Drummer Travis Barker has to leave Plus-44 tour

Former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has been forced to take a leave of absence from his new band, Plus-44, due to lingering effects from an arm injury he suffered in October. In a statement, Plus-44 -- which is currently touring Europe -- announced that Barker's fractured right arm "has worsened," forcing him to return to Los Angeles to see the doctors who have been treating him. The statement added that "The band supports his decision to leave the tour and allow his injury to heal. The guys are committed to their tour and their fans. Travis's health is of the utmost importance right now." A substitute drummer has not yet been named but was expected to be in place on Monday, January 22nd, when the group was expected to play in Vienna, Austria.

Barker fractured the arm during the video shoot for Plus-44's first single, "When Your Heart Stops Beating." He played subsequent dates using just one arm.

Plus-44 wraps up its European tour in early February and plays Australia later in the month. A North American tour is expected in the spring or summer.

Barker formed Plus-44 with fellow Blink-182 mate Mark Hoppus after guitarist Tom Delonge quit the group in 2005.
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