Travis Barker
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Travis Barker | |
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 Travis Barker in 2003
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Travis Landon Barker |
| Born | November 14, 1975 |
| Origin | Fontana, California, USA |
| Genre(s) | Pop punk, Third wave ska, Alternative rock, Punk rock, Hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, drummer, songwriter, producer, reality television celebrity, fashion designer |
| Instrument(s) | Drums, keyboards |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Label(s) | Interscope, La Salle/Atlantic, Geffen, Hellcat, MCA, Golden Voice |
| Associated acts | +44, Expensive Taste, Blink-182, Transplants, Box Car Racer, The Aquabats, Queens of the Stone Age, Avril Lavigne, Idiot Pilot |
| Website | TravisBarker.com |
Travis Landon Barker (born November 14, 1975) is an American drummer, who achieved most of his fame by drumming for the band Blink-182. He is currently the drummer for +44 and has also played for side projects 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, rap, pop and even country.
He founded a clothing company, Famous Stars and Straps in 1999, LaSalle Records in 2004, as well as a Wahoo's Fish Taco restaurant in Norco, California. Companies such as DC Shoes and Zildjian cymbals have co-designed products in his name. He has used Orange County Custom Drums to create his drum kits since before he became famous.
Barker's marriage to former Miss USA, Shanna Moakler, was featured in MTV's Meet the Barkers (2005–2006). After filing for divorce in 2006, his marriage trouble and personal life have been scrutinized in the media following a public MySpace battle with his wife[citation needed] and a brief relationship with Hilton Hotel heiress, Paris Hilton. Moakler recently announced that the two are making a fresh start and working it out for their children.[1]
He is currently pursuing legal action against Rockstar Energy Drinks who used his image without his consent. [2]
Contents |
Early life
He was born in a poverty-stricken neighborhood in Fontana, California. Barker received his first drum set at the age of four. He began taking drum and trumpet lessons at the age of five.
The day before starting his freshman year at Fontana High School, Barker's mother died. She told him before she died to continue playing the drums because that was what he was good at, and he listened to her. After her death, Barker became more serious with drumming. He joined marching band 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, The Suicide Machines and The Aquabats. In the latter, he was known as Baron Von Tito.[3]
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.
Blink-182, 1998–2005
In 1998, Travis 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, Travis 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. Travis's efforts earned him much appreciation and respect, and 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 7 years of drumming with blink-182, in February 2005, the band split up. He now mainly drums for the band +44, with former blink-182 band mate Mark Hoppus
Side projects, 2002–present
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 says, "I probably listen to more hip-hop and drum'n'bass than I do punk rock music, and same with Tim and Rob..".[4] Not being able to explore these interests within blink-182, Barker participated in several side projects during the time he was playing for blink-182 including Box Car Racer, 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. Tom said he asked Travis to play drums so that he wouldn't have to find and pay a session drummer to come in. This throw away comment was the catalyst for the eventual friendship breakdown between the two.
Transplants is a hip-hop induced punk band for which Travis 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.[5] 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 of 2005. After the Vans Warped Tour of 2005, the band members decided to call it quits. This was confirmed by vocalist Rob Aston in January of 2006 during an interview.[citation needed]
Barker has produced or worked on albums with the Black Eyed Peas, P!nk and Pharrell Williams. 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.[6]He also dueted with Rihanna on a remix of her hit "Umbrella", he also appeared in her video.
In late 2005 Travis started a new band, +44 with fellow blink-182 member Mark Hoppus and in 2006, Travis and Rob Aston joined Paul Wall in forming a new hip-hop group called Expensive Taste.
Recently, Travis Barker has made a very well received remix of Soulja Boy's "Crank That", a video that can be seen on YouTube. The song is also available for purchase on itunes, however Barker's drumming is reduced significantly from the YouTube version.
In a similar fashion, Travis has also remixed Flo-Rida's single Low that was later included within the delux version of Flo Rida's debut album on iTunes, with another video posted on YouTube.
