Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
311 tour maps spring dates to support new album
Reggae-rock crew 311 will ring in the spring with a new studio album and a U.S. tour to match. The coast-to-coast circuit begins April 15 at Rialto Theatre in Tuscon, AZ, and concludes May 15 at Shrine Mosque in Springfield, MO.
The theater/club tour will hit nearly 20 cities, including an April 21 show at The Valarium in Knoxville, TN, an April 26 gig at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL, a May 4-5 stand at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, and a May 14 session at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, OK. Supporting acts have not been announced yet.
The band is touring in support of the group's ninth studio album, "Uplifter." Recording on the project was completed in late January, and an approximate release has been set for late spring. The album was produced by Bob Rock, who also has worked with Metallica and Aerosmith, among others.
The upcoming album will be the first release from the band since 2005's "Don't Tread On Me," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The record and tour will feature the usual 311 lineup of vocalist Doug "SA" Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, and drummer Chad Sexton.
In early June, 311 also plans to launch its annual summer Unity Tour, which primarily visits amphitheaters across the country. Supporting bands for the summer trek will be announced at a future date. Last year's outing ran from late June through early August and featured rapper Snoop Dogg and special guest Fiction Plane.
The theater/club tour will hit nearly 20 cities, including an April 21 show at The Valarium in Knoxville, TN, an April 26 gig at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, FL, a May 4-5 stand at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC, and a May 14 session at Cain's Ballroom in Tulsa, OK. Supporting acts have not been announced yet.
The band is touring in support of the group's ninth studio album, "Uplifter." Recording on the project was completed in late January, and an approximate release has been set for late spring. The album was produced by Bob Rock, who also has worked with Metallica and Aerosmith, among others.
The upcoming album will be the first release from the band since 2005's "Don't Tread On Me," which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200. The record and tour will feature the usual 311 lineup of vocalist Doug "SA" Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, rhythm guitarist Nick Hexum, bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, and drummer Chad Sexton.
In early June, 311 also plans to launch its annual summer Unity Tour, which primarily visits amphitheaters across the country. Supporting bands for the summer trek will be announced at a future date. Last year's outing ran from late June through early August and featured rapper Snoop Dogg and special guest Fiction Plane.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
311 Ready To Rock (IGN)
311 are currently hunkered down in the studio working on completing their next album.
The Omaha bred band has teamed up with Bob Rock and are cranking away on final mixes of the songs to be included on their forthcoming release Uplifter in their North Hollywood studio "The Hive."
Uplifter, which will be 311's ninth studio effort, is set to be released via Volcano/Jive records sometime in the late spring.
This is the band's first album in over three years – and their first with producer Rock. 311 will hit the road in support of the release during the spring and summer, starting in April and then again in June.
For more information on 311, check out their MySpace page.
The Omaha bred band has teamed up with Bob Rock and are cranking away on final mixes of the songs to be included on their forthcoming release Uplifter in their North Hollywood studio "The Hive."
Uplifter, which will be 311's ninth studio effort, is set to be released via Volcano/Jive records sometime in the late spring.
This is the band's first album in over three years – and their first with producer Rock. 311 will hit the road in support of the release during the spring and summer, starting in April and then again in June.
For more information on 311, check out their MySpace page.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Camping with 311 (Star Bulletin)
FRESH OFF the North American leg of their Summer Unity Tour, veteran rockers 311 return to Honolulu this weekend to headline Band Camp VI at the Waikiki Shell.
Produced by local promoters BAMP Project, the annual concert will also feature a performance by Augustana and the return of Jason Mraz to the Shell for the second time this year. Former Pennylane lead singer David Tamaoka will represent the islands with an opening set that showcases his talents as a solo artist (see story on opposite page ).
The Star-Bulletin caught up with 311 lead singer Nick Hexum via telephone last month as the band got ready for a Summer Unity Tour stop in Houston, Tex.
QUESTION: In a recent interview with MTV, fellow 311 member Chad Sexton compared the band to the Grateful Dead. Do you agree with him?
ANSWER: I think Chad would probably revise that statement a little bit. The comparison isn't quite right because we don't like 10-minute songs.
I'd say we're more like some classic rock band like Aerosmith or someone like that. We like to jam, but we're not the Dead.
Q: I think he might have been talking about the number of people who follow you guys on tour. What is it about 311 that attracts that type of loyal fan?
A: I think it's got a lot to do with our reputation for a good live show. The word spread, and people finally got around to checking us out.
