With 15 years as a group under their belts, the members of 311 belong to a veteran band by any definition. But vocalist/DJ SA Martinez sounded more like a musician relishing his first taste of success when asked about the band as it exists in 2005.
"I really think our writing has just, it's really growing, and I think it's something that is only going to get better," Martinez said just before the start of the band's summer tour. "I'm really liking the direction that we're heading in."
That direction is pushing 311 toward a more grooving melodic rock sound and away from the rap-rock hybrid of the group's early albums. Martinez acknowledged some 311 fans aren't embracing the move.
"I know some of our fans think we're becoming too melodic or we're not doing enough rap or whatever," he said. "But honestly, we're just doing what's in our hearts and what wants to come out. I think that really makes us who we are."
In Martinez's view, 311 reached a stylistic crossroads before making 2001's "From Chaos."
By that time, 311 had seen its commercial fortunes level off a bit. Formed in Lincoln, Neb., in 1990, 311 self-released three albums before deciding the group needed to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue a record deal. The move worked, and 311 landed a deal with Capricorn Records. The band's major label debut, "Music," arrived in 1993, but the real breakthrough came two discs later with the 1995 self-titled CD. It yielded major radio hits in "Down" and "All Mixed Up," and sold more than 3 million copies.
Next was the CD "Transistor," which strayed from the group's hard-hitting rock/rap/funk signature to fashion a more relaxed sound, sold only about 800,000 copies. Sales perked up with 1999's "Soundsystem," which produced the hit "Come Original," while moving a step back toward the band's harder sound. But Martinez said by that point, the members —— Martinez, Nick Hexum (vocals/guitar), Chad Sexton (drums), Tim Mahoney (guitar) and P-Nut (bass) —— felt they had reached an important point in their musical development.
The 2001 effort "From Chaos" reflected this mind-set.
"I think we were at a crossroads there, where we were trying to recapture some of what we were known for early on, and then on the other side of that record we let ourselves go a little more," Martinez said of "From Chaos." "Some of the songs toward the end of that record were some of the best songs we've ever written —— 'Amber,' 'Uncalm,' 'I'll Be Here Awhile.' We really just started to say this is really kind of what we want to do, as opposed to let's recapture our youth. Let's embrace the melodies and the things we really want to sing."
Those three songs, which blended smooth-flowing melodies with reggae beats, represented a sign of things to come. The lilting midtempo "Amber" emerged as one of two top 10 modern rock singles ("You Wouldn't Believe," a funk-edged rocker with plenty of melody also was a hit) on the CD.
With 2003's "Evolver," 311 embraced melodic rock even more eagerly, and that shift continues with "Don't Tread on Me." which is one of the band's most focused works.
The reggae element that coated "From Chaos" once again figures strongly in several songs, including the laid-back "Speak Easy," the harder-edged "Frolic Room" and the title track.
But punchy rock is also a primary element on "Don't Tread on Me." "Solar Fire" stands out as one of the freshest-sounding songs, as a hefty rock riff ignites this heavy anthem. "Long for the Flowers" is anchored in a gritty guitar riff that runs throughout the song. "It's Getting OK Now" rides a driving rhythm to lay claim to being the CD's briskest track.
The group will, of course, debut a number of songs from "Don't Tread on Me" on tour. After the band's appearance Saturday at Street Scene, 311 will hook up with Papa Roach for an amphitheater tour.
With 311 coming off what Martinez says are the band's best CDs —— "Evolver" and "Don't Tread on Me" —— he's not only confident about the quality of the live show, but the future of 311 as well.
"I think this really just gives us more life, even down the road," he said. "It deepens our catalog to the point where these songs, I think, are really going to grow on our fans and are just going to be fun to play live. And I think it just points us in the right direction."
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
311 has stood the test of time by playing for its fans (Press-Enterprise)
Survival is pretty underrated. In the "flavor of the month" mentality that has encompassed the music industry, career longevity seems to mean nothing to radio stations and MTV.
These outlets fail to appreciate the musicians who start small and get big, the acts who start at a grass-roots level and flourish from there.
Eight albums into their career, reggae/rock fusers 311 know a little something about that.
"It's a progression on the sound that we've developed over the years," P-Nut says of 311's upcoming CD, "Don't Tread On Me."
