311 (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see 311 (disambiguation).
311
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td colspan="3"> 311 </td></tr>
| ||
|---|---|---|
| Background information
<tr><td>Origin</td><td colspan="2">Image:Flag of the United States.svg Omaha, Nebraska, United States</td></tr><tr><td>Genre(s)</td><td colspan="2">Rock / Reggae / Funk / Rapcore / Alternative</td></tr><tr><td>Years active</td><td colspan="2">1989-present</td></tr><tr><td style="padding-right: 1em;">Label(s)</td><td colspan="2">Sony BMG Music Entertainment |
311 (pronounced "three eleven") is a band that formed in early 1989 in Omaha, Nebraska as a rapcore/punk rock/reggae/funk group who came to prominence in the 1990's.
Contents |
[edit] Members
- Nicholas Lofton Hexum - Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Programming (1989 - present)
- Douglas Vincent "SA" Martinez - Vocals, DJ (1992 - present)
- Timothy Jerome Mahoney - Lead Guitar (1991 - present)
- Aaron Charles "P-Nut" Wills - Bass Guitar (1989 - present)
- Chad Ronald Sexton - Drums, Programming (1989 - present)
[edit] Former Members
- Jim Watson - Lead Guitar (1989 - 1991)
[edit] Guest Members
- Ward Bones - Guest keyboards on the version of "Fuck the Bullshit" on Dammit!.
- Black Chiney - Back-up vocals on "Creatures (For a While)" and vocals on "Are You Ready" Stage Intro
- Daddy Freddy - Back-up vocals on "Nix Hex"
- Robert Greenridge - Steel Drums on the song "Speak Easy"
- Zack Hexum - Nick's younger brother, plays saxophone in "Outside" a 311 B-Side.
- Marcus Watkins - Guest guitar on the version of "Fuck the Bullshit" on Dammit!.
[edit] Musical career
311 has enjoyed commercial success stemming from its rabid fan base. Since their self-titled album in 1995, all but one of their albums (the exception being Live) have been in the top 15 of the Billboard 200. 19 of their singles have received significant radio airplay since "Do You Right" in 1993; five of those songs being top 3 hits on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
[edit] Early 311 (1989–1994)
In 1990 and 1991, 311 released three records on their own independent record label, What Have You Records. These records, titled Dammit!, Hydroponic, and Unity, and alongside their energetic live shows, launched their career in the Midwest. After gigging locally the quintet moved west to Los Angeles, where they signed with Capricorn Records in 1991.
Their first major record, Music was released in 1993. The single "Do You Right" received airplay on modern rock stations and reached #27 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. But the album failed to chart at the time. The following year, they released their second studio album, Grassroots. Although none of the singles charted, the album reached #8 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers chart and #193 on the Billboard 200.
[edit] Mainstream breakthrough (1995–2001)
In 1995, 311 released what was to be their biggest selling CD, the self-titled 311 (also known as The Blue Album). Produced by Ron St. Germain , the album was recorded live in contrast to their previous two albums in which all instruments were recorded separately. The first single "Don't Stay Home" was a modest success, reaching #29 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. But the follow-up single "Down," which was released 14 months after the album, received heavy airplay on mainstream radio and the accompanying music video was on MTV's rotation. The song hit #1 on the Modern Rock chart. The band made their Network Television debut on The Late Show with David Letterman who coincidentally shares Nick Hexum's April 12th birthday. The third single, "All Mixed Up", enjoyed almost identical success, reaching #4 on the Modern Rock chart. These singles propelled the album to platinum status in 1996. The album eventually went triple-platinum.
In the following years, 311 continued touring and on August 5th 1997 they released Transistor which debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200. Transistor is known as a fan-favorite throughout the 311 community, and still stands as their most obscure, yet defining album to date. While featuring popular tracks like "Beautiful Disaster", "Transistor ", and "Prisoner," the album also dealt with more weighty subject matter such as world affairs ("Borders"), spirituality ("Inner Light Spectrum"), and mysticism ("The Continuous Life"). The track Transistor also has a "hidden" introduction in which an audio file is mixed in that is thought to be alien communications from space. Although not garnering as much fame as some of 311's previous output, the album quickly went platinum, and in the following years would go double platinum (selling more than 2 million copies).
In 1999, 311 released their fifth major album, Soundsystem. "Come Original" was the album's first single and had success on radio and MTV. The song reached #6 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. The video was heavily requested on MTV's TRL, and was #60 on TRL's Top 99 of '99. The second single, "Flowing," had American Pie's Eddie Kaye Thomas featured in the music video.
The success of these albums helped the band's first two major albums, Music and Grassroots, reach certified gold status.
In 1995, the band purchased a communal living space/recording studio in North Hollywood, California called The Hive. The band has recorded every album at The Hive since 2000, beginning with the sessions for From Chaos, 311's sixth major record release.
Starting in 2000 the band began celebrating "their holiday" of 311 Day, held on March 11 (3/11). Every other year the band and thousands of their most loyal fans gather to New Orleans and celebrate with and extended concert put on by 311. The sets get longer every year, in 2000 they played 47 songs and in 2002 59 songs were played. In 2004 311 played 68 songs in 5 hours, and later that year a DVD was released of 311 Day 2004, containing 64 of the 68 songs. The most recent 311 Day, in 2006, was held at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, due to the destruction from Hurricane Katrina, the band played 65 songs, the setlist was cut short from 69, because of a strict curfew of midnight. The band recorded the entire show in high definition. A pay-per-view version will air on HDTV on December 10. Another 311 Day DVD is not been officially announced, but according to members of the band, it will happen.
From Chaos was released in late 2001 and debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200. Its first single, "You Wouldn't Believe" featured basketball star Shaquille O'Neal in the video and had a solid run of success on MTV. The album is also known for its third single, "Amber", an ethereal love song with surf guitar and the group's signature reggae-flavored sound.
Despite 311's success in these years, following the release of From Chaos, 311 made a seamless transition back into their underground roots where, as said by the band, they are very happy to be.
[edit] Underground Success (2003–2006)
Their seventh major release, Evolver, came in 2003 and marked a return to the straightforward guitar-heavy sound that the band had become known for. Overall opinions of the album were mixed, but many of their core fans considered the album another masterpiece. Evolver debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200, and the single "Creatures (For A While)" reached #3 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart.
In 2004, 311 covered the Cure's "Love Song" which became a #1 hit on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. It also reached #59 on the Hot 100, their first single to reach that chart. It was featured on the soundtrack for the motion picture 50 First Dates and then a few months later on their own Greatest Hits '93-'03. The compilation debuted at #7 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. The album also featured two new songs. One of these new tracks, "First Straw", was released as a single and reached #14 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
On August 16, 2005, 311 released their eighth studio album, titled Don't Tread on Me. "Don't Tread On Me," the first single, reached #2 on the Billboard Modern Rock chart and #1 at R&R. The next two singles, "Speak Easy" and "Frolic Room", did not receive the same success as the first, neither of which making it past #20 on the Modern Rock Charts.
Despite 311's immense popularity, neither of their newest studio albums, excluding Greatest Hits, have received an RIAA certification yet.
On July 20, 2006 311 kicked off the Summer Unity Tour, opening for 311 would be Pepper and the legendary Wailers. Other bands opened for 311 in some shows, like The Rebel Emergency in Toronto. It would go on to be the biggest 311 tour to date, with the band performing 37 shows across 27 states. Every show drew thousands of people, including their biggest show to date, drawing over 18,500 people in Atlanta, plus shows in New Jersey (17,210), Boston (15,276), Washington DC (13,812), Omaha (13,467), Kansas City (11,156) and Colorado (10,000).
After completion of the tour, 311 announced they would be taking a break, their first official one in over eight years. Loyal 311 fans felt that it was truly deserved and accepted the time off. 311 is said to return to touring next summer, along with another album.
