After 15 years, 311 is still rocking with the best of them; not bad for a band that was ruling the college charts in the '90s. I got a chance to talk with Chad Sexton, the drummer and tent pole of the band, about their new album, Don't Tread on Me.
UGO: I heard you guys just had trouble with the tour bus.
CHAD SEXTON: We had a truck driver who was two hours late, so it pushed us back.
UGO: You going to fire his ass?
CHAD: He was a replacement anyway. He doesn't realize there's like 80 people out here relying on him. But yeah, no big deal. We're just beginning the tour and everything.
UGO: How is the tour going so far?
CHAD: It's going great. Lots of excitement out there. We're out there with Papa Roach and Unwritten Law and they're having great shows too. The fans just love our show. Everyone seems to be walking away happy.
UGO: I hear that some fans aren't super happy with the new direction of the music.
CHAD: Yeah, I think it's good. I think it's a new direction for our band. We kind of did this record like we do every other record, just to see what comes out of us and try to make them into songs that have some kind of consistency to them. We think we did a good job; it's a nice package. We spent a lot of time getting fat sounds up on it and everything. We're real pleased with it all around. The quality and the music-writing and the artwork of the record as well, so we're real happy.
UGO: How was it working with [producer] Ron Saint Germain again?
CHAD: It was great, man. He's like a best friend. We know each other so well. He brings a lot of energy and a lot of expertise to the table. Another good project and it's good to be done. We spent a lot of time on it.
UGO: What made you guys want to work with Ron again?
CHAD: Ron's a really great engineer. He's one of the greatest guys to work with because a lot of the guys are very particular, very secretive and just whatever, but he's just really open. He wants people to learn from him, so we learn so much on each record. He's the best engineer, and we wanted our music engineered and mixed by the best. We think he's on top of his game as far as all of the analog stuff is concerned and we're still doing our records analog, so it seemed like a perfect logical combination again.
UGO: How come the record is called Don't Tread on Me? Have you guys been treaded on recently?
CHAD: We took it from the song title. We wrote a song "Don't Tread on Me" and we wanted to sum up the record that way. It was just a statement, not really directed at anybody or anything. We've had a great life for the last 15 years. We're happy we're still going. It makes a great topic for discussion and we didn't have a better title, actually.
UGO: What made you guys decide to base "Long for Flowers" on your older song, "Drifters?"
CHAD: It was as simple as Nick hearing the instrumental and saying, "I kind of like that song." We wanted to see how it turned out and we think it went well.
UGO: Besides obviously drumming, what do you think your role is in the band?
CHAD: I'm the one that wants the record to be executed personally. I'm kind of a freak. I guess my role in the band is I want to balance it out.
UGO: Do you guys think that rap rock sound was played out by other bands in the past ten years.
CHAD: The change in our direction actually has been a progressive one. It wasn't a left turn because if you go back to our other records you can see that there's less and less rap on each one. We just do it logically and naturally, we're not "hey man, the real style this year is no rap, so we better not do any rap." We don't think that way. We just do an album like we do any album. We just sit down and write it and see what's there and try to make some consistent songs out of it. We all feel a certain way so we talk about it and we just come to a natural conclusion.
UGO: How you all getting along on this tour?
CHAD: Perfect. We've been doing this for 15 years so we're basically fucking married. We really don't have anything to complain about. We're very happy people. We travel in style. The band has disagreements, just like any relationship has disagreements. But the thing about us is we can communicate and come to conclusions and then execute those conclusions. It's all minor shit but some of our opinions are completely opposite in the band. However, we deal with it and what comes out is like a perfectly balanced idea.
UGO: What video games and what movies do you have on the bus?
CHAD: We just picked up that Tombstone movie. I bought a lot of old kind of early '90s, late '80s movies with people like Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
UGO: How about videogames?
CHAD: We're kind of separated on the buses. On the one bus, it's James Bond: Goldeneye and on my bus, with me and Tim, it's NASCAR.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Monday, December 12, 2005
311 = 420, 24/7 (Cannabis Culture)
For over a decade, 311 has been making music full of positive vibrations and potent smoke.
Our interviewee, 311 bassist P-Nut, in the Indica shirt. (center)311 is one the stoniest, most pot friendly bands in the world. For over 10 years they have been busy jamming about pot, love, liberty and enlightenment.
The band has its roots in Omaha, Nebraska; all five members of 311 grew up there in the 1970's. After playing in different groups throughout their youth, they came to their current line-up in 1991.
311 is made up of Nick Hexum on lead vocals and guitar, SA Martinez on vocals and scratches, Tim Mahoney on lead guitar, Chad Sexton hitting the percussion and P-Nut on bass.
Between 1990 and '91, the quintet released three albums in quick succession, titled Dammit, Hydroponic, and Unity. Known for their dynamic live show, 311 toured heavily and steadily established a dedicated fan base.
In 1993, 311 signed with Capricorn Records and released their first CD, titled Music. In 1994 they released Grassroots, and the next year the self-titled 311. They continued touring, and in 1996 the single Down made it onto mainstream radio and MTV, and went to #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. The follow-up single All Mixed Up reached #2. The 311 album went triple platinum.
In 1997, 311 released Transistor, which also went platinum. It was followed by Soundsystem in 1998, From Chaos in 2001, and Evolver in 2003.
