Travis Meeks (Days of the New)

[Creeper]

TRAVIS MEEKS


Travis Shane Meeks (born April 27, 1979 in Jeffersonville, Indiana), is an American musician, and is the lead singer, guitarist and song writer for acoustic rock band Days of the New.

DAYS OF THE NEW
At the age of 17, Travis Meeks and fellow teenage band members Matt Taul, Todd Whitener and Jesse Vest were signed to a major record label. In 1997, they released their widely successful self-titled Orange album that included the single, "Touch, Peel and Stand." The song rose to #1 on the Billboard charts and became the group's signature piece. Opening slots on tour with Jerry Cantrell and Metallica further exposed the band to fans around the country. Days of the New then set out on a headlining tour that lasted until a stop in Dallas, Texas when Meeks' father finally drove him home and canceled the remainder of the tour's shows.[2] Shortly afterward, Matt, Todd, and Jesse parted ways with Meeks over creative differences, and the latter transformed Days of the New into a solo project with accompaniment from several backup musicians. Upon the news of their breakup, it was widely reported and believed that Meeks had in fact fired his fellow bandmates. This account was later contested by Meeks, citing jealousy over the fact that he wrote all of the songs and received all royalty checks. However, Meeks has claimed to empathize with their actions and not hold resentment. The three former members went on to form Tantric.

In 1999, Meeks released a second self-titled Days of the New album, Green. This effort deemphasized the post-grunge feel of the previous effort and instead focused on world music. That same year, Meeks developed a kidney stone and became addicted to pain killers. During this time, Outpost was dismantled which caused unfavorable personnel changes for Days of the New. Meeks reentered the studio in 2000 to record a third self-titled release, Red, which met with less success than previous efforts. Meeks continued abusing painkillers and alcohol during the making of the third album. The original version of the album was completed in 2000. At the record label's request, the album was retooled with producer Ron Aniello enlisted to remix tracks and record several new songs. During the 2001 recording sessions, Meeks' drug use escalated to cocaine. After the album's release in September 2001, Meeks also started using methamphetamine and lost an extreme amount of weight. Meeks continued abusing alcohol and meth while touring for the album.

Meeks performed a solo tour of small venues during the later half of 2003. Still battling addiction in 2005, he appeared on A&E's Intervention, Season 1; Episode #6 entitled "Matt and Travis". He entered rehab, and eventually became sober. On this episode of Intervention, which was filmed in early 2005, Meeks revealed that he had been addicted to methamphetamine for three years. This places the beginning of his addiction around the end of 2001 or the beginning of 2002. Meeks began recording a fourth Days of the New record in October 2007 with drummer Ray Rizzo and bassist Malcolm Gold. Reportedly named Tree Colors, the new record will incorporate classical and ethnic arrangements, in addition to the band's traditional acoustic sound. Meeks is currently looking for a distributor for the new record and touring with a five piece line-up, including a cellist.

Travis Meeks has standing invitations to perform at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, as well as to front the Boston Pops. Recently, he has begun referring to himself as a maestro due to his self-taught mastery of the acoustic guitar and incorporation of classical sounds into his music.

Aside from past problems with drug addiction, Travis Meeks is known for his past antisocial and unpredictable behavior as a young adult. In April 1997, after Days of the New missed a Florida show, they appeared the following day black-eyed and bruised - one of whom also had a broken jaw - after what sources claim was a band brawl. In the early years of Days of the New, fellow band members would often meet with fans post-concert while Meeks was reclusive. However, in later years, he has become more sociable and outwardly appreciative of fans.

Contrary stories also exist regarding the breakup of the original Days of the New. While it was widely reported and still believed that Meeks fired his fellow band members, he now claims that it was their choice due to jealousy and the fact that Meeks was the principal song writer and receiver of all royalty checks. Several months before Outpost made the official announcement, or the band even finished touring, Meeks was telling interviewers and posting on fan message boards that he was dropping the band. He described them as holding him back and that Days of the New was never actually a band project to begin with. Meeks has since said that their departure was mutual and that he understands their supposed decision.

Travis Meeks has claimed to pay very little attention to other current bands, not even knowing some of the bands he plays with on tour. He has, however, cited Dead Can Dance as a favorite group. Meeks plays Taylor guitars for their rich sound but has also used Tacomas. Much of his catalog is performed in various open tunings. He also favors acoustic guitar over electric, once citing:


"Acoustic guitars are more musical. They're not all covered up by different sounds and distortions and stuff. Of course we put distortion on our guitars, but I like to go make campfires and sit out by the water, and you can't do that with an electric guitar. Each acoustic guitar has its own soul; it seems way more natural to play than electric."

