Travis Barker and DJ AM take it to MTV

In what can only be described as the creation of an entirely new form of musical performance, former Blink 182 drummer impresario Travis Barker has joined forces with beatmaster and DJ to the stars Adam Goldstein (DJ-AM) to start something unquestionably special. Emphatic performances of both showmanship and style make up what seems to be nothing short of a skilled challenge for both artists. Lucky for me, I got to hang out during the soundcheck before their final summer show at the Roxy on August 27th, just after they found out they’d be headlining MTV’s Video Music Awards this Sunday. While the duo seemed to be stoked about the VMA’s, the focus of the day was on the evening’s show. After soundcheck, we sat around for a quick chat, talking about everything from their humble beginnings to plans for the future. When asked how they came up with the idea to collaborate, their five-minute answer only confirmed what critics have been saying all year. These two belong on stage together.

You pretty much know you’ve made it once people start imitating you, and its only a matter of time before we see YouTube videos of amateur drummers and DJ’s trying to emulate those special Roxy performances of summer 2008. From Fugazi to Justice to the Refused, AM took everything in his arsenal and fired at an eager Travis, nailing every second without missing a beat. And while this writer has seen her fair share of shows this year, nothing beats standing in an empty legendary Hollywood venue watching one of the worlds’ greatest DJ’s dole out song after a song to a human drum-machine.

—Ali Miller

The 2008 MTV Video Music Awards will air live at 9pm (Live ET/Tape Delayed PT) from Paramount Pictures Studios in Los Angeles on September 7, 2008 and will be hosted by British comedian Russell Brand.