When 311 enters a venue, the energy level (as well as the levels of “positivity,” rhythm and THC) shoot through the roof. This quintet from Omaha, Neb., uses its unique and ever-evolving blend of metal, hip-hop and reggae to keep audiences bouncing for the duration of their stage show. Nov. 7 at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum was no different.
The band, although touring to promote this July’s Evolver, calls this their Unity Tour, named for a song that appeared on their major label debut Music. This, in a sense, sums up the spirit of the band.
Their varied set list brought together 311 fans from different eras in a similar manner that their style brings together fans of different genres of music.
Even though the band was certainly intent on exposing fans to the newest album, the set included songs from every major label release and was especially loaded with songs from the first three albums. This particular tour has also seen the return of songs not featured in previous years, such as Grassroots’ “Taiyed,” Transistor’s “Light Years” and 311’s “Loco.”
Despite changes to the songs played, 311 still kept with some of their popular live moves seen at past concerts. For instance, the drum solo featuring the entire band during Grassroots’ “Applied Science” was a big crowd pleaser that also showed off the band’s versatility. During this the other four members of the band each bring out their own drum and cymbal.
The chant of “Hey!” that bassist P-nut and vocalist Nick Hexum led during Soundsystem’s “Freeze Time” was a highlight of the night.
Opening act Alien Ant Farm was pretty unimpressive. Considering that they’re a band known for their high-energy and fast, catchy hooks, they could teach a course on how to suck the life out of songs.
Guitarist Terry Corso had an impressive guitar solo mid-set, which almost made up for the fact that he remained stationary throughout their entire performance.
Vocalist Dryden Mitchell just seemed languid. He even sat down for what should have been one of the more energetic songs in the set, TruANT’s latest single “Glow.”
Mitchell also started making excuses, stating before one song that if their version of a reggae sucked, it was because they are white. It did suck but I found it funny how lack of melanin didn’t seem to interfere with the headliner’s successful use of reggae in their songs.
Bassist Tye Zamora looked like he was having the time of his life. At the end of the show, the band descended on drummer Mike Cosgrove with silly string for his birthday. Still, neither antic was enough to save their set.
They also refrained from playing “Smooth Criminal,” their one song (albeit a Michael Jackson cover) that everyone in the audience knew. I’m not sure whether to give them credit or flack for that move. Nonetheless, I doubt that one song could have added much more (or taken much from) the mediocrity of their stage show.
By contrast, 311 seemed to have energy to spare. Vocalist S.A. Martinez moved around the stage like his shoes had springs, P-nut seemed to enjoy jumping and kicking his foot out during random points in the show and guitarist Tim Mahoney was, for lack of a better term, an animal.
Although I was not shocked by anything I saw on Friday, this was by no means a bad thing. If I’ve learned anything from 311’s live show, it’s that they know how to deliver the goods and deliver them with their distinct brand of “Omaha Stylee.”
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