The Omaha, Neb., band's second album was titled "Grassroots," which has become its de facto mantra. The band has made a vow to play at least 200 shows in support of each record, something that has garnered it a loyal legion of followers.
"I can definitely see a point in our career where we just start releasing our music independently," bass player P-Nut said. "It's hard to say that you don't need the record company's support, but we feel our fans will support us no matter what."
Of course, the band -- rounded out by Nick Hexum on vocals and guitar, multi-instrumentalist S.A. Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney and drummer Chad Sexton -- has sold 7.5 million records.
Its longevity has seen a progression from the frat party soundtrack it was in the mid-'90s to the jam-heavy act it became on its last tour with the Roots and Medeski, Martin and Wood. However, no path is without roadblocks, and in 2003 the group hit a snag with the snarkily titled "Evolver."
Whether it was mid-career doldrums or just a lack of inspiration, the quintet decided to leave the songwriting chores solely up to Hexum. The result was flat and left the band and its fans largely unsatisfied.
"What happened there is that we wanted to see what it was like to put out a record that was from a singular mind," P-Nut said. "Nick's ... talented, but it wasn't really what any of us were hoping for."
Its recently wrapped set, "Don't Tread On Me," due out Aug. 16, marks a return to the collaborative writing process. The group tapped longtime producer Ron Saint Germaine to helm the project. The outcome, though still heavy on the reggae and rock, has a more cohesive and energetic feel to it.
Martinez, who in the past employed the use of turntables to broaden the rhythm section, eschewed them in favor of thickening up the sound with another guitar. He penned two of the tracks on the 12-song release.
"It's not totally different ... but it's a progression on the sound that we've developed over the years," P-Nut said. "The strange thing about putting out records is you never know how well they are going to be promoted. We're happy with it and I think our fans will be, too."
Either way, they're in the music business for the long haul.
These outlets fail to appreciate the musicians who start small and get big, the acts who start at a grass-roots level and flourish from there.
Eight albums into their career, reggae/rock fusers 311 know a little something about that.
"It's a progression on the sound that we've developed over the years," P-Nut says of 311's upcoming CD, "Don't Tread On Me."
The Omaha, Neb., band's second album was titled "Grassroots," which has become its de facto mantra. The band has made a vow to play at least 200 shows in support of each record, something that has garnered it a loyal legion of followers.
"I can definitely see a point in our career where we just start releasing our music independently," bass player P-Nut said. "It's hard to say that you don't need the record company's support, but we feel our fans will support us no matter what."
Of course, the band -- rounded out by Nick Hexum on vocals and guitar, multi-instrumentalist S.A. Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney and drummer Chad Sexton -- has sold 7.5 million records.
Its longevity has seen a progression from the frat party soundtrack it was in the mid-'90s to the jam-heavy act it became on its last tour with the Roots and Medeski, Martin and Wood. However, no path is without roadblocks, and in 2003 the group hit a snag with the snarkily titled "Evolver."
Whether it was mid-career doldrums or just a lack of inspiration, the quintet decided to leave the songwriting chores solely up to Hexum. The result was flat and left the band and its fans largely unsatisfied.
"What happened there is that we wanted to see what it was like to put out a record that was from a singular mind," P-Nut said. "Nick's ... talented, but it wasn't really what any of us were hoping for."
Its recently wrapped set, "Don't Tread On Me," due out Aug. 16, marks a return to the collaborative writing process. The group tapped longtime producer Ron Saint Germaine to helm the project. The outcome, though still heavy on the reggae and rock, has a more cohesive and energetic feel to it.
Martinez, who in the past employed the use of turntables to broaden the rhythm section, eschewed them in favor of thickening up the sound with another guitar. He penned two of the tracks on the 12-song release.
"It's not totally different ... but it's a progression on the sound that we've developed over the years," P-Nut said. "The strange thing about putting out records is you never know how well they are going to be promoted. We're happy with it and I think our fans will be, too."
Either way, they're in the music business for the long haul.
Thursday, July 21, 2005
311 Release Don't Tread on Me (Music Remedy)
Volcano/Jive Records will be releasing 311’s 8th studio album Don’t Tread On Me August 16. The album consists of 11 new tracks produced by Ron Saint Germain and 311. The title track “Don’t Tread On Me” will be the first single impacting at radio July 25.
