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Travis BarkerCan A Drummer Get Some (Remix)Carry ItCome And Get ItJump DownJust ChillLet's GoMisfits
After the split of his first band, Feeble, Barker began playing for The Aquabats in 1996 as The Baron Von Tito. He recorded one album with them, The Fury of the Aquabats!, in 1997. His career took off when he joined up with pop punk band Blink-182 in 1998. Barker has since established himself as a versatile drummer, producing and making guest appearances in music projects of numerous music genres including hip-hop, alternative rock, pop and country. He has gained significant acceptance within the hip-hop community in particular and often collaborates with artists to compose rock-tinged remixes to their songs.[1] He founded clothing company Famous Stars and Straps in 1999 and LaSalle Records in 2004. Companies such as DC Shoes and Zildjian cymbals have co-designed products in his name. Barker collaborated with artists (including Game, Tom Morello, Raekwon, RZA, Slash, and other musicians) for his debut solo debut album, Give the Drummer Some, which was released on March 15, 2011. Travis Barker was born to Randy and Gloria Barker in Fontana, California, which is located in San Bernardino County. Barker grew up in a high-crime area, where his father worked as a mechanic and his mother babysat for local kids.[2] When Barker was four, his mother gave him his first drum kit, which was the only one he would have until he was fifteen. Barker began taking drum lessons at age five with jazz drummer Michael Mai, who would expose young Barker to many different playing styles.[2] At this time, he also began taking trumpet lessons. In junior high, Barker learned to play the piano and briefly tried singing, joining the madrigals men and women’s choir.[2] In addition, Barker had non-musical aspirations; he also was interested in becoming a professional surfer and skateboarder. However, Barker states that "I always migrated back to drums, though. That was the one thing that kind of felt like I was connected to and I could kind of understand. I could express myself better through my drums than I could anything else."[3] His mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer
three months earlier, died the day before he started high school.[4]
She told him to keep playing music and to follow his dreams. Barker
attended Fontana High School, where he played in the jazz ensemble
and marching band. He gained a lot of experience performing at
regional competitions and festivals. During his senior year, he
passed up drum corps tryouts to tour with a rock band. Barker gained
a lot of experience performing with a few early rock bands. After
Barker graduated from high school in 1993 he became a member of
The Aquabats. He was nicknamed "Baron Von Tito." Barker did go back to drum corps for his age out year in 1996, to audition with
the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps, but was ultimately cut and
did not march. Blink-182 was formed in 1992 by Mark Hoppus and
Tom DeLonge. After recruiting drummer Scott Raynor, the band recorded
three early demos and two studio albums: Cheshire Cat (1994) and
Dude Ranch (1997). Hoppus and DeLonge fired Raynor midway through
a U.S. tour in 1998 after a drinking problem became far too prevalent.[5]
Hoppus and DeLonge asked drummer Barker of Blink-182's support
band The Aquabats to fill in for Raynor for the remainder of the
tour, and, after being impressed with Barker, asked him to join
the band. Blink-182 released their breakthrough album Enema of the State in June 1999 to commercial success, fueled by successful singles "What's My Age Again", "All the Small Things", and "Adam's Song".[6] After releasing live album The Mark, Tom, and Travis Show (The Enema Strikes Back!) in November 2000, the band entered the studio and recorded their fourth studio album Take Off Your Pants and Jacket, released in June 2001. The album continued the band's commercial success and popularity.[6] After performing with Box Car Racer for much of 2002, DeLonge and Barker rejoined the band to record their eponymous fifth studio album, released in November 2003. The album continued the commercial success that previous albums had endured, as well as being critically acclaimed: Blink-182 represented a more "mature" band than seen in the past,[7] with the band infusing experimentalist elements into their usual pop punk sound, inspired by lifestyle changes (the band members all became fathers before the album was released) and side-projects (Box Car Racer and Transplants).[8] Tensions arose between the band members as DeLonge expressed his desire to cancel the tour and enter a half-year respite from touring in late 2004, and the band officially announced an "indefinite hiatus" in February 2005. DeLonge formed Angels & Airwaves while Hoppus and Barker continued playing music together in +44. In August 2008, the band's frequent producer Jerry Finn died of a cerebral hemorrhage,[9] and Barker barely survived a plane crash, sustaining second and third degree burns on his lower body and torso. Both events would be catalysts for the band reuniting; in 2010, DeLonge reflected, "If that accident hadn't happened, we wouldn't be a band. Plain and simple. That was fate."[10] The band announced their reunion in February 2009
at the 51st Grammy Awards ceremony.[11] A well-received reunion
tour took place in mid-2009, with a European leg performed in summer
2010. Currently, the band is recording their sixth studio album
which is planned to be released in June 2011.[12] Barker has said he has always been interested in many genres of music outside rock, especially hip hop. In a 2002 interview with MTV he said, "I probably listen to more hip-hop and drum'n'bass than I do rock music.".[13] Not being able to explore these interests within Blink-182, Barker participated in two hip hop related side projects during that the time: Transplants and Expensive Taste. Box Car Racer is a side project begun with Tom DeLonge of Blink-182 in 2002. This project resulted in one self-titled album which was released that year. DeLonge said he asked Barker to play drums so that he would not have to find and pay a session drummer to come in. Transplants is a hip hop-induced punk band for
which Barker partnered with Tim Armstrong of Rancid and Rob Aston
(former roadie for Rancid). Transplants released two studio records
as well as a remixed version of their second album which was chopped
and screwed by rapper and hip-hop artist, Paul Wall.[14] The first
album released by Transplants was their self-titled album in 2002.
