TRAVIS IS A PUNK DRUMMER

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.

His business ventures are as vast as his musical interests. He founded a clothing company, Famous Stars and Straps in 1999, LaSalle Records in 2004, as well as a Wahoo's Fish Tacos 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 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.

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 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.

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 2004) mentioned that he no longer gives private drum lessons.

info : wikipedia