The homegrown national sensation returns to rock the Valley Isle, and fans prepare to be electrified once again by the sounds of 311. The Omaha-bred, multi-faceted band will turn out the Maui Arts & Cultural Center’s Events Lawn on Saturday evening, April 10, for an unforgettable rockfest under the stars in paradise.
I’ve found a love-hate relationship among my friends and music industry associates over the years when it comes to the funky-fusion outfit, 311. From pals with tattoos committing their lifelong dedication to the band to individuals who cringe at the mention of their very name, 311 has stimulated various reactions over their 20-year career in and out of mainstream music.
Regardless of your taste, 311 has proven its talents and unique staying-power in a music industry saturated with overproduction and mediocre hits. These nice guys stay true to their sound and are committed to their solid fanbase, which can seem nearly cult-like at times.
The five eclectic bandmates have remained on solid ground and continue to persevere with their underlying message of unity and positivity, and steadily produce successful records and tours that incorporate a variety of styles including hip-hop, alternative, rock, punk, reggae, metal—you name it.
Their first jazz album is due this fall—kidding!
Forming in Omaha, Neb. in 1990, vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, vocalist/DJ SA Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut, probably never thought they’d still be together, and boasting over 8.5 million units sold nationwide to date.
Nick and Chad have been playing music with Tim since high school, and the current line-up has remained consistent for nearly two decades.
“We’ve been sharing creative freedoms throughout all these years together, and working collaboratively to keep it going strong,” said Tim in a recent phone interview.
This band of "brothers” continues to "get along real well” and shares the stage during their electrifying concerts.
“It’s been a great ride,” said Tim.
Funky fact: The guys faced controversy on their road to success when a rumor floated around that the band’s name alluded to the Ku Klux Klan. (K is the eleventh letter of the alphabet, yada, yada, yada…)
This myth was busted when the band revealed the name’s true origin came from the citation number of an offensive violation.
According to 311’s funny-guy/guitarist Tim, the “original, original” 311 consisted of P-Nut and a few of his friends who got together to start a band back in the day in Nebraska.
“P-Nut and their guitar player were skinny dipping, and P-nut’s buddy got caught, while P-Nut got away,” said Tim. “The poor guy got taken home, naked, by the police.”
And, the citation number #311 was checked for indecent exposure, and the rest is history…
Six 311 albums have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Sales Chart, and eight of their contagious singles have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Alternative Rock Chart. (Not too shabby for a band who’s claim-to-fame for a lot of folks was their intoxicating, music festival favorite, Who’s Got the Herb?, from the mid-‘90s benefit compilation Hempilation: Freedom Is NORML.)
The band attributes their longterm success to their slow-growth grassroots development.
Right at the beginning of their career, 311 released three records on their own independent record label, What Have You Records. These releases—Dammit, Hydroponic, and Unity—and their busy tour schedule helped them blow up in the Midwest. They eventually relocated to Los Angeles, with starry eyes and the willpower of a small army, and sought out major labels.
In 1993, 311 released their first major release, Music, with catchy single, Do You Right. I can remember rolling around in my teen years, jamming out to this record and thinking I was really cool. I’m still trying to figure this out…
In 1995, they released the self-titled, 311—aka The Blue Album—which is undoubtedly the quintessential 311 record. From start to finish, this record kept listeners engaged, and it rarely left my CD player during my high school years. Even if you don’t like 311, you like this album. Admit it…
The three singles Don’t Stay Home, All Mixed Up and Down achieved stellar approval, thanks to heavy radio rotation and MTV videos. (Yes, MTV did play music videos for good bands at one point.) The singles drove the album to platinum status in 1996, and the album eventually went triple-platinum.
The late ‘90s gave birth to Transistor, which included a few amiable tracks characteristic of 311’s homegrown sound.
After leaving high school, I simmered down on my obsession with 311, but time and time again, I found their tracks sneaking onto my playlists. Whether it was faux entertainer punk-out (Come Original), sugary energy anthem (Amber) or my jogging jam (Creatures (For a While)), 311 has weaved its catchy, multi-genre tracks into my music collection now for nearly two decades.
I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled about their lackluster cover of The Cure’s Love Song, but apparently the rest of the nation was, as the 311 version topped the modern rock charts in 2004.
311’s latest effort Uplifter— produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Mötley Crüe, Aerosmith, The Offspring)—was released in June 2009. It debuted at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart—the band’s highest chart position to date.
The band is so well loved that an entire day on the calendar has been set outside for fan appreciation. Guess which day?
Every other year on March 11 (311 Day), the multi-platinum group holds a very special event that attracts thousands of its fans from around the world. The music extravaganza is usually held in New Orleans, and as a result, the mayor of New Orleans presented the band with a plaque and officially proclaimed March 11 as 311 Day in New Orleans.
According to Peter Raspler from 311’s management office, this year’s 311 Day at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, sold out of its 12,000 tickets in just a few hours. For 2010, the 311 Day event moved to Las Vegas due to over-booked hotels in New Orleans during the same time for a medical convention of some sort. The band is extremely dedicated to its fans and wanted to make sure everyone could be accommodated, so they moved it.
“Vegas is an easy destination for our fans to get to, with marketing deals galore for cheap rooms and airfare,” said Tim.
“It’s clear that 311 Day has become more than a concert—it’s a true happening,” said Peter. “An event that began organically and has taken on a life of its own.”
311 played a five-hour, marathon set of over 60 songs, with state-of-the-art production to keep the party going all night long.
“We pace the show and ourselves—do about three or four sets throughout the night, so it’s not too long at one time,” said Tim.
“It’s easier for us than for the fans,” said Tim. “I’m in my head, concentrating—lots to think about. Physically tiring, and mentally a workout, but it’s such an amazing experience.”
Coming off a four-show, jam-packed stint in Japan, 311 is looking forward to nestling in with the island verve.
