The band got its name from the character played by Harry Dean Stanton in the film Paris, Texas. Travis first formed in 1990, but only signed on to the Independiente label founded by ex-Go! Discs MD Andy McDonald in September 1996. Incidently, they were also the first band to be signed to the label. Soon after, the quartet's Independiente debut, the single U16 Girls was released. The lads also embarked on numerous gigs and tour with Oasis and Catatonia, building a huge fan base along the way.

When their debut album, Good Feeling was released in 1997, it went straight into the Top 10. The singles all went Top 40 in the charts. The album itself was well received by music critics and the lads were hailed as one of the best new bands of 1997. At the 1998 BRIT AWARDS, the lads earned a nomination in the Best Newcomer category (which was won by Stereophonics). This was followed by the release of their second album in May 1999, The Man Who, recorded with Radiohead and Manic Street Preachers producers Nigel Godrich and Mike Hedges, which went to No 1 in the album chart. At the recent 2000 BRIT AWARDS. the lads scooped two awards; for Best Album and Best British Band.

Three members of Travis originally attended art school in Glasgow. Fran Healy, Dougie Payne and Andy Dunlop all attended the Glasgow School Of Art. Fran later realised that his real passion lay in music and all he wanted do was rock so he dropped out of art school and formed the band with Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose who was then working at Glasgow's Horseshoe Bar. Finally, Dougie Payne was brought in to complete the line-up. The rest, as they say, is history.