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.
Random
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Go back rocket man into the sky you'll see
Hear it all the time, come back rewind
Aliens are waiting up in the sky
Sound boy proceed to blast into the galaxy
Sound boy when you come round
Sound boy won't you stay
No one gonna harm you
I watch the birds of prey
That hunt the canyon below my house
They're lookin' for a meal like a lizard or a mouse
I wonder if they appreciate the setting like me
To control your own direction, choose to be free
And I reserve the right to be as trite as I want
And you can lick but don't bite I toss you here to Vermont
I kick it lickety split
And hand it to the man in the tan van
And, as for you and your crew I don't hate you
Peace is my priority 'cause Marley said for sure-ity
Just what do you think I'm doin' I'm not only here for screwin' yo
And if it's sore take care of it perhaps from too much stucking
But anytime you're aware of it then keep on fuckin'
You know we cool (Isn't that random?)
When we come 'bout people get ready (Isn't that random? Gonna freak it national)
Sound boy is gonna rock you (Isn't that random?)
People rock steady (Isn't that random?)
To be the one who has it all is not that hard
And I'll be that type of dude in a funky car I dream of a suit that will fit my ride
When I recognize my girl from a former life
I love it when the only sound that I hear Is your infectious laughter
I will hear you again in 800 years If I'm still lucky
Go north on outpost then take a left on Mullholland
To me that's where I like it and Macapa Drive is callin'
I get up to the sun and then I stretch out
It's Beginning to look like summer
And I'm down with no doubt swing
You know we cool (Isn't that random?)
When we come 'bout people get ready (Isn't that random? Gonna freak it national)
Sound boy is gonna rock you (Isn't that random?)
People rock steady (Isn't that random?)
I break a silly peace for offering rap weasel
Then I'm boffering I'd give you an exclusive on my playlist
The vibes and rhymes I kick are from a random hat pick
That's why most radio will never play this tell 'em again
Me a rude boy from Omaha, Nebraska
Sick as a porno flick yet gold as precious laughter
Many don't agree but we can't care about that
'Cause we're never gonna wear the old hat.
Spoken
The song "Random" by 311 is a mix of different themes such as freedom, space travel, and love. The opening lines emphasize the idea of exploring the galaxy, and it calls for the "sound boy" to blast into space. This is followed by a reference to aliens waiting in the sky, probably indicating the possibility of encountering extraterrestrial life in the vast expanse of the universe. It also mentions birds of prey hunting for food, and how the singer identifies with their desire for freedom to "control your own direction" and "choose to be free." This sentiment is carried throughout the song.
The chorus emphasizes the randomness of life, and people being adaptable enough to roll with it. The singer is cool with whatever comes his way and encourages others, represented by the "sound boy," to join him. The song takes a lighthearted tone as it talks about the desire to have material possessions and the cruise along the coast of California.
The verses continue to touch on different themes, such as a dream sequence where the singer recognizes his partner from a past life, and how he relishes listening to her laughter. The lyrics also reference the lack of airplay for underground music and the idea of breaking from old patterns to find new identity. Overall, the song seems to be about living carefree, exploring new experiences, and embracing the randomness of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sound boy proceed to blast into the galaxy
Invitation to expand one's horizons and explore new frontiers
Go back rocket man into the sky you'll see
Emphasis on the importance of self-discovery and personal growth
Hear it all the time, come back rewind
Reminder to reflect on past experiences and learn from them
Aliens are waiting up in the sky
Encouragement to embrace the unknown and be open to new possibilities
Sound boy when you come round
Affirmation of individuality and uniqueness
Sound boy won't you stay
Desire for acceptance and belonging in a community
No one gonna harm you
Assurance of safety and protection from harm
They all want you to play
Encouragement to have fun and enjoy life
I watch the birds of prey
Appreciation of nature and the beauty of the world around us
That hunt the canyon below my house
Acknowledgement of the harsh realities of life and nature
They're lookin' for a meal like a lizard or a mouse
Recognizing the struggle for survival in the animal kingdom
I wonder if they appreciate the setting like me
Contemplation of the concept of appreciation and gratitude
To control your own direction, choose to be free
Empowerment to take control of one's life and make decisions
And I reserve the right to be as trite as I want
Assertion of personal freedom and expression
And you can lick but don't bite I toss you here to Vermont
Playful warning against taking advantage of others
I kick it lickety split
Confidence in one's own abilities and skills
And hand it to the man in the tan van
Reference to the everyday interactions and transactions in life
And, as for you and your crew I don't hate you
Absence of negativity or hostility towards others
Peace is my priority 'cause Marley said for sure-ity
Influence of reggae music and Bob Marley's message of peace
Just what do you think I'm doin' I'm not only here for screwin' yo
Clarification of intentions and purpose
And if it's sore take care of it perhaps from too much stucking
Advice to take care of oneself and avoid overindulgence
But anytime you're aware of it then keep on fuckin'
Promotion of sexual liberation and positivity
When we come 'bout people get ready (Isn't that random? Gonna freak it national)
Excitement and anticipation of live performances and events
Sound boy is gonna rock you (Isn't that random?)
Confidence and excitement in one's own abilities and talents
People rock steady (Isn't that random?)
Encouragement to maintain a steady rhythm and pace in life
To be the one who has it all is not that hard
Realization that material possessions do not equate to true happiness
And I'll be that type of dude in a funky car I dream of a suit that will fit my ride
Fantasizing about superficial and materialistic aspirations
When I recognize my girl from a former life
Belief in the concept of past lives and reincarnation
I love it when the only sound that I hear Is your infectious laughter
Appreciation of the simple joys in life, such as laughter
I will hear you again in 800 years If I'm still lucky
Acknowledgement of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing moments
Go north on outpost then take a left on Mullholland
Directions to a specific location, potentially referencing personal experience or inside jokes
To me that's where I like it and Macapa Drive is callin'
Preference for a particular place or space
It's Beginning to look like summer
Observation of seasonal changes and the passing of time
And I'm down with no doubt swing
Feeling of positivity and confidence
I break a silly peace for offering rap weasel
Switching up the tone and style of the lyrics playfully
Then I'm boffering I'd give you an exclusive on my playlist
Willingness to share personal interests and tastes with others
The vibes and rhymes I kick are from a random hat pick
Emphasis on creativity and spontaneity in the artistic process
That's why most radio will never play this tell 'em again
Acknowledgement of the complexity of the music industry and commercialism
Me a rude boy from Omaha, Nebraska
Pride in one's origins and upbringing
Sick as a porno flick yet gold as precious laughter
Proud of one's unique identity and perspective
Many don't agree but we can't care about that
Mental freedom and independence from external opinions
Cause we're never gonna wear the old hat.
Rejection of conformity and tradition in favor of personal expression
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHAD SEXTON, DOUGLAS MARTINEZ, NICHOLAS HEXUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind