Well hello again my friends in Excitable nation! Here we are with the next edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet Toban Crosby!
Toban was in the 6th grade in the 90’s when he first discovered 311, thanks to his friend Chad Denton. He loved the beat and the bass. “SA rapping and just their rock – they covered all the spectrums.”
First show for Toban was in Burlington, Vermont, at the Memorial Auditorium in October 2001. Since then, he believes he’s seen them about a total of 30 times, although he really doesn’t keep track.
As for favorite show, he said while nothing really beats the first time, he gave any one of 311’s performances at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom in New Hampshire as a close second. “They just sound so good at that venue, and the energy is unreal.” He also mentioned that seeing them on the cruise at sea is also amazing.
Favorite song, Toban said he couldn’t pick just one. “Grassroots and the blue album have so many good songs.” Favorite lyric he chose this: “Think of all the good times, instead of wish we could times. So much better that way.”
Toban grew up in Rutland, Vermont, and playing hockey was an enormous part of his life. He still loves going to games and wouldn’t mind lacing up some skates! He also loves to play golf now and enjoys going to the beautiful courses where he lives. “I lived in Vermont pretty much my entire life until moving to Florida with my girlfriend – now my wife – in 2017. We briefly moved to Seattle for 9 months in 2018, and we now reside back in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. We love it here. I work at a restaurant on a marina and I love that I get to meet new people every day. It also allows me to meet a lot of celebrities! Through my work I’ve been fortunate enough to meet my childhood idols Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky among several other old timer hockey players as well as Bill Belichick, Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan and pretty much every professional golfer that lives in Jupiter – Justin Thomas, Keegan Bradley, Rickey Fowler, Brooks Koepka, & Dustin Johnson.”
Toban and Angela have two dogs who are like their kids – Penny and Winston. “We enjoy taking them to the beach when we get a chance and to parks or open fields to run and play. We still try to get back to New England to see family and for the epic Hampton Beach and Portland shows as often as we can!”
Unique attribute for Toban is that he can remember names and faces of everyone he meets. “I have a great photographic memory. It’s always come in handy with meeting new people in general and making friends with the regulars at my job!” Guilty pleasure for him? “Ben & Jerry’s 😛 …I have also been known to watch those cheesy real estate shows or Grey’s Anatomy with my wife from time to time.”
When not jamming out to 311, Toban listens to the sounds of The Beastie Boys, Def Tones, Dirty Heads, Rebelution, and Ballyhoo! “I also like some classic rock sometimes like the band Boston, Led Zeppelin, Michael Jackson… I’ve got a wide variety.”
To 311, Toban would like to say these words: “You guys have been my favorite band since 6th grade; I never thought I would have a favorite band and I am so grateful for the journey I’ve been on with you through the years – thank you.”
Now here is his message to all the other awesome fans out there:
“Stay positive & Love Your Life – see ya, bye!”
Thank you Toban for being a part of the fan spotlight! Of course, my sincere thanks to the readers each time, as always. Hope you all have an amazing week my friends!
Hello again Excitable nation! Welcome to another edition of the 311 fan spotlight. This week let’s meet Jerad Davis!
It was when Jerad first got his drivers permit and he drove to Best Buy with a friend who proceeded to tell him to buy the blue album. “Their unique sound and live shows are what really turned me on to them.”
For show count, Jerad went back and added them up and surprised himself by finding out he’s only been to 41. However 22 of them have been since 2020 when he really started to travel to shows. “My first show was 2/24/1996 at Roy Wikins Hall in St. Paul, MN. Had gone to see Cypress Hill. The Pharcyde and 311 opened for them. 311 opened with Homebrew and the crowd rushed the stage. I lost a shoe and ended up going up to the balcony as I was just blown away by the energy. Watching the crowd bounce up and down as one organism was absolutely amazing! This is when I fell in love with 311!”
Jerad said it’s too tough to pick just one favorite show or event. He obviously loved his first show…but he also mentioned 311 Day 2020 being incredible for so many reasons. “I met in person for the first time some of my best friends to this day and the fact the band played half of their catalogue over 3 days and 6 sets. So eerie leaving Vegas because the world had just shut down from COVID. Then Red Rocks 2021 was a blast! I was there with so many close friends and made new ones. The venue alone is worth it. The Halloween show at The Stanley Hotel in 2021 where they filmed parts of The Shining was memorable. Dressed as Alice from Alice in Wonderland that night! The album shows in Chicago and L.A. were epic as well. Watching the Transistor set with my friends and the energy of the Blue album show is something I’ll never forget! Lastly, my first 311 Cruise this year was incredible. The sail away show was probably my favorite! Hearing Visit on the boat was magical!”
