+44 video for (+44)'s Lillian.

+44 Formation (2004-2005)

Originally, +44 was only going to be a side-project of Blink-182 when Mark and Travis were talking about it during the Europe tour in late 2004[3], when they noted that Tom DeLonge was acting more and more distant and was becoming less interested in Blink-182. However, the events that followed in February of 2005 caused +44 to become Mark and Travis' main focus rather than a side-project. The project consisted of elements not usually present in Blink-182's work, namely electronic drums, keyboards, and direct computer recordings. Barker later stated that the electronic element of the band was derived from "155", the first song he and Hoppus wrote as a band.[4]

As work continued on the demos, Get the Girl vocalist Carol Heller was invited by Hoppus and Barker to audition her vocals. Heller's performance was agreeable enough to the band and as a result the three kept working on more songs together. The band's lineup changed again early 2006, with the addition of guitarist Shane Gallagher.

In order to progress with their demos, Barker and Hoppus acquired a studio, a move which marked a "turning point for +44." [2] The band began working solely in the studio they had purchased, playing live drums, guitars and vocals.

The band's sound had started with an electronic element which became less evident, but still remained a key feature. As a result, Heller found she wasn't compatible with the band's direction, and with the addition of her wish to start a family, she left the band. The vocal work that Heller contributed is still present in the songs "Make You Smile", "Weatherman", and the early mix of "No, It Isn't". After this, Hoppus, Barker, and Gallagher were left to find a new backing vocalist. Guitarist Craig Fairbaugh of Mercy Killers then joined the band.