Discography
Business ventures
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. Travis 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.
He also co-founded LaSalle Records, a record company to which his band, Transplants, are signed.[7] He has also dabbled in the restaurant industry, opening a Wahoo's Fish Taco restaurant in Norco, California.[8]
Travis has also 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.[9]
In 2006, Barker began the process of filing for the trademark "The Phenomenons". The trademark application indicates the name will be used for a band and possibly a clothing line but that remains to be seen.
Tattoos
Travis's first tattoo was the word "BONES" (a nickname when he was a kid) on his leg which he got when he was 17 years old.[10] Another addition is the phrase "SELF MADE" spelled out across his knuckles which he got in 2000.[10] Some of Travis's numerous tattoos include religious art as he says he was brought up Catholic.[10] He has a portrait of Jesus above his left biceps, hands in prayer on the left side of his head (visible with his signature mohawk) and a Sacred Heart. He has a few tattoos that symbolize his love for cars and Cadillacs in particular - two racing flags on the side of his neck with the number 66 which symbolizes the year of his favorite Cadillac and a Cadillac emblem surrounded by mudflap girls on his chest as well as a pair of spark plugs.[10] Another well known Cadillac tattoo is the word "Cadillac" on the side of his body.
Much of his body art is devoted to his love of music such as the phrase "Can I Say" (which is the name of Dag Nasty's first album), a microphone, and a boom box on his stomach for his love of breakdancing when he was growing up.[10] He also has the word "HOPE" on his back because of the Descendents' song and something positive after his mother's death. He has another tribute to the Descendents on his leg - the cover art to the album, I Don't Want To Grow Up, drumsticks and musical notes on his right arm.
Travis also makes several tributes to his family with the phrase "familia" on his arm, Japanese flowers on the back of his neck with a heart that says "Mom", and another heart with "SHANNA" on the banner.[10] He also has the name of his first wife, "Melissa," just above the racing flags on the side of his neck. He has his son's name Landon on his left wrist.
He considers his right arm his good luck arm and so has many luck emblems tattooed on that arm such as a deck of cards, dice, a dollar sign, his lucky number seven, a skull with the number 13 in the eye sockets (13 is a lucky number in the tattoo culture), and a rabbit's foot, in addition to a martini glass, his initials, a devil from Black Label Skateboards, and a spider web surrounding his elbow.[10]
Travis also has a tattoo-quote by Henry Brooks Adams stating "Chaos Often Breeds Life, When Order Breeds Habit"; the quote is tattooed around Barker's neck, and can also be found on the spine of the Box Car Racer CD case.
In explanation of his large number of tattoos Travis has said, "I tattooed my body so I couldn't fall back on anything. I purposely did that so I couldn't get a normal job and live a normal life. I did it so I had to play music." Travis claims to have spent over $30,000 on his body art.[11]
Relationships
Travis has been married twice. He first married his relatively long time girlfriend, Melissa Kennedy, on September 22, 2001. The couple divorced August 6, 2002 after 11 months.
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.[12] Barker and Moakler have two children together, Landon Asher and Alabama Luella. Atiana Cecilia de la Hoya 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.[13][14] The couple's divorce was made public as each used their MySpace pages to air their feelings on the matter.[15] During their separation, Barker had a brief fling with Hilton Hotel heiress and socialite, Paris Hilton in September, 2006.[16]
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.[17]
In March of 2007, Moakler revealed to People magazine that she and Barker (still married) are indeed back together, but denied that she was pregnant.[18] This admission came after the couple was publicly affectionate at a surprise birthday Barker threw for his wife in Miami.[18] People.com now reports that Travis and Shanna have separated again, no reason has been given for the split. However Travis & Shanna were seen at the 2007 Video Music Awards kissing and holding hands.
