Rock band 311 will perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 29 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex's Special Events Center.
Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday and can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com, charge-by-phone at 1-800-745-3000 and the Greensboro Coliseum box office.
The price is $37.50 and $42.50. The group is promoting their new album "Universal Pulse" and will be joined by DJ Soulman.
311's music is described as a hybrid of rock, reggae, hip-hop. They were formed in 1990 and are known for songs including "Down", "Love Song" and "Don't Tread On Me."
http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-story-311-greensboro-110927,0,503531.story
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Thursday, September 22, 2011
311: Universal Pulse (Pop Matters)
If there is one word to describe rap/funk metal fusionists 311, it is consistency. The Nebraska alt rockers have had the same lineup since 1992, continue to sell out arenas around the U.S. despite only moderate mainstream success, and even rapper/turntablist S.A.’s Martinez’s on-stage dance moves haven’t changed. Musically, depending on whom you ask, 311 puts out a consistently infectious melding of rock, reggae and rap; or they continue to put out a formulaic, white middle-America hijacking of said genres.
So maybe polarizing is another word to describe 311. Their 10th studio release, Universal Pulse, does little to bridge the divide. For fans, this material represents a return to form—the tightest, most focused album in years. Clocking in at less than 30 minutes and with only eight songs, there is little room for dub inspired filler (see Transistor) or forays into indie rock influences ( Uplifter). Detractors, on the other hand, will point to the same old frat dude reggae rock and lame lyrics of pseudo-philosophy and self-adulation. Rolling Stone, a publication that has never given the band a three star rating or higher, described the album as “blunt, dimwitted, (and) completely formulaic”.
Album opener “Time Bomb” kicks off the retro 311 love fest with upbeat guitars, Nick Hexum and S.A. sing/rap interplay, and a chorus of “Let me introduce you to the excitable crew/This is just how we do/Ticking like a Time Bomb, watch me go off”. “Wild Night” continues the party with drug fueled nostalgia. “Where would be/Without the Wild nights/Barely getting by/The days of getting high”. The raging alt rock is bolstered by S.A.’s hip-hop interludes and a funk solo from lead guitarist Tim Mahoney. Hexum explores the lessons he learned from his drug days over a Caribbean/ska groove on “Trouble”, only to come to the conclusion that the problem was the six inches between his ears, “The bullshit, the trouble was coming from me, honestly”.
Lead single “Sunset in July” is the perfect radio friendly summer anthem: solid production, a catchy hook, innocuous upbeat lyrics, floating vocals and some scat thrown in for good measure. “Sunset in July/Rockers by my side/And time is flying by/Ba da dop dop da dee-yah”. The song’s twin cousin “Count Me In” combines a crafty mix of ska, power chords and wa-wa pedals with some less crafty lyrics, “We’re not living the Dream/We’re living the Life”.
311 saves the best for last with the last quarter of the album. “Weightless”, an airy but energized track, is one of the catchiest songs in the band’s catalog. The repetitive chorus “So weightless, weightless/All weightless, weightless/We’re all weightless, weightless/ Everyone of us is weightless”, in the context of the music, actually drives home the theme of the song without sounding redundant. Veteran producer Bob Rock (Aerosmith, Metallica) does a flawless production job on the album closer, “And a Ways to Go”. The track shifts back and forth between ethereal and crunchy guitars better than any song since Evolver’s “Beyond the Gray Sky”. About three minutes in, the song somewhat abruptly shifts gears with an excellent P-nut bass solo that sounds straight out of the YES repertoire. Despite the slightly awkward song structure, it is the strongest track of the album.
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/148300-311-universal-pulse/
So maybe polarizing is another word to describe 311. Their 10th studio release, Universal Pulse, does little to bridge the divide. For fans, this material represents a return to form—the tightest, most focused album in years. Clocking in at less than 30 minutes and with only eight songs, there is little room for dub inspired filler (see Transistor) or forays into indie rock influences ( Uplifter). Detractors, on the other hand, will point to the same old frat dude reggae rock and lame lyrics of pseudo-philosophy and self-adulation. Rolling Stone, a publication that has never given the band a three star rating or higher, described the album as “blunt, dimwitted, (and) completely formulaic”.