311 has always been known as a pot smoking band with a laid back, pot smoking fan base. Many of their songs repeatedly reference weed and its mighty effects on the mind and soul. Here's just a few samples of their many stoney lyrics:
"Mother nature supreme, step back and dream the hydroponic scene/ Found around, knocked out of bounds, wound into the mind of my stone cloud." Hydroponic
"311's got the herb and you can't avoid that/ And ya do want your hands with a fat blunt sack/ Chill with Indica and Guinness, steer clear of white powder/ Kick it, you sing it in a space, go out to play it louder." Who's Got the herb?
"I am the one who scores the herb/ When we're on the road P-Nut rolls it up/ Throw me a joint on stage what's up/ I will tell a cop that I know my fucking rights/ and we can match wits all night/ For real he said if I had nothing to hide/ Then of course I wouldn't mind if he looked through our ride."
Offbeat Bare-Ass
311 is in the top five as this article is written, yet many people have never heard of them. But hum a tune like Prisoner or Down and most people will 'fess up and say, "OK, I know that one."
One of 311's most appealing qualities is their aura of humbleness, and a drive to try new things musically by thinking out of the box. Their music is a cross between reggae, LA pop, and thought-provoking alternative rock, with a sprinkle of hip-hop for flava.
After a decade they can still connect with their fans in a way few bands do in this age of money-hungry corporates making music that's less about art and more about their wallet size.
At their July 2004 concert in New York, 311 entered to a standing ovation filled with screaming girls and waving fans. The multi-platinum selling band opened with one of the new songs off their seventh album, Evolver, bringing the whole crowd to their feet.
SA Martinez and Nick Hexum harmonized perfectly, like a finely tuned instrument. Nick is the perfect front man for 311 as he commanded the crowd to get up, make some noise and bounce around. The crowd happily obliged.
The rhythm section of Chad, Tim and P-Nut was thick, solid and beefy. 311 showed how a well-rounded professional rock band can perform at their best for almost two hours. The crowd gave back the same energy as the band from start to finish.
311 is a true band for the fans. They still blow the doors off little clubs as well as large amphitheaters and concert halls, which helps keep their integrity level extremely high with their fans. They have sold millions of disks yet don't have that "sell out" feel; it's a cool mixed scene for the fans. Somehow 311 still feels like an underground scene, yet it's not.
Lead guitarist Tim Mahoney gets his groove on.A few days after their New York show, Cannabis Culture was able to interview 311's bass player, P-Nut.
CC: Your show the other night was a totally tight, professional performance as always. You guys always sound right on.
P-Nut: We love to get into the details of our music, and I think that's what stoner musicians do. I think that's what is great about bands that experiment in a responsible way with herbs and psychedelics.
I agree. There's a time and place.
There totally is. That's why we have made such philosophical advances in the last 50 years, because we have had really outgoing visionaries seeking the "Total Unknown."
So where do you guys really stand on pot? I saw a video of one of you guys rolling in buds saying we play for weed a while back.
(Laughing) Right, right.
Do you consider yourself a pot band?
I consider myself a marijuana activist. I've bailed people out of jail, I bailed a friend out of jail actually...
Was it over a dime bag of weed? (laughing)
No, it was over 4,000 plants.
(Shocked) Is that where the album Hydroponics came from?
No, this was around the Blue album era [311's breakthrough album]. We were starting to make a lot of money and some friends of mine got in some trouble for, you know, for being blatant.
Oh yeah.
They were testing the 215 laws in California. He was testing it just for the first time and growing just for a buyer's club and they raided him. He just got out of jail. This was like eight years ago, and he just got out.
Wow.
He's doing good now. And I bailed a friend of his out, and Woody Harrelson once bailed out my good friend, and I took care of his assistant after a different bust.
Nick Hexum and SA Martinez spew their ganja-fueled lyrics. Do you still smoke on the road?
Oh yeah. Nick doesn't really smoke that much because it's hard on his throat, and SA hasn't smoked since college, but me and Chad and Tim do all the time. Chad doesn't like to smoke before shows, that would be hard, but me and Tim do. We have done it so much together over the years it's like a routine, but I wouldn't lower it to that. It's more like a ritual.
We love it so much. We pay respect to the herb and we treat it in a good way and I think we use the inspiration to help heal the people out in the crowd who are looking for release from stress. I think that's one of the things that has really led to our longevity is that we put a positive spin on things and alleviate stress, just like pot does to your system. Ahh... it's just such a good thing.
We don't like to make a big deal about it, and I think that's what keeps us safe. Cypress Hill smokes on stage every single night. I'll knock on wood for them, because I love those guys, but they have never gotten busted, and that's almost hard to believe. It makes it seem like it's a lot less of a police state than the press would have you believe.
I know you guys just did the Omaha, Nebraska, show for free. How was that?
Well we did not do it totally for free, but it was totally free for the people, it was kind of bankrolled by the mayor of the city and one of the local banks. It was pretty cool, pretty intense. We took a huge pay cut and would have done it for free, but it costs us $30,000 a night just to do a show.
I guess you still have to pay for little things like gas, electricity, employees, security, etc. Everyone forgets about that stuff.
