New Orleans is Special to 311 (ABQJournal)

Given recent world events, being positive is harder to do. But vocalist S.A. Martinez of the band 311 maintains that that is exactly how people can survive the recent tragedies in New Orleans and its surrounding areas.
"There's no question that this is a sad turn of events," Martinez stated in a recent phone interview between shows on the group's current tour, "but I think it's very important for people to keep hoping for the best and quickest recovery possible and keep envisioning a bright future."
The city of New Orleans is special to Martinez and his longtime musical cronies, bassist P-Nut, vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, guitarist Tim Mahoney and drummer Chad Sexton.
On March 11 of every year (3/11) the group performs a special concert that draws thousands of the group's fans to the Crescent City. In 2004, the group performed a five-hour set that included 68 songs. The performance was captured on film and released on DVD as "311 Day Live in New Orleans."
"Our first show in Jacksonville (Fla.) (after the hurricane) was a pretty difficult one. Our thoughts were obviously elsewhere," Martinez related. "We were actually supposed to have a day off in New Orleans the day the hurricane hit."
Martinez noted that the group will be heavily involved in any musical benefits that will develop and that its annual March 11 shows will continue if possible.
Currently, the group is focused on a 38-city tour that will come to an end in El Paso on Sept. 15, a day after its scheduled performance at the Albuquerque Convention Center on Wednesday. It is touring in support of the recent full-length release titled "Don't Tread On Me."
This, the group's eighth release, shows a higher level of maturity than 2003's "Evolver," but at the same time holds true to the group's diverse roots.
Since its formation in the early 1990s, 311 has fused together just about every style of music into one cohesive genre that can only be called 311 Music. Its ska/reggae/hip-hop/rock/pop sound is instantly identifiable and this loose aggregate of sounds and styles leads to a diverse fanbase. From the Red Hot Chili Peppers and N.W.A. to legendary punk act Bad Brains, 311's music can trace back to just about any type of music.
"I remember when Nick introduced me to Bad Brains," Martinez said. "He made me a tape of the album 'With The Quickness.' It blew my mind. Since then it has always been a dream to work with (producer) Ron (St. Germain)."
The pair got their wish. "Don't Tread On Me" is the group's second with St. Germain and the group doesn't seem to be searching for another.
"He brings out the best in us and we seem to bring out the best in him," Martinez said. "There's just a mutual respect there that I think is pretty rare nowadays."