311
August 21st 2018
Xfinity Theatre
Hartford, CT
311 has been MY FAVORITE band since I was 12 years old when a friend of mine played me the “music” album. I can still remember sitting in our “pad” above the garage listening to the album in it’s entirety for HOURS. I was hooked, to this day one of my all time top 5 songs is “Feels So Good” but only second to “Fuck The Bullshit”. My friends and I were so into it that we decided we were going to start a band, aside from the God aweful name “Pit Hair” none of us knew how to play anything, so that didn’t work out too well for us. Ask anyone who knew me in high school and they can all tell you that I had a different 311 shirt for every day of the week!
Being a new photographer, I had only shot 2 shows prior, but I was able to pull some strings though a friend on tour with them and obtain a photo pass for the August 21st date of the Never Ending Summer Tour with The Offspring and Gym Class Hero’s at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, CT.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of making it to a 311 show, do yourself a favor… GO! 311 is one of those bands that actually sound better live than they do on the record. Such a clean sound and they play so tight together, but that’s what so many years of performing non-stop will do.
Biography
Formed at high school in Omaha, Nebraska, USA in 1990, hip-hop/rock crossover band 311 recorded three independent albums before relocating to Los Angeles in 1992. Named after the local police code for indecent exposure, the band comprises Nick Hexum (12 April 1970, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; vocals/guitar), Tim Mahoney (b. 17 February 1970, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; guitar), P-Nut (b. Aaron Wills, 5 June 1974, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; bass), S.A. Martinez (b. Douglas Martinez, 29 November 1970, Omaha, Nebraska, USA; vocals/turntables) and Chad Sexton (b. 7 September 1970, Lexington, Kentucky, USA; drums).
With the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against The Machine having popularized a cross-genre rock hybrid, 311 seemed to be a ripe commercial prospect, and they were quickly signed to Capricorn Records. Unfortunately, neither of their initial album releases provided them with any commercial reward. Instead they concentrated on live work, playing with bands as diverse as Kiss and Cypress Hill and building a loyal fanbase. Their fortunes were transformed when ‘Down’ was released as a single in 1995 and was given rotation play on MTV. The single was housed on the band’s self-titled third album, which as a consequence went on to sell over three million copies and break into the US Top 20.
The home video Enlarged To Show Detail preceded 1997’s sprawling double set, Transistor. The following year’s live album was a welcome release for the band’s loyal fans. Hugh Padgham was recruited to help regular producer Scotch Ralston on the band’s new album, Soundsystem, which was regarded by fans and critics alike as their best since 311. The quintet then signed a new recording contract with the Volcano label and re-emerged in 2001 with another strong album, From Chaos. The ambitious Evolver followed in 2003. The subsequent compilation album celebrated 311’s decade-long recording history. The band also performs an annual concert (3-11 Day) on 11 March.
With the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against The Machine having popularized a cross-genre rock hybrid, 311 seemed to be a ripe commercial prospect, and they were quickly signed to Capricorn Records. Unfortunately, neither of their initial album releases provided them with any commercial reward. Instead they concentrated on live work, playing with bands as diverse as Kiss and Cypress Hill and building a loyal fanbase. Their fortunes were transformed when ‘Down’ was released as a single in 1995 and was given rotation play on MTV. The single was housed on the band’s self-titled third album, which as a consequence went on to sell over three million copies and break into the US Top 20.
The home video Enlarged To Show Detail preceded 1997’s sprawling double set, Transistor. The following year’s live album was a welcome release for the band’s loyal fans. Hugh Padgham was recruited to help regular producer Scotch Ralston on the band’s new album, Soundsystem, which was regarded by fans and critics alike as their best since 311. The quintet then signed a new recording contract with the Volcano label and re-emerged in 2001 with another strong album, From Chaos. The ambitious Evolver followed in 2003. The subsequent compilation album celebrated 311’s decade-long recording history. The band also performs an annual concert (3-11 Day) on 11 March.
– 311 SET LIST FROM HARTFORD, CT –
1. COME ORIGINAL
2. ALL MIXED UP
3. DO YOU RIGHT
4. PRISONER
5. SICK TIGHT
6. DON’T STAY HOME
7. TOO MUCH TO THINK
8. BEAUTIFUL DISASTER
9. LOVE SONG
10. ONE AND THE SAME
11. APPLIED SCIENCE
12. YOU WOULDN’T BELIEVE
13. BEYOND THE GREY SKY
14. TOO LATE
15. LUCKY
16. AMBER
17. FLOWING
18. CREATURES
19. DOWN