The second Transplants record, Haunted Cities, was released by
LaSalle Records in June 2005. After the Vans Warped Tour of 2005,
the members decided to disband. This was confirmed by vocalist
Rob Aston in January 2006 during an interview.[citation needed]
In January 2010, Barker announced that the Transplants would reform
for new material.[15] He was best friends with the late DJ AM, Adam Goldstein. Some of his first forays into other genres was on Bad Boy 4 Life by P Diddy and Back In The Mudd by Bubba Sparxxx (who also toured with blink). Barker has produced or worked on albums with the Black Eyed Peas, Pink and Pharrell. He appears on Bun B's album, Trill (2005) with Skinhead Rob for the bonus track, "Late Night Creepin'". In 2006 he was a producer on T.I.'s fourth album, King. Also in 2006 he played drums for several songs on Avril Lavigne's third album, "The Best Damn Thing".[16] He also dueted with Rihanna on a remix of her hit "Umbrella", he also appeared in her video. Barker also had a remix with Eminem, on the song 3 A.M. In late 2005 Barker started a new band, +44, with fellow Blink-182 member Mark Hoppus. +44 only released one studio album, When Your Heart Stops Beating. They played several tour dates with Fall Out Boy, Taking Back Sunday, and Cobra Starship. In 2006, he and Rob Aston joined Paul Wall in forming a new hip hop group called Expensive Taste. Barker made a very well received remix of Soulja Boy's "Crank That". In a similar fashion to the Soulja Boy remix, he has also remixed Flo Rida's single "Low" that was later included within the deluxe version of Flo Rida's debut album. Barker is a playable character in Guitar Hero: World Tour and his remix of "Low" is available as downloadable content. Barker is also featured on The Game's latest album, L.A.X., drumming on the song "Dope Boys". He was the drummer for all of the performers at the MTV Video Music Awards of 2008, including Kid Cudi and LL Cool J. In November 2009, Barker made a remix with hip-hop artist Drake's song "Forever", featuring Eminem, Lil Wayne and Kanye West. In January 2010, Barker announced a new TRVS BRKR remix of Snoop Dogg's new single, "I Wanna Rock", via his Twitter account. In February 2010, Steve Vai mentioned in his newsletter and website that now he's working on a version of "Stairway to Heaven" for Mary J. Blige with Travis Barker on drums, Orianthi on guitar, and Randy Jackson on bass. The song appears on the UK version of Blige's album Stronger with Each Tear. On February 17, 2010, it was announced that Travis Barker will work with A-Trak for club shows such as he did with DJ AM. The first shows will take place on March 9 and 10 at The Roxy in West Hollywood.[17][dated info] It is yet to be announced whether the two will release a mix tape. On February 2, 2010, Lil Wayne's rock debut album Rebirth was released. It features a track entitled "One Way Trip" which is featuring Kevin Rudolf that shows the friendship between Travis and Lil Wayne, with one of the lyrics being "... And T. Barker is my muthafuckin' drummer..." On April 22, 2010, Barker performed "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin on American Idol along with Mary J. Blige, Orianthi, Steve Vai and Randy Jackson. On May 1, 2010, Barker and rapper T.I. both confirmed they will be collaborating on a track on the rapper's upcoming album entitled King Uncaged. On July 9, 2010, the blink-182 drummer announced on his Twitter account that he would be dropping his new remix of rapper Waka Flocka's "Hard in The Paint". The track later, was made available for streaming on music site RapRadar. On Aug 5, 2010, it was announced via RapRadar that the drummer himself & DJ Toomp are working on a remix of T.I.'s hit-single Yeah Ya Know (Takers) of the upcoming album King Uncaged. On March 1st 2011 Ourstage, Guitar Center and
Travis Barker team up to create the unsigned artist discovery program
Guitar Center Presents Your Next Record With Travis Barker[18].
