Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Travis Barker

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Travis Barker made an impact.

Travis Barker is an influential American musician, best known as the drummer for Blink-182. His career extends beyond punk rock, with collaborations in hip hop and involvement in bands like Transplants, +44, Box Car Racer, Antemasque, and Goldfinger. His work with DJ AM as TRV$DJAM further showcased his diverse musical talents. Barker's prominence has earned him recognition as "punk's first superstar drummer" by Rolling Stone, solidifying his place among the greatest drummers.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1994: Chad Larson co-founds The Aquabats

In 1994, Chad Larson co-founded the ska punk group the Aquabats.

1996: Joined The Aquabats

In 1996, Travis Barker began playing for The Aquabats.

October 1997: Release of 'The Fury of the Aquabats!'

In October 1997, The Aquabats released 'The Fury of the Aquabats!', subsequently touring with Blink-182.

February 1998: Filled in for Blink-182

In February 1998, Travis Barker filled in for Scott Raynor, Blink-182's drummer, during the SnoCore Tour.

1998: Joined Blink-182

In 1998, Travis Barker left The Aquabats to join Blink-182, a move that would lead to mainstream success.

June 1999: Release of 'Enema of the State'

In June 1999, Blink-182 released 'Enema of the State', which propelled them to stardom.

1999: Mainstream Success with Enema of the State

In 1999, Blink-182 achieved mainstream success with their album Enema of the State.

1999: Founded Famous Stars and Straps

In 1999, Travis Barker founded the clothing company Famous Stars and Straps.

2001: Take Off Your Pants and Jacket Release

In 2001, Blink-182 released "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket", which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200.

2001: MADtv Appearance

In 2001, Travis Barker appeared with Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge in the skit "Leave it to Blink-182", a parody of "Leave It to Beaver", on the late night TV show MADtv.

2002: Collaboration with Transplants

In 2002, Travis Barker recorded tracks for the Transplants, a rap/rock collaboration.

2003: Appears in 'Punk'd' and MTV's Icon

In 2003, Travis Barker appeared in an episode of MTV's Punk'd and spoke at MTV's Icon show honoring Metallica.

2004: Founded LaSalle Records

In 2004, Travis Barker founded the record label LaSalle Records.

February 2005: Blink-182 Announces Hiatus

In February 2005, Blink-182 issued a press statement announcing their "indefinite hiatus".

October 2005: Purchased Opra Music Studio

In October 2005, Travis Barker and Mark Hoppus purchased their own studio named Opra Music.

2005: Birth of Daughter & Reality Show Debut

In 2005, Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler had a daughter and their reality television series, Meet the Barkers, debuted on MTV.

2005: Debuts 'Meet the Barkers'

In 2005, Travis Barker's reality show, Meet the Barkers, with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler, debuted.

2006: Meet the Barkers Ended

In 2006, Travis Barker and Shanna Moakler's reality show, Meet the Barkers, ended.

2006: CMA Awards Performance

In 2006, Travis Barker appeared on the 41st annual CMA Awards, performing a medley of songs by country icon Buck Owens with other artists.

2006: Boost Mobile Commercial

In 2006, Travis Barker starred in a Boost Mobile commercial, which was detailed in an episode of Meet the Barkers.

June 2008: Started performing with DJ AM

In June 2008, Travis Barker began performing with DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) in a collaboration called TRV$DJAM.

September 19, 2008: TRV$DJAM Performance in South Carolina

On September 19, 2008, TRV$DJAM performed at a free T-Mobile event in Columbia, South Carolina with Perry Farrell and Gavin DeGraw.

November 2008: Returns to Recording Studio

In November 2008, Travis Barker returned to the recording studio after recovering from his accident.

February 2009: Blink-182 Reunion Announced

In February 2009, Barker's accident led to a Blink-182 reunion, with the group announcing their return at the Grammy Awards.

March 2011: Solo Debut Album Release

In March 2011, Travis Barker released his solo debut album, Give the Drummer Some, featuring collaborations with various artists.

September 2011: Blink-182 Album Release

In September 2011, Blink-182 released their sixth studio album, Neighborhoods, which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.

2011: Released Debut Solo Album

In 2011, Travis Barker released his debut solo album, Give the Drummer Some.

2011: Barker Reflects on TRV$DJAM Success

In a 2011 interview, Travis Barker reflected on the unexpected success of his duo with DJ AM.

2012: Plays with Animal on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

In 2012, Travis Barker played along with Animal and Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem on an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

2013: Misses Australian Tour

In 2013, Travis Barker was unable to attend Blink-182's Australian tour, and Brooks Wackerman filled in for him.

October 20, 2015: Memoir Release

On October 20, 2015, Travis Barker released his memoir titled Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums.

2015: Released Memoir

In 2015, Travis Barker released his memoir, Can I Say: Living Large, Cheating Death, and Drums, Drums, Drums.

July 1, 2016: Blink-182 Releases 'California'

On July 1, 2016, Blink-182 released their seventh studio album, California, after replacing Tom DeLonge with Matt Skiba.

2016: Appears in Steve Aoki Documentary

In 2016, Travis Barker appeared in the Grammy-nominated documentary film about Steve Aoki, titled I'll Sleep When I'm Dead.

2018: Collaborations and Anniversary Show

In 2018, Travis Barker was featured on Ghostemane's track "D(r)ead", XXXTentacion's posthumous album "Skins", and joined The Aquabats for their 20th-anniversary show.

July 12, 2019: Remixes Lil Peep & XXXTentacion Track

On July 12, 2019, Travis Barker remixed Lil Peep & XXXTentacion's posthumous track "Falling Down".

2019: Founded DTA Records

In 2019, Travis Barker founded the record label DTA Records.

April 24, 2020: Performs in Nirvana Tribute

On April 24, 2020, Travis Barker was featured as the drummer during Post Malone's Nirvana tribute show and fundraiser for the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund.

May 2020: Signs Jxdn to DTA Records

In May 2020, Travis Barker signed Jxdn to his label DTA Records, marking Jxdn as the first artist on the label.

September 2020: Collaboration with Machine Gun Kelly

In September 2020, Travis Barker collaborated with Machine Gun Kelly on Kelly's album Tickets to My Downfall and was featured in the movie adaptation.

February 2021: Launches Barker Wellness

In February 2021, Travis Barker launched Barker Wellness, a line of cannabinoid-infused products.

March 15, 2021: Featured on Atreyu Song

On March 15, 2021, Travis Barker was a featured artist in the Atreyu song "Warrior" on the album "Baptize".

April 27, 2021: Plays on Willow Smith's Pop-Punk Track

On April 27, 2021, Travis Barker played on Willow Smith's pop-punk track "Transparent Soul".

July 2021: Signs Publishing Deal with Warner Chappell Music

In July 2021, Travis Barker signed an exclusive worldwide publishing administration deal with Warner Chappell Music.

November 2021: Signs Avril Lavigne to DTA Records

In November 2021, Travis Barker signed Avril Lavigne to DTA Records, with releases to be handled by Warner Music Group's Elektra Records.

2022: Executive Produces Machine Gun Kelly's Album

In 2022, Travis Barker executive produced Machine Gun Kelly's eighth studio album, initially named Born with Horns, later changed to Mainstream Sellout.