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.
Home Brew
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Haven't heard yet, but you can bet I'm not with that
With that talk, with the digi-walk
I stalk a bird, you heard, absurd word to the fact
I'm a cat nippin', sippin' on the flask
Passin' it, talking shit, but only if your ass
In front of me â??cause you could run from me, but
In the end, revenge send ends to the defendant
It goes to my survival, out my way
I'm a flicka-flacka blotter, ya try to find a weakness
But the shit keeps gettin' harder
[Chorus:]
Fourth of July, with Lucy in Sky
I remember pine trees and the coat of many colors
I was nineteen, I'd do anything
Shit like that now scares me, but I'd like to do it again
It was Independence day
I've seen the other side and I say
Oh, I've been insane
And I won't ever be the same
Cause we flow we must be fly
First to flow Nickel my brother, so wise
And then I rise
Here's an ill kid, pimpin' 'cause he is so slick
Steps from darkness, his body electric
A drone buzzes the air, a cracklin' tone
Then boomin' like thunder in a cosmic jungle
Death defyin' like Knievel, he feeble
Words that will wobble, awkward and evil
'cause he flow and rock the hardest of the crowds A marvel pow, how you like me now?
I've returned, the kiss of death, the last Damien
From the abyss, fresh eternal alien
Now famished from pathless way, I may do damage
To the whack MC's, I know you can't stand this
Right about now, get down, I'm the annihilator Rockin' with the rhythm of my rhyme detonator
[Chorus]
Yeah
The lyrics to 311's song Home Brew describe the band's rebellious attitude towards those who gossip and spread rumors. The lyrics suggest that there are consequences for those who engage in this behavior, and the band members distance themselves from it. They use clever wordplay to describe their approach to dealing with such individuals, portraying themselves as cats stalking birds and considering themselves superior to those who engage in negative talk. The lyrics also touch on themes of survival and self-preservation, suggesting that the band's focus is on maintaining their own energy and avoiding getting caught up in drama and spirals of negativity.
The chorus of the song reflects on a specific memory from the singer's past. He recalls a Fourth of July celebration with Lucy (presumably a friend or romantic partner) and remembers the feeling of being young and carefree. He acknowledges that this experience was somewhat reckless and that he wouldn't necessarily repeat it now that he's older, but he maintains that it was an important moment in his life. The song as a whole seems to be about the importance of living in the moment and taking risks, while also maintaining a healthy distance from negativity and drama.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I know, fools get their own when they chit chat
I've learned that those who gossip eventually suffer the consequences of their words
Haven't heard yet, but you can bet I'm not with that
I haven't heard the gossip, but I assure you I'm not participating in it
With that talk, with the digi-walk
Talking behind someone's back with the use of technology
I stalk a bird, you heard, absurd word to the fact
I'm stalking someone who is vulnerable, it may seem ridiculous, but it's true
I'm a cat nippin', sippin' on the flask
I'm feeling good and confident, enjoying my drink like a cat with catnip
Passin' it, talking shit, but only if your ass
Talking smack about someone, but only if they're not around
In front of me â??cause you could run from me, but
Don't talk behind my back, as you may avoid me now, but eventually, you'll face me
In the end, revenge send ends to the defendant
In the end, those who did wrong will face the consequences of their actions
I can't get caught in the spiral 'cause every bit of energy
I can't get involved in drama, as it wastes too much of my positive energy
It goes to my survival, out my way
I'm focused on my survival, so anyone trying to bring me down needs to step aside
I'm a flicka-flacka blotter, ya try to find a weakness
I'm strong and unbreakable, so good luck trying to find any weaknesses in me
But the shit keeps gettin' harder
Despite my strength, challenges keep coming my way
Fourth of July, with Lucy in Sky
I remember a time when I was free, happy, and experimenting with drugs
I remember pine trees and the coat of many colors
I have fond memories of nature and colorful clothing
I was nineteen, I'd do anything
I was young and carefree, willing to try anything once
Shit like that now scares me, but I'd like to do it again
The thought of it now is intimidating, yet I still have a desire to relive those moments
It was Independence day
It was a day of freedom from societal norms
I've seen the other side and I say
I've experienced a different perspective and now have a new outlook on life
Oh, I've been insane
I've had a wild and crazy past
And I won't ever be the same
Those experiences have changed me forever
Cause we flow we must be fly
We can only be successful if we keep moving forward
First to flow Nickel my brother, so wise
My wise brother, Nickel was the first to pave the way for our success
And then I rise
And now it's my turn to rise to the challenge
Here's an ill kid, pimpin' 'cause he is so slick
I'm a clever and resourceful child, succeeding beyond my years
Steps from darkness, his body electric
Despite coming from a rough background, I have a powerful, energetic spirit
A drone buzzes the air, a cracklin' tone
The atmosphere is tense with uncertainty
Then boomin' like thunder in a cosmic jungle
Suddenly, I make a powerful, thunderous impact on the world around me
Death defyin' like Knievel, he feeble
Despite the danger, I'm daring and resilient
Words that will wobble, awkward and evil
My words can be unsettling and twisted
'cause he flow and rock the hardest of the crowds
My performance is strong, and I can handle any audience
A marvel pow, how you like me now?
