When Your Heart Stops Beating is the only album by the American rock supergroup +44, released on November 14, 2006, by Interscope Records. Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker of Blink-182 formed +44 as an experimental electronic outfit following the breakup of Blink-182. The project started in early 2005, and was later joined by lead guitarist Shane Gallagher and rhythm guitarist Craig Fairbaugh.
Recording began in earnest shortly after the band purchased the Los Angeles-based studio Opra Music. The electronic demos evolved into more rock-based, full band compositions over the course of the recording process in 2006. Jerry Finn, who had worked extensively with Blink-182, came into the studio late in the production process to oversee completion of the album. Its dark lyrical content primarily reflects the demise of Blink-182, although it is stylistically upbeat and inspired by bands such as the Postal Service and the Cure.
Although anticipated by music press, When Your Heart Stops Beating undersold commercial expectations and received mixed reviews from critics. The album's title track was released as its lead single and peaked at number 14 on Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. +44 embarked on a worldwide touring schedule to support the album, and played the 2007 Honda Civic Tour alongside headliner Fall Out Boy. With the 2009 reunion of Blink-182, When Your Heart Stops Beating stands as +44's only album to date.
Background
By 2004, Blink-182, consisting of bassist Mark Hoppus, guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker, had achieved significant commercial success in the mainstream. The band had taken a brief break in late 2001 when DeLonge suffered a herniated disc in his back, during which time he collected several darker musical ideas he felt unsuitable for Blink-182, compiling them into a record, Box Car Racer. The album, recorded with the help of Hazen Street guitarist and longtime friend David Kennedy, was intended as a one-time experimental project but evolved into a full-fledged band upon Barker's involvement. The side project would cause great division between DeLonge and Hoppus, who felt "betrayed." Blink-182 regrouped in 2003 to record and release their eponymous fifth studio album, which, not unlike Box Car Racer, reflected what critics believed to be a darker, more experimentalist tone.
The trio embarked on a European tour the following autumn. DeLonge became uncomfortable with the hefty touring schedule, during which he was unable to see his family. He eventually expressed his desire to take a half-year respite from touring in order to spend more time with family. Hoppus and Barker protested his decision, which they felt was an overly long break. DeLonge did not blame his bandmates for being disappointed with his requests, but was dismayed that they could not seemingly understand. In addition, DeLonge protested the idea of Barker's reality television series, Meet the Barkers, which was being produced for a 2005 premiere. DeLonge disliked television cameras everywhere, feeling his personal privacy was invaded. Following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, 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 bandmates priorities "mad, mad different", and the breakdown in communication led to heated exchanges, resulting in his exit from the group. Geffen announced on February 22, 2005 that Blink-182 would be going on an "indefinite hiatus." Label president Jordan Schur reportedly advised Barker to downplay events in the press.