andPOP » Travis Barker

Travis Barker Promises New Blink Song on Solo Album

Sara Harowitz — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:06:47 +0000

With a high-energy reunion tour wrapped up, 90’s punk band Blink-182 is taking some time to rest. Still, according to their drummer Travis Barker, a new song is on the way.

Barker announced that Blink-182 will create a brand new song that will go on his solo album, reports MTVNews.com.

“There’s some stuff on my record that’s not going to have a bunch of guitars, that are just straight-up hip hop records,” he told MTV News. “We got a new Blink song on there, I think I’m going to do something with Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. Hopefully a guest appearance from Slash, I’m doing his big fundraiser that happens in a month. I think there’s going to be a collaboration with [Kanye West's touring DJ] A-Track, so it’s gonna be really in all directions.”

Barker does not have any details about the new Blink-182 tune, mostly due to the fact that the band hasn’t written it yet. But one thing is for sure: the song will be brand new. While the band wrote a new song recently, entitled “Up All Night,” it wasn’t played on their tour and so far does not have a home. Still, “Up All Night” will not be the track on Barker’s solo album.

“No, ‘Up All Night’ will have its own home, and it won’t be on my record,” he said. “That will continue to be part of a new Blink record or will be released through Blink182.com or something, it’s going to be a surprise. The new song that we record for my record is just going to be something from scratch, and just us doing our thing.”

Barker said the plan is to have music on his solo album completed in January or February. He also hopes to support the disc with a tour, but that’s a pretty loose idea since he and his bandmates are taking it easy after their time on the road.

“We’re kind of taking the rest of the year off, for everyone to finish up other stuff they have going on,” said Barker. “We want to re-group next year and start getting together once a week or once every two weeks to start doing the beginning work on our record.”

Barker has also worked hard at remixing. He premiered his version of the Drake/Eminem/Kanye West/Lil Wayne collaboration “Forever” on Wednesday on MTVNews.com.

Lil Wayne’s Rebirth To Be Released December 15

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:27:12 +0000

Universal has announced that Lil Wayne’s long overdue rock album, Rebirth, will be released on December 15th.

The announcement comes just a few weeks after the release of his new mixtape, No Ceilings, and a week after the release of Weezer’s Raditude album, on which he makes an appearance on the song Can’t Stop Partying. He told Billboard.com that he plans to maintain the consistent rock vibe that he intended.

“I play guitar on 80 percent of the songs, and there’s a lot of rock influences and rock beats. I also have Travis Barker on the album.”

While working with two rock giants like Travis Barker and Rivers Cuomo should give Wayne the right idea, there is still no certainty about the outcome of this album. Based on the mild response generated by Prom Queen and Can’t Stop Partying, the anticipation will be filled with more curiousity than excitement.

But you can be certain that Weezy will stay true to his free-for-all roots. “I say what I want, how I want. That’s what this album is: a freedom album.”

The album reportedly includes appearances by Drake, members of Fallout boy and Lenny Kravitz, and may be released alongside the Young Money album, We Are Young Money.

MTV Will Release DJ AM Doc

Stephen Baldwin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:06:12 +0000

The regret surrounding the tragic death of Adam ‘DJ YM’ Goldstein will deepen when MTV airs his eight-episode documentary ‘Gone Too Far’ on Monday, October 12th, MTV reports.

The documentary will feature DJ AM’s meetings with addicts, along with their friends and family, discussing the struggles, causes and possible solutions of addiction. The episodes will also reveal the details of his personal addiction, predominantly to crack cocaine.

Goldstein’s mission to blow open the discussion on drug abuse in North America came to a halt when he died of an accidental overdose at his New York City apartment on August 28th. Many suspect that the excessive drug use was linked to the mental and physical trauma he suffered after a plane crash in 2008.

His death may help cement the documentary’s conveyance of the dangerous toll that drugs take on the lives of addicts, and also those around them. He is a living example of that senseless fate.

Goldstein’s success in life after a rough childhood is a beacon of hope for young men and women all over the world, and this success will endure through this MTV series. In a statement by Goldstein’s family, it is evident that the decision to air the documentary wasn’t easy, but necessary: “Adam was fully aware that if it were not for his own sobriety, he never would have achieved the level of success and happiness he had found. Helping people in their recovery was a huge part of Adam’s life. It is our hope through airing this show that people will get to see the side of Adam that we knew and loved, not just the celebrity DJ, but the honest and caring person who gave so much of himself to help others.”

