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.
Stealing Happy Hours
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hazy cannibus porches
Saying no to the bores
It's not mine or yours, then I said
The wait sucks, I don't mind waiting
Once you get there, there's no more gates
And I gotta say
Stealing happy hours, stealing happy hours, yeah
Don't wait one minute more to ask me
You make me feel like Hank Chinaski
In war all the time, war, war all the time
We're snatching bits of time that
No one else can seem to find
Stealing happy hours, stealing happy hours, yeah
Stealing happy hours, stealing happy hours, yeah
Stealing happy hours, stealing happy hours, yeah
Stealing happy hours, stealing happy hours, yeah
The lyrics of 311's "Stealing Happy Hours" evoke a sense of escapism and rebellion, urging listeners to seize the moment and take control of their own happiness. The "massive laminate fortress" and "hazy cannabis porches" suggest a world of walled-off luxury and indulgence, but the lyrics imply that true happiness cannot be bought or owned. The singer rejects the conformity and boredom of mainstream society, proclaiming "saying no to the bores, it's not mine or yours." The repetition of the refrain, "stealing happy hours," underscores the sense of urgency and defiance in the lyrics, suggesting a need to break free from the constraints of time and societal norms.
The lyrics also reference Charles Bukowski's famous alter-ego, Hank Chinaski, a persona that Bukowski used to explore themes of alienation, self-destruction, and defiant individualism. By comparing himself to Chinaski, the singer of "Stealing Happy Hours" aligns himself with a literary tradition of outsiders and rebels who reject the status quo and seek their own truths. The lyrics also suggest a sense of isolation and alienation, as the singer asserts that "we're snatching bits of time that no one else can seem to find." This theme of loneliness and longing is reflected in the song's dreamy, melodic music, which builds to a triumphant and cathartic climax in the repeated refrains.
Overall, "Stealing Happy Hours" is a song about seizing the moment, rejecting conformity, and pursuing happiness on one's own terms. Through its references to literary tradition and themes of alienation and rebellion, the lyrics suggest a deep sense of yearning and dissatisfaction with the world as it is, and a desire to carve out a space of one's own.
Line by Line Meaning
Massive laminate fortress
A grand and solid structure made from laminated materials.
Hazy cannibus porches
A relaxing and comfortable environment to consume marijuana.
Saying no to the bores
Rejecting uninteresting or mundane activities.
It's not mine or yours, then I said
Realizing that sometimes things just are without definitive ownership.
The wait sucks, I don't mind waiting
The anticipation can be difficult, but the eventual outcome is worth the patience.
Once you get there, there's no more gates
Once you reach your destination, there are no more obstacles or barriers.
Stealing happy hours, stealing happy hours, yeah
Taking advantage of the moments of joy in life, even if they are fleeting or unconventional.
Don't wait one minute more to ask me
Encouraging someone to communicate their feelings without hesitation.
You make me feel like Hank Chinaski
Feeling like a rugged and rebellious character who challenges the status quo.
In war all the time, war, war all the time
Comparing life to a constant battlefield, with struggles and battles happening non-stop.
We're snatching bits of time that
Taking advantage of small moments throughout the day that others overlook.
No one else can seem to find
These stolen moments of happiness are unique and personal to the individual.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: NICHOLAS HEXUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind