311 has proven the naysayers wrong.
Since the early 1990s, the band has been a pioneer for successful Midwestern bands, with a following to prove it.
But lead singer Nick Hexum maintains that the band still isn't quite mainstream.
"Our songs are a little too experimental to be on pop radio," Hexum said.
"We are still a little under the radar, but that's fine with us," he said.
311 will perform tonight with Alien Ant Farm at Pershing Center. The show starts at 7:30 p.m.
As the title of its latest album ("Evolver") suggests, the machine that drives the group is hybridization.
Whether it be acoustic guitar, emphasis on harmonies or melody, or smooth sailing reggae beats, Hexum said the band always tried to add new elements to its musical recipe.
The result is 311's signature tight sound. But Hexum said the energy from the live shows was what really mattered.
A 311 show is a swarm of vigor. From the stage, Hexum said the crowd looks like a "bunch of bouncing balls."
"It's such a great feeling to see everyone united, to really see everyone move in synchronization in a room," Hexum said.
"My life kind of changed when I saw the (Red Hot) Chili Peppers in '88," he said.
That was his initiation to the magic of a live show and the art of losing inhibitions.
Hexum said he and his band mates had a non-verbal connection with the audience.
"It can be spiritual when it's really happening," he said.
"It's just like letting the music flow through me and whatever happens happens."
Tonight the crowd can expect 311 rarities like "Uncalm" as well as staples like "Down.".
Playing older songs doesn't get monotonous, Hexum said.
"When we play those songs the energy increases in the room," he said.
"I definitely look forward to those songs."
The nucleus of 311's community is "The Hive," which was started by bassist P-Nut's stepfather, Pat O'Reilly. O'Reilly started the fan club to spread the word about 311 in the early days.
Since then its role has changed, and now O'Reilly and P-Nut's mother Joan, mainly work with fans through the band's Web site.
"A 311 show is like a big family gathering, with old friends and new friends and the most wonderful music-inspired spirit I can imagine," Joan O'Reilly said.
Joan O'Reilly will be at tonight's show.
"It's just like (P-Nut's) first performance at the Christmas show in kindergarten, only bigger," she said.
The original five members -- Hexum, S.A. Martinez, Tim Mahoney, Chad Sexton and P-Nut -- have stayed together for more than 10 years, seven albums and 13 tours.
"We feel that we have lucked upon a chemistry," Hexum said.
"We feel we have a symbiotic relationship, that we can do better together than apart."
As its ability to musically grow has kept 311 in the mix, Hexum said evolution is key to the band's future.
"To keep expanding on what we've started -- that's the plan," he said.
311 will have a song on the soundtrack to Adam Sandler's latest movie "50 First Dates." Hexum is also working with Dryden Mitchell, lead singer for Alien Ant Farm on a cover of The Cure's "Friday I'm in Love" for the same soundtrack.
Although Alien Ant Farm could very well have headlined a tour of its own, the members of the two bands have always been close friends, so when the band was asked to join 311 on tour, it quickly obliged.
Alien Ant Farm guitarist Terry Corso recently quit the band.
Through the band's publicist, the band members commented that Corso is gone for good.
"It was a positive split, this is just like any other typical relationship and sometimes people just grow apart," Alien Ant Farm's members wrote via e-mail.
The members of the band said they were not sure who would replace Corso, but they have a couple of prospects.
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