It was a total dream come true. We did it in the middle of the city; it was a place we always dreamed of doing a show, and it was a very unlikely place to put on a show. I think it has been done only a few times by bands like the Beach Boys. It was really intense, we had a lot of fun. It was probably the coolest show we've ever done.
Really?
We've played bigger shows, but doing it at home and just getting that many people to come out. People were saying attendance was at 25,000 to 35,000.
That must have been great for you guys.
Yeah, we were really excited about it. I think Nick's got it in his head to pull off another 311 day back home, which I don't see having to twist any one's arm over. It's a nightmare as far as the preparations, but the resolve and the outcome are so huge, it's just fantastic.
311 has never really "sold out to the fans." Even though you have hit songs you've maintained an integrity level that seems really hard to keep. How do you think you've managed to do that?
I think our music lends itself to a more sophisticated audience than your average rock band any day, and even more so than your average pop band. I don't know where 311 fits into these judgments, but we're getting played on top 40 radio and we're now in the top five next week.
311 rocks out in a blur of stoned musicianship.I just watched 50 First Dates, with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, and your cover of The Cure's Love Song was in it.
Adam Sandler was really hands-on about us doing a song from a short list of songs that he wanted in the movie. He thought we would be great after seeing us live, so it was really cool. It's nice to see him taking care of his empire, which he's got nothing short of. He's a great Saturday Night Live success story.
I have a question for you from one musician to another. Who do you think is the greatest rock band of all time?
It would have to be Led Zeppelin. The Beatles were great players and composers and everything, but I think if you put the Beatles head to head with Zeppelin at their prime they would have dwarfed them. Pink Floyd would definitely be up there too.
I can't believe you said Zeppelin because that's mine too.
It's like, the best rhythm section ever, the best avant-garde guitarist, and best front man. They were all about experimentation and never doing the same album twice, living on the edge and rock 'n roll.
Yet although it's got a romantic appeal, there is no way to actually go through life like that. The Grateful Dead did it, but I don't think there is any other band that can live on the edge like that and make it last.
The bad part was that Jerry's early demise ruined this massive group movement and following. Your band is beginning to get a scene like that.
Yeah, people have been starting to talk about our band in the last few years as building up a following like that, like we're a phenomenon.
We do 100 shows a year so I guess we are a heavy touring band. I think what makes people want to come out and see us is that it's what we love to do.
I tried hardcore to meet you guys the other night backstage. I had some of Vancouver's finest on me. I tried real hard to give you guys some great stuff, but the girl running the venue looked all freaked out, so I felt weird giving her anything to pass along.
Next time just deal with our people.
Thanks for the candid conversation.
Take care.
311 are currently working on a new studio album, due in the summer of 2005.
Our interviewee, 311 bassist P-Nut, in the Indica shirt. (center)311 is one the stoniest, most pot friendly bands in the world. For over 10 years they have been busy jamming about pot, love, liberty and enlightenment.
The band has its roots in Omaha, Nebraska; all five members of 311 grew up there in the 1970's. After playing in different groups throughout their youth, they came to their current line-up in 1991.
311 is made up of Nick Hexum on lead vocals and guitar, SA Martinez on vocals and scratches, Tim Mahoney on lead guitar, Chad Sexton hitting the percussion and P-Nut on bass.
Between 1990 and '91, the quintet released three albums in quick succession, titled Dammit, Hydroponic, and Unity. Known for their dynamic live show, 311 toured heavily and steadily established a dedicated fan base.
In 1993, 311 signed with Capricorn Records and released their first CD, titled Music. In 1994 they released Grassroots, and the next year the self-titled 311. They continued touring, and in 1996 the single Down made it onto mainstream radio and MTV, and went to #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. The follow-up single All Mixed Up reached #2. The 311 album went triple platinum.
In 1997, 311 released Transistor, which also went platinum. It was followed by Soundsystem in 1998, From Chaos in 2001, and Evolver in 2003.
311 has always been known as a pot smoking band with a laid back, pot smoking fan base. Many of their songs repeatedly reference weed and its mighty effects on the mind and soul. Here's just a few samples of their many stoney lyrics:
"Mother nature supreme, step back and dream the hydroponic scene/ Found around, knocked out of bounds, wound into the mind of my stone cloud." Hydroponic
"311's got the herb and you can't avoid that/ And ya do want your hands with a fat blunt sack/ Chill with Indica and Guinness, steer clear of white powder/ Kick it, you sing it in a space, go out to play it louder." Who's Got the herb?
"I am the one who scores the herb/ When we're on the road P-Nut rolls it up/ Throw me a joint on stage what's up/ I will tell a cop that I know my fucking rights/ and we can match wits all night/ For real he said if I had nothing to hide/ Then of course I wouldn't mind if he looked through our ride."
Offbeat Bare-Ass
311 is in the top five as this article is written, yet many people have never heard of them. But hum a tune like Prisoner or Down and most people will 'fess up and say, "OK, I know that one."
One of 311's most appealing qualities is their aura of humbleness, and a drive to try new things musically by thinking out of the box. Their music is a cross between reggae, LA pop, and thought-provoking alternative rock, with a sprinkle of hip-hop for flava.
After a decade they can still connect with their fans in a way few bands do in this age of money-hungry corporates making music that's less about art and more about their wallet size.