My abilities are impressive, and I'm unafraid to show them off
I've returned, the kiss of death, the last Damien
I'm back, and my influence is deadly, just like the character Damien from The Omen
From the abyss, fresh eternal alien
I come from a dark, mysterious place, I am unique and eternal
Now famished from pathless way, I may do damage
I may have lost my way, and because of that, I can cause harm to others
To the whack MC's, I know you can't stand this
To the inferior musicians out there, I know my success may irk you
Right about now, get down, I'm the annihilator
I'm here to destroy the competition, so get ready
Rockin' with the rhythm of my rhyme detonator
I'm performing with music and words that will leave a lasting impact
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
@johnnyutah386
The real 311 folks, I miss when they sounded like this. So diverse and master blending many genres of music and making it their own. From music to self titled was some of the best rock they put out. Not a huge fan of their new sound. I grew up with the hard edgy sound that definitely fits them more.
My Top three:
• Applied science
•Unity
•Fat chance/fuck the BS
Listen to how diverse they are on Fat chance. Wishing for another hard rock album from them.
@benteam3647
No shit -- I am in this video.
Summer of '94.
Just graduated high school.
I had eaten many a brownie and smoken all of the pots, but I remember this vividly.
This is the outdoor venue at ye 'ol Masquerade (back when it was on North Ave).
Other tunes that stick in my memory from this show include Visit and Summer of Love. Offbeat was dope too.
Nick explained that they were 'bout to film a video. Don't remember if he said it was for Homebrew or not.
He encouraged us to rock.
We obliged.
You can see me @0:10.
I'm the dude with red eyes to the (on screen) right.
There I am again @0:31.
@SoilentGr33n
This french Canadian music channel MusiquePlus had this show called 1x5 where they would play 5 videos from a band.
I was DEEP into blue, waiting on Transistor and thought they were a brand new band, and then I was watching TV and I saw the ad for 1x5 coming up that week featuring 311 and I was like WHAT THE FUCK. I thought they had two songs out and that was it.
Programmed the VCR and taped the show :
1. Homebrew
2. Don't Stay Home
3. Down
4. All mixed up
5. Transistor
I was probably expecting to see the show open with Down and then a bunch of Blue album videos I missed and something off the upcoming album I suppose? But then this fucking riff comes on and this shirtless dude is putting on a record and the band is fucking murdering this crowd and Chad is all over the kit and and Uncle Sam is doing acid and this crazy dude climbs up on stage and falls on his ass and HOLY SHIT THIS RIFFFF.
I heard Homebrew and Transistor for the first time in my life on that fucking show and probably passed out honestly. I wore through that tape and I'm sure I still remember their god damn middle names from that show. Let's see if I smoked too much pot between then and now
Nick Charlton Hexum
Aaron Charles Wills
Tim Jerome Mahoney
Doug Vincent Martinez
Chad Ronald Sexton.
Seems about right. Homebrew means a fuckton to me. I needed this album immediately. Show up at the record store few months later and they had it, along with Music, which again I had never even HEARD about. I spent my whole high school jacked up on 311.
@czarpaul01
The song for me that started me on the 311 ride. Heard this in the radio waaaay back in the day. Went to the CD store(remember those) right after work and picked it up. My wife was like, what is this? Lol. Now she loves em as much as I do. 50 years old now and still digging them, we have been to about 15 shows, including 311 day 2010. We got to meet them in Atlantic City a while back, they were very cool and fun. I told them how this song was why I started listening to them and they opened the show with it for me lol
@z50com
I'm 61 and I dig them too. . . . .
@nofd1977
Damn we ate gettin old guys. Im 45 now lol
@psychowasserflasche9667
I'm 19 and digging them
@richnostro3992
Great story 👍 unique group of guys!
@ScratchMountain
55 and this still makes me alive
@Marionettetc
I remember being 16 and downloading the tabs for this song from my schools library and racing home to learn how to play it.
I think easily 311's best song. Love Pnut's bass, Nick's vocals, S.A's rap, Tim's thick guitar and of course Chad's flawless drumming. Supremely underrated band!
@87rtang
I did this exact thing. Gives me chills reading this. Still have the binder
@clarencehanson450
Grassroots is such an underrated album. This song is absolutely amazing, so is the album
@87rtang
Seriously. THIS album and Transistor are on a next level that will hopefully be appreciated