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.
Welcome
311 Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spinnin' all around as we dust a melody
Groove as your soul sings.
Spinnin' all around
Welcome to this groove you can move right
We gonna take you higher not caught in the quagmire
I can't survive on a stupid nine to five I'd rather be poor
Kickin' it with my brothers and significant others
Life in pursuit of only money we think it's funny
The only thing that money it could ever bring to me
Would be some gifts for my friends follow me now
Trips for my family
The only thing I love is freedom the people around me I need 'em I'd
Like to build the world a spliff but like I said I said
You could never get me interested in dreams of wealth
Myself my birthday happens to land on April twelfth whack
A Coney Island of the mind it's mine
I swipe the sweets strip the beats in the sunshine
Loco holmes I stroll because I'm thinking
A tone poem alone is love medicine then the demon
Spring revolution in my spirit here it is and I will kill with it
Traveling head spinnin' from the medicine
Illusions fadin' out an comin' on again
Unwind your mind then find entire minutes abstract
The tract of sight day breaking in it
Doles out my share of the world ocean and sun
Rising with whirling motion
I fought kicked and screamed my way to getting born now I feel
Warm and I say come on the night won't save anyone
Won't you roam
We've grown so we can write again our soul select its own way for
The travellin'
We're here we're breathing and we wanna keep our
Blood running so we're gonna keep gunning till the next homecoming
I like the boogie to the bang bang boogie say up jump the boogie
To the bang bang come on
The song "Welcome" by 311 is about the pursuit of freedom and finding joy in life outside of material possessions. The lyrics suggest that the true value in life comes from human connection, experiences, and self-expression. The chorus repeats the phrase "Groove as your soul sings, spinning all around," which encourages listeners to move to the beat of their own drum and embrace their individuality. The lyrics also criticize the typical nine-to-five work lifestyle and ideal of chasing money, suggesting a simpler life full of music, art, and community.
The second verse specifically mentions the desire to write music and live with others in a commune-like setting, separate from the constraints of society's expectations. The lyrics imply that artistic expression and human connection are more important than anything money could buy. The song also includes references to revolution and fighting for one's beliefs, adding to the overall message of embracing individuality and living life to the fullest.
Line by Line Meaning
Groove as your soul sings.
Let go of your inhibitions and embrace the music.
Spinnin' all around as we dust a melody
Lost in the rhythm of the melody, nothing else matters.
Welcome to this groove you can move right
Join us in this dance and let your body move to the beat.
We gonna take you higher not caught in the quagmire
We will elevate your spirit and not let you be bogged down by life's difficulties.
I can't survive on a stupid nine to five I'd rather be poor
I won't let the monotony of everyday life get to me.
Writing tunes livin' on a commune
I want to live a simple life and create music with my community.
Kickin' it with my brothers and significant others
Spending time with my loved ones is all I need to be happy.
Life in pursuit of only money we think it's funny
Chasing wealth exclusively is a futile pursuit.
The only thing that money it could ever bring to me
The only value I see in money is using it to give gifts to others.
Would be some gifts for my friends follow me now
I want to spread joy to those around me with the help of money.
Trips for my family
I want to share new experiences with my loved ones.
The only thing I love is freedom the people around me I need 'em
Freedom and human connection are the only things that truly matter to me.
I'd like to build the world a spliff but like I said I said
I want to create a peaceful world, but my words are not always enough for action.
You could never get me interested in dreams of wealth
Money is not my personal motivation in life.
Myself my birthday happens to land on April twelfth whack
A seemingly random fact about myself that does not affect my values.
A Coney Island of the mind it's mine
My mind is like a fantastical place, uniquely my own.
I swipe the sweets strip the beats in the sunshine
I immerse myself in the rhythm and beauty of life.
Loco holmes I stroll because I'm thinking
I take walks to ponder and process my thoughts.
A tone poem alone is love medicine then the demon
Music is my medicine, even in dark and troubling times.
Spring revolution in my spirit here it is and I will kill with it
My spirit is full of vitality and power, and I will use it to create change.
Traveling head spinnin' from the medicine
The feeling of being under the influence of music or other substances.
Illusions fadin' out an comin' on again
The changing, cyclical nature of altered states of mind.
Unwind your mind then find entire minutes abstract
Let go of your racing thoughts and embrace the abstractness of existence.
The tract of sight day breaking in it
The dawn of a new day filled with possibilities.
Doles out my share of the world ocean and sun
I am grateful for the abundance and beauty of the natural world.
Rising with whirling motion
I am moving forward in life with a sense of energy and purpose.
I fought kicked and screamed my way to getting born now I feel
I struggled to come into this world, but now I am content with my existence.
Warm and I say come on the night won't save anyone
I am filled with warmth and love, but I know that the night won't solve everyone's problems.
Won't you roam
Come and wander with me, explore this world together.
We've grown so we can write again our soul select its own way for
We have matured enough to create our own paths and express ourselves freely.
The travellin'
Life is a journey, and we must embrace it with open hearts and minds.
We're here we're breathing and we wanna keep our
We are present in this moment and want to keep moving forward.
Blood running so we're gonna keep gunning till the next homecoming
We will keep pursuing our goals relentlessly until we reach our next destination.
I like the boogie to the bang bang boogie say up jump the boogie
I like to dance and have fun with my friends, enjoying the simple things in life.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: CHAD RONALD SEXTON, DOUGLAS VINCENT MARTINEZ, NICHOLAS LOFTON HEXUM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kenny McKinnon
Kickin' it with my brothers
and significant others
Life in pursuit of only money we think it's funny
The only thing that money it could ever bring to me
Would be some gifts for my friends follow me now
Trips for my family
The only thing I love is freedom the people around me I need 'em I'd
Like to build the world a spliff but like I said I said
You could never get me interested in dreams of wealth
Myself my birthday happens to land on April twelfth WHACK
Mike
Their first few albums had so many crunchy riffs
Ben Team
This was my intro to the band. I was ~15/16 working at Little Caesar's, when some of the dudes put it on. The expression on their faces -- which was a reaction to the expression on my face -- will stick with me forever.
William Stanton
first of all .. sip some oxygen before snowboarding in vail.
Denali blue
I've loved this album since college in 93. I found the CD in a cool little store, and could not stop playing it. Cool tunes, timeless.
Steve De Jacimo
ali blue hell yeah....same.
nEdra gUnn
I heard this album in 93 as well but I was just 10 years old getting into 311, TKK, The Cure, Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Primus, Mr. Bungle, Green Jellö(Jelly) and TOOL. I got to get stoned a few years later in 1996 with 311 & The Phunk Junkeez @ Compton Terrace (and again in 1999 w/SA @ The No Snow Christmas Show). One of my all time favorite bands, and it has been an honor to grow with them like all of you here. Fuck the bullshit it's time to throw down! Boom!
Yardbreather Outdoors
Same here! Heard it at a party and bought it ASAP! Played the hell out of it in my dorm in '93. People kept coming by my room and asking "Who is this?"
Pocket Hercules
Every song on this album rocks!
Lefty Laylow
One of the best albums of all time!
Guy Incognito
Holy fuck do I need this album back in my life right now! Thanks for the love homies 🤙