At their July 2004 concert in New York, 311 entered to a standing ovation filled with screaming girls and waving fans. The multi-platinum selling band opened with one of the new songs off their seventh album, Evolver, bringing the whole crowd to their feet.
SA Martinez and Nick Hexum harmonized perfectly, like a finely tuned instrument. Nick is the perfect front man for 311 as he commanded the crowd to get up, make some noise and bounce around. The crowd happily obliged.
The rhythm section of Chad, Tim and P-Nut was thick, solid and beefy. 311 showed how a well-rounded professional rock band can perform at their best for almost two hours. The crowd gave back the same energy as the band from start to finish.
311 is a true band for the fans. They still blow the doors off little clubs as well as large amphitheaters and concert halls, which helps keep their integrity level extremely high with their fans. They have sold millions of disks yet don't have that "sell out" feel; it's a cool mixed scene for the fans. Somehow 311 still feels like an underground scene, yet it's not.
Lead guitarist Tim Mahoney gets his groove on.A few days after their New York show, Cannabis Culture was able to interview 311's bass player, P-Nut.
CC: Your show the other night was a totally tight, professional performance as always. You guys always sound right on.
P-Nut: We love to get into the details of our music, and I think that's what stoner musicians do. I think that's what is great about bands that experiment in a responsible way with herbs and psychedelics.
I agree. There's a time and place.
There totally is. That's why we have made such philosophical advances in the last 50 years, because we have had really outgoing visionaries seeking the "Total Unknown."
So where do you guys really stand on pot? I saw a video of one of you guys rolling in buds saying we play for weed a while back.
(Laughing) Right, right.
Do you consider yourself a pot band?
I consider myself a marijuana activist. I've bailed people out of jail, I bailed a friend out of jail actually...
Was it over a dime bag of weed? (laughing)
No, it was over 4,000 plants.
(Shocked) Is that where the album Hydroponics came from?
No, this was around the Blue album era [311's breakthrough album]. We were starting to make a lot of money and some friends of mine got in some trouble for, you know, for being blatant.
Oh yeah.
They were testing the 215 laws in California. He was testing it just for the first time and growing just for a buyer's club and they raided him. He just got out of jail. This was like eight years ago, and he just got out.
Wow.
He's doing good now. And I bailed a friend of his out, and Woody Harrelson once bailed out my good friend, and I took care of his assistant after a different bust.
Nick Hexum and SA Martinez spew their ganja-fueled lyrics. Do you still smoke on the road?
Oh yeah. Nick doesn't really smoke that much because it's hard on his throat, and SA hasn't smoked since college, but me and Chad and Tim do all the time. Chad doesn't like to smoke before shows, that would be hard, but me and Tim do. We have done it so much together over the years it's like a routine, but I wouldn't lower it to that. It's more like a ritual.
We love it so much. We pay respect to the herb and we treat it in a good way and I think we use the inspiration to help heal the people out in the crowd who are looking for release from stress. I think that's one of the things that has really led to our longevity is that we put a positive spin on things and alleviate stress, just like pot does to your system. Ahh... it's just such a good thing.
We don't like to make a big deal about it, and I think that's what keeps us safe. Cypress Hill smokes on stage every single night. I'll knock on wood for them, because I love those guys, but they have never gotten busted, and that's almost hard to believe. It makes it seem like it's a lot less of a police state than the press would have you believe.
I know you guys just did the Omaha, Nebraska, show for free. How was that?
Well we did not do it totally for free, but it was totally free for the people, it was kind of bankrolled by the mayor of the city and one of the local banks. It was pretty cool, pretty intense. We took a huge pay cut and would have done it for free, but it costs us $30,000 a night just to do a show.
I guess you still have to pay for little things like gas, electricity, employees, security, etc. Everyone forgets about that stuff.
It was a total dream come true. We did it in the middle of the city; it was a place we always dreamed of doing a show, and it was a very unlikely place to put on a show. I think it has been done only a few times by bands like the Beach Boys. It was really intense, we had a lot of fun. It was probably the coolest show we've ever done.
Really?
We've played bigger shows, but doing it at home and just getting that many people to come out. People were saying attendance was at 25,000 to 35,000.
That must have been great for you guys.
Yeah, we were really excited about it. I think Nick's got it in his head to pull off another 311 day back home, which I don't see having to twist any one's arm over. It's a nightmare as far as the preparations, but the resolve and the outcome are so huge, it's just fantastic.
311 has never really "sold out to the fans." Even though you have hit songs you've maintained an integrity level that seems really hard to keep. How do you think you've managed to do that?
I think our music lends itself to a more sophisticated audience than your average rock band any day, and even more so than your average pop band. I don't know where 311 fits into these judgments, but we're getting played on top 40 radio and we're now in the top five next week.
311 rocks out in a blur of stoned musicianship.I just watched 50 First Dates, with Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler, and your cover of The Cure's Love Song was in it.
Adam Sandler was really hands-on about us doing a song from a short list of songs that he wanted in the movie. He thought we would be great after seeing us live, so it was really cool. It's nice to see him taking care of his empire, which he's got nothing short of. He's a great Saturday Night Live success story.
I have a question for you from one musician to another. Who do you think is the greatest rock band of all time?