We're extremely grateful, because we haven't put any new stuff out, and yet we're getting so many newcomers.
Q: The last few months have focused on the Summer Unity Tour, but in April you were able to celebrate 311 Day in New Orleans with the guys. What was it like to return to that city?
A: Yeah, it was our triumphant return to New Orleans. We had a whole lot of fans get together and do a kind of Habitat for Humanity thing, so it had that whole spirit of rebirth going along with a pretty wild party. It was sold out ... I think maybe 16,000 people, maybe more.
Q: Moving on to the new 311 album due out next year. What can you tell us about it?
A: Well, we were halfway done with the album when we decided to take a break and go on tour. That happened kind of by chance, (because) we're primarily a touring band, and the show must go on with our tour every summer.
But it turned out to be a real good choice, creatively, because we've had the chance to play live shows and interact with the fans directly. So we got the opportunity to decide how to augment the first half of the album and really round things out.
Q: So, stopping recording sessions to hit the road didn't disrupt the creative process?
A: No, it really was more of a thing like this is how we have to keep doing it.
We had basically finished the first half (of the album), so we were kind of finished with all of those good ideas and were ready for some new inspiration. It couldn't have been better for our planning.
Q: On one hand, 311 has sold over 8 million albums over the last 15 years. But the music industry has changed dramatically during that same period of time; has the band been forced to change its approach towards recording new material?
A: We're trying not to think about that too much. The head worries about what people are going to like, while the heart is about what moves us.
We just try to make music that we like. My philosophy is get our music into peoples' heads and the rest will take care of itself.
Q: It's an election year; four years ago, you were on the campaign trail in support of Sen. John Kerry. Will you do the same for Sen. Barack Obama in 2008?
A: No. I've just really simplified my life. I think I was used to taking on too many side projects, producing and political. Now, I'm just putting all efforts into this new album.
But, I've had a chance to meet Obama. He was so inspiring and friendly and down to earth ... it was a pretty powerful moment for me.
Q: Do you have any fond memories of performing in Hawaii?
A: The very first time I ever bleached my hair, Gwen Stefani did it for me when we were playing on a co-headlining bill (with No Doubt) on Oahu. That would have been like, 1995 or 1994.
We have very, very fond feelings for Hawaii, and we're kind of bummed that we can't get over there more often.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: There's been such a renaissance in excitement and energy, so I'm excited to see what this new album's gonna bring. I really think we're catching our second wind as a band and we're ready to reach new heights.
Produced by local promoters BAMP Project, the annual concert will also feature a performance by Augustana and the return of Jason Mraz to the Shell for the second time this year. Former Pennylane lead singer David Tamaoka will represent the islands with an opening set that showcases his talents as a solo artist (see story on opposite page ).
The Star-Bulletin caught up with 311 lead singer Nick Hexum via telephone last month as the band got ready for a Summer Unity Tour stop in Houston, Tex.
QUESTION: In a recent interview with MTV, fellow 311 member Chad Sexton compared the band to the Grateful Dead. Do you agree with him?
ANSWER: I think Chad would probably revise that statement a little bit. The comparison isn't quite right because we don't like 10-minute songs.
I'd say we're more like some classic rock band like Aerosmith or someone like that. We like to jam, but we're not the Dead.
Q: I think he might have been talking about the number of people who follow you guys on tour. What is it about 311 that attracts that type of loyal fan?
A: I think it's got a lot to do with our reputation for a good live show. The word spread, and people finally got around to checking us out.
We're extremely grateful, because we haven't put any new stuff out, and yet we're getting so many newcomers.
Q: The last few months have focused on the Summer Unity Tour, but in April you were able to celebrate 311 Day in New Orleans with the guys. What was it like to return to that city?
A: Yeah, it was our triumphant return to New Orleans. We had a whole lot of fans get together and do a kind of Habitat for Humanity thing, so it had that whole spirit of rebirth going along with a pretty wild party. It was sold out ... I think maybe 16,000 people, maybe more.
Q: Moving on to the new 311 album due out next year. What can you tell us about it?
A: Well, we were halfway done with the album when we decided to take a break and go on tour. That happened kind of by chance, (because) we're primarily a touring band, and the show must go on with our tour every summer.
But it turned out to be a real good choice, creatively, because we've had the chance to play live shows and interact with the fans directly. So we got the opportunity to decide how to augment the first half of the album and really round things out.
Q: So, stopping recording sessions to hit the road didn't disrupt the creative process?
A: No, it really was more of a thing like this is how we have to keep doing it.
