Here’s What Every Travis Barker Tattoo Means

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If for some reason you haven’t kept up with Blink-182, its excellent drummer Travis Barker, or ever seen the “What’s My Age Again?” video, just know that Barker is very into tattoos. And not just in the way many people are into getting ink here and there: The 45-year-old’s tattoos (covering approximately 70 percent of his body, he told GQ) form a mystifying puzzle straight out of a Dan Brown novel. And he shows no signs of slowing down. Now that he’s stepped back into the cultural spotlight in a major way, dating Kourtney Kardashian and producing for stars (including Lil Nas X), Barker has gotten new ink, and yes, Kourtney is involved. There are fascinating insights to discover in Barker’s tattoos. “They’re all memories,” as he wrote in his autobiography Can I Say. “They’re all experiences I went through.” While we can’t possibly explain all of them here (can anyone?), here’s a breakdown of essential Barker tattoos.

“Can I Say”

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Also the title of his 2015 autobiography, it’s a personal motto of sorts. Barker doesn't hold back in the book, opening up about his plane crash, the period when Blink-182 was broken up, and drug and sex addiction. Dude has been through a lot!

Race flag

One of Barker’s most easily spotted and long-running tattoos is the race flag pattern on his neck. According to Body Art Guru (it’s a thing), he said in an interview that it stands for the year of his favorite Cadillac. We haven’t been able to confirm that, but we can say it looks cool.

“Cadillac”

We can confirm Barker’s favorite car brand: He has a giant “Cadillac” adorning the side of his torso. Indeed, the drummer has a prized Caddy collection.

Boombox-ed abs

Barker’s abdomen is impressive without ink, but it’s hard to ignore the big boombox on its center, with a winged angelic woman seeming to rise from above it. The so-called “ghetto blaster” has become a signature over the years, and Barker says he’s seen tons of fans emulating it on their own bodies.

“Self Made”

Barker wants you to know he’s come up from lesser means, and his fingers on both hands display this: “SELF” on one hand, “MADE” on the other. Blink-182’s record sales can confirm that he is indeed made.

Family dedication

Barker’s 2008 plane crash left much of his body with third-degree burns. He lost some tattoos in the process of skin grafting, and he wanted more. So he immediately got family members inked on his back. Which is pretty heartwarming.

Transplants gas mask

This somewhat terrifying gas mask on Barker’s head is an emblem of the punk supergroup the Transplants, which he joined in 2002 as drummer.

Alabama and Landon

Barker shows where his heart really lies in his ink. He got the names of his children Alabama and Landon (with his ex-wife Shanna Moakler) tattooed in elaborate script on his arms, one for each hand.

“Don’t Trust Anyone”

Even all the love his body’s ink displays, Barker isn’t above being shady. (Hey, he had a reality show. It’s part of the business.) This year, he added another tattoo to his collection, a neck piece reading “Don’t trust anyone.” (It’s also the name of a song on which he’s credited.) The New York Post’s Page Six speculates that it might be a dig at ex Moakler. Speculation, sure, but Barker is clearly looking out for enemies.

Possible revenge skull tattoo

Okay, this one seems clearer-cut. The skull Barker now bears on his hand replaced initials representing both him and Moakler when they were together. And it’s, well, a skull. Moakler claims it “was done with purpose and intent along with posts to try to insult me and my happiness with my new man.” Barker’s ink: purposeful and intentional, and sometimes vengeful.

“I Love You” from Kourtney Kardashian

If your body is mostly covered in tattoos, including some Barker admits aren’t perfect, then when you’re in a serious relationship it’s probably expected that you’ll get an inked ode to your partner. Consider Barker and Kourtney Kardashian, the true wild card of the Kardashian clan, serious. Barker had already gotten a tattoo of Kourtney’s name on his chest near his nipple (seductive?), but then Kourtney took on the role of tattoo artist, adding a pretty “I love you” to his wrist herself.

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