As February 11, 2008, the divorce has been finalized.[19]
Film and television
Travis has appeared in numerous films and television shows, most notably his own reality show, Meet the Barkers, with his wife Shanna Moakler which debuted in 2005. However, Barker can be found in a brief scene in the teen movie, American Pie. Ironically Scott Raynor was given the credit for appearing in 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 on MTV's Icon show honoring heavy metal band Metallica in May of that year. In 2006 Barker starred in a Boost Mobile commercial,[20] 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, and a voiceover for an episode of The Simpsons. He's been a presenter for several award shows such as the Much Music Awards in 2002 and the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000. 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. [21] He has also been interviewed by Nardwuar the Human Serviette. 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.[22] Travis Barker appeared as a judge on the MTV reality show Say What? Karaoke.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | American Pie (film) | Garage band member | miscredited; the film makers credited the old Blink-182 drummer by mistake |
| The Urethra Chronicles | Blink-182 | ||
| Two Guys, a Girl, and a Pizza Place | Himself | ||
| 2000 | Jailbait | Blink-182 | |
| 2001 | Mad TV | Blink-182 | "Leave it to Blink-182" |
| MTV Cribs | Himself | ||
| 2002 | Riding in Vans with Boys | Blink-182 | |
| South Park | Blink-182 | Parody Of Blink-182 (Episode 709) | |
| 2003 | Ride with Funkmaster Flex | Himself | |
| The Urethra Chronicles II | Blink-182 | ||
| The Simpsons | Blink-182 | Episode 300 | |
| 2005 | Give 'Em the Boot | Transplants | |
| Meet the Barkers | Himself | 2005–2006 | |
| 2006 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Hi Def | |
| 2007 | Adventures in Hollyhood | Himself | |
| MTV Cribs | Himself | Rick Thorne Episode |
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",[23]. In 2003 he played the drums in Bubba Sparxxx's video for "Back In The Mudd". 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", Three 6 Mafia's "Side 2 Side (remix)" and also the "Doe Boy Fresh" video. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Super Rad" | The Aquabats! | |
| 1999 | "All The Small Things" | Blink-182 | |
| "What's My Age Again" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Ziplock" | Lit | ||
| 2000 | "Man Overboard" | Blink-182 | |
| "Adam's Song" | Blink-182 | ||
| 2001 | "First Date" | Blink-182 | |
| "Stay Together For The Kids" | Blink-182 | ||
| "The Rock Show" | Blink 182 | ||
| "Bad Boy 4 Life" | P. Diddy | ||
| "Provider" | N.E.R.D. | ||
| 2002 | "I Feel So" | Box Car Racer | |
| "There Is" | Box Car Racer | ||
| "My Friends Over You" | New Found Glory | ||
| 2003 | "Feeling This" | Blink-182 | |
| "Back in the Mud" | Bubba Sparxxx | ||
| "Diamonds and Guns" | Transplants | ||
| "D.J. D.J." | Transplants | ||
| "Violence" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Feeling This" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Obvious" | Blink-182 | ||
| "The Fallen Interlude" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Stockholm Syndrome" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Down" | Blink-182 | Enhanced CD Version | |
| "What's Your Number" | Cypress Hill | ||
| "Shut Up" | Black Eyed Peas | ||
| 2004 | "Always" | Blink-182 | |
| "Down" | Blink-182 | ||
| "I Miss You" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Hey Now" | Xzibit | ||
| 2005 | "What I Can't Describe" | Transplants | |
| "Not Now" | Blink-182 | ||
| "Gangsters & Thugs" | Transplants | ||
| "Another Girl, Another Planet" | Blink-182 | ||