One of Jerad’s favorite songs is “Born to Live” because it has a very personal meaning to him. “It’s a miracle that I’m alive. I was diagnosed with liver and kidney failure. I was in the ICU for 60 days and was told I probably wouldn’t make it out. I have since had both transplants.”
Some lyrics that resonate with Jerad include: “About time to give up on the same old stuff I’m stuck on. And just say that it went wrong and move along,” “You got to keep on climbing the hill. Cause if you think you’ll make it you will’,’ and “It’s been a wild ride, I wouldn’t change a minute.”
Jerad grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota, about 15 minutes south of Minneapolis. He has lived in and around this area his entire life and attended the University of Minnesota. He first really started getting into music by listening to what his father was listening to. “Started out with The Doors, Led Zepplin, and Pink Floyd. What can I say, my dad has great taste in music. My first concert was Tom Petty with one of my sisters the summer of 1995 when I was 15. It was the start of my concert addiction. In high school my friends and I went to many shows. Some memorable ones were Rage against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Tribe Called Quest, Fugees, Cypress Hill, and of course 311! My favorite part of going to shows (especially traveling) is all the friends I get to meet up with. It’s become more about the friendships and hanging out then the shows themselves. They are just an added bonus.”
Fun fact about Jerad is that he checked himself out of the ICU to go see 311 one time. “It was against doctors orders. I went back to the hospital after the show. I was told that I might not have much longer to live and if I was going to die, I wanted to see my favorite band one last time.”
Jerad has a very unique relationship with his dad and it’s more of a friendship rather than a father/son bond. “He is one of my best friends. We spend a lot of time together and I am able to share anything with him. We go to a lot of sporting events together and watch a lot of movies and shows. All my friends get along with my dad. He can talk to them for hours while I don’t say too much. Lol. He understands my love for 311 and traveling to shows.”
Guilty pleasure for Jerad is custom framing artwork. “I have over 40 custom framed concert posters and art prints. I think the frames are art into and of themselves. I feel they greatly add the overall aesthetic of the piece of art. Most of them are concert attended posters. I’ve definitely slowed down on collecting over the last year as it’s not a cheap hobby and I only have so much wall space!”
Another band that is at the top of Jerad’s playlist right now is Slightly Stoopid. “They are so much fun to see live! I’ll be seeing them in August at Red Rocks where they’re playing two nights in a row. Also, a big Stick Figure and Dirty Heads fan. I’ll be seeing them at Fiddlers Green in Denver next month.”
To 311, Jerad would like to send this message: ” Thank you for all the music, live shows, and the friendships I’ve made because of you guys”
Now here is his message to all his fellow 311 fans out there:
“Slow down, life’s not a race. Don’t take everything so seriously. Quality over quantity.”
Thank you Jerad for sharing your 311 story with us all! And of course, my sincere gratitude to all the readers of this little blog. Now go have an amazing week. Sending good vibes to you all!
Hello again my friends in 311 nation! Welcome to the latest edition of the 311 fan spotlight. Let’s meet Matthew Wissman!
Matthew grew up in the middle of nowhere in Kansas, without access to cable and MTV. However his best friend in middle school circa 1996 saw the video for “Down” and bought the blue album on CD. “He was always hearing stuff before I could so I should really thank him for introducing me to this incredible band (and Sublime, RHCP, 2Pac, so much more). I bought the Blue Album shortly after and bumped it for a few years.”
Matthew said he stopped listening to 311 as he got into heavier music. Then in 2005-2006 he started again while trying to earn the affections of a girl who was super into 311. “She let me borrow her 311 Day 2004 DVD and I was automatically hooked all over again. I owned their Greatest Hits album and always enjoyed 311, but I was totally blown away by that live DVD and the rest of their catalog. I got kinda played by the girl, but it’s okay, because she re-introduced me to the greatest band in the land and I’ve got zero regrets about that! I think we’ve all heard somebody say, “oh wow! 311 is way more metal than I ever thought!” and I am definitely one of those metal heads who got hooked on 311 and their infectious grooves, and they’ve been my favorite band in the world ever since. I listen to everything now, but 311 is and always will have the music and the lyrics that speak to me beyond anything else.”
