[1] A former drama teacher[2] and owner of a punk record shop,[3] Travis founded the Rough Trade label in 1976.

[8][9] He claimed that he chose the location because it was close to Powis Square, where Performance, one of his favourite films, was made.

[9] Rough Trade was home to The Smiths, but by 1986, after three years on the label, the band were in dispute over finances.

[9][12] Writer Douglas Wolk credited Travis as virtually defining "the British post-punk sound",[13] and XFM viewed his impact on independent music as greater than anyone else's in the country.

[14] Geoff Travis has a son called Jamie, who is one half of the post-rave pop duo Babeheaven with singer Nancy Andersen.