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.
Purpose
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming up to the surface and maybe
I'll never see you again, then again, then again, who knows
Make me quiver hands will shiver
Still got all the things that I woulda give her
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
But it's slow going
Something's showing yeah, yeah
They say, love is a stream that will find it's own course
Making due is a thing a thing I will do no more
Whenever you come back I'll be waiting
Trifling the slack no head gating
This is all pure fiction you know that's right
Just pure fiction that's all right
I believe in your purpose baby
Coming up to the surface and maybe
I'll never see you again, then again, then again, who knows
Make me quiver hands will shiver
Still got all the things that I woulda give her
Yeah (yeah), yeah (yeah)
But it's slow going
Something's showing yeah, yeah
The lyrics of 311's song "Purpose" express a sense of faith in the purpose of the person addressed in the song, despite the uncertainty of the future. The singer believes in the purpose of the person they are addressing and is hopeful that they will resurface or reconnect, but acknowledges that they might never see them again. The singer experiences physical reactions, such as quivering and shivering, reminiscing about the things they could have given this person, yet the pace of their relationship is slow and there is something subtle, yet significant that is showing.
The lyrics convey an openness to love and a willingness to wait for the return of the person, emphasizing that they will not play games or put up any obstacles when they come back. The use of the phrase "pure fiction" suggests a detachment from reality, as if the situation is not within the singer's control. Overall, the lyrics show a sense of acceptance and willingness to embrace the unknown.
Line by Line Meaning
I believe in your purpose baby
I have faith in your ultimate goal, my love
Coming up to the surface and maybe
Perhaps you are finally breaking through your struggles and showing your true self
I'll never see you again, then again, then again, who knows
It is uncertain if we will cross paths again in the future
Make me quiver hands will shiver
You evoke intense emotion in me
Still got all the things that I woulda give her
I still possess all the love and affection I would have given to you
But it's slow going
Our progress is gradual
Something's showing yeah, yeah
There are signs of positive change
They say, love is a stream that will find it's own course
People say that love will naturally flow in its own direction
Making due is a thing a thing I will do no more
I am no longer willing to settle for mediocrity in our relationship
Whenever you come back I'll be waiting
I will be here for you if you ever seek to reconcile
Trifling the slack no head gating
I will not tolerate any laziness or mental barriers from you
This is all pure fiction you know that's right
These lyrics are not based on reality, rather they are a story
Just pure fiction that's all right
But it's okay because it's not meant to be taken literally
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Nick Hexum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rolando Pagan
I believe in your purpose baby
Coming up to the surface and maybe
I’ll never see you again then again who knows
Make me quiver hands will shiver
Still got all the things that i woulda give her
Yeah, yeah but it’s slow going
Something’s showing yeah, yeahLove is a stream that will find it’s own course
Making due is a thing a thing i will do no more
Whenever you come back i’ll be waiting
Trifling the slack no head gating
This is all pure fiction you know that’s right
Just pure fiction that’s all rightI believe in your purpose baby
Coming up to the surface and maybe
I’ll never see you again then again who knows
Make me quiver hands will shiver
Still got all the things that i woulda give her
But it’s slow going something’s showing
Yeah, yeah
Lord Dudeness
Over 30yrs of my life I've been given the gift of 311, from my punk snowboarding days into fatherhood. I have a bromance for them
Rachel Moore
@Wolf Gulley how you doing?
Chris Murray
Me too! I lived in Utah from 90 to 2000. Riding at Snowbird and enjoying life.
Wolf Gulley
@Rachel Moore 🎶Coming up to the surface and mAAAybe I’ll never see you again…🎶 😌
Rachel Moore
I believe in your purpose, baby.
Wolf Gulley
I swear! That’s what I was thinking! I was only born in 96 but 311 feel like both snowboarding and surfing music!
Foodforcrows
I'm so glad they still play this one live. It's one of my favorite ones to hear, they groove it so nice.
springer 90
This stuff is timeless! Doesn't even sound like it's from 1995!
Wolf Gulley
It does to me, listening to this makes me feel like I’m not in stuck in 2022 right now 😔
Drew NoWord
You want hardcore, smooth, funky , reggae vibes with crazy transitions...311 is the answer