It would have to be Led Zeppelin. The Beatles were great players and composers and everything, but I think if you put the Beatles head to head with Zeppelin at their prime they would have dwarfed them. Pink Floyd would definitely be up there too.
I can't believe you said Zeppelin because that's mine too.
It's like, the best rhythm section ever, the best avant-garde guitarist, and best front man. They were all about experimentation and never doing the same album twice, living on the edge and rock 'n roll.
Yet although it's got a romantic appeal, there is no way to actually go through life like that. The Grateful Dead did it, but I don't think there is any other band that can live on the edge like that and make it last.
The bad part was that Jerry's early demise ruined this massive group movement and following. Your band is beginning to get a scene like that.
Yeah, people have been starting to talk about our band in the last few years as building up a following like that, like we're a phenomenon.
We do 100 shows a year so I guess we are a heavy touring band. I think what makes people want to come out and see us is that it's what we love to do.
I tried hardcore to meet you guys the other night backstage. I had some of Vancouver's finest on me. I tried real hard to give you guys some great stuff, but the girl running the venue looked all freaked out, so I felt weird giving her anything to pass along.
Next time just deal with our people.
Thanks for the candid conversation.
Take care.
311 are currently working on a new studio album, due in the summer of 2005.
Planet Verge Article
Is it emotion? Or music? For 311’s Tim Mahoney, its a grassroots blend of both
I think that’s more important. The music’s always first. It’s not about our image, or other stuff that’s secondary. It’s always the music’s first, and creating quality music and quality records. -Tim Mahoney
“That’s ideal for us. The lyrics these guys are writing, we really do care a lot about music and trying to influence people in a positive way through sound waves. It’s something we take really serious, and it sounds corny to say spirituality and all this and stuff, but it’s true. I think that a lot of our fans are those kinds of people, too. I’m the same way with music and bands that I like, and what music does stuff for me and helps me. It’s more like therapy for me, in a way. I think that’s more important. The music’s always first. It’s not about our image, or other stuff that’s secondary. It’s always the music’s first, and creating quality music and quality records.”
Although Hexum and Martinez are the lyric writing team, Mahoney says, “They always explain how we all feel as a band. We stand behind them and we’re proud of the fact that they always, rather than bitching about a situation, draw light on it, and try to take a positive mental attitude towards things to make a change for the better. They both have that mindset and it’s really reflected in their lyrics. I’m proud. I wouldn’t be able to get up there and rock out if I didn’t believe in what they are saying or feel the same way as them about their lyrics. If they were talking about a bunch of wack stuff I didn’t endorse, we wouldn’t be able to be a band. I’m proud of them for that. It’s easy to not put as much thought into it. Writing music and writing lyrics-I can write lyrics, but I don’t know man, that’s an art form all to itself.”
Through the years, numerous Top 40 acts have gotten their start thanks to 311. “We always joke and say we’re like the springboard to stardom, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think that we’re fortunate to make friends and travel with bands that have gone on and blown up,” shares Mahoney.
Among those bands are the Deftones, Korn, and Sugar Ray. “No Doubt, the first tour they ever did outside of California was opening for us. Then they went on to be huge,” recalls Mahoney. “The Incubus guys, they’re really good guys, I love them. I don’t even think they were old enough to drink when they were opening for us. Some of them were minors, so we were probably breaking the law by providing them with beer. It’s cool. It makes me happy to see all these bands do good.”
It wasn’t until 1996, five years after they began, that the media began to pay attention to 311. Fourteen months after their self-titled album was debuted, “Down” was released as a single and quickly climbed to #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. “All Mixed Up” scored the #2 spot when it was released soon after. The really big break didn’t come until 2001 with From Chaos, thanks to the single, “Amber,” which reached #10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart and #30 on the Billboard Modern AC Chart.
“It’s always been just a slow, steady pace for us,” admits Mahoney. “We’ve just always done our own thing, and the climate is always changing. When our first record came out, it was almost grunge era with Nirvana and Soundgarden and those bands. We’re more proud of our longevity and the fact that we’re still happy playing music together and enjoy making music together and traveling and playing shows together. Although it would be great to have as many fans as No Doubt has, because you want to touch as many people with your music, but all bands are different. We put out these singles, and more recently, the radio has been a lot more friendly to us. At first it was a struggle because any time you have any sort of reggae or rap music mixed in with rock-especially back when we first started, it was really only the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spies, were the only kinds of hybrid bands.”
Through releasing their first three albums independently on What Have You Records, to playing in front of 10,000 people in Japan, 311 are a true musical success story. They use their public position to help make the world a better place- like taking the Museum of Tolerance out on tour with them, or most recently, donating proceeds of merch sales toward hurricane relief in Louisiana, the state that proclaimed March 11 a national holiday.
It doesn’t matter if they’re the headlining act, or out there opening up for old friends, 311 love what they’re doing and fans love them for that. Mahoney concludes, “A few years ago, Incubus took us to Europe to open for them, so we were kinda reflecting on all that. It’s pretty funny, it’s strange. This is our fifteenth year now as a band, and we’re just as happy, if not happier now. That’s exciting.”
I think that’s more important. The music’s always first. It’s not about our image, or other stuff that’s secondary. It’s always the music’s first, and creating quality music and quality records. -Tim Mahoney
“That’s ideal for us. The lyrics these guys are writing, we really do care a lot about music and trying to influence people in a positive way through sound waves. It’s something we take really serious, and it sounds corny to say spirituality and all this and stuff, but it’s true. I think that a lot of our fans are those kinds of people, too. I’m the same way with music and bands that I like, and what music does stuff for me and helps me. It’s more like therapy for me, in a way. I think that’s more important. The music’s always first. It’s not about our image, or other stuff that’s secondary. It’s always the music’s first, and creating quality music and quality records.”
Although Hexum and Martinez are the lyric writing team, Mahoney says, “They always explain how we all feel as a band. We stand behind them and we’re proud of the fact that they always, rather than bitching about a situation, draw light on it, and try to take a positive mental attitude towards things to make a change for the better. They both have that mindset and it’s really reflected in their lyrics. I’m proud. I wouldn’t be able to get up there and rock out if I didn’t believe in what they are saying or feel the same way as them about their lyrics. If they were talking about a bunch of wack stuff I didn’t endorse, we wouldn’t be able to be a band. I’m proud of them for that. It’s easy to not put as much thought into it. Writing music and writing lyrics-I can write lyrics, but I don’t know man, that’s an art form all to itself.”
Through the years, numerous Top 40 acts have gotten their start thanks to 311. “We always joke and say we’re like the springboard to stardom, but I don’t think that’s the case. I think that we’re fortunate to make friends and travel with bands that have gone on and blown up,” shares Mahoney.
Among those bands are the Deftones, Korn, and Sugar Ray. “No Doubt, the first tour they ever did outside of California was opening for us. Then they went on to be huge,” recalls Mahoney. “The Incubus guys, they’re really good guys, I love them. I don’t even think they were old enough to drink when they were opening for us. Some of them were minors, so we were probably breaking the law by providing them with beer. It’s cool. It makes me happy to see all these bands do good.”
It wasn’t until 1996, five years after they began, that the media began to pay attention to 311. Fourteen months after their self-titled album was debuted, “Down” was released as a single and quickly climbed to #1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. “All Mixed Up” scored the #2 spot when it was released soon after. The really big break didn’t come until 2001 with From Chaos, thanks to the single, “Amber,” which reached #10 on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart and #30 on the Billboard Modern AC Chart.
“It’s always been just a slow, steady pace for us,” admits Mahoney. “We’ve just always done our own thing, and the climate is always changing. When our first record came out, it was almost grunge era with Nirvana and Soundgarden and those bands. We’re more proud of our longevity and the fact that we’re still happy playing music together and enjoy making music together and traveling and playing shows together. Although it would be great to have as many fans as No Doubt has, because you want to touch as many people with your music, but all bands are different. We put out these singles, and more recently, the radio has been a lot more friendly to us. At first it was a struggle because any time you have any sort of reggae or rap music mixed in with rock-especially back when we first started, it was really only the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Urban Dance Squad, 24/7 Spies, were the only kinds of hybrid bands.”
Through releasing their first three albums independently on What Have You Records, to playing in front of 10,000 people in Japan, 311 are a true musical success story. They use their public position to help make the world a better place- like taking the Museum of Tolerance out on tour with them, or most recently, donating proceeds of merch sales toward hurricane relief in Louisiana, the state that proclaimed March 11 a national holiday.
It doesn’t matter if they’re the headlining act, or out there opening up for old friends, 311 love what they’re doing and fans love them for that. Mahoney concludes, “A few years ago, Incubus took us to Europe to open for them, so we were kinda reflecting on all that. It’s pretty funny, it’s strange. This is our fifteenth year now as a band, and we’re just as happy, if not happier now. That’s exciting.”
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Don't tread on 311: the band proves it has lasting power (Muhlenburgh Weekly)
A tow truck is removing innocent-looking cars from the Martin Luther parking lot. No, this is not a joke and it is not thievery--room must be made for the tour buses. It is Sun., Nov. 13th and the College's headliner concert for the year, 311, is on campus, and everyone is buzzing and/or chasing their cars down 23rd Street. With Memorial Hall transformed into a concert venue and a locker room converted into a chic, New York City-themed dressing room, madness ensued.
As the opening act, Shootyz Groove (name origin questionable, yet unknown) shook the entire campus (literally) with their hard rock/rap and heavy bass lines, hundreds of concert-goers began trickling into Memorial Hall. The die-hard 311 fans, and basically every misunderstood teenager in the greater Lehigh Valley, were packed against the front barricade. By 8 p.m., it was overflowing and the excitement level was so high that screaming could be heard even after the deafening experience that was Shootyz Groove.
311 consists of Nick Hexum (vocals, guitar), P-Nut (bass), Tim Mahoney (guitar), Chad Sexton (drums) and Douglas "SA" Martinez (DJ). The pop-rock-reggae band has been on the scene for nearly 15 years now--it's about time they came around to good ole' A-town and showed us a butt-rockin' time! Hexum said the band "felt the most welcomed ever" at the College. "(Playing at a college) has a personal touch, to be with the kids and to have the basketball court right there." Now back on the road, the guys think playing on campuses "makes it easier to be away from home when you have to be away from home and the college kids keep us going--young and crazy."