Omaha-bred, Los Angeles-based 311 have released seven studio albums (four Gold, one Platinum, and one Triple-Platinum), a live album and three DVD’s (one Gold, two Platinum). Four of their releases have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Charts. Six singles have gone into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart including the #1 hits “Down” and “Love Song.” The band has sold over seven million albums in the U.S.
The band, known for their dynamic live shows, will go back out on the road in support of the new album (and in celebration of their 15 year anniversary) starting July 27 in Santa Cruz with support bands Papa Roach and Unwritten Law in select cities.
QUOTES FROM 311 REGARDING THE NEW ALBUM “DON’T TREAD ON ME”:
NICK:
“To me, the meaning of the album title, "Don't Tread on Me" is simple - it's about freedom. Personal freedom. Freedom from any kind of oppression - political, religious, or social.”
NICK:
“The title track "Don't Tread On Me" is really about emotional volatility when you feel like your freedom is being encroached upon.”
SA:
“The title track - "Don't Tread On Me" has a great melody with a dope rhythm underneath. Slightly skanky, but in a good way. Catchy, aggressive at times, and never a dull moment. Classic 311.”
PNUT:
“Don't Tread On Me" has us embarking on what I know will be a great journey. More shows, more reactions; being pushed to my physical limits by the egging on of thousands. This collection is as diverse a group of songs as can be written by 311 and we had fun putting it all down. We love being allowed to continue on our musickal journey and we have you, our fans, to thank for our future. Let there be rock!”
NICK:
“I think we had a lot to say on this new album (themes range from personal freedom and emotional volatility in “Don’t Tread On Me” to life and mortality in “It’s Getting OK Now” to questioned celebration in “Frolic Room” to sexual abuse in “Getting Through to Her” to the politics of fear in “Solar Flare” to the ups and downs of love and personal relationships in “Speak Easy”, “Waiting”, “Long for the Flowers” and “There’s Always an Excuse”) and I'm very happy with the combination of new styles that we've come up with. Overall, this album musically is a little more straight-forward than our last. It's more like what you see at a 311 show; two vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Evolver had more overdubs and was more influenced by the British heroes of the past. This one is pure America (with a little Jamaican herb!).”
NICK:
“The new songs are eclectic as always. There are a handful of reggae influenced tracks, but they're more up-tempo and funky than our reggae has been in the past. There's also a fast punk song with a melodic vocal that Tim & SA wrote called "It's Getting OK Now" and a super slow and heavy rap rocker called "Solar Flare". On "Solar Flare" SA's delivery and lyrics skewer people who use fear to stay in power.”
SA:
“When we first started rehearsing "Solar Flare", I thought that the vocal needed something with as much attitude as the music was communicating. I kept getting these apocalyptic visions - these you and I against the world scenarios.”
SA:
“The true origins of the song "Frolic Room" lie in the fact that Nick has frequented a bar called "The Frolic Room" in Hollywood ever since he's lived in this city. The bar has had 311 songs on their jukebox for quite some time. This new song is basically an insurance policy to reserve a slot on their juke for eternity.”
SA:
“I got the lyrical inspiration for the song "Speak Easy" from Wilhelm Reich's belief that any emotion we carry we must let out - otherwise that emotion will sit within us and manifest itself in ways that may not be good for our health. We can create blocks that turn into physical symptoms that were initially just emotions that we denied ourselves from experiencing. I shared this idea with Nick. I told him that lyrically I wanted to hit on the idea of letting out emotion, relaxing and breathing - because breath is life. I sang, "Nice and easy, and your breathing will be pleasing..." and Nick was quick with the rejoinder "..just speak easy and say what's on your mind.”
NICK:
“After finishing our eighth album, I look back and notice how lucky we are to have been able to make music for a living for fifteen years! This is due entirely to the level of dedication of the fans we have and the bond that we've developed as a band over the past 15 years. We know we're truly blessed.”
Omaha-bred, Los Angeles-based 311 have released seven studio albums (four Gold, one Platinum, and one Triple-Platinum), a live album and three DVD’s (one Gold, two Platinum). Four of their releases have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Charts. Six singles have gone into the Top 10 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart including the #1 hits “Down” and “Love Song.” The band has sold over seven million albums in the U.S.
The band, known for their dynamic live shows, will go back out on the road in support of the new album (and in celebration of their 15 year anniversary) starting July 27 in Santa Cruz with support bands Papa Roach and Unwritten Law in select cities.
QUOTES FROM 311 REGARDING THE NEW ALBUM “DON’T TREAD ON ME”:
NICK:
“To me, the meaning of the album title, "Don't Tread on Me" is simple - it's about freedom. Personal freedom. Freedom from any kind of oppression - political, religious, or social.”
NICK:
“The title track "Don't Tread On Me" is really about emotional volatility when you feel like your freedom is being encroached upon.”
SA:
“The title track - "Don't Tread On Me" has a great melody with a dope rhythm underneath. Slightly skanky, but in a good way. Catchy, aggressive at times, and never a dull moment. Classic 311.”
PNUT:
“Don't Tread On Me" has us embarking on what I know will be a great journey. More shows, more reactions; being pushed to my physical limits by the egging on of thousands. This collection is as diverse a group of songs as can be written by 311 and we had fun putting it all down. We love being allowed to continue on our musickal journey and we have you, our fans, to thank for our future. Let there be rock!”
NICK:
“I think we had a lot to say on this new album (themes range from personal freedom and emotional volatility in “Don’t Tread On Me” to life and mortality in “It’s Getting OK Now” to questioned celebration in “Frolic Room” to sexual abuse in “Getting Through to Her” to the politics of fear in “Solar Flare” to the ups and downs of love and personal relationships in “Speak Easy”, “Waiting”, “Long for the Flowers” and “There’s Always an Excuse”) and I'm very happy with the combination of new styles that we've come up with. Overall, this album musically is a little more straight-forward than our last. It's more like what you see at a 311 show; two vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. Evolver had more overdubs and was more influenced by the British heroes of the past. This one is pure America (with a little Jamaican herb!).”
NICK:
“The new songs are eclectic as always. There are a handful of reggae influenced tracks, but they're more up-tempo and funky than our reggae has been in the past. There's also a fast punk song with a melodic vocal that Tim & SA wrote called "It's Getting OK Now" and a super slow and heavy rap rocker called "Solar Flare". On "Solar Flare" SA's delivery and lyrics skewer people who use fear to stay in power.”
SA:
“When we first started rehearsing "Solar Flare", I thought that the vocal needed something with as much attitude as the music was communicating. I kept getting these apocalyptic visions - these you and I against the world scenarios.”
SA:
“The true origins of the song "Frolic Room" lie in the fact that Nick has frequented a bar called "The Frolic Room" in Hollywood ever since he's lived in this city. The bar has had 311 songs on their jukebox for quite some time. This new song is basically an insurance policy to reserve a slot on their juke for eternity.”
SA:
“I got the lyrical inspiration for the song "Speak Easy" from Wilhelm Reich's belief that any emotion we carry we must let out - otherwise that emotion will sit within us and manifest itself in ways that may not be good for our health. We can create blocks that turn into physical symptoms that were initially just emotions that we denied ourselves from experiencing. I shared this idea with Nick. I told him that lyrically I wanted to hit on the idea of letting out emotion, relaxing and breathing - because breath is life. I sang, "Nice and easy, and your breathing will be pleasing..." and Nick was quick with the rejoinder "..just speak easy and say what's on your mind.”
NICK:
“After finishing our eighth album, I look back and notice how lucky we are to have been able to make music for a living for fifteen years! This is due entirely to the level of dedication of the fans we have and the bond that we've developed as a band over the past 15 years. We know we're truly blessed.”
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
311 Releasing New Studio Album This Summer (Soulshine)
Rock band 311 is releasing its next album, entitled Don't Tread On Me, this July and will follow it with a large tour. On the band's official website, vocalist Nick Hexum announces that "There will be 12 songs on the new album including Thank Your Lucky Stars, Frolic Room, Don't Tread on Me, Speak Easy, Waiting, Shooting Up Flares, and more."
Don't Tread on Me will be the studio follow-up to 2003's Evolver; 311's 2004 release was a hits compilation. The band is lining up dates for a summer tour and will be playing the Street Scene festival on July 30th in San Diego.
For more information on the new album and tour dates, check out 311.com.
