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.
Independence Day
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And sing the praises of life
This trip has taught me a valuable lesson
The future brings clarity and vision
It was Independence day
Ive seen the other side and I say
Oh, Ive been insane
A mountain brings me space
The vine brings me time
Wind brings me change
Unity with them
It was Independence day
Ive seen the other side and I say
Oh, Ive been insane
And I wont never been same
(Nick - spoken word)
As the raw son sins in glamour
And his greedy and violent rage
Stimulate and torment assailants
Peace is dead
Uneasy moment as the first warrior stirs
Denial scheming to return
The battle begins as the first victim
Slowly, grudgingly
Submits to the captivity of consciousness
And I say
It was Independence day
The first verse of 311's song "Independence Day" speaks to the idea of letting go of material possessions and focusing instead on the beauty of life. The singer claims to have learned a valuable lesson on their journey, and that lesson has brought clarity and vision for the future. The chorus repeats the phrase "It was Independence day/I've seen the other side and I say/Oh, I've been insane/And I will never be the same," which suggests a sort of rebirth or awakening for the singer.
The second verse speaks to the power of nature to bring peace and unity. The singer mentions a mountain, vine, and wind as things that bring them space, time, and change. By connecting with these natural elements, the singer feels a sense of oneness with the world around them. The spoken word interlude by Nick seems to interrupt this peaceful moment with violent imagery and a sense of unease, but ultimately the song returns to the idea of Independence Day marking a moment of newfound freedom and consciousness.
Overall, the lyrics of "Independence Day" suggest a desire to break free from the constraints of society and materialism and connect instead with nature and a deeper sense of self. The song presents a hopeful message that such a connection can lead to a positive transformation and a new outlook on life.
Line by Line Meaning
Just throw away your material possessions
Get rid of everything you own that has earthly value
And sing the praises of life
Instead, appreciate the beauty of existence
This trip has taught me a valuable lesson
The journey so far has given me wisdom
The future brings clarity and vision
I'm optimistic about what lies ahead
It was Independence day
On this day, I found freedom
Ive seen the other side and I say
I've experienced something different and I declare
Oh, Ive been insane
I've been irrational in the past
And I will never be the same
But I've changed for the better and won't go back
A mountain brings me space
Being in nature provides me with room to breathe
The vine brings me time
Socializing with others gives me priceless moments
Wind brings me change
The unpredictable brings new opportunities to evolve
Unity with them
I am united with these elements of nature
(Nick - spoken word)
These next lines are spoken word by Nick
As the raw son sins in glamour
As a reckless person indulges in superficial pleasures
And his greedy and violent rage
And their selfishness and anger cause destruction
Stimulate and torment assailants
This behavior instigates and distresses others
Peace is dead
It seems like peaceful solutions are now impossible
Uneasy moment as the first warrior stirs
The first sign of aggression causes unease
Denial scheming to return
The urge to deny and avoid problems resurfaces
The battle begins as the first victim
Conflict arises and someone suffers first
Slowly, grudgingly
The realization and acceptance of this is difficult
Submits to the captivity of consciousness
But eventually one surrenders to the truth
And I say
As a result, I affirm
It was Independence day
That this day was about finding freedom from this cycle
Contributed by John J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.