“We like to play Japan because than that means we usually get to go to Hawai‘i,” said Tim, with a chuckle. “Alooohha!”
It’s a good time in Japan, according to Tim, but the crowds are definitely different than say places like Hawai‘i.
“They’re going crazy in Japan during the songs, but then very quiet between songs,” said Tim. “It’s strange and interesting.”
311 is set to play Thursday and Friday, April 8 and 9, on O‘ahu, before landing on Maui for one of their final shows of their energized spring tour. (They’ll also hit up the Big Island on Sunday, April 11, for a newly-added show.)
“We like to decompress and get back to U.S. time,” said Tim. “It’s not an accident that Hawai‘i is at the end of our tour—it’s a great place for us. We love it there.”
On Saturday, April 10, King Michel Concerts presents 311, with special guests Hawai‘i-bred reggae rockers Iration, and an adrenaline-induced opening performance from Maui’s own badasses, The Throwdowns.
The dynamic show will surely feature some of 311’s hits—old and new—and the raw performance power audiences have grown to adore over the years.
“We’re not taking our clothes off as much these days as we’re getting a little but older, but some of us are still taking them off,” said Tim, with a laugh.
Iration recently released their latest CD, Time Bomb, and The Throwdowns are still flying high off their national distribution deal of their debut, Don’t Slow Down, with ADA.
(Visit www.irationmusic.com and www.thethrowdowns.com for information on these rad bands.)
Gates open at 5:30 p.m.; show starts 6:30 p.m. Sorry, no outside food or drinks will be permitted. Concessions available.
Cameras and video recording are also prohibited at this all-ages show.
Get your tickets now at www.mauiarts.org or by calling 242-SHOW (7469). You can also grab your tickets today at Green Banana Café in Pä‘ia, Requests Music in Wailuku and the Old Lahaina Book Emporium. Tickets run for $35 presale, $40 day of show.
Visit www.kingmichelconcerts.com and www.311.com.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
311 and their fans celebrate each other at 5-hour 311 Day concert (Behind the Hype)
The 311 Nation convened in Las Vegas last week for the band’s concert/fan convention extravaganza known as 311 Day. On Thursday (March 11th, duh) the band played a sprawling five-hour, 60-song show at the Mandalay Bay Events Center that left everyone sweaty, tired and pretty damn satisfied.
This was my third 311 Day, having traveled to New Orleans in 2004 and Memphis in 2006 (The band holds these huge events every other year).
I’m a self-admitted diehard fan of the band, having attended an innumerable number of shows over the years, in many different states, including California, Nevada, Tennessee, Louisiana and New York.
311, comprised of Nick Hexum (vocals/ rhythm guitar), SA Martinez (vocals/ DJ scratches), P-Nut (bass), Tim Mahoney (lead guitar), and Chad Sexton (drums) treats these concerts as big fan appreciation blowouts, playing hits, rarities, and obscure b-sides spanning their extensive back catalog as a way to say thanks to the fans for being so loyal and continuing to support the band over their more than twenty years of existence.
It’s amazing to me that 311 still manages to thrive in the live arena, as it’s no secret that their mainstream popularity has long since gone by the wayside. Despite that, they consistently tour large venues in the summer and spring to mostly packed houses filled with rabid fans (and the occasional concertgoer who only knows Amber).
The 311 spirit was thriving in Vegas this week, as people from all over the globe met up in the city to celebrate the band and its positive energies. Walking around the Strip it was evident that we were taking over the entire damn city.
Arriving at the Mandalay Bay Events Center around four in the afternoon on Thursday only heightened the excitement. Fans clad in t-shirts, hats, and other garb routinely sparked up “3 11! 3, 3, 11!” chants that got the energy flowing and put everyone in a full-on frenzy.
By the time the show actually started, we were all so pumped up that our noise was deafening. 311 utilized a ridiculously awesome stage set up for the show, with a big spiral beehive-looking thing that rose when the house lights dimmed, revealing the band, who launched into the song Jackpot (off of 2009’s Uplifter), a fitting song to start out the show. Sexton’s drum kit was on a rotating platform, so he spun around in circles the whole night, allowing fans behind the stage to get a good view every now and then.
Over the course of the next five hours, the band played songs from all corners of their repertoire, including hits (All Mixed Up, Come Original, Beautiful Disaster, Amber, etc.) and obscure or infrequently-played gems (Brodels, Loco, Uncalm, Running, Livin’ & Rockin’, Six, and Slinky), as well as premiering a few songs that had not been played live previously (Sun Comes Through, Get Down, Two Drops in the Ocean). It was really an impressive set list, spread out across five sets, interspersed with some Vegas entertainment like a contortionist playing with big plastic hoops and a Jamaican dance troupe tearing it up on the floor.
P-Nut (Aaron Wills) enjoyed an indulgent bass solo before the band went into Nutsymtom. During the solo we all expressed our love for the Nut and his bass wizardry. He’s often the most expressive and active member of the band, onstage and off (He’s the one with a personal Facebook page where he interacts with fans). The solo, carried out on his Warwick with the light-up fret board, showed just how skilled he is, while not getting boring (as bass solos sometimes get). Simply put, P-Nut crushes.
During Applied Science, Sexton had an extended drum solo where he smashed and pounded his Pearl kit for about ten minutes or so.
At that point I was such an exhausted zombie that the solo sounded endless, but it was still impressive. The other members of the band eventually rose out of the stage on risers and began the full-band drum solo that always takes place midway through the song. It was a new solo and a pretty slick stage set up for that segment of the show.
Playing sixty songs in an evening must be quite an ordeal for a band, especially one whose members are mostly in their mid-thirties. The fact that the band does this really shows how much they care about the fan base, as this is really one big amazing party, with the band feeding off of the crowd’s electric energy and reciprocating onstage.
