Travis Meeks’ life is far from ordinary, full of ups and downs that would make anyone’s head spin. As the frontman of Days of the New, Meeks became known for his talent and fresh approach to acoustic rock. But alongside his musical success came a series of struggles—addiction, clashes with bandmates, and erratic behavior that led to his ultimate fall.
The Singer Achieved Quick Success
Meeks’ love for music started early, thanks to his father, Gary, who introduced him to the world of sound. Music became his escape, a way to express emotions he couldn’t otherwise put into words.
In the mid-’90s, he formed Dead Reckoning, which later evolved into Days of the New. The band’s self-titled debut album dropped in 1997 and was an instant hit. Songs like ‘Touch, Peel and Stand’ and ‘Shelf in the Room’ became fan favorites, and the album sold over 1.5 million copies. Meeks was suddenly one of the most talked-about figures in rock.
Rising Issues And A Fall From Grace
But with success came trouble. Meeks earned a reputation for being tough to work with, and tensions with his bandmates reached a breaking point. By the end of 1998, after numerous fights and rumors, he fired the entire band. He decided to keep the Days of the New name, while his former bandmates formed Tantric, which found its own success.
Undeterred, Meeks pushed forward and released ‘Green’ in 1999. This album featured orchestral sounds and even guest vocals from Nicole Scherzinger, who would later become famous with the Pussycat Dolls. While the album was well-received by critics, it didn’t have the commercial impact of its predecessor.
As his career faltered, Meeks’ personal life took a dark turn. His addiction spiraled, and his behavior became increasingly unpredictable. He started working on a third album, but by 2001, when ‘Red’ was released, the music scene had already shifted. The album didn’t do well commercially. Around the same time, Meeks was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, shedding light on some of the challenges he’d faced socially throughout his life.
He Couldn’t Escape Trouble
Despite the turmoil, Meeks didn’t give up on music. In 2014, he briefly reunited with his original bandmates for a Days of the New reunion, but it fell apart quickly due to his erratic behavior. Since then, Meeks has occasionally performed solo, but he’s never been able to reclaim the success he once had.
His struggles with addiction remained in the spotlight, especially in 2005 when he appeared on the reality TV show ‘Intervention.’ The show shed light on his ongoing battles, and though it brought some attention back to him, it also highlighted the depth of his issues. Over the years, Meeks found himself in trouble with the law multiple times, facing arrests for drug possession and probation violations.
In August 2020, Meeks was arrested again for being drunk in public in Arizona. Since then, he has stayed out of the spotlight. Some reports suggest he’s still battling addiction and legal troubles, while others claim he’s continuing to make music on his own terms.