The music of DJ AM will be enjoyed by his fans for many years to come, but it’s the impact Adam Goldstein has on the struggling addicts he helps, that will maintain his spirit.

R.I.P. Adam Goldstein

DJ AM Found Dead in Apartment

andPOP Staff — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 00:03:37 +0000

DJ AM, also known as Adam Goldstein, was found dead in his NYC apartment earlier today, according to TMZ. Early reports say that drug paraphernalia was found around his body when he was discovered. Last year, Goldstein and Travis Barker survived a plane crash that killed four others on board.

Once the news broke about his death, Shanna Moakler tweeted “My deepest condolences for DJ AM, you were a great artist and will be severely missed. My thoughts and Prayers to his family and friends.”

Story developing…

Who Fought The Law? Fall Out Boy, Juelz Santana, Travis Barker, Gerard Butler

Emma Renda — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:33:27 +0000

It’s been a busy news day for celebrity crime. Between the ongoing developments in both the Michael Jackson and Chris Brown cases, a few other notables managed to run into trouble today.

First off, Juelz Santana (most famous for “There It Go (The Whistle Song)”) was arrested for terroristic threats and posession of a weapon, according to MTV.com. Santana (whose real name is Laron James) was involved in an altercation with the mother of his son on Tuesday in New Jersey, when he threatened to harm her and wielded a kitchen knife as his weapon of choice, according to police. His rep is disputing the threat charges and said it was the neighbor’s, not Santana’s baby’s mama that called police. Santana was released later that day after posting a $5,000 bond but has not yet released a statement.

Next up: Patrick Stump, the voice of Fall Out Boy. (Well, technically, the singer. Everyone knows Wentz is the one in charge.) Stump was busted for driving without a valid driver’s license in Beverley Hills and hauled to the big house where he was detained four hours then released on $15,000 bail. He is only licensed to drive in Illinois. If Stump is charged with a misdemeanor, he could face six months in prison and/or pay $1,000 bail. In a statement to MTV, Stump agreed “ignorance of the law isn’t innocence. . . .But man, is my mom going to be pissed.” And to make matters worse, his awfully unflattering mug shot is circulating the web like wildfire.

In other pop-punk news, Travis Barker is embroiled in a very public dispute with Shanna Moakler, his ex-wife and mother of his two children, according to PerezHilton.com. Turns out when he was dropping the kids of at Moakler’s parents’ house in Rhode Island, a bit of a hissy fit erupted on both sides. Barker refused to leave when Moakler refused to let his nanny stay with the kids, so Moakler lost it and called the cops. Shortly after, Barker updated his Twitter saying the car of alleged child molester and alleged uncle of Moakler, Rick Sinnott, was parked at the house hence his reluctance to leave the kids there. Eventually, the cops disclosed Sinnott was not in the house so Barker left. There have been rumours Moakler asked police about a restraining order.

Compared to the rest of the criminals out there today, Gerard Butler is looking like a puppy dog. (Pun intended.) Earlier today, Butler was accused of being on one vicious side of a dog fight. Seriously. Butler was taking a break from the set of “The Bounty in Long Island” to take his pug Lolita for a walk. According to PerezHilton.com, Lolita was approached by a large Greyhound belonging to an elderly Queens couple and Butler was not happy. The couple are claiming Butler got rough with the dog, shoving its head into a fence and yelling at the couple to have it put down. On the other hand, Butler’s manager is saying he was very tame considering the large dog actually took a bite out of Lolita. At the end of it all, Butler ended up spending four hours in a local veterinarian’s office and reportedly gave $3,000 to another family there to cover their vet bills. Police haven’t released any conclusive details yet.

DJ AM Seeks $20 Million Over Plane Crash

Eva Lam — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:56:21 +0000

DJ AM is seeking $20 million in damages following a fiery plane crash last September that seriously injured him and Travis Barker and killed four others.

The celebrity disc jockey (real name Adam Goldstein) filed suit Friday against the plane’s manufacturer, Learjet, and several other companies.

AM is seeking $10 million for medical expenses, lost earnings, profits and economic damages, while the other $10 million is related to non-economic losses including mental and physical pain.

It will be up to a jury to decide if AM is eligible for any damage awards if the case goes to trial, according to the Associated Press.

