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.
Homebrew
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 Homebrew paint a picture of a narrator who is unimpressed with the meaningless chatter those around him engage in. He warns that those who speak ill of him will receive their comeuppance, as he is not one to tolerate disrespect. The singer reminisces about a wild and carefree youth, where he would take risks and try anything. He notes that his experiences have forever changed him, and he can never go back to who he was before.
The song's chorus references the Fourth of July, and the singer recalls the memories of the holiday where he was free to live his life on his own terms. He mentions experiencing a different side of life that has impacted him significantly, but he does not provide any clear explanation of what this is. In the final verse, the singer switches up his tone slightly and begins rapping more quickly, bragging about his skills as a rapper and his ability to control the crowd.
The lyrics in the song are vague and leave much to interpretation, but there is a sense of rebelliousness and confidence that come through in the words. It seems the singer is a person who has lived a life of excitement and risk but is now more jaded and less trusting of those around him.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I know, fools get their own when they chit chat
Talking behind someone's back will eventually catch up to them and come back to bite them.
Haven't heard yet, but you can bet I'm not with that
I may not know what's being said about someone else, but I refuse to participate in gossip.
With that talk, with the digi-walk
The act of talking behind someone's back is weak and cowardly.
I stalk a bird, you heard, absurd word to the fact
I am observing and analyzing the situation, and I find it ridiculous.
I'm a cat nippin', sippin' on the flask
I am enjoying life and taking the time to relax and unwind.
Passin' it, talking shit, but only if your ass
We can joke and have fun, but only if everyone is in on it and no one is getting hurt.
In the end, revenge send ends to the defendant
Those who wrong us will eventually get what's coming to them.
I can't get caught in the spiral 'cause every bit of energy
I can't let negativity and drama consume me, I need to focus on what's important.
It goes to my survival, out my way
I need to do whatever it takes to survive and thrive, even if that means cutting toxic people out of my life.
I'm a flicka-flacka blotter, ya try to find a weakness
I'm strong and resilient, and you won't be able to bring me down no matter how hard you try.
But the shit keeps gettin' harder
Life keeps throwing difficult challenges our way, but we'll keep pushing through.
Fourth of July, with Lucy in Sky
Reminiscing about a past experience where they were partaking in drugs on 4th of July with someone named Lucy.
I remember pine trees and the coat of many colors
They were surrounded by nature and wearing an outfit with many colors.
I was nineteen, I'd do anything
They were young and carefree, willing to take risks and try new things.
Shit like that now scares me, but I'd like to do it again
They're too afraid to do those things now, but deep down they miss the freedom of their youth.
I've seen the other side and I say
The artist has experienced things and gained perspective, and can now make an informed decision on whether they want to repeat that experience.
Oh, I've been insane
They've had moments of craziness or recklessness in the past.
And I won't ever be the same
Their past experiences have changed them forever and have left an impact on their life.
Cause we flow we must be fly
We're confident in our abilities and believe that our talent sets us apart.
First to flow Nickel my brother, so wise
Nickel is skilled and knowledgeable.
And then I rise
With guidance from others, the artist is able to improve and rise to the occasion.
Here's an ill kid, pimpin' 'cause he is so slick
The artist is talented and confident in their abilities.
Steps from darkness, his body electric
The singer has overcome difficult situations and is charged with energy and enthusiasm.
A drone buzzes the air, a cracklin' tone
There's a sense of anticipation or excitement in the air.
Then boomin' like thunder in a cosmic jungle
The singer is making a bold statement and is standing out from the rest.
Death defyin' like Knievel, he feeble
They are taking risks that others wouldn't dare take, even though they may not seem physically or mentally strong enough to handle it.
Words that will wobble, awkward and evil
Their words or actions may be unsettling, but they'll own up to them and take responsibility for their mistakes.
'cause he flow and rock the hardest of the crowds A marvel pow, how you like me now?
They have a talent for music and can impress even the toughest of crowds. They are confident in their abilities and want to make their mark in the world.
I've returned, the kiss of death, the last Damien
The artist is back and has a reputation for being dangerous or rebellious.
From the abyss, fresh eternal alien
They have come back even stronger and more unique than before.
Now famished from pathless way, I may do damage
After a long journey without direction or guidance, they're ready to make an impact and cause some chaos.
To the whack MC's, I know you can't stand this
They are better than their competition and they know it.
Right about now, get down, I'm the annihilator Rockin' with the rhythm of my rhyme detonator
They are the best and the crowd better get ready for a show. Their lyrics are explosive and captivating.
Yeah
An exclamation to express agreement or enthusiasm.
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