The sound was a bit muffled in the Mandalay Bay Events Center at the beginning of the show, as the vocals and guitar echoed around the cavernous arena, but it was eventually remedied a bit, and while it was never perfectly crisp, it was as good as could be expected in such a venue. 311 usually has a pitch-perfect live sound so it was probably the venue that caused any issues this time around.
311, for some reason, seems to be a band that does not really get the credit they deserve. Too many times, as a fan, I’ve witnessed people criticize the band or hate on them for no reason. As someone in the band’s inner circle of dedicated fans I find this hard to understand, since the band’s positive message (“stay positive, love your life” is what Hexum says at the end of every show) and uplifting music set them apart from their peers and have allowed them to continue on well past the heyday of the rap/rock/reggae stuff that they effectively pioneered in the early 1990s. Yes, the lyrics may tend to be somewhat cheesy (as some people say) and perhaps the band’s creative peak has passed them by, but the fact that they’re still doing their thing and remaining true to themselves while retaining a hardcore fan base that travels all over the country to see them in concert says something. No other bands that I can think of put on an event anything like 311 Day, a show that is truly a way for the band to acknowledge and thank the fans for all their years of support.
Hexum, Martinez, Mahoney, Sexton and Wills (P-Nut) kicked everyone’s asses at this show, even busting out a song (Slinky) that they had not played in SEVENTEEN YEARS. It has always been a favorite of the hardcore fans, so to see them play it after basically ignoring it forever was another sign of appreciation. They love the fans, and it was more than evident at the show.
By the time the last notes of Unity echoed around the arena and we had to leave the venue, there was a palpable sense of satisfaction all around. Sixty songs and five hours after the show began, we in “311 Nation” screamed and cheered despite throbbing feet and hoarse voices, showing appreciation for the band and their amazing performance. P-Nut followed suit, hopping off the stage and greeting the fans in the pit for about five minutes after the house lights came back on. He rules.
I’m already counting down the days until 311 Day 2012.
Champions bow.
Here’s the entire set list from the show, so you can get an idea of just how many songs they played:
SET I:
Intro >
1. Jackpot
2. Sick Tight
3. Plain
4. Beautiful Disaster
5. Hydroponic
6. Flowing
7. Still Dreaming
8. Loco
9. Uncalm
10. Mix It Up
11. Purpose
12. From Chaos
13. Running
14. Solar Flare
15. Taiyed
16. Sun Come Through (Setlist debut)
17. What Was I Thinking?
18. Livin’ & Rockin’
SET II:
19. All Mixed Up
20. India Ink
21. My Stoney Baby
22. Come Orginal
23. Silver
24. Don’t Tread On Me
25. Beyond the Gray Sky
26. You Wouldn’t Believe
Extended P-Nut Bass Solo
27. Nutsymtom
28. Brodels
29. Creatures (For a While)
SET III:
Welcome Intro >
30. 1, 2, 3
31. Rub a Dub
32. Color
33. Light Years
34. Who’s Got the Herb
SET IV:
35. Let the Cards Fall
36. Crack the Code
37. Two Drops in the Ocean (Setlist debut)
38. Random
39. Nix Hex
40. Feels So Good
41. Golden Sunlight
42. Six (Last played 8/15/07)
43. Do You Right / Don’t Stay Home / Hive – Mash-Up
44. Omaha Stylee
SET V:
45. Down
46. Off Beat Bare Ass
47. Amber
48. Daisy Cutter
49. Use of Time
50. Get Down (Setlist debut)
51. Applied Science
52. 8:16 AM
53. Visit
54. Sever
55. Freeze Time
56. It’s Getting OK Now
57. There’s Always an Excuse
58. Slinky (Last played 10/10/93)
59. Fuck the Bullshit
Encore:
60. Unity
4 Comments For This Post
This was my third 311 Day, having traveled to New Orleans in 2004 and Memphis in 2006 (The band holds these huge events every other year).
I’m a self-admitted diehard fan of the band, having attended an innumerable number of shows over the years, in many different states, including California, Nevada, Tennessee, Louisiana and New York.
311, comprised of Nick Hexum (vocals/ rhythm guitar), SA Martinez (vocals/ DJ scratches), P-Nut (bass), Tim Mahoney (lead guitar), and Chad Sexton (drums) treats these concerts as big fan appreciation blowouts, playing hits, rarities, and obscure b-sides spanning their extensive back catalog as a way to say thanks to the fans for being so loyal and continuing to support the band over their more than twenty years of existence.
It’s amazing to me that 311 still manages to thrive in the live arena, as it’s no secret that their mainstream popularity has long since gone by the wayside. Despite that, they consistently tour large venues in the summer and spring to mostly packed houses filled with rabid fans (and the occasional concertgoer who only knows Amber).
The 311 spirit was thriving in Vegas this week, as people from all over the globe met up in the city to celebrate the band and its positive energies. Walking around the Strip it was evident that we were taking over the entire damn city.
Arriving at the Mandalay Bay Events Center around four in the afternoon on Thursday only heightened the excitement. Fans clad in t-shirts, hats, and other garb routinely sparked up “3 11! 3, 3, 11!” chants that got the energy flowing and put everyone in a full-on frenzy.
By the time the show actually started, we were all so pumped up that our noise was deafening. 311 utilized a ridiculously awesome stage set up for the show, with a big spiral beehive-looking thing that rose when the house lights dimmed, revealing the band, who launched into the song Jackpot (off of 2009’s Uplifter), a fitting song to start out the show. Sexton’s drum kit was on a rotating platform, so he spun around in circles the whole night, allowing fans behind the stage to get a good view every now and then.
