For a ninth straight year, 311 will bring unity to the states.
Living up to the essence of its "Unity Tour 2011" billing, 311 will join forces with fellow '90s reggae-esque rockers Sublime (with singer Rome Ramirez), for a tour that is sure to make any outdoor venue that much hotter.
The Unity Tour hits Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
"If you're a Sublime fan and then a 311 fan, or vice versa, then this is kind of like a dream tour," bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills told Weekender in a phone interview from Los Angeles.
"We're excited to bring the bands' friendly and not-so-friendly rivalry from the '90s to the stage."
Like Sublime, 311 was formed in 1988 and released a number of wildly popular albums throughout the next decade. Each appealed to a younger, ska-alternative-loving demographic--and more often than not, their respective fans were fans of both bands.
As time went on, 311 and Sublime saw this appreciation as less of a competition and more of a way to mutually step up their game.
"Both bands really helped elevate artistic output and tenacity," said P-Nut. "Knowing there was another [awesome] band out there was a huge motivator."
Earlier this month, 311 released its 10th studio album, "Universal Pulse." If you're a fan of vintage 311, this latest LP is infused with the hypnotic funk, crafted distortion and infectious rhythm that's defined the Oklahoma-bred band since its inception.
As P-Nut reflects on album No. 10, he can't help but note the biggest agent of change in 311 over the years: Experience.
"The experiences that we've shared are the biggest difference," he said. "We've turned our hopes and dreams into a reality and then manifested them into something beyond--so beyond--what we ever dreamed of."
From the get-go, 311 has endorsed a strict work ethic while balancing the lives of rock stars. P-Nut describes this ethic as stemming from a "regimented drum corps, philosophical background.
"To record [our first album, 'Music'] in 1992 was a really, really special thing," he said.
"We got our ideas down and then started making a second album. We put in so much hard work and dedication that these days it's a routine.
"If we [had been messing around] in the beginning and not taking our opportunities seriously, we wouldn't be where we are today."
And where 311 finds itself today is a pretty happy place. The band is one of the few early-'90s rock bands still headlining major venues, as many of its peers resort to free festival shows or cease to exist.
Aside from hefty album sales, millions of fans and the opportunity to tour the country "like an ant crawling through a yard," P-Nut credits 311 for also playing Cupid.
"A year into touring, I met my wife," said P-Nut. "We've been married for three years and we have a beautiful 10-month-old son. Meeting the love of my life and creating a unique child--you can't beat that."
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2011/072011/07282011/640557
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