Travis Barker

Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American drummer and the current drummer for punk rock trio Blink-182. He has also been a drummer for several side projects including +44, Box Car Racer, Transplants and Expensive Taste. In 1996, Barker joined his first touring band, playing drums for The Aquabats 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 punk rock band, Blink-182 in 1998. Barker became known for his mohawk and his tendency to perform without a shirt, revealing a multitude of tattoos. Barker has since established himself as a versatile drummer, producing and guest appearing in music projects of numerous music genres including hip-hop, punk rock, alternative rock, ska, pop and even 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. 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.

Personal life and early years

Barker's marriage to former Miss USA Shanna Moakler was featured in MTV's Meet the Barkers (2005–2006). His marriage and personal life have been considerable media fodder following his divorce in 2006, and a brief relationship with Hilton Hotel heiress Paris Hilton didn't help those matters. On February 5, 2009 MTV.com posted an article confirming that Barker and his ex-wife Shanna Moakler have decided to get back together.

Early life Barker was born in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Fontana, California, the son of Randy and Gloria Barker. He received his first drum set at the age of four and began taking drum and trumpet lessons at the age of five. The day before Barker started his freshman year at Fontana High School, his mother died. Gloria told him before she died to continue playing the drums because that was what he was good at. After her death, Barker became more serious about drumming. He joined a marching band in his sophomore year and made the snare line. During high school he performed at regional competitions and festivals. During his senior year of high school, Barker passed up drum corps tryouts to tour with his first band, Feeble. After graduating from high school in 1993, Barker gained more experience as a rock drummer in a few early bands including Feeble and The Aquabats. In the latter, he was known as "Baron Von Tito". From 1993 through 1998, Barker also worked a series of odd jobs and taught drum lessons to support himself. Though he continued to teach privately through 2002, Barker (while appearing on MTV's TRL, in 2003) mentioned that he no longer gives private drum lessons. Musical career Blink-182 (1992-2005, 2009-present) Blink-182. Barker with Tom DeLonge and Mark Hoppus in 2003 In 1996, Barker began touring with The Aquabats, 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. With Barker, Blink-182 released their best selling album to date, Enema of the State (1999), followed by Take off Your Pants and Jacket (2001), and Blink-182 (2003). After seven years of drumming with Blink-182, in February 2005, the band split up. In an interview with TMZ, regarding a reunion, Barker states "We're all friends" and "Everyone's getting along pretty good." On February 5, 2009, MTV.com announced that Blink-182 will reunite at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, which will be the first time the trio has met on stage since 2005. On the Grammy Awards telecast three days later, Barker announced that Blink-182 was back and would "be playing music together again," but did not go into any other details on the upcoming reunion. On February 8, 2009 at the Grammy Awards Mark Hoppus stated that he, Travis and Tom Delonge, are getting back together as Blink-182. On Blink's official website it is stated that they are currently working in a new studio album, and will be touring on Summer 2009. Side projects (2002–2009) Barker says he has always been interested in many genres of music outside of punk 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 punk rock music.". 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. 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 Travis Barker on stage in San Diego, June 2004. Barker has produced or worked on albums with the Black Eyed Peas, P!nk 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. He also dueted with Rihanna on a remix of her hit "Umbrella", he also appeared in her video. In late 2005 Barker started a new band, +44 with fellow Blink-182 member Mark Hoppus and 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 in the MTV Video Music Awards of 2008 including Kid Rock and LL Cool J. Plane crash Main article: 2008 South Carolina Learjet 60 crash On September 19, 2008, Barker was injured when the Learjet 60 in which he was a passenger crashed outside of Columbia, South Carolina. The jet was headed for Van Nuys, California. 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. Barker had performed the night before at an event with former Jane's Addiction singer Perry Farrell, Gavin DeGraw and DJ AM. Barker was transported to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, where he was listed in critical condition. DJ AM was also injured in the crash and was also listed in critical condition. Four others were killed in the crash, three males and one female. With autopsies being performed to identify the bodies, 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, and Charles Still, Barker's security guard. 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 is expected to fully recover within a year. Barker stopped his vegan diet and began eating meat in order to increase his protein intake and possibly speed healing of his burns. On stage in Columbia, SC before the crash. Barker returned to the recording studio in November 2008, just two months after the plane crash. 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." 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." On December 1, 2008, TV Guide reported that Barker will 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 Los Angeles New Year's Eve Party at The Wiltern. Their performance was to be streamed live on the Internet via New Year's Nation's official site, and broadcast at other New Year's Nation parties across the U.S. 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."