Don't Tread on Me will be the studio follow-up to 2003's Evolver; 311's 2004 release was a hits compilation. The band is lining up dates for a summer tour and will be playing the Street Scene festival on July 30th in San Diego.
For more information on the new album and tour dates, check out 311.com.
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Sweaty fans give 311 a 10 at Omaha's 150th (Omaha World Heralder)
A huge handmade poster spotted at 311's concert Friday night summed it up fittingly: "We'll Follow U Anywhere!"
Music fans came from Chicago and across the street to see rock band and Omaha natives 311 tear it up at Memorial Park.
Between 25,000 and 30,000 fans packed the park near 60th and Dodge Streets for the free concert, part of a three-day celebration to mark Omaha's 150th birthday.
Rachel Carmichael and Amy Corona arrived at 6:30 a.m. to stake out a spot near the front of the stage. The women, both in their mid-20s, drove from Chicago to see their favorite band, 311.
Like other fans who arrived early to claim prime viewing spots, the Chicagoans spent the day lounging on lawn chairs, soaking up the sun, reading magazines and chatting with other early-bird arrivals.
Carmichael wore a T-shirt that read "Nick Is My Rock God," referring to 311's lead singer and guitarist, Nick Hexum.
"Nick is what inspires me to be positive," she gushed. "I would do about anything for him."
And that includes proudly showing off the 311-inspired tattoo near her rear end.
Though Carmichael has been to six 311 concerts, she did not want to pass up a chance to see the band play a free show in its hometown.
Shortly after 6 p.m., Hexum's younger brother, Zack, kicked off the night with a set of tunes from his debut album. His set was followed by music from Omaha rock band Grasshopper Takeover.
Though fans clapped enthusiastically for the opening performers, it was clearly 311 they wanted to see. While waiting for the band to take the stage, some fans chanted "Three-eleven! Three-eleven!"
After a brief introduction by Mayor Mike Fahey, the hometown heroes, now based in Los Angeles, took the stage at 8 p.m. and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
"It's a perfect summer night for a concert in the park," Nick Hexum told the crowd before 311 launched into "Come Original" from 1999's "Soundsystem" album.
Throughout the band's two-hour set, Hexum - wearing a red Nebraska T-shirt - and his bandmates worked the crowd into a sweaty frenzy. Fans danced, jumped up and down and crowd-surfed to 311's music, a blend of rock, rap, funk and reggae.
The band's set included such tunes as "Rub a Dub," "All Mixed Up" and the recent No. 1 hit single, "Love Song."
Though the concert attracted mainly teens and twentysomethings, there was a mixture of people from all walks - businessmen, babies and baby boomers.
"I think it's a great party atmosphere," said 48-year-old music fan Ricky Fulton of Omaha. "This band here is an example of some of the great talent we have in Omaha."
Fulton's wife, Mary, said she also was enjoying the festive atmosphere.
"If I was a little younger, I'd be down there dancing," she said while standing near the park's monument up the hill from the stage. "It's more of a free-for-all down there."
Omaha Police Lt. Tim Conahan said two or three people were arrested for fighting with security guards around the stage, and police dealt with a half-dozen "extremely drunk" concertgoers.
It was a hectic but bearable night at the Red Cross tent a few hundred feet from the stage, said Red Cross worker Nicole Fuller.
Fuller estimated that medics in the tent had treated about 100 people by the end of the concert at 10 p.m.
Most suffered from heat-related problems early in the evening when the sun was still hot. By the end of the show, Fuller said, medics had treated at least as many with minor injuries from being in the huge crowd.
At least two people were taken to the hospital, one with heat exhaustion and one with an ankle injury, said Fuller, adding that neither problem seemed serious.
While his parents kept their distance up the hill, 18-year-old Joel Fulton braved the throngs of concertgoers dancing near the stage.
"It's great," Fulton said. "Everyone's here to see the band that grew up in Omaha."
Music fans came from Chicago and across the street to see rock band and Omaha natives 311 tear it up at Memorial Park.
Between 25,000 and 30,000 fans packed the park near 60th and Dodge Streets for the free concert, part of a three-day celebration to mark Omaha's 150th birthday.
Rachel Carmichael and Amy Corona arrived at 6:30 a.m. to stake out a spot near the front of the stage. The women, both in their mid-20s, drove from Chicago to see their favorite band, 311.