We had basically finished the first half (of the album), so we were kind of finished with all of those good ideas and were ready for some new inspiration. It couldn't have been better for our planning.
Q: On one hand, 311 has sold over 8 million albums over the last 15 years. But the music industry has changed dramatically during that same period of time; has the band been forced to change its approach towards recording new material?
A: We're trying not to think about that too much. The head worries about what people are going to like, while the heart is about what moves us.
We just try to make music that we like. My philosophy is get our music into peoples' heads and the rest will take care of itself.
Q: It's an election year; four years ago, you were on the campaign trail in support of Sen. John Kerry. Will you do the same for Sen. Barack Obama in 2008?
A: No. I've just really simplified my life. I think I was used to taking on too many side projects, producing and political. Now, I'm just putting all efforts into this new album.
But, I've had a chance to meet Obama. He was so inspiring and friendly and down to earth ... it was a pretty powerful moment for me.
Q: Do you have any fond memories of performing in Hawaii?
A: The very first time I ever bleached my hair, Gwen Stefani did it for me when we were playing on a co-headlining bill (with No Doubt) on Oahu. That would have been like, 1995 or 1994.
We have very, very fond feelings for Hawaii, and we're kind of bummed that we can't get over there more often.
Q: Any final thoughts?
A: There's been such a renaissance in excitement and energy, so I'm excited to see what this new album's gonna bring. I really think we're catching our second wind as a band and we're ready to reach new heights.
Monday, July 21, 2008
311 Goes With The Flow (Consquence of Sound)
Backed by the fluorescent glow of their lit up logo and of cheers and chants uttered by the diehard fans filling up about half of the 25,000 person capacity Nissan Pavilion, 311 took the stage as part of Washington, D.C.’s stop in the 2008 Summer Unity tour. Within seconds the opening chords of “Down” rang aloud, kicking off a trademark 311 performance – 80 minutes of greatest hits and free-flowing raps, of dueling guitar solos and turntable infused rhythms, of head banging and crowd surfing, and in the end, of a band stuck between the glories days of old and a tired act, delivering a broken record of styles and sounds.
Like so many others, 311 introduced me to the glories of rock, the anticipation of CD releases, and my first experiences of just how crazy a pit can be. Eventually, as I grew older and tastes changed, the five piece outfit from Omaha, Nebraska became more of a guilty pleasure and reminder of what used to be. Still while the days of Transistor on repeat have come and gone, I do find myself, every so often, reliving days of old, and cranking up the speakers just before that one perfect chorus.
But when it comes to 311 live, neither aging, nor changing taste buds can resist the opportunity to see the adrenaline punch sounds of rap ‘n roll up close and personal. For as many summers as I can remember, and as was the case again yesterday, July 21st, a stop to band’s closest tour date was part of my “to do” list.
The scene at Nissan Pavilion on the scorchingly hot Sunday afternoon was typical of your standard 311 show. Tailgating was the prevalent pre-show activity as most opted to dabble in the activities of underage drinking and Frisbee rather than catch the set of Joe Sumner, son of Sting, and opening act Fiction Plane. As the clocked approached 7:30, most began to make their way into the venue, leaving a mess of empty bottles sprinkled across the gravel parking lot.
Right on time, 311 compadre and billed co-headliner Snoop Dogg took the stage. Backed by a band ranging from eight to twelve members in size and a gigantic marijuana leaf hanging above, the 36-year-old, California born rapper entertained fans with a 45 minute set filled with “What’s My Names” and “Drop It Like Its Hots.” While a bit overly repetitive and glutted with shameless self-promotion, Snoop Dogg’s performance was certainly compelling and received well by a venue full of folks mostly clamoring for the band scheduled to take the stage next.
Just seconds after the last beats of Snoop’s set echoed out of Nissan Pavilion, the rain began to pour over the packed crowd making up the venue’s lawn seating. But all was forgotten, all scrambling stopped, all cries for cover hushed when Nick Hexum, SA Martinez, P-Nut, Tim Mahoney, Chad Sexton made their way onto stage. Those in the pit erupted, while those protected by the barrier of seats, responded with equal enthusiasm.
The 1999 radio-approved “Come Original” and “Do You Right”, a single off the band’s 1993 debut, Music, followed as 311 began to make their way through the Greatest Hits so many present that night had come to know and love. In fact, nothing about last night’s performance was different than any other 311 show. The hits flowed one after another. The familiar chords of “Homebrew” circulated the clamoring crowd, while the opening bass solo of “What Was I Thinking” appeared almost like clockwork.
And that was the problem. Everything was the same. Every solo could be anticipated, every call for a “jump” from Hexum was expected, even Chad Sexton’s mind numbing drum solo on “Applied Science” has been an after thought. Sure, tunes like “Beautiful Disaster” and “Creatures (For a While)” will always be a highlight, regardless of the number of times you’ve heard them played, but when fans know what will appear in the encore even before the band is finished performing their main set, when the live renditions of songs become as familiar as the recorded ones, the thrill only last so long.
Last night, 311 neither debuted new material from their upcoming album, nor played anything from their most recent one, 2005’s Don’t Tread on Me. Instead, they went with the flow, performing the same hits in the same way as they always have. While the diehards, overcome half by love and half by intoxication, might not notice at first, eventually, when your concerts become as predictable as your album, even the biggest of fans can’t help but notice.
Like so many others, 311 introduced me to the glories of rock, the anticipation of CD releases, and my first experiences of just how crazy a pit can be. Eventually, as I grew older and tastes changed, the five piece outfit from Omaha, Nebraska became more of a guilty pleasure and reminder of what used to be. Still while the days of Transistor on repeat have come and gone, I do find myself, every so often, reliving days of old, and cranking up the speakers just before that one perfect chorus.
But when it comes to 311 live, neither aging, nor changing taste buds can resist the opportunity to see the adrenaline punch sounds of rap ‘n roll up close and personal. For as many summers as I can remember, and as was the case again yesterday, July 21st, a stop to band’s closest tour date was part of my “to do” list.
The scene at Nissan Pavilion on the scorchingly hot Sunday afternoon was typical of your standard 311 show. Tailgating was the prevalent pre-show activity as most opted to dabble in the activities of underage drinking and Frisbee rather than catch the set of Joe Sumner, son of Sting, and opening act Fiction Plane. As the clocked approached 7:30, most began to make their way into the venue, leaving a mess of empty bottles sprinkled across the gravel parking lot.
Right on time, 311 compadre and billed co-headliner Snoop Dogg took the stage. Backed by a band ranging from eight to twelve members in size and a gigantic marijuana leaf hanging above, the 36-year-old, California born rapper entertained fans with a 45 minute set filled with “What’s My Names” and “Drop It Like Its Hots.” While a bit overly repetitive and glutted with shameless self-promotion, Snoop Dogg’s performance was certainly compelling and received well by a venue full of folks mostly clamoring for the band scheduled to take the stage next.
Just seconds after the last beats of Snoop’s set echoed out of Nissan Pavilion, the rain began to pour over the packed crowd making up the venue’s lawn seating. But all was forgotten, all scrambling stopped, all cries for cover hushed when Nick Hexum, SA Martinez, P-Nut, Tim Mahoney, Chad Sexton made their way onto stage. Those in the pit erupted, while those protected by the barrier of seats, responded with equal enthusiasm.
The 1999 radio-approved “Come Original” and “Do You Right”, a single off the band’s 1993 debut, Music, followed as 311 began to make their way through the Greatest Hits so many present that night had come to know and love. In fact, nothing about last night’s performance was different than any other 311 show. The hits flowed one after another. The familiar chords of “Homebrew” circulated the clamoring crowd, while the opening bass solo of “What Was I Thinking” appeared almost like clockwork.
And that was the problem. Everything was the same. Every solo could be anticipated, every call for a “jump” from Hexum was expected, even Chad Sexton’s mind numbing drum solo on “Applied Science” has been an after thought. Sure, tunes like “Beautiful Disaster” and “Creatures (For a While)” will always be a highlight, regardless of the number of times you’ve heard them played, but when fans know what will appear in the encore even before the band is finished performing their main set, when the live renditions of songs become as familiar as the recorded ones, the thrill only last so long.
Last night, 311 neither debuted new material from their upcoming album, nor played anything from their most recent one, 2005’s Don’t Tread on Me. Instead, they went with the flow, performing the same hits in the same way as they always have. While the diehards, overcome half by love and half by intoxication, might not notice at first, eventually, when your concerts become as predictable as your album, even the biggest of fans can’t help but notice.
311 and Snoop Dogg get cozy (The Virginian-Pilot)
311 is making its annual summer rounds. This year, the band shares the bill with rapper Snoop Dogg. We know what you're thinking. Snoop Dogg? Really? We were stumped, too.