| 2006 | "What You Know" | T.I. | |
| "When Your Heart Stops Beating" | +44 | ||
| "Chapter 13" | +44 | ||
| "God's Gonna Cut You Down" | Johnny Cash | ||
| "Ridin' Rims" | Dem Franchize Boyz | ||
| "Side 2 Side" | Three 6 Mafia | ||
| "Morris Brown" | Outkast | ||
| "It's OK (One Blood)" | The Game | AOL Sessions | |
| "Let's Ride" | The Game | AOL Sessions | |
| "Too Much" | The Game | AOL Sessions | |
| "Compton" | The Game | AOL Sessions | |
| "Baby, Come On" | +44 | AOL Sessions | |
| "When Your Heart Stops Beating" | +44 | AOL Sessions | |
| "Cliff Diving" | +44 | AOL Sessions | |
| "Lycanthrope" | +44 | AOL Sessions | |
| 2007 | "Doe Boy Fresh" | Three Six Mafia | |
| "Umbrella" | Rihanna | ||
| "Can U Werk With Dat." | QUIK & AMG (The Fixxers) | ||
| "I'm Throwed" | Paul Wall | ||
| "Crank Dat Soulja Boy" | Soulja Boy | ||
| "155" | +44 | ||
| "Low" | Flo Rida |
References
- ^ Mascia, Kristen. "Paris Hilton, Travis Barker: Makeout Party!", People.com, 2006-09-13. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ NME "Blink-182 man files suit against beverage company" - January 17, 2008
- ^ Higgins, John. "Review: The Aquabats in Yeovil", BBC News, 2005-10-28. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
- ^ Moss, Corey. "Transplants Fuse Bands and Styles, Much to Ire of Punk Police", MTV News, 2002-10-23. Retrieved on 2006-08-20.
- ^ "Transplants Team Up with Paul Wall for First Chopped-and-Screwed Rock LP", MTV News, 2005-06-20. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ "Avril Lavigne, Deryck Whibley Dish Details on 'Fun, Young, Bratty' LP", MTV News, 2006-12-18. Retrieved on 2007-02-21.
- ^ Sanneh, Kelefa. "Rock; From Punkers, Anguish and Slap-Happy Love Songs", Music in Review, The New York Times, 2003-11-12. Retrieved on 2007-02-23.
- ^ Biography for Travis Barker (html). The Internet Movie Database. IMDb (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
- ^ Travis Barker (html). Artists. Zildjian.com (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g Barker, Travis. Travis Barker: Tattoos (html). PunkDisasters.com. Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
- ^ Travis Barker Bio (html). Artistopia (2006). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
- ^ "Kindred Spirits: On Halloween Eve, rocker Travis Barker wed Shanna Moakler in gothic style", People, 2004-11-15, pp. 78, v. 62, i. 20.
- ^ "Meet the Barkers' Travis, Shanna Split", People.com, 2006-08-08. Retrieved on 2006-08-09.
- ^ "Blink-182 drummer files for divorce", NineMSN.com, 2006-08-10. Retrieved on 2006-08-10.
- '^ "Barkers Shanna 'Devastated' over Split", People.com, 2006-08-10. Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
- ^ "Shanna Feels 'Betrayed' by Travis & Paris", People.com, 2006-09-12. Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
- ^ Rocchio, Christopher. "Report: Meet the Barkers' Travis Barker, Shanna Moakler reconciling", Reality TV World, 2007-01-09. Retrieved on 2007-01-21.
- ^ a b Alexander, Bryan; Helling, Steve. "Shanna Moakler & Travis Barker Back Together", People, 2007-03-19. Retrieved on 2007-03-30.
- ^ White, Nicolas. "Travis Barker on Shanna Moakler: 'We Divorced'", 2008-02-11. Retrieved on 2008-02-11.
- ^ "Travis's TV AD"BoostMobilePivotalMoments.com.Travis Baker appeared on Justin Taylors talk show. Retrieved on July 29, 2006.
- ^ "MAD Tv: Episode #707" tv.com. November 21, 2001. Retrieved on November 20, 2006.
- ^ "Chesney, Dixie Chicks in spotlight at award show" Reuters.com. May 24, 2006. Retrieved on May 25, 2006.
- ^ Bliss, Karen. "Blink Drummer Plans New Band" RollingStone.com. August 24, 2001. Retrieved on July 29, 2006.
External links
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