Travis Barker Productions

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Lore & Background

Barker’s musical journey began in Fontana, California, where he received his first drum kit at age four. By five, he was taking lessons with Michael Mai, learning military, jazz, and eventually the driving rhythms of punk and hip-hop. His professional path took a sharp turn in 1996 when he joined The Aquabats while working as a trash man in Riverside. After recording The Fury of the Aquabats!, Barker filled in for Blink-182's Scott Raynor on February 1998, learning the entire 20-song setlist in just 45 minutes before his first show. When Raynor was fired later that year due to internal conflicts and a drinking problem, Barker officially joined Blink-182. This move coincided with the release of Enema of the State in June 1999, an album that sold over 15 million copies worldwide and catapulted the band to mainstream stardom with hits like 'All the Small Things'.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Barker's expansion beyond Blink-182 intensified as he sought new creative outlets. In 2002, Rancid’s Tim Armstrong contacted him via producer Jerry Finn to record tracks for the rap-rock group Transplants, a project that solidified his status as a crossover star. That same year, Blink-182 vocalist Tom DeLonge recruited Barker for Box Car Racer, an experimental side project that strained relations with bassist Mark Hoppus but showcased Barker's ability to adapt to different sonic landscapes. In 2004, Barker officially launched LaSalle Records, named after his favorite Cadillac, to sign diverse acts ranging from country to hip-hop, starting with The Kinison. His resilience was tested in 2008 when he survived a plane crash; following his recovery, he released his debut solo album, Give the Drummer Some, in 2011. He continued collaborating with rappers like Yelawolf, Asher Roth, and Nottz, releasing extended plays that highlighted his enduring influence across genres.

Reader's Guide

Travis Barker's production and collaborative work is characterized by a refusal to stay within the boundaries of pop-punk. He has produced guest appearances for artists in hip-hop, alternative rock, pop, and country, leveraging his reputation as a versatile drummer. His partnership with DJ AM resulted in the duo TRV$DJAM, blending electronic and rock elements. Barker also founded the clothing line Famous Stars and Straps in 1999 and co-designed products with DC Shoes and Zildjian cymbals, integrating his musical identity into lifestyle brands. In 2015, he published a memoir titled Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums, detailing his life from his early days in Fontana to surviving the plane crash. He remains active in the music scene, releasing EPs with various artists while continuing to tour with Blink-182 and Transplants.

Did You Know?

• Barker learned the entire 20-song Blink-182 setlist in just 45 minutes before his first show with the band.
• He survived a plane crash in 2008 and released his debut solo album, Give the Drummer Some, in 2011 after recovering.
• Barker founded LaSalle Records in 2003, naming it after the LaSalle brand (a separate marque under General Motors, not a Cadillac model) to support diverse music genres including country and hip-hop.
• Rolling Stone referred to him as 'punk's first superstar drummer' and included him on the list of the 100 greatest drummers of all time.
• He released a memoir in 2015 titled Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums.