Saturday, December 14, 2002

311's Nick Hexum Turns Chaos into Clarity (Hard Rock Cafe)

HardRock.com: Your band has a free-spirit image. Stepping away from the norm, doing what makes you happy. How do you stay away from the pack when there are so many copycat bands out there?

Nick: "Brainstorm...take me away from the norm...." Those are the opening lyrics to the song "Amber." I guess that kind of sums it up. You have to just let things happen naturally. Whether it's songwriting or whatever. Hopefully a brainstorm or a revelation will lead you in the right direction. We've always done things our own way...and we've been together and happy for over 11 years.

HardRock.com: In your "From Chaos" lyrics, you say "From chaos comes clarity, I tell ya." How do you personally transform your chaos into clarity?

Nick: I think you have to learn by experience and sometimes that means going through hard times to reach better times. If you can go through a difficult time and look back and learn then you reach some sort of clarity about the whole experience.

HardRock.com: Right now who are some up-and-coming bands that you're totally impressed with and want your fans to check out?

Nick: We have Hoobastank on the road with us right now and they're a strong up-and-coming band.

HardRock.com: How are you going to celebrate the 2nd annual "311-Day" (March 11) this year? Do you have any traditions that you would like to start?

Nick: We're doing a special show in New Orleans and we're planning to play our longest show ever. Probably close to 50 songs. We'll bust out a lot of rare songs...so our hardcore fans are psyched about that. We also have some special surprises planned. Some crazy circus acts and stuff. It's going to be the most insane 311 show so far. We plan to top it every year.

HardRock.com: If you could send one of your band mates into outer space to save the Earth from aliens plotting to attack, who would you want to go and why?

Nick: We'd probably have to send Chad because he claims to be an alien...so perhaps he could reason with them. Or we'd have to send SA because he listens to radio talk shows about aliens and reads about them and stuff. He also writes a lot of lyrics about aliens and space so he should be pretty well prepared to encounter them.

HardRock.com: Other than playing in 311, how do you creatively express yourself? What are your other passions?

Nick: I'm passionate about music, life, family, friends, movies, technology......I also have a small clothing company called Ginsing where I design shirts. When I have free time I also produce and do re-mixes for other bands.

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