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.
Fat Chance
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aw yea
I've seen the devil and the devil is coke
Not down like that 'cause it ain't a fuckin joke
Trip the shrooms fantastic
Shit gets drastic
I didn't believe a word
Can you hear this, can you hear rhythm
Make the music soothin' your system
Come on now, come on now
Hear the beat so sweet
I shouldn't tell you how
I'm a freak y'all
I'm a freak y'all
Much love to my man Stan Thomas
Yea, we'd also say like what up to our man,
Eddy Offord
Eddy Offord
You know I'm ready, yes, to rock steady
My name's not Betty or Teddy, but Nick
And I'm what you might call a heretic
Yes, and I am from Nebraska
My girl is satisfied, you can ask her
You know I've never visited Alaska
Huh, where the oil was spilt
That drunken captain should be killed
For polluting the sea, an atrocity
He still walks free, well
This one goes to all the birds that drown
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Just fuck the bullshit, too many damn fears and panic
It's time to throw down and so I said it
Words of wisdom that will keep y'all guessing
'Cause I'm tired of playing and I'm tired of messing around
With all those suckers
Yes, stupid mother fuckers
Who put down what we do
We stand alone with the group that's new
If I was a dwarf, I'd surely be Dopey
I'm a stoned wheat thin you cannot cope G
Kick in the teeth, a condescending frown
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Yeah, right about now, I'd like to turn the mic over to my man, SA Martinez
I am sly in the mix, I am the mix master
Death and destructor, lyric conductor
Rollin' with the rhythm of the rhyme I'm rollin
Cold cap the parasites when I start to spazz
Nicholas hits hard he's got the jazz
Now the B-boys rockin, breakin' moves on the floor
311's stepping out, have 'em yellin for more
Go on hoping, I'm poetry in motion
When I fire, I spray, duck down, I'm locin'
P-Nut, the bass storm is looming
And in your mind, the rhythm is booming
P to the N to the you to the T
Just fuck the has-been's and their stupid-ass rappin'
Promising bullshit you can't come through with
Do it in the basement, no complacent
It's time to kick the fuck in
Begin to win, no sin and then
Share it, declare it in the public domain
Refrain
I'd be perfectly sad if rap was a fad
But it's not so I'd thought I'd come out with a shot
Stupid dumb lyrics make you think I'm a clown
I don't give a fuck, it's time to throw down
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down [Repeat: x4]
The lyrics to 311's song "Fat Chance" discuss the dangers of drug use while also advocating for individualism and self-expression. The first verse references the singer's experience with hallucinogenic drugs, noting that while they didn't initially believe in their effects, they ultimately found the experience to be "drastic." The chorus encourages listeners to embrace the rhythm and beat of the music, but also acknowledges that the singer "shouldn't tell you how" to feel or what to do. The following verses include references to Nebraska (the band's home state), the Exxon Valdez oil spill, and the idea of throwing down or standing up for oneself against those who would criticize or put them down.
Overall, the song is a call to action for listeners to embrace their unique identities and reject societal norms and expectations. The repeated refrain of "fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down" is a challenge to stand up for oneself and one's beliefs, even in the face of adversity or criticism.
Line by Line Meaning
Na na na na na na
Introductory sound
Aw yea
Expressing enthusiasm and agreement
I've seen the devil and the devil is coke
Referring to the negative effects of drug addiction and how it can be like dealing with the devil
Not down like that 'cause it ain't a fuckin joke
Rejecting the idea of promoting drug use through humor because it leads to serious consequences
Trip the shrooms fantastic
Describing the experience of hallucinating while using psychedelic mushrooms
Shit gets drastic
Acknowledging that drug use often leads to unpredictable and dangerous situations
I didn't believe a word
Admitting to being skeptical of the promises made by drug dealers
Can you hear this, can you hear rhythm
Asking if the listener can hear and appreciate the music being played
Make the music soothin' your system
Stating that the music has a calming effect on the listener's system
Come on now, come on now
Encouraging the listener to engage with the music
Hear the beat so sweet
Describing the pleasant rhythm of the music
I shouldn't tell you how
Suggesting that the listener should experience the music for themselves
I'm a freak y'all
Declaring oneself as unique and unconventional
Much love to my man Stan Thomas
Showing appreciation for a friend named Stan Thomas
Yea, we'd also say like what up to our man,
Sending a greeting to a friend named Eddy Offord
Eddy Offord
Nodding to a friend named Eddy Offord
You know I'm ready, yes, to rock steady
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement to perform
My name's not Betty or Teddy, but Nick
