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.
Inner Light Spectrum
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
bothered by the senselessness
I wish for the messiah Indian woman, Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
you will know and it won't stop
will my fondest dream please come true
crush my heart with a hammer make a purer one, Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
you will know and it won't stop
But mean people I say choke on it gagging all the way
may you remember the texture for days
but you'll get used to the feeling of your pride
of your pride, of your pride
chugalug it, chugalug it, time after time
time after time, time after time
learning your lesson, learning your lesson will do you fine
do you fine, do you fine
The opening lines of 311's song Inner Light Spectrum are a poetic expression of the struggle for inner peace amidst chaos and confusion. The singer is depicted boxing in their own thoughts, grappling with a sense of pointlessness and despair. However, they yearn for a transformative presence to guide them through their trials, be it in the form of a "messiah Indian woman" or the personification of a place like "Babylon." The lyrics suggest a desire for spiritual enlightenment or an external force to provide comfort and direction.
The chorus of the song circles back to the theme of life's unpredictability and the need to embrace the flow of existence. The use of the phrase "let it flow" reinforces the idea that life, like water, is constantly moving and changing, and that we can't control how it unfolds. The idea that "it won't stop" implies that challenges will continue to arise, but that we can learn to cope with them and find meaning in our struggles. The repeated line "when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you" suggests that there is hope for a positive shift in perspective if one remains open to it.
The final verses of the song take a more confrontational tone, as the singer expresses disdain for "mean people" and wishes them ill. However, they also acknowledge that holding onto negative emotions can become a burden, and that "learning your lesson" is ultimately the best way to move forward. The repeated use of the phrase "time after time" reinforces the idea that growth and progress come through repeated effort, and that perseverance is key to overcoming challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
When I shadow box inside my skull
As I mentally fight with myself, trying to make sense of the world around me
bothered by the senselessness
Distressed by the meaningless nature of things
I wish for the messiah Indian woman, Babylon
In search of spiritual guidance and enlightenment from a higher power, represented by the iconic figure of an Indian woman from Babylon
There is one thing I will say on life we are livin, yeah
There is one truth I have come to know about the life we lead
let it flow, 'cause it won't stop
Just let things flow and take its natural course because it never stops
and when the kind consciousness, yes, come unto you
And when you receive a higher state of awareness and kindness
you will know and it won't stop
You will understand and appreciate it, and it will continue to be with you
when I wipe the sleep from my eyes
When I finally wake up and see things for what they really are
will my fondest dream please come true
Is it possible for my deepest desire to be fulfilled?
crush my heart with a hammer make a purer one, Babylon
Metaphorically break my heart and rebuild it to be stronger and more pure, with the help of Babylon
But mean people I say choke on it gagging all the way
I have no sympathy for cruel people and hope they face the consequences of their actions
may you remember the texture for days
May the experience of their actions stay with them and haunt them
but you'll get used to the feeling of your pride
Eventually, they will become accustomed to the feeling of self-importance and arrogance
of your pride, of your pride, of your pride
Repeated reminder of the damaging effects of excessive pride
chugalug it, chugalug it, time after time
Repetitive behavior and consequences
time after time, time after time
Continuation of recurring patterns in life
learning your lesson, learning your lesson will do you fine
Learning from one's mistakes and growing from them will lead to better outcomes
do you fine, do you fine
Reaffirmation of the benefits of a reflective and growth-oriented attitude
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD SEXTON, DOUGLAS MARTINEZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind