311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska, United States by singer/guitaris… Read Full Bio ↴311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska, United States by singer/guitarist Nick Hexum, singer S.A. Martinez, guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut. The band now resides in Los Angeles, California.

311 mix rock, rap, reggae and funk into their own unique sound. After years of consistent touring, 311 have developed a reputation as one of the hardest working, most influential and most entertaining live bands in the U.S.

311 have released ten studio albums, one live album, one greatest hits album and three dvd's - and have sold over 8.5 million albums in the U.S. Seven of their albums have reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Top 200 Sales Chart...and 9 of their singles have reached the Top 10 on Billboard's Alternative Rock Radio Chart (including the #1 singles Down, Love Song & Don't Tread On Me. Along with Amber, All Mixed Up, Come Original, Creatures For Awhile, Hey You, and Sunset in July).

311’s newest album, Universal Pulse, released in Summer 2011, was produced by Bob Rock, mixed by Chad Sexton and debuted at #7 on Billboard’s Top 200 Album Chart.

The band's celebratory live shows & incessant touring schedule have earned them a massive grassroots following nationwide. Since its inception in 2004, 311’s annual summer headlining amphitheatre run, Unity Tour, has become one of the largest modern rock concerts of the summer. Support acts on previous Unity Tours have included Sublime with Rome, The Offspring, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Papa Roach, The Wailers, O.A.R., Matisyahu, and Ziggy Marley. Unity Tour 2012 will feature support from Slightly Stoopid.

311 BIO/HIGHLIGHTS:

* 311 was formed in 1990 in Omaha, Nebraska by vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, vocalist/dj SA Martinez, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, drummer Chad Sexton and bassist P-Nut. The band now resides in Los Angeles.

* 311 has sold over 8.5 million units in the U.S.

* 311 has had 8 albums reach the Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Top 200 Sales Chart

* 311 has had 9 singles reach the Top 10 on Billboard’s U.S. Alternative Chart (including the #1 singles “Down”, “Love Song” & “Don’t Tread On Me” along with “Amber”, “All Mixed Up”, “Come Original”, “Creatures (For a While)”, “Hey You” and "Sunset in July")

* 311’s new album, Universal Pulse, debuted at #7 in July 2011 and was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith).

* 311’s new album, due summer of 2011, was produced by Bob Rock (Metallica, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Aerosmith).

* 311’s sound is a unique hybrid of rock, reggae, hip-hop & funk. A balance of hard rocking anthems and melodic reggae grooves - with an underlying message of unity & positivity.

* After years of incessant touring, 311 has developed a reputation as one of the most influential & most entertaining live bands in the U.S.

* With their celebratory live shows, 311 has earned a massive grassroots following. For the past nine years, 311 has headlined their summer “Unity Tour” in ampitheatres across the U.S.- drawing crowds of 10,000 to 18,000 people in Atlanta, Boston, DC, New Jersey, Los Angeles, St. Louis, West Palm, Charlotte, VA Beach, Denver, etc. The tour is consistently one of the largest modern rock concerts of the summer in the U.S.

* Past 311 tours have included an impressive array of opening acts. Bands such as No Doubt, Korn & Incubus all supported 311 on U.S. tours before they became headliners.

* Support acts on 311’s Unity Tour have included :
Sublime With Rome, The Offspring, Snoop Dogg, The Roots, Papa Roach, The Wailers, O.A.R., Matisyahu and Ziggy Marley.

* 311 has always stayed true to their own approach and their underlying message of unity and positivity. That message still rings true for them today…in their lyrics and at their celebratory live shows. Singer Nick Hexum typically ends each show with the words, “Stay Positive and Love Your Life.”

• Every other year on March 11th (“3-11 Day”), 311 holds a special concert event that attracts thousands of 311 fans from around the world. The show includes an extended setlist (5 hours / 60+ songs) and state of the art production. Last year the band sold-out the Mandalay Bay Arena and tickets were sold to fans in all 50 U.S. states and 13 different countries. 311 fans traveled from around the globe to meet each other and to celebrate 311 Day together.

