Blink-182 fans have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts on Travis Barker quitting the Soundwave festival at the 11th hour – and most of them have, surprisingly, come out in support of the drummer.
As reported this afternoon, Barker failed to board his scheduled plane flight to Australia, despite trying for weeks to overcome his fear of flying and make the trip to Australia for Soundwave 2013 and a series of headlining shows on the East Coast. Barker has avoided flying since he was involved in a plane crash in 2008, in which four people died.
Fans described Barker as “a truly honest person”, and told critics to “lay off the man”, and that they are “obviously distraught about the news, but fully understand.”
Others were more critical, saying they are “muchos dissapointus”, while others irked up at what they consider a broken promise from the festival, declaring: “Correct me if I am wrong but didnt @soundwavefest promote @blink182 playing with the guarantee of @travisbarker playing?”
‘Jon’ kicked the boot in, telling “the people going to soundwave just to watch Blink 182 and no one else…Kill yourselves.” And Adrian Dixon was relieved, saying that “hearing that Travis Barker isn’t coming to Australia has made me feel better about not going to Soundwave or blinks shows.”
The whole situation hasn’t stopped AJ Maddah leaving a cheeky reply for a fan keen to have a ride in the road bus prepared to take him around the country – telling them they’ll be “still hitchiking”.
In their official statement today, Blink-182 announced that Brooks Wackerman – who sits behind the kit for Bad Religion and Tenacious D – will be filling in for Barker on the tour.
Soundwave 2013 kicks off in Brisbane next Saturday, February 23. Blink-182’s first sideshow is in the same city and at the same venue the night before.
@iamnotshouting Dibs!
— This Is Hell (@THISISHELL) February 17, 2013
Why are people hating @travisbarker ??He is the biggest influence on my music and I completely get why he isn’t coming. Lay off the man
— Mark Boxsell (@Markpaperwolves) February 17, 2013
#WeLoveAndSupportYouTravis no matter what! You are the best drummer in the world @travisbarker
— Carrie DeLoppus (@carrie_sqrl) February 17, 2013
People need to stop hating on @travisbarker for pulling out of tour, stay strong man your truly a honest person #blink182
— Aymen (@thatarabguyuno) February 17, 2013
Correct me if I am wrong but didnt @soundwavefest promote @blink182 playing with the guarantee of @travisbarker playing? #soundwave13
— Micheal Scholes (@skulzy87) February 17, 2013
@travisbarker I hear the distant voice of Scott Raynor calling up Tom and Mark… this is bad.
— charmanderp (@rawreon) February 17, 2013
For all those who were under the impression that @soundwave was just a travis barker show, I am more than happy to sell your ticket for you.
— Aimee Caitlin (@aimeecaitlin) February 17, 2013
Won’t be seeing Travis Barker play live, but really with the fact Soundwave is in a week nothing can dampen the spirits
— Kat (@katmelly_) February 17, 2013
No Travis Barker for Soundwave. Muchos dissapointus 🙁
— Emma Hoyle (@Serendypyty) February 17, 2013
@travisbarker hope you’ll be able to come to Australia again someday <3
— Emily Rose (@TheFruitOfFate) February 17, 2013
Obviously distraught about the news, but fully understand. Hope to see you play one day! @travisbarker
— [lo] (@lornaanrol) February 17, 2013
I was planning to go to soundwave in melbourne, but I decided not to. It was a good call because @travisbarker ain’t joining the show!
— Ash Barker (@MCBTHFVR) February 17, 2013