Over the course of the next five hours, the band played songs from all corners of their repertoire, including hits (All Mixed Up, Come Original, Beautiful Disaster, Amber, etc.) and obscure or infrequently-played gems (Brodels, Loco, Uncalm, Running, Livin’ & Rockin’, Six, and Slinky), as well as premiering a few songs that had not been played live previously (Sun Comes Through, Get Down, Two Drops in the Ocean). It was really an impressive set list, spread out across five sets, interspersed with some Vegas entertainment like a contortionist playing with big plastic hoops and a Jamaican dance troupe tearing it up on the floor.
P-Nut (Aaron Wills) enjoyed an indulgent bass solo before the band went into Nutsymtom. During the solo we all expressed our love for the Nut and his bass wizardry. He’s often the most expressive and active member of the band, onstage and off (He’s the one with a personal Facebook page where he interacts with fans). The solo, carried out on his Warwick with the light-up fret board, showed just how skilled he is, while not getting boring (as bass solos sometimes get). Simply put, P-Nut crushes.
During Applied Science, Sexton had an extended drum solo where he smashed and pounded his Pearl kit for about ten minutes or so.
At that point I was such an exhausted zombie that the solo sounded endless, but it was still impressive. The other members of the band eventually rose out of the stage on risers and began the full-band drum solo that always takes place midway through the song. It was a new solo and a pretty slick stage set up for that segment of the show.
Playing sixty songs in an evening must be quite an ordeal for a band, especially one whose members are mostly in their mid-thirties. The fact that the band does this really shows how much they care about the fan base, as this is really one big amazing party, with the band feeding off of the crowd’s electric energy and reciprocating onstage.
The sound was a bit muffled in the Mandalay Bay Events Center at the beginning of the show, as the vocals and guitar echoed around the cavernous arena, but it was eventually remedied a bit, and while it was never perfectly crisp, it was as good as could be expected in such a venue. 311 usually has a pitch-perfect live sound so it was probably the venue that caused any issues this time around.
311, for some reason, seems to be a band that does not really get the credit they deserve. Too many times, as a fan, I’ve witnessed people criticize the band or hate on them for no reason. As someone in the band’s inner circle of dedicated fans I find this hard to understand, since the band’s positive message (“stay positive, love your life” is what Hexum says at the end of every show) and uplifting music set them apart from their peers and have allowed them to continue on well past the heyday of the rap/rock/reggae stuff that they effectively pioneered in the early 1990s. Yes, the lyrics may tend to be somewhat cheesy (as some people say) and perhaps the band’s creative peak has passed them by, but the fact that they’re still doing their thing and remaining true to themselves while retaining a hardcore fan base that travels all over the country to see them in concert says something. No other bands that I can think of put on an event anything like 311 Day, a show that is truly a way for the band to acknowledge and thank the fans for all their years of support.
Hexum, Martinez, Mahoney, Sexton and Wills (P-Nut) kicked everyone’s asses at this show, even busting out a song (Slinky) that they had not played in SEVENTEEN YEARS. It has always been a favorite of the hardcore fans, so to see them play it after basically ignoring it forever was another sign of appreciation. They love the fans, and it was more than evident at the show.
By the time the last notes of Unity echoed around the arena and we had to leave the venue, there was a palpable sense of satisfaction all around. Sixty songs and five hours after the show began, we in “311 Nation” screamed and cheered despite throbbing feet and hoarse voices, showing appreciation for the band and their amazing performance. P-Nut followed suit, hopping off the stage and greeting the fans in the pit for about five minutes after the house lights came back on. He rules.
I’m already counting down the days until 311 Day 2012.
Champions bow.
Here’s the entire set list from the show, so you can get an idea of just how many songs they played:
SET I:
Intro >
1. Jackpot
2. Sick Tight
3. Plain
4. Beautiful Disaster
5. Hydroponic
6. Flowing
7. Still Dreaming
8. Loco
9. Uncalm
10. Mix It Up
11. Purpose
12. From Chaos
13. Running
14. Solar Flare
15. Taiyed
16. Sun Come Through (Setlist debut)
17. What Was I Thinking?
18. Livin’ & Rockin’
SET II:
19. All Mixed Up
20. India Ink
21. My Stoney Baby
22. Come Orginal
23. Silver
24. Don’t Tread On Me
25. Beyond the Gray Sky
26. You Wouldn’t Believe
Extended P-Nut Bass Solo
27. Nutsymtom
28. Brodels
29. Creatures (For a While)
SET III:
Welcome Intro >
30. 1, 2, 3
31. Rub a Dub
32. Color
33. Light Years
34. Who’s Got the Herb
SET IV:
35. Let the Cards Fall
36. Crack the Code
37. Two Drops in the Ocean (Setlist debut)
38. Random
39. Nix Hex
40. Feels So Good
41. Golden Sunlight
42. Six (Last played 8/15/07)
43. Do You Right / Don’t Stay Home / Hive – Mash-Up
44. Omaha Stylee
SET V:
45. Down
46. Off Beat Bare Ass
47. Amber
48. Daisy Cutter
49. Use of Time
50. Get Down (Setlist debut)
51. Applied Science
52. 8:16 AM
53. Visit
54. Sever
55. Freeze Time
56. It’s Getting OK Now
57. There’s Always an Excuse
58. Slinky (Last played 10/10/93)
59. Fuck the Bullshit
Encore:
60. Unity
4 Comments For This Post
Friday, March 12, 2010
For Boise fans, 311 day came a week early.Continue reading on Examiner.com: For Boise fans, 311 day came a week early (Boise Music | Examiner.com)
Omaha, Nebraska's, 311, are nearly impossible to classify musically. They have managed to successfully cross numerous genres from alternative and modern rock to sub-genres of metal, rap, funk, reggae and even jazz fusion. For that reason one can find their fans in most any setting. Each year on March 11th, the band celebrates their fans, and their music with 3-11 day. This year, it was held in Las Vegas, but Treasure Valley residents did not have to wait or travel to get a taste of the celebration.
