Musician Travis Barker has revealed that he advised his son, Landon Barker, against auditioning for the US singing competition The Voice, arguing it wasn't the right path for an artist wanting to build genuine credibility. Speaking on The New York Times Popcast, the Blink-182 drummer said he pointed out that idols such as Kurt Cobain would never have taken part in such a show, urging Landon instead to focus on his own creative trajectory. The exchange highlights how established musicians view talent shows as potentially at odds with cultivating an authentic artistic identity.

Barker explained that although he himself had performed on American Idol several times, this was different because he appeared as a drummer in a supporting role rather than as a singer competing for a title. Landon, for his part, said he valued his father's blunt honesty, contrasting it with other collaborators who tend to soften their feedback. Rather than encouraging him to take every opportunity offered, Barker said he wanted his son to develop his career on his own terms, and Landon credited that transparency with helping him navigate the music industry.