In law enforcement circles it's universally known as the code for indecent exposure, y'know, gettin' nekkid in public.
But if you happen to be under 30 and somewhat tapped into the popular music scene, then 311 takes on a whole new meaning, standing for something altogether different.
Y'see, 311 is also the name of one of the hardest working, ultra popular sonic quintet's to grace today's music scene. Comprised of Nick Hexum, vox, guitars; Tim Mahoney, guitars; SA Martinez, vox, turntables; Chad Sexton, drums; P-Nut, bass; 311 originally hails from the Midwestern epicenter of all things corn huskish: Omaha, Nebraska. In a feat hitherto unheralded in the vaults of the modern day pop maelstrom, the band has managed to crank out a total of nine albums, numerous EPs, videos, and countless bootlegs since 1990 (their most recent, Soundsystem just hit the stores a few weeks ago). But, as if that weren't enough, they've toured incessantly throughout the US and the world during the past six years, to boot. IGN For Men Senior Editor Spence D. sat down with the guys from 311 and attempted to get the inside skinny on what makes them tick. Here's what they had to say.
IGN For Men: Growing up in Omaha, did you all watch Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom? What did you think of Marlon Perkin's always sittin' safely in the helicopter while making Jim do the dangerous animal wrestlin'?
Nick Hexum: Yeah, we watched it. We also tried to rip off their logo for a 311 t-shirt that said "311 - Music of Omaha" instead of Mutual of Omaha. They found out about it and sent us a cease & desist so we had to stop making them.
IGN For Men: This one's directed at SA, on the turntable action, do you rock the 1200's?
SA Martinez: Yeah, 1200's baby.
IGN For Men: And what kind of needles do you endorse?
SA Martinez: I don't endorse needles...shooting up is for losers. I do use Vestax mixers though.
IGN For Men: What's your most prized record?
SA Martinez: Most prized record is too tough. I just bought some great old reggae albums in Santa Cruz yesterday at Streetside Records. I got a pretty rare HR record, Aswad and a bunch of stuff.
IGN For Men: Can you cite some of your influences, specifically non-musical ones such as literature, cinema, theater, or art?
Nick Hexum: The Simpsons, Stanley Kubrick, Robert Anton Wilson, Art Bell....
IGN For Men: What's the collective band's favorite late nite snack...y'know, what food do you mack late at night to inspire creativity?
Nick Hexum: We usually get pizzas after the show...but that can kill you. So were moving over to salads and fruit. But last night we had sushi. Chocolate is pretty popular on the bus. Cereal is good, too.
IGN For Men: Why did y'all pack up and move from Omaha to LA? Did you suffer serious culture shock comin' from the Midwest to the sunny CA coastline?
Nick Hexum: We've moved to LA to pursue the dream and get a record deal. It worked. We all live in Hollywood now.
IGN For Men: Looking over your album titles--Music, Transistor, Soundsystem--they all have to do with music. From whence do these titles come from and are you trying to create a continuous theme by naming them all after various sonic terminology?
Nick Hexum: We are just trying to make all of them one word titles. And here's a small bit of trivia for you: all album titles are also mentioned in the song "Transistor" (311, Grassroots, Music, Transistor, Soundsystem).
IGN For Men: What do y'all do on tour during the downtime? Do you play video games? Do y'all have Playstation, Dreamcast, or N64 on the bus? If so, what are your favorite games and who's the best player.
Nick Hexum: We had N64 at the studio. Kobe Bryant Basketball and James Bond are the best games. On the bus we have Sega Dreamcast. Playing a lot of Soul Caliber and some NFL2K. Waiting for the basketball game to come out.
IGN For Men: I recently spoke to Kid Rock and he told me that the band watches Forrest Gump all the time on tour. Do y'all watch movies on the tour bus? If so, what are some of your staples?
Nick Hexum: We have a DVD player on the bus and we have a lot of movies to choose from but we haven't watched anything yet. I will, however, recommend American Beauty which is out at the theatres...good film.
IGN For Men: Who's tunes do you take with you on tour?
Nick Hexum: We all bring a lot of CD's. All different styles. Lately I've been listening to a lot of jungle and drum & bass.
IGN For Men: Have any of you ever been indecently exposed? If so, where and when.
Nick Hexum: No....but you can see P-Nut in some tight purple briefs in our home video "Enlarged to Show Detail."
IGN For Men: Who's your favorite superhero.
SA: I like Shazam because he has that sweet van.
P-Nut: I like the Punisher because I collect the comic book.
Tim: I like Wonder Woman ...just because.
IGN For Men: What's your spirit animal? You know, the animal you most likely identify with?
Nick Hexum: Ram.
IGN For Men: If you weren't in 311 you'd be...____________________ (fill in the blank with an alternate career choice).
Nick Hexum: Working on computers.
IGN For Men: What kind of soundstystem do y'all travel with-- Discman's, walkmans, boombox, etc.?
Nick Hexum: All of the above and then some.
IGN For Men: Do you prefer performing live to being in the studio or do you enjoy both for different reasons?
Nick Hexum: Both for different reasons...but playing live is the best. That's where it becomes a collective experience where you can really share something with the band and with the crowd. It's definitely magic.
IGN For Men: It took you a year to record Soundsystem...that seems like a pretty long time to be locked down in the studio...how does that compare with the length of recording some of your previous records?
Nick Hexum: We spent much more time with Soundsystem. We really wanted to take our time. We have felt rushed with all the other records. It was nice to work at our own pace this time.
IGN For Men: You've worked with DJ Spinna in the past...how did you come to hook-up with an underground hip-hop producer such as him?
Nick Hexum: Our A&R guy at Capricorn Records hooked us up with him. He did a couple dope remixes but I don't think they were ever released.
IGN For Men: What underground hip-hop joints are y'all rockin' in the tape deck?
Nick Hexum: Black Eyed Peas is a current favorite.
IGN For Men: What's your favorite daytime television show?
Nick Hexum: Sunday afternoon football.
IGN For Men: What's the band's motto, y'know, what words do you all live by?
Nick Hexum: Stay positive and love your life.
IGN For Men: How are you coping with pre-millennial tension?
Nick Hexum: We're putting out the welcome mat.
IGN For Men: What's the future game plan of 311...what are your long-term goals?
Nick Hexum: We're going to be touring for a long time so I really can't look past that. There's a lot to look forward to, though.
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