311 opened with "Are You Ready? Freeze Time," and suddenly there were bodies flying all over the place. Crowd-surfing aside, the audience warmed up to 311 immediately--everyone was dancing, singing, clapping and making other inexplicable, cult-like gestures. "Our music is rather cerebral, so you'd expect we'd do well with college students," explains Hexum. Even the band's sound guy was rocking out in what could have just been his boxers. 311 played fan favorites "Come Original," "Down" and "Amber," closing the set off with "Beautiful Disaster," and an encore finale, "Feels So Good."
After 15 years of international success, 311 merely cited their major changes as "a little weight, maybe some gray hairs." They are excited at the constant prospect of new fans, and eternally grateful to their loyal fans who have stuck with them after all of these years and who continue to keep up with the band. "It takes a long time for people to digest the music and for us to build up an undeniable fanbase," says Hexum.
By staying true to themselves and their music, 311 has impressively maintained a steady career as a rock band, and will continue to as long as they have each other and their fans. P-Nut grandly concludes, "Longevity is where it's at." This band has proved its lasting power and continuing abilty to please their crowd and fans through their inspiring music. It is safe to say, they'll be around for a while.
As the opening act, Shootyz Groove (name origin questionable, yet unknown) shook the entire campus (literally) with their hard rock/rap and heavy bass lines, hundreds of concert-goers began trickling into Memorial Hall. The die-hard 311 fans, and basically every misunderstood teenager in the greater Lehigh Valley, were packed against the front barricade. By 8 p.m., it was overflowing and the excitement level was so high that screaming could be heard even after the deafening experience that was Shootyz Groove.
311 consists of Nick Hexum (vocals, guitar), P-Nut (bass), Tim Mahoney (guitar), Chad Sexton (drums) and Douglas "SA" Martinez (DJ). The pop-rock-reggae band has been on the scene for nearly 15 years now--it's about time they came around to good ole' A-town and showed us a butt-rockin' time! Hexum said the band "felt the most welcomed ever" at the College. "(Playing at a college) has a personal touch, to be with the kids and to have the basketball court right there." Now back on the road, the guys think playing on campuses "makes it easier to be away from home when you have to be away from home and the college kids keep us going--young and crazy."
311 opened with "Are You Ready? Freeze Time," and suddenly there were bodies flying all over the place. Crowd-surfing aside, the audience warmed up to 311 immediately--everyone was dancing, singing, clapping and making other inexplicable, cult-like gestures. "Our music is rather cerebral, so you'd expect we'd do well with college students," explains Hexum. Even the band's sound guy was rocking out in what could have just been his boxers. 311 played fan favorites "Come Original," "Down" and "Amber," closing the set off with "Beautiful Disaster," and an encore finale, "Feels So Good."
After 15 years of international success, 311 merely cited their major changes as "a little weight, maybe some gray hairs." They are excited at the constant prospect of new fans, and eternally grateful to their loyal fans who have stuck with them after all of these years and who continue to keep up with the band. "It takes a long time for people to digest the music and for us to build up an undeniable fanbase," says Hexum.
By staying true to themselves and their music, 311 has impressively maintained a steady career as a rock band, and will continue to as long as they have each other and their fans. P-Nut grandly concludes, "Longevity is where it's at." This band has proved its lasting power and continuing abilty to please their crowd and fans through their inspiring music. It is safe to say, they'll be around for a while.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
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."
"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."
Sunday, November 6, 2005
311: A Night at Northern (UnRated Mag)
Omaha's favorite rock sons stopped by De Kalb for a Sunday show during their November weekend in Illinois. With no signs of a Saturday night University of Illinois "Champagne" hangover, the crowd at Northern Illinois University (NIU) was treated to a deep 23 song set that touched on almost every 311 album as they tossed out some "positive vibes" along the way. Grasshopper Takeover (another Omaha group) warmed everyone up before 311 smoked them right out. As the first joint landed at the feet of Tim Mahoney, it was evident that a spattering of new jams and older classics would keep the sold-out floor section jumping for the entire set. In stark contrast to their summer show at Northerly Island (Chicago, IL), the band delivered a collection that sounded more like a 311 iPod on shuffle as opposed to their Greatest Hits '93 -'03 album released in June of 2004.
After giving the crowd a little jam session, the Nebraska guys stepped on stage at around 8:40 P.M. CST and kicked off the show with 'Offbeat Bare-Ass' from Grassroots and then continued to rile the young audience up with crowd-favorite 'Freak Out' from 1994's Music. Staple hits such as 'Beautiful Disaster,' Soundsystem's 'Flowing' and the cover version of The Cure's 'Love Song' did make Sunday's list. At the same time, 'Homebrew,' 'Amber' and even tour title track 'Don't Tread On Me' was left on the cutting room floor. With 2005 being the 15th anniversary of touring, singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer S.A. Martinez, drummer Chad Sexton, guitarist Tim Mahoney and bassist P-Nut can mix and match set lists with the best of all touring bands. Going to a 311 show guarantees you a night of amazing guitar playing by Tim, tight vocals delivered by Nick and an amazing display of drumming from Mr. Chad Sexton. This was all the more demonstrated as the guys squeezed their drum solo in after playing From Chaos' 'Uncalm.' Adding to the 311 musical smorgasbord was 'Use of Time,' '1,2,3,' 'Who's Got the Herb?' and the 'T + P Combo.' Just as in their previous Chicago-area stop this summer, the concert did highlight a good portion of August 16th's Volcano release of Don't Tread On Me. From that, fans were given 'Frolic Room,' the S.A. Martinez special 'It's Getting OK Now' and 'Speak Easy.' This, as Nick Hexum noted, "...is not a song about an illegal drinking establishment. Rather, a song that encourages people to speak their mind."