Show count for Matthew just hit 30 on this years 311 Cruise. His first show was June 29, 2007, on a day that he said would change his life forever. It was in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Westport Block Party. “Matisyahu was the opener that tour and it was an AWESOME SHOW!! They played What Was I Thinking?, Random, Wake Your Mind Up, Purpose, Silver, Freeze Time, Tribute, Nix Hex, Omaha Stylee, Who’s Got the Herb?, and Feels So Good at my first show!! Wish I could go back and do it again! Now I kick myself for all those years where I said “311 isn’t metal enough for me.” What a dumb ass!!”
As for favorite event, Matt chose the 311 cruise of 2019 as one of the highlights of his entire life. “I got on with the help of fellow Kansan and current Vegas resident, Chris Binder. I met him at a Wichita show in 2018, mentioned how badly I wanted to get on the boat, and he set me up with a few others who were looking for a third roomie. I roomed with my now spirit brother and sister, Maurice Kemp and Gretchen Brock, and it truly was one of the most magical, spiritual, emotional weeks of my entire life. I love those two with every bit of my being and we are forever friends for life. This last cruise was special as I got to be the one to bring a 1st Timer on the boat, and my week with roomie Joshua Zeck and friends was awesome. Being able to see others experience the boat magic as I have is an unforgettable experience. Nothing beats Costume Night!! Finally, 311 Day 2020 Night 2 was unforgettable. It was my only night on the floor, and I completely lost my mind. Everything from the stage to the lights to the Freeze Time alien was just incredible. I remember walking out to the casino floor wondering WTF just happened. I was in awe.”
As for song that means the most to him, Matthew said it’s hard to really choose just one. However “Golden Sunlight” is one that came to mind. “Lyrically, I always thought it was the best song on Uplifter, but now that I have my own 18-month old daughter it really, really hits home. I can remember seeing it at 311 Day 2020 on the floor and just bawling my eyes out because my wife and I had just found out we were pregnant after trying for a long time. It’s a special song for sure.”
Of course, some of his favorite lyrics also come from that song: “Sweetheart, I’ve been bothered, A golden sun lit path I’ve been after, Grass hills, wild flowers, Sharp road trails for a daughter, I want to be her father, I want to hear her laughter, Under meteor showers the dogs will howl at the midnight hour.” He also love these lyrics: “Don’t you know that the devil he’s in me and God she is too. My yin hates my yang but what the hell ya gonna do? I choose a rocky ass path but that’s how I like it. Life’s a bowl of punch go ahead and spike it!”
Matthew was born and has lived most of his life in Topeka, Kansas. He grew up in a musical household and while his mom grew up in a very religious household, she never pushed religion on them. “She was a choir singer through college and loved to sing with us kiddos in the car. My dad was an old-school hippie who got drafted in ’69 and held a deep hatred for the government and authoritative peoples thereafter (HA!). Music from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s were very popular in my home. I can recall my dad blasting psychedelic rock like Country Joe & the Fish and just wondering who this crazy man was that I called ‘Dad’. My mom was into bands like Fleetwood Mac, the Carpenters, Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, folk music, stuff like that.”
Matt had an uncle who passed away when he was hitting a pivotal point in his life where music was becoming very important, and he inherited his CD collection of over 300 albums, spanning every decade and music genre. “He was the kind of guy who would go to Hastings and just buy ten random cds at a time because he loved music. That was the first time I ever listened to bands like Black Sabbath and Pink Floyd. But he also had an incredible collection of 90’s alternative albums and that just expanded my mind even further.”
When Matthew was just 14, his parents split up and he lived with his dad. “Rebellion and teenage angst were major themes in my household, so it was only natural that I would do my best to find that kind of music. Ska, punk, metal, thrash, death — if it was heavy enough to let me blow off some steam, I was listening. By the time I was 16, a great friend of mine was working for Pipeline Productions out of Lawrence, KS, and we were going to all the free shows we wanted. System of a Down & Clutch on the Toxicity tour. FREE. Slayer & Hatebreed. FREE. Robert Plant and .moe. FREE. We were going to a show every week and it was truly the beginning of my musical adventures. To be 16 and have that kind of access to music is something I’ll always appreciate. I was living the young, wild, and free lifestyle and it was fantastic.”
As an adult, Matthew said he funds his 311 habit through a government job. “It pays the bills and allows me to travel enough to make it worth it. I train judges, clerks, and other court staff how to use their case management system and work Help Desk. Nothing too exciting, but I’ve received an excellent view of how the entire court system in Kansas works, so I guess that’s cool. Not as cool as talking about 311 though. Back to that!”
Guilty pleasure for Matt is 80’s synth-pop. “I love it. It’s fun to dance and sing to with lots of catchy licks and rhythms. Bands like Erasure, ABBA, Flock of Seagulls, etc.” As for other music, Matthew said he tries to give everything a chance and expand his musical horizons as much as possible. “With that said, the bands/artists I’m into change with the wind. Right now, I’m really into triphop and lowfi hip hop music. Bands or artists that have been around for quite awhile that I’m only now discovering, like Thievery Corporation, Zero 6, Dope Lemon, Massive Attack, Groove Armada, Lemon Jelly, Nightmares on Wax, etc. I am really enjoying music without lyrics. I also like to tap into the roots of other popular bands that I enjoy. Nick Hexum was greatly inspired by the Clash, and I realized one day that outside of their popular songs, I really didn’t know much from the Clash’s catalog. I dove in and can now say the Clash is one of my all-time favorite bands. My favorite album is Sandinista! They are incredible! The English Beat is another band I never checked out and now I’m a huge fan. Other bands I’ve thoroughly enjoyed lately include Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Spoon, Khruangbin, Father John Misty, the Olympians, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Leon Bridges, Chris Stapleton, Thundercat, Lake Street Dive, Trip the Witch, Little Feat, Perpetual Groove, the Wood Brothers, North Mississippi Allstars, FKJ….the list goes on and on and on. I LOVE MUSIC!!”
Matthew said every time he gets in front of 311 he tends to freeze up and the only words he really can ever get out are “Thank you for everything.” “That’s good enough for me.”
Now here are his words to all his fellow 311 fans out there:
“I’ve met the best friends in the world through this band and their music. I truly appreciate anybody and everybody who’s given me the time of day at a show or online. Your friendships are near and dear to my heart. Thank you for reading about me!”
Big thanks to Matthew for sharing his 311 story! Of course, kudos as always to the supporters of this blog each week. Have an amazing week and sending you all positive vibes.
Welcome back my friends in 311 nation! A new week is upon us and that means it’s time for the next edition of the 311 fan spotlight. This week, let’s get introduced to Joshua Zeck!
According to Joshua, the nineties were the best time for live music and in Lawrence, Kansas, they had a radio station called The Lazer (105.9 KLZR) that broke a ton of bands from that decade. “The live music scene in Lawrence, back then was absolutely insane, everyone from that era, big and small, came through. 311 used to travel to all the college towns all over the Midwest, repeatedly in the early 90’s, and had a lot of love for Lawrence and KC. At the Lawrence NHQ show at the Granada in January of 2014, Nick told us that if it were not for KU, that 311 would have never happened, as his parents met in Lawrence in the 1960’s. Nicks dad Terry earned his Ph.D in from KU in 1968. After my first two live shows, I was hooked! I was astonished at how many people, mainly girls, knew all the lyrics! The energy, the style of music, how fucking cool they all looked on stage rocking out!”
The next time Joshua sees 311 live, he will be at show number 50. His first was in Lawrence, Kansas, in August of 1995. “
Jayhawk Music Festival at Clinton Lake. It was so damn hot and humid. The Urge opened, Tripping Daisy and Rev Horton Heat were there with some local bands as well. 311 was the headliner as Blue had just been released a little of a month before, and KLZR had been playing Down, Don’t Stay Home, and All Mixed Up for months. By the time 311 came on the sun had gone down, and I can remember Nick climbing up a giant lighting truss and doing a Nestea plunge into the crowd! When I did the meet & great at the KC show in 2014, I brought my ticket stub from that show, and they all signed it. A few of them remembered it well; Chad says “Wasn’t that in a big field and hot as fuck?” I mentioned Nick’s Nestea plunge, and Nick replies,” I was so high that day!” Mama Joan, P-Nut’s Mom, has as story about this day. She says she showed up with a lawn chair, to which they were not going to let her in as they were not allowed. She tells them, “If this chair doesn’t come with me, 311 doesn’t play.” We all know how that ended up! After a few more years, The Jayhawk Music Festival turned into the Wakarusa Festival, and was eventually moved to Arkansas. My second show was the last show of the 95’ tour in Kansas City, Kansas at Memorial Hall, an absolutely insane set-list. The 3rd show was June 6th, 1996, at Sandstone Amphitheatre where parts of ETSD were filmed. 4th was the 1997 “Transistour” at Sandstone.”