[edit] Controversies
[edit] Claims of racism
In 1997 the band started to receive criticism due to perceived racism as "311" is used as a symbol, particularly in prison tattoos, for the Ku Klux Klan because K is the 11th letter of the alphabet (Three 11s = Three Ks = KKK)[2]. It was also rumored that Nick Hexum was a member of The National Front, which is a white supremacy group.
The name actually came from a skinny dipping incident when Jim Watson, the band's former guitarist, was charged with indecent exposure by the Omaha Police Department and was escorted home handcuffed and naked. The police code which appeared on the citation was "311". Nick Hexum has said:
- After the humor of the name wore off, we still kept it because we liked that it was just abstract and that it did not define us in any way. The name did not describe our sound or our politics, it just let the music speak for itself.
Released in 1994 on Grassroots, long before the KKK rumor surfaced, the song "Silver" provides some strong words about racism:
- Of the racist institutions, simple minds belong;
- Not happy being human, no wish to get along.
- Little people need exclusions; sucker groups to throng.
- It makes them feel special; it makes them feel strong.
- Now I've got a clique but it's more like a family.
- Not an ethnic trip more like an ethic sea.
- I write the rhyme today, tell it to you later.
- Whether we're comin' in whack or what.
- It's a waste to be a hater.
In response to the rumors, Nick Hexum began to write a song for the 1997 release Transistor titled "Fuck The KKK". After thinking about the title and how it wasn't true to the positive nature of 311, he revised it and ended up with "Electricity", the sixth track on the album.
First two lines from "Electricity":
- This song started as a rant against haters
- But that'd be giving in to the instigators
Last verse:
- A call out for unity
- In every province and city.
- What do you think we've been saying
- Since we first started playing?
(These last lines can be seen as a reference to the early 311 song "Unity".)
It should also be noted that singer Doug "SA" Martinez is of Latino descent.
[edit] 311 vs. Scott Stapp
While taking Thanksgiving Day off on their Fall 2005 tour, Martinez and Sexton were involved in a lounge brawl with former Creed lead singer Scott Stapp, who had been notorious for his many public drunken incidents, in the Harbor Court Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland. Martinez told MTV:
- He was acting out of control, looking for attention and being loud and obnoxious. He walked up to the bar, took a shot of whiskey and then slammed the shot glass down on the bar, and it shattered everywhere.
- He said some disrespectful things towards my wife and I asked him what he said, and then Chad came over and said, "Don't talk to her that way," and Scott got up and Chad followed him. After a while he went back to the bar and was looking for attention. And then a few minutes later, he came back to the table where my wife was, sat down across from us and wanted attention, he started the fight, then the police arrived, escorted Scott to his room and then told him to get out of the hotel.
A spokesperson for Stapp did not return MTV News' requests for comment on the altercation, and according to the Baltimore Police Department, no charges have been filed.
The melee left Martinez with a fractured knuckle on his right hand, which he fitted with a soft cast the following day. P-Nut reopened a surgery scar in the fight, though Martinez is not exactly sure how that happened. In keeping with 311's always positive, optimistic vibes, Martinez was just happy that their hometown heroes the Los Angeles Lakers won that night. [3]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Dammit! | What Have You | DNC* |
