating his blog, and producing tracks for Motion City Soundtrack. "During that time, their former bandmate, Tom DeLonge, did the opposite, peppering blogs and magazines with quotes hyping his new band and putting the blame for the Blink situation squarely on their shoulders", reported James Montgomery, of MTV News. The album received generally mixed reviews from music critics. The New York Times described it as "zippier and catchier" than Angels & Airwaves' debut studio album We Don't Need to Whisper, but concluded that neither band was as good as blink 182. As of September 2011, the album sold over 274,000 copies in the US. +44's first show took place at the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, on September 7, 2006, with a second appearance following at the London Astoria. The band embarked on a promotional tour in the United Kingdom shortly thereafter. Barker was in constant pain but soldiered through the performances, altering his kit set up to accommodate. The tour rolled on to Australia and Japan, where the band busied itself with press junkets and appearances.

+44's original electronic influence is an undercurrent throughout the band's music, although electronic has been overtaken by guitar. Many tracks display a traditional punk sound (with a much more melodic touch), but also highlight electronica as a key influence. Its similarity is featured by the soft verse and loud chorus explosion as heard on their single "Stay Together for the Kids". The band's sole studio album, When Your Heart Stops Beating, was largely inspired by other bands such as The Postal Service, Missing Persons, and The Cure. The album has been described stylistically as pop punk, emo pop, and alternative rock.