Like other fans who arrived early to claim prime viewing spots, the Chicagoans spent the day lounging on lawn chairs, soaking up the sun, reading magazines and chatting with other early-bird arrivals.
Carmichael wore a T-shirt that read "Nick Is My Rock God," referring to 311's lead singer and guitarist, Nick Hexum.
"Nick is what inspires me to be positive," she gushed. "I would do about anything for him."
And that includes proudly showing off the 311-inspired tattoo near her rear end.
Though Carmichael has been to six 311 concerts, she did not want to pass up a chance to see the band play a free show in its hometown.
Shortly after 6 p.m., Hexum's younger brother, Zack, kicked off the night with a set of tunes from his debut album. His set was followed by music from Omaha rock band Grasshopper Takeover.
Though fans clapped enthusiastically for the opening performers, it was clearly 311 they wanted to see. While waiting for the band to take the stage, some fans chanted "Three-eleven! Three-eleven!"
After a brief introduction by Mayor Mike Fahey, the hometown heroes, now based in Los Angeles, took the stage at 8 p.m. and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.
"It's a perfect summer night for a concert in the park," Nick Hexum told the crowd before 311 launched into "Come Original" from 1999's "Soundsystem" album.
Throughout the band's two-hour set, Hexum - wearing a red Nebraska T-shirt - and his bandmates worked the crowd into a sweaty frenzy. Fans danced, jumped up and down and crowd-surfed to 311's music, a blend of rock, rap, funk and reggae.
The band's set included such tunes as "Rub a Dub," "All Mixed Up" and the recent No. 1 hit single, "Love Song."
Though the concert attracted mainly teens and twentysomethings, there was a mixture of people from all walks - businessmen, babies and baby boomers.
"I think it's a great party atmosphere," said 48-year-old music fan Ricky Fulton of Omaha. "This band here is an example of some of the great talent we have in Omaha."
Fulton's wife, Mary, said she also was enjoying the festive atmosphere.
"If I was a little younger, I'd be down there dancing," she said while standing near the park's monument up the hill from the stage. "It's more of a free-for-all down there."
Omaha Police Lt. Tim Conahan said two or three people were arrested for fighting with security guards around the stage, and police dealt with a half-dozen "extremely drunk" concertgoers.
It was a hectic but bearable night at the Red Cross tent a few hundred feet from the stage, said Red Cross worker Nicole Fuller.
Fuller estimated that medics in the tent had treated about 100 people by the end of the concert at 10 p.m.
Most suffered from heat-related problems early in the evening when the sun was still hot. By the end of the show, Fuller said, medics had treated at least as many with minor injuries from being in the huge crowd.
At least two people were taken to the hospital, one with heat exhaustion and one with an ankle injury, said Fuller, adding that neither problem seemed serious.
While his parents kept their distance up the hill, 18-year-old Joel Fulton braved the throngs of concertgoers dancing near the stage.
"It's great," Fulton said. "Everyone's here to see the band that grew up in Omaha."
Omaha 150! Birthday
311, the internationally known rock, rap and reggae group whose members are all originally from Omaha, will come back to the city where it all began to perform a free, outdoor concert at Memorial Park. The concert will kick-off the city’s official 150 th birthday festival weekend on Friday, July 16 from 6 to 10 p.m. Additional weekend activities include the Family Reunion Picnic, Omaha Symphony concert and riverfront firework display on Saturday, July 17 and the 15O! Family Festival on Sunday, July 18.
"This community wide birthday celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Mayor Mike Fahey. "Omahans will celebrate their past, present and future with a weekend full of events and I am pleased native Omahans 311 are returning to kick it all off at Memorial Park on Friday evening."
All five members of 311 grew up in Omaha in the 1970s. Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney and Chad Sexton attended West Side High School. P-Nut and SA Martinez went to Bryan High School.
“We were so thrilled to be asked to be part of Omaha’s 150th birthday,” said Nick Hexum, 311’s lead singer. “We have always wanted to play in beautiful Memorial Park and this is the perfect opportunity. We want to invite everyone who likes good-time-summer-rockin music to celebrate with us in Memorial Park. The show will be appropriate for all ages so come one, come all.”