| 1990 | Downstairs EP | What Have You | DNC* |
| 1991 | Unity | What Have You | DNC* |
| 1992 | Hydroponic | What Have You | DNC* |
| 1993 | Music | Polygram | DNC* |
| 1994 | Grassroots | Polygram | #193 |
| 1995 | 311 (aka The Blue Album) | Capricorn | #12 |
| 1997 | Transistor | Capricorn | #4 |
| 1998 | Live | Capricorn | #77 |
| 1998 | Omaha Sessions | What Have You | DNC* |
| 1999 | Soundsystem | Capricorn | #9 |
| 2001 | From Chaos | Volcano | #10 |
| 2003 | Evolver | Volcano | #7 |
| 2004 | Greatest Hits '93-'03 | Volcano | #7 |
| 2005 | Don't Tread on Me | Volcano | #5 |
| * Did not chart on Billboard Hot 200 Album Chart | |||
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Billboard Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 | US Modern Rock | US Mainstream Rock | |||
| 1993 | "Do You Right" | - | #27 | - | Music |
| 1993 | "Feels So Good" | - | - | - | Music |
| 1994 | "Lucky" | - | - | - | Grassroots |
| 1994 | "Homebrew" | - | - | - | Grassroots |
| 1995 | "8:16 A.M." | - | - | - | Grassroots |
| 1996 | "Don't Stay Home" | - | #29 | - | 311 |
| 1996 | "Down" | #1 (4 weeks) | #19 | 311 | |
| 1996 | "All Mixed Up" | - | #4 | - | 311 |
| 1997 | "Transistor" | - | #14 | #31 | Transistor |
| 1997 | "Prisoner" | - | #21 | - | Transistor |
| 1998 | "Beautiful Disaster" | - | #21 | - | Transistor |
| 1999 | "Come Original" | - | #6 | #39 | Soundsystem |
| 2000 | "Flowing" | - | #17 | - | Soundsystem |
| 2000 | "Large in the Margin" | - | - | - | Soundsystem |
| 2001 | "You Wouldn't Believe" | - | #7 | #32 | From Chaos |
| 2001 | "I'll Be Here Awhile" | - | #15 | - | From Chaos |
| 2002 | "Amber" | - | #13 | - | From Chaos |
| 2003 | "Creatures (For a While)" | - | #3 | - | Evolver |
| 2004 | "Beyond the Gray Sky" | - | #39 | - | Evolver |
| 2004 | "Love Song" | #59 | #1 (1 week) | - | 50 First Dates [Soundtrack] |
| 2004 | "First Straw" | - | #14 | - | Greatest Hits '93-'03 |
| 2005 | "Don't Tread on Me" | - | #2 | - | Don't Tread on Me |
| 2005 | "Speak Easy" | - | #22 | - | Don't Tread on Me |
| 2006 | "Frolic Room" | - | - | - | Don't Tread on Me |
[edit] DVDs
| Year | Title | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Enlarged to Show Detail | VHS/DVD |
| 2001 | Enlarged to Show Detail 2 | VHS/DVD |
| 2004 | 311 Day: Live in New Orleans | DVD |
[edit] RIAA certifications
Albums
- Music - Gold (1993)
- Grassroots - Gold (1994)
- 311 - 3x Platinum (1995)
- Transistor - 2x Platinum (1997)
- Soundsystem - Gold (1999)
- From Chaos - Gold (2001)
- Greatest Hits '93-'03 - Gold (2004)
DVDs
- Enlarged to Show Detail - Platinum (1997)
- Enlarged to Show Detail 2 - Gold (2002)
- 311 Day: Live in New Orleans - Platinum (2004)
| 311 |
| Nick Hexum | SA Martinez | Tim Mahoney | P-Nut | Chad Sexton |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio albums: Dammit! | Unity | Hydroponic | Music | Grassroots | 311 | Transistor | Soundsystem | From Chaos | Evolver | Don't Tread on Me |
| Live and Compilation albums: Downstairs EP | Omaha Sessions | Live! | Greatest Hits '93-'03 |
| Singles: Freak Out | Do You Right | Feels So Good | Homebrew | Lucky | 8:16 A.M. | Don't Stay Home | Down | All Mixed Up | Transistor | Prisoner | Beautiful Disaster | Come Original | Flowing | Large in the Margin | You Wouldn't Believe | I'll Be Here Awhile | Amber | Creatures (For a While) | Beyond the Gray Sky | Love Song | First Straw | Don't Tread on Me | Speak Easy | Frolic Room |
| VHS/DVD: Enlarged to Show Detail | Enlarged to Show Detail 2 | 311 Day: Live in New Orleans |
[edit] External links
- Official site
- 311's Official Street Team
- 311 at All Music Guide
- 311 at MySpace
- 311 collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
- The 311wiki- Your source on all info on 311de:311 (Band)
et:311 (bänd) es:311 (banda) id:311 (band) ja:311 (バンド) sv:311 (musikgrupp)
