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.
Borders
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I want to break out the maze
Escape the dark haze these days
So many kids, I know your feelin' crazed
Crave materials thangs and makin' slave wages
Baggy pockets only got laundry fluff
Livin' where rich people always buyin' some stuff
Hold your head high, gettin' fucked up and throwin' dice
As bad as yours and bad enough, I'm sure
My heart wants to love, but must navigate through war
'Cause seein' that we're wired to short circuit
Must mean the meek who will inherit the earth
Already work it
There's a land by the sand, grab the money
Plastic the life, end of the century
People actin' fake can't see the omens
Wake up yourself â??cause change is comin'
There's a land by the sand, grab the money Hollywood is such a place, fuelin' the frenzy
And everybody starts to peep around corners
Before they take their next step, they know their borders
In this $19.98 plus shipping and handling type netherworld
Every time merchandise dips in our coffers
We buy that, imagine that cost of livin', uh huh
The fakest shit and act cool, our friends are watchin'
Attention shoppers: check the selection in your reflection
Don't you feel so good does it enhance your fresh complexion
[Repeat: x2]
You gotta have it, you got, gots to have it
As the world turns and all the money we burn
On the bullshit to make us happy, sometimes we never learn
That we're self-centered, we think we're better We look down as a people upon our elders
There's a land by the sand, grab the money
Now let go of it 'cause it's dissolving
It created all your fears and kept you hustling
Made you sever all the ties to your family
There's a land by the sand, grab the money
Plastic the life, end of the century
People actin' fake can't see the omens
Wake up yourself â??cause change is comin'
There's a land by the sand, grab the money Hollywood is such a place, fuelin' the frenzy
And everybody starts to peep around corners Before they take their next step,
They know their borders
The lyrics to 311's song "Borders" paint a vivid picture of the struggles of living in Los Angeles, where the pressure to have material possessions and maintain a certain image is overwhelming. The first verse acknowledges the desire to escape the city and its consumeristic culture, but also the feeling of being trapped and overwhelmed. The following verses address the addictive nature of consumerism, the disconnect between generations, and the need for change. The chorus references the famous location of Hollywood, which embodies the core of the materialistic, self-centered culture.
The lyrics of "Borders" are a commentary on the shallow and unsustainable aspects of contemporary Western consumer culture. The image of a rat race, where people are trapped inside a "maze" and looking for a way out, is a metaphor for the human experience in cities such as L.A. The repetition of the phrase "grab the money" is a commentary on the extent to which material wealth is connected to self-worth in contemporary society. The song also references the idea that elders - and their wisdom - are being ignored and looked down upon by younger generations.
Line by Line Meaning
There are days I want to leave L.A.
Sometimes the environment in Los Angeles becomes too suffocating for the artist.
I want to break out the maze
The artist wishes to break away from the often confusing and overwhelming mess of city living.
Escape the dark haze these days
They want to get away from the smog, negative energy, and overwhelming feelings present in the air in L.A.
So many kids, I know your feelin' crazed
Many young people living in Los Angeles share this sentiment with the artist.
Crave materials thangs and makin' slave wages
People living in L.A. often face financial struggles while desiring to accumulate material possessions.
Baggy pockets only got laundry fluff
The artist has little money to spare.
Livin' where rich people always buyin' some stuff
They reside among wealthy individuals always indulging in consumerist practices.
So you try to act tough and hide what's inside
To blend in, people will try to put up a front and conceal their feelings.
Hold your head high, gettin' fucked up and throwin' dice
One may engage in risky or unhealthy behavior to feel better or forget their problems.
As bad as yours and bad enough, I'm sure
The artist recognizes that everyone has their own struggles, even if not immediately visible.
My heart wants to love, but must navigate through war
It's challenging to cultivate meaningful relationships in this world full of challenges and obstacles.
'Cause seein' that we're wired to short circuit
People are prone to failure or 'shorting out' due to the inability to cope with stress and struggle.
Must mean the meek who will inherit the earth
Those who may appear passive or powerless in society may ultimately emerge as the governing bodies of it.
Already work it
These people are already putting in the effort to make the world a better place.
There's a land by the sand, grab the money
Many people flock to L.A. for the potential of wealth and prosperity.
Plastic the life, end of the century
The extreme consumerist lifestyle leads to a less authentic and less fulfilling life.
People actin' fake can't see the omens
Many people put on a front and do not recognize the signs of the changing world around them.
Wake up yourself 'cause change is comin'
It's crucial for people to realize that change is inevitable and act accordingly.
Hollywood is such a place, fuelin' the frenzy
The Hollywood culture only serves to exacerbate the harmful behaviors and values of the people within it.
And everybody starts to peep around corners
People become paranoid and fearful of what will happen next.
Before they take their next step, they know their borders
Caution and self-preservation become the primary motivators for people's actions.
In this $19.98 plus shipping and handling type netherworld
This system of consumerism and capitalism sucks people into an endless cycle of buying and selling.
Every time merchandise dips in our coffers
People become obsessed with making more money and accumulating more possessions.
We buy that, imagine that cost of livin', uh huh
The cost of living in L.A. and keeping up with the lifestyle proves to be more than some can handle.
The fakest shit and act cool, our friends are watchin'
People will often put on a ruse and pretend to live a certain lifestyle to appease others and gain their approval.
Attention shoppers: check the selection in your reflection
People should take a moment to reflect on their values and priorities rather than indulging in consumerist tendencies.
Don't you feel so good does it enhance your fresh complexion
Material possessions and consumer goods can only bring temporary and superficial happiness.
You gotta have it, you got, gots to have it
The need for validation and approval leads people to consume endlessly.
As the world turns and all the money we burn
People recklessly spend money and resources in the pursuit of material possessions.
On the bullshit to make us happy, sometimes we never learn
Despite the evidence that material goods do not equate to happiness, people continue to put their faith in them.
That we're self-centered, we think we're better
People often put their own interests ahead of those around them and foster a false sense of superiority.
We look down as a people upon our elders
Respect for wisdom and experience dwindles as society becomes more fixated on youth and vitality.
Now let go of it 'cause it's dissolving
People must come to understand that the material lifestyle they once craved is no longer sustainable or necessary.
It created all your fears and kept you hustling
The pursuit of material possessions led to feelings of anxiety and stress that proved to be never-ending.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD SEXTON, DOUGLAS MARTINEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind