Blink 182 promoter blasts Barker… then backs off

No-show: Travis, right, couldn’t overcome his fear of flying

The promoter behind the Australian Soundwave touring festival blasted Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker at the weekend for taking a third of the band’s appearance fee despite not taking part in the series of shows.

But after Barker shouted him down on Twitter, he was forced to accept he’d got his facts wrong.

AJ Maddah was responding to a fan query on whether refunds would be available for fans who didn’t want to see Blink playing with stand-in sticksman Brooks Wackerman, who was hired after Barker admitted he couldn’t overcome his fear of flying in order to make the shows Down Under this week.

Mstarz reports that the promoter said: “I’m told we can’t refund and there will be no discount on the $5m fee because Travis Barker insisted on being paid in full. What he has done is extortion – he thinks he’s a fucking gangster.”

The drummer, who has not boarded a plane since narrowly surviving a fatal crash in 2008, replied: “Where you getting your information from, man? None of this is true. This is all bullshit!”

Maddah said: “I have been super nice and supportive up to this point, but that stops now. I don’t blame him for not flying, but demanding one and a half million dollars from your bandmates to allow them to play is low.”

Barker responded: “Stop talking shit. You’re not speaking to my management – you’re just fabricating shit.”

“Really dude?” said Maddah. “You didn’t insist on being paid 1/3 even though you’re not coming?”

“Pick up the phone, man,” Barker told him. “Dying to talk to you.”

After a call took place the drummer reported: “This was a huge lack of communication. AJ is a stand-up guy and we were both given wrong information.” He later said of the promoter: “He went out of his way to figure out how I could drive safely and comfortably inside Australia. He’s always had my back and it just sucks I couldn’t be there for the fans.”

Later Maddah took to Twitter once again to appeal for information regarding a New South Wales Soundwave attendee at who set off a flare during Bring Me The Horizon’s performance – and, he said, seriously injured a teenage girl.

He told followers: “Dear piece of shit who lit the flare in BMTH pit: Tonight you seriously burned and disfigured a young girl. I hope you fucking get yours.

“If we catch anyone with flares you’ll not only be evicted/arrested, I’ll dedicate every iota of energy and money I can muster to ruin your life. If anyone can correctly identify this son of a bitch I will shower you with so much tickets, backstage and cash you won’t know what to do.”

Later he reported the culprit had been identified, saying: “We have his name and address. I’m giving him a couple more hours to do the right thing and turn himself in.”

Then he added of the girl: “Thankfully she isn’t permanently disfigured and injuries are not as bad as I was first told.”