311 (pronounced, three eleven) rolled into the Boise Knitting Factory last Friday night to an enthusiastic and fully appreciative crowd. Boise fans came alive to hear the band's funky sweet sounds.
The opening act, Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds began the night throwing down some nice soulful reggae tunes and moving the crowd. They managed to blend high energy punk with some excellent reggae. The 311 crowd had no problem enjoying TBS, and it was difficult not to. These guys worked hard and were a lot of fun to watch. They played a nice eight song set, closing it out with “Vices” which was perhaps their best song of the night. If you like The Expendables or Slightly Stoopid, you should definitely enjoy Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds.
And then there was one… one band to rule the night. With a sold out crowd, the air was thick with anticipation. The lights dimmed and the crowd screamed. The first thing to be seen on stage was bassist P-nut’s light-up fret board on his beautiful Warwick bass. These eerie green dots floated about for a few seconds and then the light illuminated the the stage just enough to watch the band walk on stage. One thing I loved about their entrance was how casual it was. They walked on with confidence and without glamour. They knew that everyone there loved their music and that they were going to honor their fans.
The kicked off the set with “Jackpot” from their latest album Uplifter, and the crowd went nuts. Photographer Ben O'Brien was busy dodging crowd surfers coming over the barricade. Perhaps he deserves hazard pay.
Next up was “Sick Tight” and then their most popular song, “Beautiful Disaster.” The atmosphere around this band was absolutely electric and you could not help but move to their music.
Vocalist/Turntablist, Doug 'SA' Martinez was his usual unenergetic sweaty self, spitting rhymes and harmonizing with vocalist Nick Hexum. They played several songs off Uplifter including “Mix it Up” and “India Ink.” Over the course of the two hour set, fans were treated to both new and old 311. Classics like “Come Original” from 1999's Soundsystem and “Down” from their self-titled '95 CD, were great to hear again. Chad Sexton treated the crowd to a tasty drum solo, although he could hardly seen behind his notoriously huge drum kit. After a few more tunes the lights turned the classic amber color and the crowd immediately knew what was coming next. Lighters and cell phones popped out and waved in sync to their hit song “Amber," a sweet reggae tinged love song from 2001's From Chaos album.
“P-nut, beat that thing” and he did just that. The bass solo from P-nut was amazing. I would have come just to see him play that Warwick. After 21 songs the band waved goodbye and strode off stage for a breather. Meanwhile the crowd was so loud screaming for the encore, I was briefly contemplating ear plugs or duct tape for the mouths of the overexcited high school girls behind me directing their screams into my ear canal. I was quite relieved when 311 appeared on stage again and treated us to “Creatures (For a While)” and “Feels So Good” to close the show.
As usual, 311 did not disappoint at all and left the audience with their rock thirst quenched... for the meantime. The Boise Music Examiner highly recommends putting a 311 show on your bucket list and getting out to see Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds when they come around. Stay Prime \m/
311 (pronounced, three eleven) rolled into the Boise Knitting Factory last Friday night to an enthusiastic and fully appreciative crowd. Boise fans came alive to hear the band's funky sweet sounds.
The opening act, Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds began the night throwing down some nice soulful reggae tunes and moving the crowd. They managed to blend high energy punk with some excellent reggae. The 311 crowd had no problem enjoying TBS, and it was difficult not to. These guys worked hard and were a lot of fun to watch. They played a nice eight song set, closing it out with “Vices” which was perhaps their best song of the night. If you like The Expendables or Slightly Stoopid, you should definitely enjoy Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds.
And then there was one… one band to rule the night. With a sold out crowd, the air was thick with anticipation. The lights dimmed and the crowd screamed. The first thing to be seen on stage was bassist P-nut’s light-up fret board on his beautiful Warwick bass. These eerie green dots floated about for a few seconds and then the light illuminated the the stage just enough to watch the band walk on stage. One thing I loved about their entrance was how casual it was. They walked on with confidence and without glamour. They knew that everyone there loved their music and that they were going to honor their fans.
The kicked off the set with “Jackpot” from their latest album Uplifter, and the crowd went nuts. Photographer Ben O'Brien was busy dodging crowd surfers coming over the barricade. Perhaps he deserves hazard pay.
Next up was “Sick Tight” and then their most popular song, “Beautiful Disaster.” The atmosphere around this band was absolutely electric and you could not help but move to their music.
Vocalist/Turntablist, Doug 'SA' Martinez was his usual unenergetic sweaty self, spitting rhymes and harmonizing with vocalist Nick Hexum. They played several songs off Uplifter including “Mix it Up” and “India Ink.” Over the course of the two hour set, fans were treated to both new and old 311. Classics like “Come Original” from 1999's Soundsystem and “Down” from their self-titled '95 CD, were great to hear again. Chad Sexton treated the crowd to a tasty drum solo, although he could hardly seen behind his notoriously huge drum kit. After a few more tunes the lights turned the classic amber color and the crowd immediately knew what was coming next. Lighters and cell phones popped out and waved in sync to their hit song “Amber," a sweet reggae tinged love song from 2001's From Chaos album.
“P-nut, beat that thing” and he did just that. The bass solo from P-nut was amazing. I would have come just to see him play that Warwick. After 21 songs the band waved goodbye and strode off stage for a breather. Meanwhile the crowd was so loud screaming for the encore, I was briefly contemplating ear plugs or duct tape for the mouths of the overexcited high school girls behind me directing their screams into my ear canal. I was quite relieved when 311 appeared on stage again and treated us to “Creatures (For a While)” and “Feels So Good” to close the show.
As usual, 311 did not disappoint at all and left the audience with their rock thirst quenched... for the meantime. The Boise Music Examiner highly recommends putting a 311 show on your bucket list and getting out to see Tomorrow’s Bad Seeds when they come around. Stay Prime \m/
Marathon Band (Las Vegas Weekly)
Sixty songs. Five hours of music. Four intermissions filled with acrobatics, gymnasts, and extreme Indo balance-boarding.
