Travis Landon Barker is an American musician and producer, and the drummer for the American rock band Blink-182. Barker has also performed as a frequent collaborator with hip-hop artists, and with the alternative rock band +44, the rap rock group the Transplants, the alternative rock band Box Car Racer, and most recently with Antemasque. He was a frequent collaborator with the late DJ AM, and together they formed TRV$DJAM.
Barker was born to Randy and Gloria Barker in Fontana, California on November 14, 1975. His father worked as a mechanic and his mother babysat. When Barker was four, his mother gave him his first kit, which was the only one he would have until he was fifteen. Barker began taking drum lessons at age five with a drummer named Michael Mai, who would expose young Barker to many different playing styles. 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. In addition, Barker had non-musical aspirations; he also was interested in becoming a professional surfer and skateboarder.
After graduating Fontana high school, Barker worked as a trash man in Laguna Beach and played with bands Snot, and later, Feeble, a Fontana-based band where he met Chad Larson. Barker has described himself as a stoner during his High School. His mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer three months earlier, died the day before he started going to high school. She told him to keep playing music and to follow his dreams.
Braker played with The Aquabats and occasionally filled in for Blink 182’s drummer, Scott Raynor. After Raynor’s exit in 1998, he was quickly asked to come aboard the Blink 182 ship. Married Shanna Moakler who is an American model, in Santa Barbara during a Gothic ceremony inspired by their favorite film, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). Barker starred in the MTV reality series Meet the Barkers with Shanna Moakler. The series followed Barker and his new family through his daily life, including Blink-182’s final tour and the new Transplants album.
Braker along with DJ AM, survived a plane crash in 2008. Barker and DJ AM were transported to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, where they were both listed in critical condition. Barker sued the plane’s owners, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., and an airplane maintenance company on November 21, 2008. Goldstein later died of an accidental overdose on August 2009.
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. He co-founded LaSalle Records, a record company to which his band, Transplants, are signed. He has dabbled in the restaurant industry, opening a Wahoo’s Fish Taco restaurant in Norco, California.Barker has developed a shoe for DC Shoe Company called the “Alias Remix” and also endorses both Orange County Drum and Percussion (OCDP) as well as Zildjian. He also has his own line of drumming products, sponsored by Zildjian. Travis also has a penchant for collecting old bikes and Cadillacs.
Blink 182 ceased performing together in 2005, but they are now back together. They plan to tour and put out a new albums.
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