311 (pronounced three-eleven) embraces many styles in its music - rock, funk, reggae, punk - but rap isn't one of them. Yet Tuesday, they'll be together at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
When 311 DJ and singer S.A. Martinez called us from a town near Chicago, we asked him about the lineup. "Dude, Snoop is so cool.... Historically, we have packaged with acts that vary from one musical spectrum to the next.... It's power in numbers."
Plus, Martinez gets a kick out of the mixed crowd. "I love playing for our fan base, but I also love playing for fans who have no idea who we are."
While we had him on the line, he filled us in on other 311 news.
After the summer tour, the band plans to wrap up its ninth studio album, its first since 2005. This time, 311 is working with Bob Rock, who has produced music for Metallica, Aerosmith and Motley Crue. "We want to break the mold and do something different. It's a breath of fresh air," Martinez said.
The album is scheduled to drop next spring.
Since the guys got together in 1990, the music business has changed a lot, but the band thrives on adapting to new sounds. "One of the hallmarks of our band is that it's open to growth.... It's a natural extension of being alive," Martinez said. "We've always just looked at it square in the face, and it's always been a welcome challenge."
311 has come a long way since its days on the Omaha music scene. "Who would have thought five guys from Nebraska were going to be in this for 18 years? The odds were against us enormously," Martinez said.
Shortly after the guys hit the scene, a fire destroyed their equipment. When they released their debut album, "Music," in 1994, their sound was drowned out by the Seattle grunge scene. Radio didn't take notice until a year after their third release, "311," which sold more than 3 million copies and had the hits "Down" and "All Mixed Up."
"Somehow, we managed to find our way and find our niche and really make magic out of a molehill," Martinez said. "We're a lot like a tasty bottle of vino after a number of years. It just keeps getting better."
311 (pronounced three-eleven) embraces many styles in its music - rock, funk, reggae, punk - but rap isn't one of them. Yet Tuesday, they'll be together at the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater.
When 311 DJ and singer S.A. Martinez called us from a town near Chicago, we asked him about the lineup. "Dude, Snoop is so cool.... Historically, we have packaged with acts that vary from one musical spectrum to the next.... It's power in numbers."
Plus, Martinez gets a kick out of the mixed crowd. "I love playing for our fan base, but I also love playing for fans who have no idea who we are."
While we had him on the line, he filled us in on other 311 news.
After the summer tour, the band plans to wrap up its ninth studio album, its first since 2005. This time, 311 is working with Bob Rock, who has produced music for Metallica, Aerosmith and Motley Crue. "We want to break the mold and do something different. It's a breath of fresh air," Martinez said.
The album is scheduled to drop next spring.
Since the guys got together in 1990, the music business has changed a lot, but the band thrives on adapting to new sounds. "One of the hallmarks of our band is that it's open to growth.... It's a natural extension of being alive," Martinez said. "We've always just looked at it square in the face, and it's always been a welcome challenge."
311 has come a long way since its days on the Omaha music scene. "Who would have thought five guys from Nebraska were going to be in this for 18 years? The odds were against us enormously," Martinez said.
Shortly after the guys hit the scene, a fire destroyed their equipment. When they released their debut album, "Music," in 1994, their sound was drowned out by the Seattle grunge scene. Radio didn't take notice until a year after their third release, "311," which sold more than 3 million copies and had the hits "Down" and "All Mixed Up."
"Somehow, we managed to find our way and find our niche and really make magic out of a molehill," Martinez said. "We're a lot like a tasty bottle of vino after a number of years. It just keeps getting better."
Snoop and 311 Got it Rolling (Boston Globe)
It was kind of hard to figure out how it all happened.
Related
Discuss What did you think of the show?
Music More news and reviews
Sound Effects Globe music critics on the latest news and reviews
311 and Snoop Dogg
At: Comcast Center, Friday
Punk-rock hipster kids with nipple piercings, camouflage cargo shorts, and back tattoos didn't quite seem like rapper Snoop Dogg's target demographic.
It made more sense seeing the sea of people spaz out as soon as guitarist Tim Mahoney let the menacing first chords of 311's anthem "Beautiful Disaster" rip through the Comcast Center Friday night.
It was definitely 311's crowd. Snoop was a multiplatinum co-headliner on the bill, trying to make his hits accommodate.
With classics like "Gin and Juice," "Ain't No Fun," and "Deep Cover" weaving between newer hits like "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Sexual Eruption," it wasn't too difficult. He also had Kurupt and Daz Dillinger with him, toeing the line between guest performers and backup dancers.