A short music festival? A line-up of several bands playing their latest songs off their newest album? No. This show was one band taking the time to play everything from their biggest hits to B-Sides, as well as some songs making their concert debuts.
As 311 lead singer Nick Hexum put it, "Tonight is fan appreciation night."
311 Day is much more than another concert; it's a semiannual tradition on March 11th (3/11) that brings fans from across the country on a pilgrimage to worship at the feet of their favorite band.
Aproximately 11,000 fans chanted "THREE-E-LEVEN" as they mobbed the Mandalay Bay Events Center last night and wore band-branded everything — 311 hats, Lakers jerseys, beanies, wristbands, hoodies and even shirts with the Las Vegas sign that read "Welcome to this Groove, 311 Day 2010."
The crowd of die-hard fans, many of whom had traveled to Vegas to attend the show, high-fived, posed for pictures and talked about common 311 concert experiences. In front of me, a Wisconsin couple in their 40s had heard the concert was sold out, but were determined to attend the Mandalay Bay show: "There was no way I was going to accept that I couldn't get tickets to this concert."
The band opened the marathon show with "Jackpot," a heavily distorted track with high energy and a fast-paced guitar riff off of their latest album. From there, the energy never let up.
A 360-degree stage was set in one end of the Events Center so that everyone could see the band, now in its twentieth year, perform for five solid hours. In the middle of that stage drummer Chad Sexton played at a hydraulic rotating drum set that rivaled even the great Neil Peart's rig, encasing him in a fortress of toms and bongos.
As 311 played on, they mixed fan favorites like "All Mixed Up," "Beyond the Gray Sky" and "Random" with more obscure songs like "Let the Cards Fall," "Nutsymptom" and "Slinky."
But the show wasn't simply an endless stream of album fodder. 311 played a team drum solo that included all five band members performing simultaneously on symmetrical drum kits during "Applied Science." Gradually, the band members left the drum sets one by one, grabbing their instruments and picking up the song, as the throng jumped along with Hexum's lyrics.
However, the five-hour extravaganza took its toll on the crowd, and many began sitting down at any opportunity. Looks of defeat and general fatigue were displayed on faces. Fans may have heard the concert would be long, but they couldn't believe that it was this long. But the band never let up. Even as the fans grew weary, 311 didn't seem to tire, only gaining strength as the marathon continued on. The band beat us in the stands. No contest.
That is, until the show culminated with a stage-diving Hexum on their second to last song. "We're going to do this old school," he yelled, before leaping into the raucous crowd, sending them into an even bigger uproar.
311 returned for one final song to end the night. "We've done 59, why not make it an even 60," Hexum stated defiantly.
As the show ended, groups of the exhausted, the adrenaline-fueled, and the amazed left the show together. 311 bowed to the crowd and sent them on their way with the message they've always preached: "Stay positive and love your life."
A short music festival? A line-up of several bands playing their latest songs off their newest album? No. This show was one band taking the time to play everything from their biggest hits to B-Sides, as well as some songs making their concert debuts.
As 311 lead singer Nick Hexum put it, "Tonight is fan appreciation night."
311 Day is much more than another concert; it's a semiannual tradition on March 11th (3/11) that brings fans from across the country on a pilgrimage to worship at the feet of their favorite band.
Aproximately 11,000 fans chanted "THREE-E-LEVEN" as they mobbed the Mandalay Bay Events Center last night and wore band-branded everything — 311 hats, Lakers jerseys, beanies, wristbands, hoodies and even shirts with the Las Vegas sign that read "Welcome to this Groove, 311 Day 2010."
The crowd of die-hard fans, many of whom had traveled to Vegas to attend the show, high-fived, posed for pictures and talked about common 311 concert experiences. In front of me, a Wisconsin couple in their 40s had heard the concert was sold out, but were determined to attend the Mandalay Bay show: "There was no way I was going to accept that I couldn't get tickets to this concert."
The band opened the marathon show with "Jackpot," a heavily distorted track with high energy and a fast-paced guitar riff off of their latest album. From there, the energy never let up.
A 360-degree stage was set in one end of the Events Center so that everyone could see the band, now in its twentieth year, perform for five solid hours. In the middle of that stage drummer Chad Sexton played at a hydraulic rotating drum set that rivaled even the great Neil Peart's rig, encasing him in a fortress of toms and bongos.
As 311 played on, they mixed fan favorites like "All Mixed Up," "Beyond the Gray Sky" and "Random" with more obscure songs like "Let the Cards Fall," "Nutsymptom" and "Slinky."
But the show wasn't simply an endless stream of album fodder. 311 played a team drum solo that included all five band members performing simultaneously on symmetrical drum kits during "Applied Science." Gradually, the band members left the drum sets one by one, grabbing their instruments and picking up the song, as the throng jumped along with Hexum's lyrics.
However, the five-hour extravaganza took its toll on the crowd, and many began sitting down at any opportunity. Looks of defeat and general fatigue were displayed on faces. Fans may have heard the concert would be long, but they couldn't believe that it was this long. But the band never let up. Even as the fans grew weary, 311 didn't seem to tire, only gaining strength as the marathon continued on. The band beat us in the stands. No contest.
That is, until the show culminated with a stage-diving Hexum on their second to last song. "We're going to do this old school," he yelled, before leaping into the raucous crowd, sending them into an even bigger uproar.
311 returned for one final song to end the night. "We've done 59, why not make it an even 60," Hexum stated defiantly.
As the show ended, groups of the exhausted, the adrenaline-fueled, and the amazed left the show together. 311 bowed to the crowd and sent them on their way with the message they've always preached: "Stay positive and love your life."