Album opener “Time Bomb” kicks off the retro 311 love fest with upbeat guitars, Nick Hexum and S.A. sing/rap interplay, and a chorus of “Let me introduce you to the excitable crew/This is just how we do/Ticking like a Time Bomb, watch me go off”. “Wild Night” continues the party with drug fueled nostalgia. “Where would be/Without the Wild nights/Barely getting by/The days of getting high”. The raging alt rock is bolstered by S.A.’s hip-hop interludes and a funk solo from lead guitarist Tim Mahoney. Hexum explores the lessons he learned from his drug days over a Caribbean/ska groove on “Trouble”, only to come to the conclusion that the problem was the six inches between his ears, “The bullshit, the trouble was coming from me, honestly”.
Lead single “Sunset in July” is the perfect radio friendly summer anthem: solid production, a catchy hook, innocuous upbeat lyrics, floating vocals and some scat thrown in for good measure. “Sunset in July/Rockers by my side/And time is flying by/Ba da dop dop da dee-yah”. The song’s twin cousin “Count Me In” combines a crafty mix of ska, power chords and wa-wa pedals with some less crafty lyrics, “We’re not living the Dream/We’re living the Life”.
311 saves the best for last with the last quarter of the album. “Weightless”, an airy but energized track, is one of the catchiest songs in the band’s catalog. The repetitive chorus “So weightless, weightless/All weightless, weightless/We’re all weightless, weightless/ Everyone of us is weightless”, in the context of the music, actually drives home the theme of the song without sounding redundant. Veteran producer Bob Rock (Aerosmith, Metallica) does a flawless production job on the album closer, “And a Ways to Go”. The track shifts back and forth between ethereal and crunchy guitars better than any song since Evolver’s “Beyond the Gray Sky”. About three minutes in, the song somewhat abruptly shifts gears with an excellent P-nut bass solo that sounds straight out of the YES repertoire. Despite the slightly awkward song structure, it is the strongest track of the album.
http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/148300-311-universal-pulse/
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
It's punk, it's pop, it's loud, it's quiet, it's chaos and it's art. Nirvana's "Nevermind" sucked us all in when "Smells Like Teen Spirit" slammed into us with its intro of twisted power chords and popping drums. "Nevermind" so defined a generation that some can recall exactly where they were when they first heard it. And, when asked how they got into rock 'n' roll, some musicians simply say "Nirvana."
But what if we're not talking about your generation? No matter. You should pay mind to "Nevermind," and Kurt Cobain, the genius behind it, say music journalists and historians, pop-culture watchers and academics alike.
It has influenced nearly every piece of popular music released in the last two decades. Along with countless other bands, The Flaming Lips and The Black Keys — both with recent top 10 albums — say they wouldn't exist without Nirvana. Even Miley Cyrus (who was not yet born when the album debuted) has covered "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in concert.
"Kurt Cobain's guitar sound on Nirvana's 'Nevermind' set the tone for '90s rock music," read a 2001 retrospective in Guitar World.
That's not an overstatement. When Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden burst onto the national scene, hair bands and pop were out.
"I think what 'Nevermind' did was brilliant and that Cobain was brilliant . It was a melding of what Neil Young had done and what punk had done," said Scott Anderson, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor who teaches rock history. "I read an interesting interview with (Talking Heads frontman) David Byrne who said ('Nevermind') is finally where punk got its due," long after it began in the late '70s and early '80s.
The best evidence? "Nevermind" unseated Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, from the top spot on the Billboard albums chart.
From the Jan. 11, 1992, issue of Billboard: The Seattle-area alternative band's 'Nevermind' surges from No. 6 to No. 1; Jackson's 'Dangerous' drops from No. 1 to No. 5."
We asked local and national musicians, readers and others one question: How did "Nevermind" affect you? Read on for their impressions.
"The first time I heard Nirvana rip into the opening chords of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' I felt like it was an explosion in my frontal lobe. Everything changed. A few years later, 311 recorded a lot of our 'From Chaos' album at Sound City, which is the same place 'Nevermind' was recorded. That was really cool for us."
— Nick Hexum, 311
" 'Bleach' was the coolest album ever when it came out. So, we (me and my super-cool friends) all bought 'Nevermind' soon after its release. The huge sonic step forward wasn't a detraction from the raw band we all loved. Their success was no surprise; they bled honesty, pain, and sacrifice through their words and instruments. Brilliance is the word, I do believe."