311 has developed a worldwide following for their distinctive sound and high-energy concerts. The band has released seven LPs with six singles reaching Billboard’s Top Ten Modern Rock Chart. 311’s cover of “Love Song” by The Cure is currently ranked #8 and is featured in the sound track for the movie “50 First Dates.”
311’s self-titled third album has achieved triple platinum sales and their sixth LP “From Chaos” is certified gold. The group’s most recent recording “Evolver” was released in July 2003.
"The chance to perform at Memorial Park for Omaha’s 150th birthday is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Adam Raspler, 311’s manager. “I know it means a great deal to the members of 311 and their families in Omaha.”
"This community wide birthday celebration is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Mayor Mike Fahey. "Omahans will celebrate their past, present and future with a weekend full of events and I am pleased native Omahans 311 are returning to kick it all off at Memorial Park on Friday evening."
All five members of 311 grew up in Omaha in the 1970s. Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney and Chad Sexton attended West Side High School. P-Nut and SA Martinez went to Bryan High School.
“We were so thrilled to be asked to be part of Omaha’s 150th birthday,” said Nick Hexum, 311’s lead singer. “We have always wanted to play in beautiful Memorial Park and this is the perfect opportunity. We want to invite everyone who likes good-time-summer-rockin music to celebrate with us in Memorial Park. The show will be appropriate for all ages so come one, come all.”
311 has developed a worldwide following for their distinctive sound and high-energy concerts. The band has released seven LPs with six singles reaching Billboard’s Top Ten Modern Rock Chart. 311’s cover of “Love Song” by The Cure is currently ranked #8 and is featured in the sound track for the movie “50 First Dates.”
311’s self-titled third album has achieved triple platinum sales and their sixth LP “From Chaos” is certified gold. The group’s most recent recording “Evolver” was released in July 2003.
"The chance to perform at Memorial Park for Omaha’s 150th birthday is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Adam Raspler, 311’s manager. “I know it means a great deal to the members of 311 and their families in Omaha.”
Kids Travel 1,500 Miles To See 311 (Omaha Channel)
OMAHA, Neb. -- How far would you travel to see your favorite band?
A group of Connecticut teens showed up in Omaha last night, drawn to the opportunity to see their favorite band -- 311 -- for free. The band with Omaha origins will play Friday in Memorial Park to kick off Omaha's 150th birthday celebration.
The teens packed up a car and drove from Connecticut -- a 1,500-mile trip. They brought their CDs, T-shirts and one of the group brought a bass guitar he made himself -- just in case they get to meet 311.
"It would be, like, probably the highlight of my life if, like, P-nut signed the bass that I constructed with my bare hands," said Christopher Rucinski.
Friday, Rucinski and his friends showed up the KETV NewsWatch 7 studios and got their wish. P-nut and Nick Hexum appeared on NewsWatch 7 at 11:30. When they left the studio, the teens were waiting to meet them. P-nut signed the guitar.
The group of teens met an Omaha homeowner who let them stay at her house overnight. They had been sleeping in their car.
A weekend celebrating Omaha's birthday begins with the free concert Friday night. People began staking their claims in Memorial Park around 5 a.m. Some estimates call for 40,000 people packed into the park.
A group of Connecticut teens showed up in Omaha last night, drawn to the opportunity to see their favorite band -- 311 -- for free. The band with Omaha origins will play Friday in Memorial Park to kick off Omaha's 150th birthday celebration.
The teens packed up a car and drove from Connecticut -- a 1,500-mile trip. They brought their CDs, T-shirts and one of the group brought a bass guitar he made himself -- just in case they get to meet 311.
"It would be, like, probably the highlight of my life if, like, P-nut signed the bass that I constructed with my bare hands," said Christopher Rucinski.
Friday, Rucinski and his friends showed up the KETV NewsWatch 7 studios and got their wish. P-nut and Nick Hexum appeared on NewsWatch 7 at 11:30. When they left the studio, the teens were waiting to meet them. P-nut signed the guitar.
The group of teens met an Omaha homeowner who let them stay at her house overnight. They had been sleeping in their car.
A weekend celebrating Omaha's birthday begins with the free concert Friday night. People began staking their claims in Memorial Park around 5 a.m. Some estimates call for 40,000 people packed into the park.
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