The Sept. 19 crash took the lives of Barker’s close friend and assistant, “Lil” Chris Baker, and his bodyguard, Charles “Che” Still, as well as the pilot and co-pilot. It also left AM and Barker with severe burns which required them to be hospitalized for several weeks following the incident.

The two musical partners, along with Still’s mother and Baker’s widow, have filed wrongful-death suits against companies they allege were responsible for the crash.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation, and the AP reports that some of the companies sued last year by AM and Barker are seeking a trial delay until after a government investigation into the crash is complete.

Mark Hoppus Is Going Solo

Ilan Mester — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:34:10 +0000

Former Blink-182 vocalist and guitarist Mark Hoppus is going solo and said “the future is wide open” to a possible Blink-182 reunion with drummer Travis Barker and the rest of the band, to MTV News.

“Travis has played on a bunch of [my] tracks, and he’s working on his own album as well,” Hoppus told MTV News. “We totally support each other in whatever we’re doing. He’s like a brother to me.”

According to Hoppus, him and Barker have been collaborating, “I see him in our studio every week, and we’ll be in the room of the studio he’s working in, listening to stuff he’s recorded, or he’ll come into the room where I’m working and check out my songs.” said Hoppus to MTV News.

Fans can expect to hear a song Hoppus co-wrote in the movie “Fired Up,” coming out in February. Hoppus also produced the New Found Glory record “Not Without A Fight” which hits stores in March.

Barker And AM To Perform For New Year’s Eve

Jeremy Singer — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:58:19 +0000

Los Angeles is in store for something special on New year’s Eve.

After a horrifying plane crash on September 19, and weeks in a hospital and rehabilitation, Travis Barker and DJ AM are set to take the stage for the first time since, at New Year’s Eve Party at the Lot in West Hollywood, California.

“I’m ready to get back on stage with AM and continue to rock the house,” Barker said in a statement. “I’m very excited to bring in the New Year in my hometown of L.A.”

According to MTV News, their performance will also be streamed live on the Internet via New Year’s Nation’s official site, and will be broadcast at other Nation parties across the U.S.

The Barker/AM duo last performed together at a T-Mobile sponsered event in Columbia, South Carolina on September 19, just hours before boarding the private jet that crashed and killed four, including Barker’s assistant, “Little” Chris Baker, and his security guard, Charles “Che” Still.

Barker Explains Motive Behind Lawsuit

Jeremy Singer — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:56:10 +0000

Former Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, pulled the trigger last week, filing a lawsuit against Bombardier Inc., a Canadian Aerospace conglomerate and makers of the Learjet that crashed in South Carolina in September. Now Barker explains the motive behind the decision, stating that “If something goes wrong that’s not supposed to go wrong or you fall victim of it, I think you should be compensated,” said Barker.

“I wouldn’t have been in the state I was in if I wasn’t in the crash,” said Barker, who blames the pilots and defective equipment for the accident.

“You know, I wouldn’t have third-degree burns all over my body or be prohibited to do certain things. I can’t go swimming; I can’t do some of the things that normal people can do. I didn’t ask for that to happen.”

However, Barker, optimistically says that he feels he has a strong case which he thinks he can win. The drummer is the only person connected to the deadly crash who has filed civil action. It is unknown whether DJ AM might follow suit, but Barker said he personally wasn’t aware of AM’s plans.

“I can’t speak for him,” he said. “I think everyone just has different attorneys.”

Travis Barker Sueing Bombardier for September’s Plane Crash

Jeremy Singer — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 02:31:43 +0000

After being a victim of a terrifying jet crash in September, former Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker has recovered and is suing Bombardier Inc., a Canadian Aerospace conglomerate for monetary damages for the incident which killed four people and put him and DJ AM in the hospital.

According to MTV News, a federal inquiry into the crash two months ago led investigators to conclude that a blown tire could have contributed to the incident. Officials have taken it into account due to the sound on the cockpit voice recorder, which matches with the tire blowout theory.

In the suit, Barker claims the parts, and therefore the plane itself, were defective.

“Its landing gear, tires, wheels, brakes, reverse-thrust system, squat switches and component parts were not airworthy,” the lawsuit reads. “One or more of the tires failed, leaving tire debris and portions of airplane components along the 8,600-foot runway.”

Barker is suing for “pain and suffering, psychological and emotional distress and disfigurement and pre-impact fear of death and burning.”

Barker made his first televised appearance since the crash on “Total Finale Live,” during which he spoke about the challenges he’s faced since suffering extensive second- and third-degree burns as a result of the incident.