(+44) December 14, 2006

(+44)
DECEMBER 14, 8PM
THE FENIX -- ALL AGES
(FORMERLY THE PREMIER)

Former BLINK-182 co-founders MARK HOPPUS and TRAVIS BARKER have reunited under the aegis of a new band (+44), and will release their anticipated album, When Your Heart Stops Beating (Interscope Records), on November 14th. The album is produced by Hoppus and Barker and executive produced by long-time blink-182 producer Jerry Finn. Recruited for their new journey as (+44) -- pronounced “Plus 44” -- Shane Gallagher (The Nervous Return) and Craig Fairbaugh (Transplants, The Forgotten, Lars Frederiksen and the Bastards) join singer-bassist Hoppus and drummer-keyboardist Barker and pick up where the popular, multi-platinum-selling band blink-182 left off after splitting in late 2004. “We were two-thirds of blink-182, so we’re not afraid of sounding like ourselves,” says Hoppus. “We’re not divorcing ourselves from the past, but we are pushing beyond the past. We’re progressing like musicians should.” Barker agrees: “Mark and I have a natural chemistry after playing together for so long and it’s only gotten stronger. This band is a continuation of blink-182 but it’s also different. For a long time, blink-182 was an underdog. I like being the underdog again.” Upon naming the band (+44) after the international dialing code for the United Kingdom, their plan was simply to continue to create and explore. Barker put down his drums for six months and began piano lessons, bringing keyboards into the (+44) sound and opening up his songwriting talent. For the first time, Hoppus took on all of the lead vocals and lyric-writing and even added guitar to his usual bass duties. “I had no idea what I was capable of, especially as a singer. There’s a whole range in my voice, from barely whispering to really loud. I’m proud of how far I’ve come.” (+44) is not a side project or an experiment. Though Hoppus and Barker produce other artists and guest on numerous projects, (+44) is #1 in their careers. Three years after the last original blink-182 album, (+44) is the culmination of their surging energy and creativity.

Tickets are $20.00 plus applicable service charges and go on sale Saturday, September 23 at 10 a.m. and are available online at ticketswest.com or hob.com, all TicketsWest outlets, including Rudy’s Barbershops and select QFC Food Centers, or charge by phone at (800) 992-TIXX [8499]

Official Website: http://hob.com/tickets/eventdetail.asp?eventid=41558