Plus, in a really twisted, Ben Folds-covering-songs-off-"The Chronic" kind of way, Snoop has managed to transcend race the same way Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan have. Granted, Snoop was onstage with mammoth Nation of Islam-looking security guards; a diamond microphone that made it look like he was rapping into a pimp cup; a skull cap covering his braids; his crazy uncle Junebug dancing across the stage; and his uncle Rio wearing a tiger-skin sequin suit, singing hooks like an old Motown singer. Hanging above all the action? A big marijuana leaf.
Even if it didn't make sense in theory, it came together in action. 311 is an institution on a summertime touring circuit, and Snoop's catalog was built for summer. The fun overpowered the awkwardness.
Snoop's live band managed to neatly transform most of his songs into a near-rock set, just asking for chaos by throwing in the House of Pain classic "Jump Around," then later on trying to get the same crowd to snap dance.
"Hold on," he said. "I don't want y'all lookin' all unorganized now."
Honestly, that pot leaf is probably what brought Snoop and the crowd together. They were definitely the type to wave their lighters in the air, not their cellphones; the illuminated orange dots spread to the back of the amphitheater.
After 311 had torn through the happy slam-dance song "Do You Right," "Love Song," and "All Mixed Up," Chad Sexton let loose on a drum solo that made Snoop's set-ending crash session sound less epic.
While lead singer Nick Hexum grabbed a new shirt, stage hands brought more drums out so that all five members could drum as one for a sort of dark and intense makeshift Taiko drum session. It was easily the highlight of the night, even if bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills lost one of his sticks trying to keep up.
The band barely came up for air in its 90-minute set. The only time it did was when Hexum said the group was finally coming out with an album after three years and that "we want to see if we can get everyone in here to jump to the beat."
After the whole House of Pain experiment earlier in the evening, Snoop had to be somewhere saying, "Good luck."
Related
Discuss What did you think of the show?
Music More news and reviews
Sound Effects Globe music critics on the latest news and reviews
311 and Snoop Dogg
At: Comcast Center, Friday
Punk-rock hipster kids with nipple piercings, camouflage cargo shorts, and back tattoos didn't quite seem like rapper Snoop Dogg's target demographic.
It made more sense seeing the sea of people spaz out as soon as guitarist Tim Mahoney let the menacing first chords of 311's anthem "Beautiful Disaster" rip through the Comcast Center Friday night.
It was definitely 311's crowd. Snoop was a multiplatinum co-headliner on the bill, trying to make his hits accommodate.
With classics like "Gin and Juice," "Ain't No Fun," and "Deep Cover" weaving between newer hits like "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Sexual Eruption," it wasn't too difficult. He also had Kurupt and Daz Dillinger with him, toeing the line between guest performers and backup dancers.
Plus, in a really twisted, Ben Folds-covering-songs-off-"The Chronic" kind of way, Snoop has managed to transcend race the same way Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan have. Granted, Snoop was onstage with mammoth Nation of Islam-looking security guards; a diamond microphone that made it look like he was rapping into a pimp cup; a skull cap covering his braids; his crazy uncle Junebug dancing across the stage; and his uncle Rio wearing a tiger-skin sequin suit, singing hooks like an old Motown singer. Hanging above all the action? A big marijuana leaf.
Even if it didn't make sense in theory, it came together in action. 311 is an institution on a summertime touring circuit, and Snoop's catalog was built for summer. The fun overpowered the awkwardness.
Snoop's live band managed to neatly transform most of his songs into a near-rock set, just asking for chaos by throwing in the House of Pain classic "Jump Around," then later on trying to get the same crowd to snap dance.
"Hold on," he said. "I don't want y'all lookin' all unorganized now."
Honestly, that pot leaf is probably what brought Snoop and the crowd together. They were definitely the type to wave their lighters in the air, not their cellphones; the illuminated orange dots spread to the back of the amphitheater.
After 311 had torn through the happy slam-dance song "Do You Right," "Love Song," and "All Mixed Up," Chad Sexton let loose on a drum solo that made Snoop's set-ending crash session sound less epic.
While lead singer Nick Hexum grabbed a new shirt, stage hands brought more drums out so that all five members could drum as one for a sort of dark and intense makeshift Taiko drum session. It was easily the highlight of the night, even if bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills lost one of his sticks trying to keep up.
The band barely came up for air in its 90-minute set. The only time it did was when Hexum said the group was finally coming out with an album after three years and that "we want to see if we can get everyone in here to jump to the beat."
After the whole House of Pain experiment earlier in the evening, Snoop had to be somewhere saying, "Good luck."
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