Travis Barker Sues Two Companies for Plane Crash
Blink-182 and +44 Drummer Seeks $25,000 in Damages
Nov 22, 2008
Fox News is reporting that musician Travis Barker is suing two companies involved with the Learjet crash he was a part of on September 19th. Barker is suing Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., the owners of the jet, as well as maintenance company that worked on the jet.
He is claiming that it was improperly operated and maintained, resulting in the death of both pilots, as well as Barker's bodyguard and Barker's assistant.
The suit is for $25,000 in damages including pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of earnings, and medical and legal expenses. Fox News is also reporting that Thelma Martin Still, the mother of Barker's bodyguard, is also suing the companies citing grief and sorrow, funeral expenses and loss of earnings.
Travis Barker and The Aquabats
Barker's music career began with third-wave California ska band The Aquabats. Under the name, The Baron Von Tito, and a ridiculous faux-super-hero costume, Barker played drums on the band's debut album, The Return of the Aquabats in 1996. Barker would play on two more albums with the band, 1997's Fury of the Aquabats and 1999's Aquabats Vs. The Floating Eye of Death!
The band were known for their over-the-top stage shows which included choreographed fight scenes and costumes galore. Barker eventually left the band to join pop-punkers Blink-182.
Blink-182
Barker joined Blink-182 in 1998 when original drummer Scott Raynor left the band mid-tour. Barker went on to play drums on the albums Enema of the State, Take of Your Pants and Jacket, and the band's final Self-Titled release in 2003.
Blink-182's success brought Barker into the spotlight, while his drumming skills made him an in demand man behind the skins. During his tenure with Blink, Travis and Blink guitarist Tom DeLonge, also started the side-project Boxcar Racer, then in 2002 Barker joined with Tim Armstrong of Rancid and Rob Aston to from The Transplants.
The Transplants
The Transplants offered a fusion of punk, hip-hop and dub on their debut album, 2002's Transplants. The release marked a departure for both Barker and Armstrong who had gained followings as punk musicians. One of the song's from the album went on to be used in a shampoo commercial.
The Transplants released one more album in 2005 called, Haunted Cities before calling it quits later that year.
Current Projects
Currently Barker is playing drums in punk band +44 with former Blink-182 bassist Mark Hoppus, has been playing drums on a number of hip-hop remixes - including one for The Game - and has been recording and touring with DJ AM, who was also injured in the September 19th plane crash.