Boom Shanka
311 Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Transmission, beaming out from the sun
Collision, no use in running from
My senses picking up the pulse
The silence said a mouthful intuition
Didn't know what I was waiting for

Can't go very far, I'm gonna notice where you are
I got a love for you so large, fixed to you like a star

Can't go very far, I'm gonna notice where you are
I got a love for you so large, fixed to you like a star

Every time I think I got it figured
Something bigger always jumps in the frame
Something gets in the way

Now I'm ready to turn the page
On yesterdays and forgive them
Now I'm willing to disengage
To seize the day and move on

Wanna swing you higher
Wanna swing you higher

Vibration, coming up from the ground
Translation, something just more than sound
When I move on to the next world
I'll wait for you over there, rotation
My head the other way around

Every time I think I got it figured
Something bigger always jumps in the frame
Something gets in the way

Now I'm ready to turn the page
On yesterdays and forgive them
Now I'm willing to disengage
To seize the day and move on

If I'm not careful I may
Slip away before I get
One last look at your face (last look at your face)
You now I'll see you again
Somewhere in another time and space

Now I'm ready to turn the page
On yesterdays and forgive them
Now I'm willing to disengage
To seize the day and move on

Whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh
Whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh

Overall Meaning

The song "Boom Shanka" by 311 is a tribute to the Indian festival, Shanka, which is widely celebrated to honor Lord Shiva. The lyrics describe the connection between the earth and the universe that is created by the festival's collective worship. The song speaks about a communication that is being emitted by the sun, which cannot be avoided. The singer's senses detect the impending vibrations, which provide an indication of the upcoming celebration.

The lyrics express how the singer is determined to seek out their love, no matter where they are. Even when the task may seem arduous, they vow to not give up, as their love is "fixed to [the other person] like a star." However, despite the singer's determination to reach their goal, they realize that the universal forces will always have a role to play. Often, life interferes with our plans, and something bigger jumps in the frame. Nevertheless, the singer is ready to disassociate themselves from their mental and emotional baggage, forgive those who have wronged them, and move on to seize the day.

Line by Line Meaning

Transmission, beaming out from the sun
A message or signal is being sent from the sun.

Collision, no use in running from
An impact or conflict is inevitable, so avoiding it is pointless.

My senses picking up the pulse
My intuition and perception detect the signals and rhythms.

The silence said a mouthful intuition
The absence of sound reveals a lot, and my intuition guides me.

Didn't know what I was waiting for
I was uncertain or unaware of what I needed or expected.

Can't go very far, I'm gonna notice where you are
I'll be aware of your presence and location even if you're not close by.

I got a love for you so large, fixed to you like a star
My love for you is immense and unchanging, like a star fixed in the sky.

Every time I think I got it figured
Each time I think I understand or solve something,

Something bigger always jumps in the frame
Something more significant or complex comes into view, making my previous understanding incomplete or insufficient.

Something gets in the way
An obstacle or challenge presents itself, hindering my progress or plan.

Now I'm ready to turn the page
Now I'm willing and prepared to start a new chapter or phase in life.

On yesterdays and forgive them
I'm leaving the past behind and choosing to forgive and let go of any resentments or regrets.

Now I'm willing to disengage
Now I'm open to letting go or disconnecting from any negative or unproductive situations or people.

To seize the day and move on
To make the most of the present moment and continue forward.

Wanna swing you higher
I want to lift you up or elevate you.

Vibration, coming up from the ground
A rhythmic or pulsing sensation is emanating from the earth.

Translation, something just more than sound
There's a deeper meaning or significance beyond mere sound or language.

When I move on to the next world
When I die or transition to a different phase of existence.

I'll wait for you over there, rotation
I'll be patient and wait for you wherever we may reunite, even if it takes time and rotations or cycles.

My head the other way around
My perspective or orientation is unconventional or inverted.

If I'm not careful I may
If I'm not cautious or mindful,

Slip away before I get
I may lose my opportunity,

One last look at your face (last look at your face)
To see your face one last time before it's no longer possible.

You know I'll see you again
I trust that I'll have another chance to encounter you.

Somewhere in another time and space
In another dimension or realm, at a different point in time.

Whoa oh, whoa oh, whoa oh
A repetitive vocalization, possibly expressing a feeling of excitement, enthusiasm or anticipation.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Aaron Wills, Douglas Martinez, Nicholas Hexum, Scott Ralston

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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