311 Thrill Fans During Epic Five-Hour Set (MTV)
"It's the most epic show in the world," declared die-hard fan Matthew Brill of 311 Day, a five-hour-plus marathon of music put on by veteran mellow rockers 311.
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas served as the worship center for the most holy of holidays for 311 fans (March 11, of course). Fans lined up as early as 1 p.m. to secure spots close to the stage, which was tricked out with the most advanced stage displays that the band has ever used.
311 shirts plastered the arena as eager fans waited for the show to begin, shortly after 7:30 p.m. As the boys from Omaha hit the stage, the sold-out crowd rejoiced as loudly as the reverberating amplifiers that were blaring the opening notes of "Jackpot." Vocalists Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez pogoed around the 360-degree stage, taking full advantage of the sprawling space. Above the band hung a multi-tier circular screen playing the simultaneous webcast of the show.
The crowd kept up with the band, staying on its feet and dancing during the entire 60-song set. In addition to all of the hits ("Beautiful Disaster," "All Mixed Up" and "Down"), 311 sprinkled rare, older gems into the mix, "Brodels," "Slinky" and "Loco" to name a few. Fans especially responded to "Taiyed," which included an extended midsong jam session.
311 maintained their stamina by dividing the show into three sets, taking short breaks in between. They also officially announced the 2010 Summer Unity Tour, featuring the Offspring, bringing a huge roar of approval from the audience.
311 closed out the impressive event with "Unity" as an encore. Over the five hours of music, every bandmember got his time to shine, with Aaron "P-Nut" Wills lighting up his backlit bass, Tim Mahoney proving his acrobatics on the guitar, and drummer Chad Sexton performing impeccable drum solos. By the end of the night everyone was drenched in sweat — both the band and the crowd — suggesting that 311 Day is more than just a concert, it's a religious experience.
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas served as the worship center for the most holy of holidays for 311 fans (March 11, of course). Fans lined up as early as 1 p.m. to secure spots close to the stage, which was tricked out with the most advanced stage displays that the band has ever used.
311 shirts plastered the arena as eager fans waited for the show to begin, shortly after 7:30 p.m. As the boys from Omaha hit the stage, the sold-out crowd rejoiced as loudly as the reverberating amplifiers that were blaring the opening notes of "Jackpot." Vocalists Nick Hexum and S.A. Martinez pogoed around the 360-degree stage, taking full advantage of the sprawling space. Above the band hung a multi-tier circular screen playing the simultaneous webcast of the show.
The crowd kept up with the band, staying on its feet and dancing during the entire 60-song set. In addition to all of the hits ("Beautiful Disaster," "All Mixed Up" and "Down"), 311 sprinkled rare, older gems into the mix, "Brodels," "Slinky" and "Loco" to name a few. Fans especially responded to "Taiyed," which included an extended midsong jam session.
311 maintained their stamina by dividing the show into three sets, taking short breaks in between. They also officially announced the 2010 Summer Unity Tour, featuring the Offspring, bringing a huge roar of approval from the audience.
311 closed out the impressive event with "Unity" as an encore. Over the five hours of music, every bandmember got his time to shine, with Aaron "P-Nut" Wills lighting up his backlit bass, Tim Mahoney proving his acrobatics on the guitar, and drummer Chad Sexton performing impeccable drum solos. By the end of the night everyone was drenched in sweat — both the band and the crowd — suggesting that 311 Day is more than just a concert, it's a religious experience.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Happy 311 Day! (Las Vegas Sun)
What does March 11 mean to you?
If the answer isn't obvious, you probably are not a fan of rock band 311, who, since 2000, has declared the 11th day of the third month of the year as its own. Considered a "worldwide holiday" by their fans, 311 Day, celebrated officially on even-numbered years, is far more than your typical concert experience.
Las Vegas is hosting this year's festivities, which typically have been held in New Orleans but were moved after a large medical conference in the area promised to hog hotel rooms. Omaha-bred 311 will begin performing at 8 p.m. tonight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and will continue playing. For five hours. That translates to more than 60 songs.
The five-hour set allows 311 to perform a variety of material, including covers, rarities and their hits, which include songs like "Amber" and "All Mixed Up," as well as their cover of the Cure's "Love Song."
While it may be all about the music at 311 Day, that doesn't mean there won't be some nice perks offered alongside that end-all, be-all set list. Many Mandalay Bay restaurants, nightlife spots and attractions are offering deals in the spirit of 311 Day.
Eyecandy and Mizuya/J Pop Lounge are offering drink specials for fans sporting ticket stubs. Mix is granting free entry and 2-for-1 shot specials, and Foundation Room is giving VIP line passes to fans. Many of the resorts restaurants, including the House of Blues Restaurant, Raffles, Mizuya and The Café, are offering 20 percent discounts as well. Finally, Shark Reef will be offering $5 off admission to fans. Most deals will be honored today and tomorrow.
The Mandalay Beach and Wave Pool, typically open to all guests of the hotel, will host a 311 Beach Party beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow only for ticketholders of tonight's concert. It promises to be the perfect spot for fans to socialize and debate just how hard 311 rocked the night before.
Tickets for the performance have been long sold out — they went on sale in late October — but for any fan not lucky enough to be one of the more than 11,000 people in attendance at tonight's concert, the performance will be filmed for a webcast made available live (for $11.99) through the band's Web site, 311.com, and through television's Video-on-Demand.
If the answer isn't obvious, you probably are not a fan of rock band 311, who, since 2000, has declared the 11th day of the third month of the year as its own. Considered a "worldwide holiday" by their fans, 311 Day, celebrated officially on even-numbered years, is far more than your typical concert experience.
Las Vegas is hosting this year's festivities, which typically have been held in New Orleans but were moved after a large medical conference in the area promised to hog hotel rooms. Omaha-bred 311 will begin performing at 8 p.m. tonight at the Mandalay Bay Events Center and will continue playing. For five hours. That translates to more than 60 songs.
