Travis Barker has spent decades making his mark in the entertainment industry, both as the drummer of Blink-182 and through numerous projects outside the band. His son, Landon Barker, is following in his footsteps, building a music career in his own right.
Recently, the drummer advised his son to reject an offer to appear on “The Voice,” explaining why he believes the show isn’t the best platform for now.
Travis Barker’s son, 22-year-old Landon Barker, whom he shares with ex-wife Shanna Moakler, is following in his father’s footsteps in the music industry. Landon is slowly carving out a name for himself as a singer and musician, and he recently approached his father for some words of advice.
In a recent episode of The New York Times‘ “Popcast,” Barker said that Landon was offered a chance to appear on “The Voice.”
“And I was like, ‘Dude, you’re way too cool for that,” Barker said, telling Landon to put himself in the position of his music idols and ask whether they would take the opportunity. “If your idol is Kurt Cobain, would he ever do ‘The Voice’? No,” he added.
Moreover, Barker reminded his son that there’s “no rush” to get to the top, and he doesn’t have to seize every opportunity presented to him if it doesn’t align with what he wants to achieve in his career.
“It will come… Do things that are authentic to you,” he said.
The Drummer Is Not Against Appearing On TV Shows
Barker explained to Landon that he wasn’t opposed to the opportunity to appear on TV, especially since he had performed on “American Idol” multiple times over the years. However, the difference is he’s a drummer and had already established a career before his appearances on the show.
“I’m different… I’m doing fun sh-t that’s just fun for me cause I’m a drummer and I’m not in the forefront. It’d be different if I was singing with all these people,” Barker said.
The drummer said he’s been in the studio with Landon and he has heard the types of songs he creates. While he understands his son’s desire to develop his career, he told him to take the time to develop his musical identity. “It’s gonna happen,” he told him.
Landon Barker Has Released His Own Music
Landon has been steadily building his music career since 2018. He released independent singles, including “Don’t Need Her” and “Trust,” using the name OTG Landon. In 2022, Landon co-wrote and was featured on the MGK track “Die in California,” which was included on the album “Mainstream Sellout.”
In 2023, Landon released his official debut solo single, “Friends With Your Ex,” a pop-punk track that his father produced. The musician said it was “an amazing process” working with Barker, and he readily accepts help from his network. “I feel I’d be stupid to not use my resources, what’s kind of around me and the people that are around me,” he shared, per PEOPLE.
Landon is signed to his father’s record label DTA Records, but said it wasn’t a handout. “I feel like I had to prove myself to get the opportunity to sign to them,” he said.
Travis Barker’s Rise To Fame
Barker rose to fame as the drummer of Blink-182, joining the band in 1998 alongside members Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge and helping shape the pop-punk sound that propelled them to mainstream success.
The band’s career exploded following the release of their third studio album, “Enema of the State,” in 1999, which included hits such as “What’s My Age Again?” “All The Small Things,” and “Adam’s Song.”
In 2005, Blink-182 went on an indefinite hiatus, and the members pursued other projects. A few years after surviving a plane crash in 2008, Barker released his solo album “Give the Drummer Some” and collaborated with other artists, including Lil Wayne, Eminem, and Pharrell Williams, just to name a few.
Blink-182 Will Be Working On Their Next Album
Blink-182 reunited in 2009 following their hiatus and released the album “Neighborhoods” in 2011. DeLonge left the band in 2015 and was replaced by Matt Skiba. The new trio released two albums together before DeLonge returned in 2022.
In 2023, the trio released their comeback album “One More Time…” It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts, and a second version of the album, which had eight additional songs, was released a year later.
Elsewhere in the “Popcast” interview, Barker revealed that the band will be back in the studio this year to work on their 10th studio album.