— P-Nut, 311
For more of this article, go to:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20110920/LIVING/709209987#the-band-that-changed-the-course-of-modern-music
But what if we're not talking about your generation? No matter. You should pay mind to "Nevermind," and Kurt Cobain, the genius behind it, say music journalists and historians, pop-culture watchers and academics alike.
It has influenced nearly every piece of popular music released in the last two decades. Along with countless other bands, The Flaming Lips and The Black Keys — both with recent top 10 albums — say they wouldn't exist without Nirvana. Even Miley Cyrus (who was not yet born when the album debuted) has covered "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in concert.
"Kurt Cobain's guitar sound on Nirvana's 'Nevermind' set the tone for '90s rock music," read a 2001 retrospective in Guitar World.
That's not an overstatement. When Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden burst onto the national scene, hair bands and pop were out.
"I think what 'Nevermind' did was brilliant and that Cobain was brilliant . It was a melding of what Neil Young had done and what punk had done," said Scott Anderson, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor who teaches rock history. "I read an interesting interview with (Talking Heads frontman) David Byrne who said ('Nevermind') is finally where punk got its due," long after it began in the late '70s and early '80s.
The best evidence? "Nevermind" unseated Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, from the top spot on the Billboard albums chart.
From the Jan. 11, 1992, issue of Billboard: The Seattle-area alternative band's 'Nevermind' surges from No. 6 to No. 1; Jackson's 'Dangerous' drops from No. 1 to No. 5."
We asked local and national musicians, readers and others one question: How did "Nevermind" affect you? Read on for their impressions.
"The first time I heard Nirvana rip into the opening chords of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' I felt like it was an explosion in my frontal lobe. Everything changed. A few years later, 311 recorded a lot of our 'From Chaos' album at Sound City, which is the same place 'Nevermind' was recorded. That was really cool for us."
— Nick Hexum, 311
" 'Bleach' was the coolest album ever when it came out. So, we (me and my super-cool friends) all bought 'Nevermind' soon after its release. The huge sonic step forward wasn't a detraction from the raw band we all loved. Their success was no surprise; they bled honesty, pain, and sacrifice through their words and instruments. Brilliance is the word, I do believe."
— P-Nut, 311
For more of this article, go to:
http://www.omaha.com/article/20110920/LIVING/709209987#the-band-that-changed-the-course-of-modern-music
Saturday, September 17, 2011
311 Day 2012: Live in Las Vegas (The Pier)
This time around, renowned reggae-rockers 311 will not have a 311 day, but don’t be disappointed. The twist for this year’s 311 day comes with an entire weekend of music, not just one performance. The setting for this year’s annual festival will take place in the “city that never sleeps,” Las Vegas, Nevada.
Most partisans of a good time head to the Vegas strip for excitement. 311 fans worldwide will flock to “Sin City” to catch their favorite band in their own element. With three dates set for March 9-11 at two separate venues, fans will have a better opportunity to capture 311’s sound up close and personal.
311 will perform two shows during the three-day weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the Las Vegas strip. The opening night of entertainment kicks off with a fan party at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel.
Past 311 day concerts have historically sold out in a matter of minutes. With the Las Vegas nightlife as another enticing lure with the constant party-vibe, tickets are expected to go just as quickly as previous shows hosted by 311 on their very special day.
Since March 11, 2000, 311 has hosted their very own “311 Day” in various cities across the country, with their first concert held in New Orleans. During 311’s set on that memorable day, the band performed 47 songs, their longest setlist ever at that time.
After each year, 311’s setlist grew to upwards of 60 songs. In 2004, 311 Day: Live in New Orleans was released on DVD containing 60 of the 64 songs performed that night.
Constantly referred to as “The ultimate 311 experience,” the band has performed for well over 5 hours, playing fan favorites, rarities, classic covers, entire albums, while also keeping the crowd’s senses entertained from all surroundings including circus performers, aerial acrobats, fire twirlers, and much more. With the three-day-event taking place in Las Vegas, this year’s festival will be the largest to date.
Clearly, the intimate setting of a cruise ship from last year’s extravaganza was not enough for the devoted fans of 311. It was only right to bring 311 day to back to Las Vegas, the site of the 2010 311 Day, to reach the thousands of loyal fans from across the globe.
Once again, this will be an experience unlike any other featuring your favorite band. Tickets for the event are on sale to the public today (9/17/11) and are selling at rapid fire pace. One ticket will allow you access to both shows. However, group sales and VIP packages are available for the 2012 rendition.
For the latest on tickets and up-to-date news about 311 Day visit: 311 Day 2012
Most partisans of a good time head to the Vegas strip for excitement. 311 fans worldwide will flock to “Sin City” to catch their favorite band in their own element. With three dates set for March 9-11 at two separate venues, fans will have a better opportunity to capture 311’s sound up close and personal.
311 will perform two shows during the three-day weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on the Las Vegas strip. The opening night of entertainment kicks off with a fan party at The Joint inside the Hard Rock Hotel.
Past 311 day concerts have historically sold out in a matter of minutes. With the Las Vegas nightlife as another enticing lure with the constant party-vibe, tickets are expected to go just as quickly as previous shows hosted by 311 on their very special day.
Since March 11, 2000, 311 has hosted their very own “311 Day” in various cities across the country, with their first concert held in New Orleans. During 311’s set on that memorable day, the band performed 47 songs, their longest setlist ever at that time.
After each year, 311’s setlist grew to upwards of 60 songs. In 2004, 311 Day: Live in New Orleans was released on DVD containing 60 of the 64 songs performed that night.
Constantly referred to as “The ultimate 311 experience,” the band has performed for well over 5 hours, playing fan favorites, rarities, classic covers, entire albums, while also keeping the crowd’s senses entertained from all surroundings including circus performers, aerial acrobats, fire twirlers, and much more. With the three-day-event taking place in Las Vegas, this year’s festival will be the largest to date.
Clearly, the intimate setting of a cruise ship from last year’s extravaganza was not enough for the devoted fans of 311. It was only right to bring 311 day to back to Las Vegas, the site of the 2010 311 Day, to reach the thousands of loyal fans from across the globe.
Once again, this will be an experience unlike any other featuring your favorite band. Tickets for the event are on sale to the public today (9/17/11) and are selling at rapid fire pace. One ticket will allow you access to both shows. However, group sales and VIP packages are available for the 2012 rendition.
For the latest on tickets and up-to-date news about 311 Day visit: 311 Day 2012
311 Day 2012 Fan Party at the Joint (Vegas News)
In honor of 311 Day 2012, The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino hosts the ultimate fan party and official kickoff of 311 Day weekend on Friday, March 9 at 9 p.m.
311 Day is an annual celebration by alternative rock group 311. 311 fans from around the world will gather in Las Vegas to meet each other and to celebrate the band and their music during this special three-day event. The 311 Fan Party kicks it all off with drink specials, exclusive entertainment and a DJ spinning 311 tunes all night.
311 will not be performing at this event.
With their fusion of rock, reggae and hip-hop, 311 formed in Omaha, Neb. in 1990. The band has released 10 studio albums, one live album and three DVDs…selling more than 8.5 million units in the U.S. The band’s most recent album is 2011’s Universal Pulse featuring the hit single “Sunset in July.”
Tickets, starting at $24.00 (plus applicable service fees), will be available Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Hard Rock Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.
http://www.vegasnews.com/57347/311-day-2012-fan-party-at-the-joint-at-hard-rock-hotel-march-9.html
311 Day is an annual celebration by alternative rock group 311. 311 fans from around the world will gather in Las Vegas to meet each other and to celebrate the band and their music during this special three-day event. The 311 Fan Party kicks it all off with drink specials, exclusive entertainment and a DJ spinning 311 tunes all night.
311 will not be performing at this event.
With their fusion of rock, reggae and hip-hop, 311 formed in Omaha, Neb. in 1990. The band has released 10 studio albums, one live album and three DVDs…selling more than 8.5 million units in the U.S. The band’s most recent album is 2011’s Universal Pulse featuring the hit single “Sunset in July.”
Tickets, starting at $24.00 (plus applicable service fees), will be available Saturday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. at the Hard Rock Box Office, all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800.745.3000.
http://www.vegasnews.com/57347/311-day-2012-fan-party-at-the-joint-at-hard-rock-hotel-march-9.html
Friday, September 16, 2011
311 still has a 'Pulse' (San Francisco Examiner)
Who knew?
Virtually under the noses of the mainstream media, that quiet, jam-leaning rock band from Omaha, 311, has been creating an entire alternate world for itself, starting with its recent album “Universal Pulse” — its eighth consecutive record to debut in Billboard’s lofty Top Ten.