The five-hour set allows 311 to perform a variety of material, including covers, rarities and their hits, which include songs like "Amber" and "All Mixed Up," as well as their cover of the Cure's "Love Song."
While it may be all about the music at 311 Day, that doesn't mean there won't be some nice perks offered alongside that end-all, be-all set list. Many Mandalay Bay restaurants, nightlife spots and attractions are offering deals in the spirit of 311 Day.
Eyecandy and Mizuya/J Pop Lounge are offering drink specials for fans sporting ticket stubs. Mix is granting free entry and 2-for-1 shot specials, and Foundation Room is giving VIP line passes to fans. Many of the resorts restaurants, including the House of Blues Restaurant, Raffles, Mizuya and The Café, are offering 20 percent discounts as well. Finally, Shark Reef will be offering $5 off admission to fans. Most deals will be honored today and tomorrow.
The Mandalay Beach and Wave Pool, typically open to all guests of the hotel, will host a 311 Beach Party beginning at 6 p.m. tomorrow only for ticketholders of tonight's concert. It promises to be the perfect spot for fans to socialize and debate just how hard 311 rocked the night before.
Tickets for the performance have been long sold out — they went on sale in late October — but for any fan not lucky enough to be one of the more than 11,000 people in attendance at tonight's concert, the performance will be filmed for a webcast made available live (for $11.99) through the band's Web site, 311.com, and through television's Video-on-Demand.
311 Talk Plans For 'Ultimate' 311 Day Show In Las Vegas (MTV)
Are you at work today? You totally shouldn't be. After all, it's 311 Day, which is practically a national holiday at this point.
Ever since March 11, 2000 — when 311 decided to perform an extended 46-song set at New Orleans' State Palace Theatre — celebrating 311 Day has become an annual tradition for the band's diehard fans. And every other year, the band gets in on the act as well, throwing an elaborate, certifiably epic concert that also doubles as a fan convention, party, and de facto rite of passage for 311 obsessives.
This year, the band has taken over Las Vegas for a three-day extravaganza, the centerpiece of which is Thursday (March 11) night's performance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. (MTV News has two fans on the ground in Sin City.) In anticipation of the show — which, rumor has it, will last five hours — we spoke to 311 bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, who was already preparing himself for the looming marathon.
"I don't think we'd be able to physically play a show like this, not even once a month. But I'm ready. I'm trying not to think of it as this huge thing, because, if you think about it, the people who attend most rock shows are on their feet for the same amount of time," Wills said.
"It helps to see it from that side of things. We're the entertainment, but of course the fans are going to be there with us the whole time. Then again, [frontman] Nick [Hexum] does do marathons, so I know he's going to be ready. We all are, because we think of this as a huge opportunity to do something special, to play the ultimate show every two years for our most fanatic fans. It's perfect."
And while Wills wouldn't reveal any of the surprises the band has in store for fans at Thursday's show, he did say that things are most certainly going to be epic. It's only fitting, after all.
"It's just going be as big as it gets for us. It's going be nuts," he said. "I've only seen some of the sketches of what our set is going to look like, and it's amazing. Our front-of-house guy designed it, and he's kind of a nutcase, but we trust him."
And while the idea of playing the ultimate show before their ultimate fans is inspiring, what really drives Wills, and the rest of the band, is what 311 Day represents. It's a gathering, a community, a chance for both the band and its fans to share the love.
"It's a great experience for our fans and for us. It's a rite of passage. So we know we've got to bring it," he said. "I know we will, too. This will be the best of the best, both from our fans and from us. And I know that at the end of the set, we'll probably want to play even more. We're out to chop heads off. Unless we're playing reggae, then it's a different vibe."
Ever since March 11, 2000 — when 311 decided to perform an extended 46-song set at New Orleans' State Palace Theatre — celebrating 311 Day has become an annual tradition for the band's diehard fans. And every other year, the band gets in on the act as well, throwing an elaborate, certifiably epic concert that also doubles as a fan convention, party, and de facto rite of passage for 311 obsessives.
This year, the band has taken over Las Vegas for a three-day extravaganza, the centerpiece of which is Thursday (March 11) night's performance at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. (MTV News has two fans on the ground in Sin City.) In anticipation of the show — which, rumor has it, will last five hours — we spoke to 311 bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, who was already preparing himself for the looming marathon.
"I don't think we'd be able to physically play a show like this, not even once a month. But I'm ready. I'm trying not to think of it as this huge thing, because, if you think about it, the people who attend most rock shows are on their feet for the same amount of time," Wills said.
"It helps to see it from that side of things. We're the entertainment, but of course the fans are going to be there with us the whole time. Then again, [frontman] Nick [Hexum] does do marathons, so I know he's going to be ready. We all are, because we think of this as a huge opportunity to do something special, to play the ultimate show every two years for our most fanatic fans. It's perfect."
And while Wills wouldn't reveal any of the surprises the band has in store for fans at Thursday's show, he did say that things are most certainly going to be epic. It's only fitting, after all.
"It's just going be as big as it gets for us. It's going be nuts," he said. "I've only seen some of the sketches of what our set is going to look like, and it's amazing. Our front-of-house guy designed it, and he's kind of a nutcase, but we trust him."
And while the idea of playing the ultimate show before their ultimate fans is inspiring, what really drives Wills, and the rest of the band, is what 311 Day represents. It's a gathering, a community, a chance for both the band and its fans to share the love.
"It's a great experience for our fans and for us. It's a rite of passage. So we know we've got to bring it," he said. "I know we will, too. This will be the best of the best, both from our fans and from us. And I know that at the end of the set, we'll probably want to play even more. We're out to chop heads off. Unless we're playing reggae, then it's a different vibe."
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