What’s in a name?

Well, if you ask Travis Barker, it all depends on what phase of your life you’re in in the moment. Back in the day, he used to be called The Baron Von Tito, but most of us now all know him as Travis, the lovable drummer from the newly resurrected band Blink 182 and musical pioneer in all genres.

Travis started out drumming when he was a toddler, but never got serious until he was about 12. During his childhood, he had been taught by a jazz teacher and was also exposed and learned many types of music. He also performed in a jazz ensemble and did marching band, so the man is no stranger to dedication and hard work.

From there, he started playing with the Aquabats in 1996 and in 1997 joined Tom Delonge and Mark Hoppus in Blink 182.

When he was asked to fill in for Blink 182’s former drummer, he had to learn the setlist that consisted of more than 20 songs in under 2 hours! Hoppus and Delonge were so impressed, they asked him to join Blink. If that doesn’t tell you just how much talent Barker has, then I think you’ve been stricken deaf, blind, and dumb.

Towards the end of Blink 182’s time together and during the time they were broken up, he joined two side projects of his former bandmates, Boxcar Racer (Delonge) and +44 (Hoppus) and participated in his own projects. Transplants and Expensive Tastes were hip hop based groups that utilized Travis’ drumming to the max. He also was in a project with his friend DJ AM called TRV$DJAM.

Travis Barker has also been working with the Black Eyed Peas, Pink, Pharell, Bun B, Avril Lavigne, and has done remixes of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Soulja Boy’s “Crank That”. Its safe to say in the last 8 years, Travis has been getting around, making a separate name for himself. And he’s succeeded.

In 2008, he and DJ AM were in a plane crash and were the only two to survive. This near-death accident brought the sudden reunion of Travis and his two Blink brothers. This also brought about an actual musical reunion, with them touring and recording a new album.

Travis uses:

Drums:

Diamond Fire Acrylic w/50% offset Lugs

12×9″ Tom
16×14″ Floor Tom
22×20″ Bass drum
14×6.5″ Orange County Stainless steel/nickel snare
Latin Percussion LP008 Rock Ridge Rider Cowbell

and Cymbals:
Zildjian
14″ A Mastersound Hi-hats
10″ A Custom Splash
20″ K Crash Ride
18″ A Custom Projection Crash
21″ A Sweet Ride (Brilliant)
18″ Oriental China Crash

He also uses DW 9000 Series Hardware, Remo Emperor X (batter) and Ambassador (resonant) Snare Heads, Remo Weatherking Emperor (batter) and Ambassador (resonant) Heads on his toms, and Powerstroke 3 Heads on his bass drum, Roland Electronics and his signature Zildjian sticks.

If you haven’t already gotten the gist of this piece today, you’re crazy. Its clear that Travis Barker is a man who is burgeoning with talent and has the list of credits to prove it!

Tashia