Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is a musician, producer, and the drummer for the band Blink-182, as well as The Transplants. He was a frequent collaborator with DJ AM before his death, and together they formed TRV$DJAM.
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 became known for his mohawk and his tendency to perform shirtless, revealing a multitude of tattoos. 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.
In 1998, Barker began touring with The Aquabats, and under the stage name "The Baron Von Tito". Blink-182 was also on the bill, and when then-drummer Scott Raynor was removed from the band, Barker was asked to fill in. This required him to learn the entire set (over 20 songs) in less than two hours and perform them at that night's show, in addition to playing a set with The Aquabats. His efforts earned him an offer to join Blink-182, which Barker accepted.
In an interview with TMZ, regarding a reunion, Barker states "We're all friends" and "Everyone's getting along pretty good."[2]
At the 51st Grammy Awards, while announcing the award for Rock Album of The Year, Blink-182 announced they were getting back together. This was the first step towards Blink's current status.
Barker and Blink-182 have finished a 50 date North American tour in 2009. 2010 will see a European tour and a one-off USA show before heading back in the studio. They played shows including Hartford, D.C., Madison Square Garden, and Boston. During the tour Blink played with bands like Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, Asher Roth, The All American Rejects, and Taking Back Sunday.
[edit]Side Projects/Collaborations (2002-Present)
Barker 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.".[3] 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 wouldn't 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.[4] 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.[5]
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He was best friends with the late DJ AM, Adam Goldstein.
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".[6] He also dueted with Rihanna on a remix of her hit "Umbrella", he also appeared in her video. Barker also had a remix with the Rap artist 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 Tourand 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 August 2009, Matt Sorum revealed that Barker will appear on Slash, Slash's upcoming solo album.[7]
In June 2009, he played drums in the BET Awards for Jamie Foxx's performance of "Blame It".
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, andRandy 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.[8][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.
