Travis Barker is a well-known American drummer who frequently uses social media and interviews to share his love of the instrument. His strong ties to the Orange County drumming scene and his admiration for other musicians there are encapsulated in one of his most memorable quotes.
Barker was raised in Orange County, Southern California, and has been involved in the thriving punk rock scene there since he was a small child. Although he is best known for being the drummer for Blink-182, his musical identity is strongly rooted in his Orange County roots and allegiance. When Barker says he loves "those guys," he's talking about friends and other musicians who have similar upbringings and influences.
Additionally, the statement suggests that Barker prefers a traditional drum set-up, which consists of a four-piece kit. This arrangement is essential to rock and punk music and consists of bass drums, snare drums, tom-toms, and hi-hats or cymbals. It's equivalent to saying that he enjoys utilizing the foundational elements that enabled his musical development.
Think of Barker's connection to Orange County as akin to a family tree, where all of the musicians are linked by common influences, experiences, and a love of the same music. These musicians work together and support one another in their local scene, much like branches in a forest reach out from a trunk to help one another.
Barker highlights in this statement not only his passion for drumming but also his admiration for the local community and the setting that fosters musical ability. His remarks capture a sentiment shared by many musicians: that their success and sense of self as artists are largely dependent on the environments and people who influence them.