The group also just headlined its ninth annual Unity Tour, playing to 10,000-plus fans each night, and even orchestrated a 311 Cruise this summer, as well as a brand-new 311 Pow Wow Festival in Live Oak, Fla., where they performed alongside The Deftones, Ozomatli and Sublime With Rome.
But wait — there’s still more.
This Saturday at 10 a.m. PST, tickets go on sale through www.ticketmaster.com for next year’s 311 Day, a biannual fanfest/holiday held in Las Vegas, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Traditionally, 311 plays extended sets for the event, containing hits, covers and catalog rarities, which can last as long as five hours. Past shows have also included aerial acrobats, circus performers, fire twirlers, even drumlines and full marching bands. (Again: Who knew?)
The three-day fest begins with a fan party on Friday, March 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel’s The Joint, followed by two consecutive MGM concerts on March 10 and 11.
Don’t believe us? Visit www.311.com for even more details.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/blogs/backstage-pass/2011/09/311-still-has-pulse#ixzz1Y9JKLcYe
Virtually under the noses of the mainstream media, that quiet, jam-leaning rock band from Omaha, 311, has been creating an entire alternate world for itself, starting with its recent album “Universal Pulse” — its eighth consecutive record to debut in Billboard’s lofty Top Ten.
The group also just headlined its ninth annual Unity Tour, playing to 10,000-plus fans each night, and even orchestrated a 311 Cruise this summer, as well as a brand-new 311 Pow Wow Festival in Live Oak, Fla., where they performed alongside The Deftones, Ozomatli and Sublime With Rome.
But wait — there’s still more.
This Saturday at 10 a.m. PST, tickets go on sale through www.ticketmaster.com for next year’s 311 Day, a biannual fanfest/holiday held in Las Vegas, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Traditionally, 311 plays extended sets for the event, containing hits, covers and catalog rarities, which can last as long as five hours. Past shows have also included aerial acrobats, circus performers, fire twirlers, even drumlines and full marching bands. (Again: Who knew?)
The three-day fest begins with a fan party on Friday, March 9 at the Hard Rock Hotel’s The Joint, followed by two consecutive MGM concerts on March 10 and 11.
Don’t believe us? Visit www.311.com for even more details.
http://www.sfexaminer.com/blogs/backstage-pass/2011/09/311-still-has-pulse#ixzz1Y9JKLcYe
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Three Days of 311 (Pollstar)
Next year’s edition of 311 Day will be three times as fun because the band’s bi-annual celebration is expanding to a three-day event.
The 2012 event is scheduled for March 9-11 in Las Vegas because of course the festival had to include that special day that only comes once a year: 3/11.
The weekend kicks off March 9 with a fan party at The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel/Casino followed by two unique shows March 10-11 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Fans can expect their favorite band to play an extended setlist of hits, rarities, covers and classics complete with a state-of-the-art light and special effects show.
311 will be sure to show off tunes from the band’s latest album, Universal Pulse. The group’s tenth studio album was released in July on 311 Records/ATO Records.
Billed as “the ultimate 311 concert experience,” past shows have included setlists that last up to five hours and appearances by circus performers, aerial acrobats, fire twirlers, stilt walkers, drumlines and marching bands.
Pre-sale tickets went on sale to 311 Hive members earlier this week. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday at 10 a.m. PST through Ticketmaster.com. No single-day tickets will be sold.
For more information, click here for 311’s website.
http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2011/09/15/781721.aspx
The 2012 event is scheduled for March 9-11 in Las Vegas because of course the festival had to include that special day that only comes once a year: 3/11.
The weekend kicks off March 9 with a fan party at The Joint @ Hard Rock Hotel/Casino followed by two unique shows March 10-11 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Fans can expect their favorite band to play an extended setlist of hits, rarities, covers and classics complete with a state-of-the-art light and special effects show.
311 will be sure to show off tunes from the band’s latest album, Universal Pulse. The group’s tenth studio album was released in July on 311 Records/ATO Records.
Billed as “the ultimate 311 concert experience,” past shows have included setlists that last up to five hours and appearances by circus performers, aerial acrobats, fire twirlers, stilt walkers, drumlines and marching bands.
Pre-sale tickets went on sale to 311 Hive members earlier this week. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday at 10 a.m. PST through Ticketmaster.com. No single-day tickets will be sold.
For more information, click here for 311’s website.
http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2011/09/15/781721.aspx
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