The winner gets a 3-song ep produced by Travis Barker at Red Bull
Studios in Los Angeles, Travis Barker appears on the winning artists
single, $10,000 in new gear from Guitar Center and Worldwide distribution
of the winners music through TuneCore. Barker owns and contributes to several businesses in addition to his musical interests. He founded an accessory/apparel company called Famous Stars and Straps in 1999 which sells street/skate style clothing and gear. Barker has said the brand's trademark "F" for the logo was chosen for its resemblance to a car logo but mainly for the fact that it can stand on its own. Barker is also business partners with famous skateboarder Rob Dyrdek and together they are part of the team that own the clothing label named Rogue Status, and in 2009 another label called DTA. He co-founded LaSalle Records, a record company to which his band, Transplants, are signed.[19] He has dabbled in the restaurant industry, opening a Wahoo's Fish Taco restaurant in Norco, California.[20] Barker has developed a shoe for DC Shoe Company
called the "Alias Remix" and is endorsed by Orange County Drum and Percussion and Zildjian. He also has
his own line of drumming products, sponsored by Zildjian.[21] Barker has been married twice. He first married his long time girlfriend, Melissa Kennedy, on September 22, 2001. The couple divorced August 6, 2002 after eleven months of marriage. Barker married actress and Miss USA 1995, Shanna Moakler, on October 30, 2004. The couple had a Gothic-style ceremony inspired by the Tim Burton film, The Nightmare Before Christmas, which was held on the eve of Halloween.[22] Barker and Moakler have two children together, Landon Asher (born October 9, 2003) and Alabama Luella (born December 24, 2005). Atiana Cecilia de la Hoya (born March 29, 1999) is Moakler's daughter with former boyfriend Oscar de la Hoya. The family appeared in a reality television series, Meet the Barkers, which aired on MTV from 2005–2006. On August 8, 2006, Barker filed for divorce from Moakler after nearly two years of marriage.[23][24] The couple's divorce was made public as each used their MySpace pages to air their feelings on the matter.[25] During their separation, Barker had a brief fling with Paris Hilton in September, 2006.[26] Despite their pending divorce, reports surfaced in early 2007 that Barker and Moakler were "quietly trying to give it another go" as they were reportedly seen autographing a fan's book, with a heart around their names.[27] In March 2007, Moakler revealed to People magazine that she and Barker (still married) were back together, but denied that she was pregnant.[28] This admission came after the couple were publicly affectionate at a surprise birthday Barker threw for his wife in Miami.[28] People.com later reported that the couple had separated again. No reason was given for the split. Barker and Moakler were seen together at the 2007 Video Music Awards kissing and holding hands. However, as of February 11, 2008, the couple's divorce had been finalized.[29] Barker and Moakler were together during a DJ set
Barker was playing with DJ AM in Las Vegas on January 7, 2009.[30]
The couple attempted to rekindle their relationship in early 2009
but announced that they were no longer together on April 1, 2009,
amid reports that police had been called to their home after a
fight; no charges were filed against either party.[31] On September 19, 2008, Barker was injured when the Learjet 60, which he boarded, crashed outside Columbia, South Carolina.[32] The jet was headed for Van Nuys, California.[33] According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the plane was departing the airport when air traffic controllers saw sparks emanating from the plane. It went off the runway, smashed through a fence, crossed a nearby road, slammed into an embankment and caught fire.[33][34] Barker had performed the night before at an event with Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell, Gavin DeGraw and DJ AM.[32] Barker and DJ AM were transported to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, where they were both listed in critical condition.[32] Four others were killed in the crash, three males and one female. With autopsies being performed to identify the bodies,[35] two of the deceased were crew members, and two were passengers, including Chris Baker, Barker's personal assistant who often appeared in Meet The Barkers,[32] and Charles Still, Barker's security guard.[36] On September 21, Dr. Fred Mullins, medical director of the Burn Center reported that Barker sustained second and third degree burns on his lower body and torso and was expected to fully recover within a year.[37] Barker stopped his vegetarian diet and began eating meat to increase his protein intake and possibly speed up healing of his burns.