Blink 182 star accused of extortion

Twitter war: Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker performing at the Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

SOUNDWAVE Festival promoter AJ Maddah has drummed up a Twitter war with Blink 182 star Travis Barker.

Barker pulled out of Soundwave last week, citing his fear of flying, caused by a 2008 plane crash in which he survived.

His bandmates Mark Hoppus and Tom De Longe will tour Australia with a fill-in drummer.

But, early today, when was asked about refunds on Twitter, Maddah claimed Barker insisted on taking one third of Blink's $5 million fee, despite his no-show.

Maddah tweeted: "I'm told we can't refund and there will be no discount on the $5m fee because @travisbarker insisted on being paid in full."

He added: "What he has done to Tom and Mick is extortion. He thinks he's a f---ing gangster."

Barker tweeted back: "Where u getting your information from, man? None of this your writing on your timeline is true. This is all bulls---!'"

Maddah, gloves off, replied: "I have been super nice and supportive up to this point, but that stops now!'"

Another tweeter asked if Maddah empathised with Barker's fear of flying.

Maddah responded: "I don't blame him for not flying, but demanding ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS from your band mates to allow them to play is low."

Barker bit back: "Stop talking s---. Your spreading lies/stories & disrespecting me. Your not speaking to my management, your just fabricating s---."

AJ countered: "Really dude? You didn't insist on being paid 1/3 even though your not coming?"

Barker relented: "Pick up the phone, man. Dying to talk to you."

AJ's tirade follows a Twitter battle last week with Good Charlotte star, Joel Madden.

In exchange, Maddah accused Madden of disrespecting fans and selling out to fast food giant KFC.

Soundwave, with headliners Metallica, Blink 182 and Linkin Park, is touring nationally in March.

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