[Grunge_Chick]

I have mixed feelings about Travis Meeks. I like his music but I doubt I would like him personally. He was on the show "Intervention" years ago as a full blown drug addict who seemed so self indulged that is made me want to slap him in the face but like I said, he has decent music. Even though most say he is just post grunge crap, he has a decent voice (no matter if he "stole" his style or not).

[Creeper]

I disagree about the post grunge crap thing. There really isnt anyone else out there doing what he does with the acoustic guitar at least not at that level.

[Grunge_Chick]

I agree with that. I didn't really see him as entirely post grunge. I can see why people think post grunge when they hear Days of the New but I don't think they fit the title 100%.

[KristinNirvana]

There have been several bands that people just label as post-grunge that I don't think really are. Namely Bush, Silverchair, and Days of the New. Even acoustic post-grunge doesn't sound like Days of The New.

[KristinNirvana]

I heard somewhere Travis was the one that found Mike Starr's dead body because I guess he was playing with Days of the New. But I always do hope he gets better with his drug addiction. The fourth Days record was supposed to come out by now but hasn't yet I guess because of his addiction he hasn't gotten much done.

[Grunge_Chick]

I knew that Mike Starr was playing with Days of the New. I hadn't heard that Travis was the one who found him. Who knows..either way that guy needs to get his stuff straight. It's truly sad that people like him who have talent waste it away and people like Kesha or Lady Gaga get the spotlight. It's his own fault though I guess...

[Creeper]

A moment of weakness can lead to a lifetime of addiction, and its hard to place blame until you walk in someone elses shoes. However folks like you and me struggle day to day just to make ends meet and support ourselves while these people who have the world as their oyster somehow fall into this crack where their lives are so miserable that they'd rather waste away in a drug induced state that leaves their talents dormant. Its sad and I dont understand it but it seems fairly common.

[KristinNirvana]

I think I heard they opened for Metallica at age 16. Fame can be harsh. I frankly never wanted it and thought it was stupid, and don't know why anyone would, like I always thought money was gross, yeah you need it but it just causes problems, too much greed, I don't even want anything so I wouldn't spend it ofter than bills, CDs, musical equipment, concert tickets, and thrift store clothes, and people constantly acting like you're some kind of god, shaking as they ask you for an autograph, it really seems so embarrassing, girls screaming for you, people ripping your clothes as they try to get close to you, paparazzi constantly in your face never leaving you alone even when you're not doing anything interesting, never knowing who your true friends are because they could just be trying to buddy up to you because you're famous and they want to say they know you, music labels stiffing you and telling you all these promises to try and get you on to your label, so I can totally understand someone falling under an addiction by reason of feeling weird about fame, or if they have the money it can be really easy too. I doubt someone who needs to spend money on food would think of getting into drugs as easily as someone who has money to waste, yes they end up spending it all on the drugs and then need money to spend on food but by that time they are addicted.

[mblovesdotn]

just clearing up a couple of the questions about Travis...yes, he was friends with Mike Starr, they were working on music together and Mike was going to tour with Travis as part of Days of the New (along with Charlie Colin of Train). They were living together with their sponsor(s) and making music when Mike succommed to the disease. Yes Travis found him. It's sad and unfortunate and I will never forget that day. Travis fights the battle of addiction every day. He also has mental issues that amplify his addiction. He was diagnosed with Aspergers, and I personally think he is OCD and BiPolar, but whatever he is labled, it all has made him who he is, and has given us the beauty of his art, the music. He has been touring off and on for the last few years, and continues to work on Purple as he can, but needs support. It takes money to hire multiinstrumentalists to play for your record. He will get there....and it will blow you away. It's like nothing you've heard, and it's definitely not grunge.

btw LOVE this site....I love acoustic music, and it just so happens ya'll are talking about one of the best acoustic players out there. Kristin, you are sooo right about the fame, money, and it causing more problems than it does good. sad really

[mblovesdotn]

youtu.be/tVjXHcEEOto


A Days of the New performance of "Orch of the Medium" at Tammany Hall in Worcester, MA on December 5, 2009. Travis Meeks - Guitar Paul Culligan - Drums/Percussion

[KristinNirvana]

Ok, now I know more of the story, thanks. It is a very sad disease, addiction. Yeah I don't think anyone has the right to say "Oh boo hoo a rock star is complaining about being famous, when you have what everyone else could ever possibly want" until they walk in those shoes, and think about all the other things it means to be famous. And hi new person!

[Creeper]

well if he needs multi instrumentalist I suppose I could squeeze him in.