[38] Barker survived the incident, enabling him to return to the recording studio in November 2008 with long time friend and Keys to the Cadillac drummer Mike Barbalaci. On his first television interview since the crash, he said to MTV, "I'm already playing my drums again, and I'm already back in the studio". Elaborating by stating that the return to the studio "was like riding a bike. It was really exciting to know I still have my chops. It still felt good... I still can make it around the kit. Everything felt right, so I'm thankful to be able to play."[39] Barker sued the plane's owners, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., and an airplane maintenance company on November 21, 2008. He sought more than $25,000 in damages "for pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of earnings, and medical and legal expenses", claiming that the companies had "improperly operated and maintained the Learjet". The lawsuit claims the Learjet's pilots were "improperly trained and should have tried to take off rather than continue down the runway." The mother of Barker's bodyguard, Charles Monroe Still Jr., who was killed in the crash, joined the lawsuit. She sued the companies for "damages including grief and sorrow, funeral expenses and loss of earnings."[40] The court case was settled in December 2009, with lawyer William L. Robinson, who represented some of the companies, saying the terms of the settlement are confidential.[41] On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Barker
would make his first appearance with DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) since
the two survived the plane crash. The duo performed at New Year's
Nation's[42] Los Angeles New Year's Eve Party at The Wiltern.[43][44]
Their performance was streamed live on the Internet via New Year's
Nation's official site, and broadcast at other New Year's Nation
parties across the US.[45][46][47] Of the gig, Barker told press, "I'm ready to get back onstage with AM and continue to rock the house. I'm very
excited to bring in the New Year in my hometown of L.A."[48][49] DJ AM died on August 28, 2009 of an accidental[50] drug overdose in
his New York City apartment. Barker is currently sponsored by Orange County
Drum and Percussion[51] and Zildjian.[52] Solo albums Year Album details Peak chart positions * Released: March 15, 2011 9 2 2 17 160 With Blink-182 Main article: Blink-182 discography * Enema of the State (1999) With Transplants Main article: Transplants discography * Transplants (2002) With +44 * When Your Heart Stops Beating (2006) With TRV$DJAM * Fix Your Face (mixtape) (2008) With The Aquabats * The Fury of the Aquabats! (1997) With Box Car Racer * Box Car Racer (2002) With Expensive Taste * DJ Skee Presents: Expensive Taste (2007) [edit] Solo singles * "In Search Of..." (by
N.E.R.D) (2001) - drums on the track "Provider" [edit] Film and television Travis has appeared in numerous films and television shows, most notably his own reality show, Meet the Barkers, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler which debuted in 2005. However, Barker can be found in a brief scene with blink-182 in the teen movie, American Pie. In 2003, he appeared in an episode of MTV's Punk'd, a Candid Camera-esque television show, in which he took part in a set-up bareknuckle boxing match; he also appeared and spoke alongside Linkin Park-vocalist Chester Bennington on MTV's Icon show honoring heavy metal band Metallica in May of that year. In 2006 Barker starred in a Boost Mobile commercial,[59] which was detailed in an episode of Meet the Barkers. He's also played a few guest starring roles such as a rapper on the popular crime drama, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2001, he appeared with Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus in the skit "Leave it to Blink-182", a parody of "Leave It to Beaver", on the late night TV show MADtv.[60] In a slight departure from his usual genres, he made an appearance on the 41st annual CMA Awards in 2006, performing a medley of songs by country icon Buck Owens with a group of artists including Dwight Yoakam, ZZ Top guitarist Billy Gibbons, and former Byrds bass player Chris Hillman.[61] Filmography Year Film Role Notes * Travis appears as a secret, playable character
in Tony Hawk's Project 8. [edit] Videos In addition to his own work with Blink-182, Box Car Racer, Transplants, and +44, Barker has made numerous guest appearances. In 2001, Barker appeared, playing drums, in P. Diddy's video, "Bad Boy for Life".[62] In 2003 he played the drums in Bubba Sparxxx's video for "Back in the Mud". He was featured in the opening sequence of the Dem Franchise Boys music video, "Ridin Rims," in 2006. Travis appeared in Xzibit's music video "Hey Now (Mean Muggin)", T.I.'s video "What You Know", Ice Cube's "Go to Church", New Found Glory's "My Friends Over You", Three 6 Mafia's "Side 2 Side (Remix)" and "Doe Boy Fresh" videos. He was also featured on the Outkast music video "Morris Brown" and can be seen playing drums in The Game's AOL Session. Videography Year Song Band Notes
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