After Nick's usual dedication of 'Down' to the "old school fans," the Nebraska natives walked off the stage leaving the NIU crowd wanting even more. And, as usual, 311 delivered. Their two song encore consisted of Evolver's 'Creatures (For A While)' and then segued to 'Feels So Good' via a brief P-Nut bass jam. When you end a concert like that, everyone goes home in an electric frenzy. Whether you made the one hour drive from Chicago or took a cold stroll over from your De Kalb dorm room, all paying customers walked out of the Convocation Center knowing they witnessed something that is 15 years in the making and just getting better with age.
After giving the crowd a little jam session, the Nebraska guys stepped on stage at around 8:40 P.M. CST and kicked off the show with 'Offbeat Bare-Ass' from Grassroots and then continued to rile the young audience up with crowd-favorite 'Freak Out' from 1994's Music. Staple hits such as 'Beautiful Disaster,' Soundsystem's 'Flowing' and the cover version of The Cure's 'Love Song' did make Sunday's list. At the same time, 'Homebrew,' 'Amber' and even tour title track 'Don't Tread On Me' was left on the cutting room floor. With 2005 being the 15th anniversary of touring, singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer S.A. Martinez, drummer Chad Sexton, guitarist Tim Mahoney and bassist P-Nut can mix and match set lists with the best of all touring bands. Going to a 311 show guarantees you a night of amazing guitar playing by Tim, tight vocals delivered by Nick and an amazing display of drumming from Mr. Chad Sexton. This was all the more demonstrated as the guys squeezed their drum solo in after playing From Chaos' 'Uncalm.' Adding to the 311 musical smorgasbord was 'Use of Time,' '1,2,3,' 'Who's Got the Herb?' and the 'T + P Combo.' Just as in their previous Chicago-area stop this summer, the concert did highlight a good portion of August 16th's Volcano release of Don't Tread On Me. From that, fans were given 'Frolic Room,' the S.A. Martinez special 'It's Getting OK Now' and 'Speak Easy.' This, as Nick Hexum noted, "...is not a song about an illegal drinking establishment. Rather, a song that encourages people to speak their mind."
After Nick's usual dedication of 'Down' to the "old school fans," the Nebraska natives walked off the stage leaving the NIU crowd wanting even more. And, as usual, 311 delivered. Their two song encore consisted of Evolver's 'Creatures (For A While)' and then segued to 'Feels So Good' via a brief P-Nut bass jam. When you end a concert like that, everyone goes home in an electric frenzy. Whether you made the one hour drive from Chicago or took a cold stroll over from your De Kalb dorm room, all paying customers walked out of the Convocation Center knowing they witnessed something that is 15 years in the making and just getting better with age.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
311 - Don't Tread on Me Review (antiMusic)
311 is one of the few 90's alternative rock acts that have been able to not only stay together but remain viable 10 years after they hit the scene. This is one of the band's that could be blamed for rap/rock but don't hold that against them. With Don't Tread on Me, 311 hones that signature sound of rock riffs against a reggae beat and the dueling vocalist approach. They have comfortable moved away from all of the terrible bands they helped to inspire.
Don't Tread on Me doesn't have a single dull moment. Unfortunately the band seems to be stuck on the same beat they employed for that terrible cover of the Cure's "Lovesong". If any compliant can be made against Don't Tread on Me is that 311 is playing it way too safe.
Song's like the title track, "Getting Through to Her" and "Whisky and Wine" seem effortless for this band but also ring out as some of the album's better songs. 311 channels Rage against the Machine for "Solar Flare", the heaviest song on the album.
The overall upbeat, mellow vibe of Don't Tread on Me makes for a satisfying listen all the way through to the last track, the mini-epic "There's Always an Excuse".
No matter how great this record is, it is hard to shake the feeling that 311 is treading water before they move onto something even greater. Don't Tread on Me may be the definitive album to showcase everything 311 is good at, but hopefully it is just the promise of a real definitive album coming up around the corner.
Don't Tread on Me doesn't have a single dull moment. Unfortunately the band seems to be stuck on the same beat they employed for that terrible cover of the Cure's "Lovesong". If any compliant can be made against Don't Tread on Me is that 311 is playing it way too safe.
Song's like the title track, "Getting Through to Her" and "Whisky and Wine" seem effortless for this band but also ring out as some of the album's better songs. 311 channels Rage against the Machine for "Solar Flare", the heaviest song on the album.
The overall upbeat, mellow vibe of Don't Tread on Me makes for a satisfying listen all the way through to the last track, the mini-epic "There's Always an Excuse".
No matter how great this record is, it is hard to shake the feeling that 311 is treading water before they move onto something even greater. Don't Tread on Me may be the definitive album to showcase everything 311 is good at, but hopefully it is just the promise of a real definitive album coming up around the corner.
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