Declaring one's name in a playful and rhyming way
And I'm what you might call a heretic
Referring to oneself as a non-conformist and rebellious
Yes, and I am from Nebraska
Stating one's home state of Nebraska
My girl is satisfied, you can ask her
Boasting about one's sexual prowess
You know I've never visited Alaska
Admitting to having never been to Alaska
Huh, where the oil was spilt
Indicating that oil spills are a significant environmental concern
That drunken captain should be killed
Expressing outrage at the actions of a captain responsible for an oil spill
For polluting the sea, an atrocity
Describing the environmental destruction caused by the oil spill as a terrible crime
He still walks free, well
Expressing frustration with the lack of accountability for environmental crimes
This one goes to all the birds that drown
Paying tribute to the victims of the oil spill, particularly the birds that died as a result
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down
Expressing a desire to take action and make a change
Just fuck the bullshit, too many damn fears and panic
Rejecting the negative emotions that hold us back and prevent us from taking action
It's time to throw down and so I said it
Committing to action and stating it out loud
Words of wisdom that will keep y'all guessing
Suggesting that the message being conveyed is profound and thought-provoking
'Cause I'm tired of playing and I'm tired of messing around
Expressing frustration with being stagnant and unproductive
With all those suckers
Referring to those who don't take action and don't contribute to progress
Yes, stupid mother fuckers
Name-calling and insulting those who are not taking action
Who put down what we do
Referring to those who criticize or dismiss the music being made
We stand alone with the group that's new
Acknowledging that they are a unique and innovative group
If I was a dwarf, I'd surely be Dopey
Making a playful and self-deprecating joke about oneself
I'm a stoned wheat thin you cannot cope G
Referring to oneself as a unique and unconventional person
Kick in the teeth, a condescending frown
Describing a negative reaction from someone who disapproves of what they're doing
Yeah, right about now, I'd like to turn the mic over to my man, SA Martinez
Introducing SA Martinez, likely another member of the band or a guest performer
I am sly in the mix, I am the mix master
Boasting about one's skills as a DJ
Death and destructor, lyric conductor
Playfully describing oneself as a dangerous and powerful figure
Rollin' with the rhythm of the rhyme I'm rollin
Describing how the music flows naturally
Cold cap the parasites when I start to spazz
Talking about how the music can be used to ward off negative energy
Nicholas hits hard he's got the jazz
Complimenting fellow band member Nicholas on his musical abilities
Now the B-boys rockin, breakin' moves on the floor
Describing the energy and excitement of a live performance, particularly the dancers in the audience
311's stepping out, have 'em yellin for more
Boasting about the popularity of the band's performances and the audience's enthusiastic response
Go on hoping, I'm poetry in motion
Suggesting that the music being made is like a work of art
When I fire, I spray, duck down, I'm locin'
Describing oneself as a powerful and unpredictable force
P-Nut, the bass storm is looming
Complimenting fellow band member P-Nut on his bass playing skills
And in your mind, the rhythm is booming
Describing the powerful effect of the music on the mind and body of the listener
P to the N to the you to the T
Spelling out the name P-Nut in a playful way
Just fuck the has-been's and their stupid-ass rappin'
Rejecting the outdated and unoriginal style of other rappers
Promising bullshit you can't come through with
Accusing other rappers of making false promises they can't fulfill
Do it in the basement, no complacent
Encouraging others to create music without getting too comfortable or complacent
It's time to kick the fuck in
Encouraging action and effort
Begin to win, no sin and then
Encouraging others to put in the work and strive for success without committing sins or betraying values
Share it, declare it in the public domain
Encouraging others to share their music and creativity with the world
Refrain
Ending of the song
I'd be perfectly sad if rap was a fad
Reflecting on the possibility of rap music losing popularity and being seen as a passing trend
But it's not so I'd thought I'd come out with a shot
Acknowledging that rap is not a fad and that it's important to keep making music in this style
Stupid dumb lyrics make you think I'm a clown
Expressing frustration with the stereotypically silly and immature lyrics found in some rap music
I don't give a fuck, it's time to throw down
Expressing a rebellious and assertive attitude towards making music and taking action
Fuck the bullshit, it's time to throw down [Repeat: x4]
Repeating the call to action and the desire to make a change
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AARON CHARLES WILLS, CHAD RONALD SEXTON, DOUGLAS VINCENT MARTINEZ, NICHOLAS LOFTON HEXUM, TIMOTHY JEROME MAHONEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind