10 Bands That Broke Up After Their Debut Album

Box Car Racer is the side project of Tom Delonge and Travis Barker of blink-182. This project, created by Delonge to vent his frustrations regarding various physical health issues and a growing addiction to painkillers, went on to release a sole eponymous full length that had an enormous domino effect on the careers of Delonge and blink-182. Box Car Racer is acknowledged as the source of Delonge's tension with Mark Hoppus (bassist of blink-182) that eventually lead to the bands demise in early 2005.

Box Car Racer's debut features a different sound to what fans were used to hearing from blink-182, with Delonge diving further into his Post-Hardcore influences to create a more aggressive sound that he felt musically would match his frustrations and emotional struggles. Delonge stated that he had no intention of releasing the album via a record label, nor did he care much to heavily promote the album. Despite this, MCA showed interest in releasing the album and Delonge agreed to have them on board. Box Car Racer was released in May of 2002, receiving a surprising amount of commercial success and critical acclaim. The band toured throughout 2002 to promote the album across the US.

Delonge eventually shelved the project in 2003 due to the growing tensions between himself and Hoppus. Despite tensions that occurred between the two during this time period, Hoppus agreed to feature on the album's penultimate track 'Elevator'. Delonge has expressed repeated interest in reviving the project in recent years, going as far to say that he's communicating with Barker about writing a new Box Car Racer album. However, no plans have been solidified and Barker has yet to confirm or deny involvement with Delonge regarding Box Car Racer.