311 wants fans to feel its 'Universal Pulse' at DTE (MLive)

CLARKSTON— There's something in the air in the 311 camp.

Bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills' enthusiasm for the band's forthcoming 10th album, "Universal Pulse," and its first single, "Sunset in July," is palpable.

"I think the songs are strong enough to support this kind of 'emotional parade,' " Wills said with a laugh to The Flint Journal. "Summer is our time — especially for our diehard fans."

This summer, 311 is heading out on tour with the retooled Sublime (with new lead singer Rome); the jaunt hits DTE Energy Music Theatre on Wednesday.

This year will also see the launch of the 311 Pow Wow Festival, a three-day, two-stage music extravaganza taking place Aug. 4-6 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. The 500-acre park and campground will be home to the band’s first multi-day camping and music festival. Confirmed artists include Deftones, Ozomatli, Sublime with Rome, The Dirty Heads, G. Love and more. Festival-goers can look forward to a four-set performance from 311, which will include 1997’s acclaimed album "Transistor" in its entirety.

"There's a lot going on in 311 land," he said. "It seems like more people have their ear to what we're doing in the present tense than, maybe, the last 10 years."

"Sunset in July" has already been sent to radio and received a favorable response, according to 311's publicist. Many radio stations added the single to its play list before the official impact date of June 14. Lead singer Nick Hexum said in a press release that "everyone really stepped up during the making of this record," which is due in stores July 19. Wills agreed.

"We try every time, but there's something really special about these songs and where we are as men in the band," he said. "Three of us are fathers now. Maybe it's our chance to look forward and look back in this quiet before the storm, before the album hits.”

Things weren't so easy with "Universal Pulse." The band, which has sold more than eight million albums, recorded songs for the collection only to toss them aside.

"We had a batch of songs that we got rid of before we started finding our way," Wills said. "We did a second batch of songs that we started pre-producing with Bob (Rock) and realized how much better the second batch was, the second batch is 'Universal Pulse.'"

The direction of the album is simple, Wills said: Make the rock songs rock harder and make the reggae more intricate.

"You can't be in 311 and not know how to play your instruments," he said. "We like to show that off. We like the songs to translate to the stage since that's how we've continued for as long as we have.”

That journey for 311 — which also includes drummer Chad Sexton, guitarist Tim Mahoney and vocalist SA Martinez — is 10 albums strong. Wills said throughout 311's career, its greatest success has been its ability to connect with fans via its lyrics.

"But that's the greatest thing — to touch people and have them truly feel it, like way, way deep inside of them and for everlasting. I don’t think there's any greater compliment besides maybe inspiring people to pick up an instrument."

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/flint/index.ssf/2011/07/311_wants_fans_to_feel_its_uni.html