In 2015 Joshua started traveling outside of Lawrence and Kansas City to see 311. Of all the shows he has seen, it was tough to pick a favorite. Some that really stood out to him were the 25th anniversary show at Sokul in Omaha, Ogden onm 4/20/18, Red Rocks 2021, and his first cruise in March of this year. However as for the one that took the top spot, it was his first 311 Day in Vegas 2020. “I embarked on this journey with by close friends Cory Johnson and Nathan Araujo. It is a whole other story on how we even decided to go as none of us were supposed to have made the trip. Cory met his eventual bride-to-be, Laura, the first night in Vegas, and I had the privilege of being a groomsman in their wedding in November 2022 in Long Beach. I also got to meet some very close virtual friends in person for the first time and put faces with FB names! Watching Vegas shut down day by day was interesting as well.”
There are many songs that mean a great deal to Joshua. While not his favorite song of all time, “Too Much Too Fast” means the most to him. “Uplifter was released at a time in my life where so many of the tracks resonated with my current situation. Another reason to rate 311 Day 2020 as #1 since this was the only time I have heard it live.”
As with most fans, there are many lyrics that resonate with Joshua. Some of these are: “Fending off the foes that try to shut us down, Like the warrior souls we are we never give in. We spend our lives learning, if you like learning, life is large,” “Always know that you gotta grow, so honestly, it’s best that you know, Who you are as you go rolling through,” and “Now I’m ready to turn the page on yesterdays and forgive them now I’m willing to disengage to seize the day and move on.”
Dodge City, Kansas, is where Joshua was born in 1976 and then in 1982 he moved to Greensburg. He graduated high school in 1994 and moved to Lawrence the day after graduation. Aside from a few years in Missouri while working for Wal-Mart, he has lived in Wellsville, Kansas, just south of Lawrence for 23 years. “I have four daughters, my oldest is 25, and my youngest is about to turn 17. I have a grandson, Emmett, who is almost a year and a half, and I cannot wait to watch and help him grow. I have been with my wife Jessica for 21 years. I have 5 indoor cats, 3 girls and 2 brothers, they are my loves! For just over three years, I have been working for the State of Kansas as a Food Safety Inspector for all kinds of food establishments. I get to work in Lawrence, my favorite city in the world! Prior to this, I spent 30 years working in retail, food service and restaurants.”
Something people may not know about Joshua is that he was raised solely by his mother and didn’t grow up in a musical household. “Music other than religious or some Roy Orbison, it was literally considered the devil! I can remember hiding in my closet with a small transistor radio, trying to find something, anything to listen to! My house was a super strict religious one, and when I became a teenager and got beyond what crappy songs were on the radio in SW Kansas, my life changed immensely. I was introduced to all sorts of albums, artists, songs, and ways of thinking from many sources. My first real musical love was gangster rap, particularly NWA and Eazy (I was giving a copy of a copy of Eazy-Duz-It on cassette in 7th grade) and others like Too Short. I then fell into KRS-One and BDP, Public Enemy, Tribe Called Quest. I believe that this early love for rap, hip-hop and hard rock (the first cassette I ever bought was Whitesnake S/T) is what primed me for my love of 311. Our saving grace in the small town of 1800 was Randall’s Electronics. They had catalogues of any types of music you could dream of, and they would order us whatever we wanted. As you can imagine, I never put any musical restrictions on any of my daughters.”
Something that makes Joshua unique is that he’s a great storyteller, both written and verbally. “I also have an amazing memory. I am very good with names, faces, and events.” Guilty pleasure for him is collecting 311 memorabilia, focusing mostly on 90’s items and also 90’s platinum and gold records. “I love finding things others need for their collections, like first show posters/flyers, or other things that are special for all sorts of reasons.”
Joshua also has a guilty pleasure band called Carolina Liar. Aside from them and 311, he can be found cranking tunes from Magic City Hippies, Stick Figure, and Alific. “I have also been listening to a lot of heavy 90’s stuff as of late.”
To 311, Joshua would like to say: “When do we get to hear all the music Tim and Chad have stashed somewhere????? I envision vaults of free-style jams somewhere!”
Now here is his message to all the other 311 fans in the universe:
“I encourage everyone to Read the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. It was recommended by a high school friend and then gifted to me by Destiny Delgado last September. It has been a life changer for me, chilled me out and has been very enlightening. I have gotten over myself a bit, and that has been a wonderful thing.
It’s been a wild ride…I have found some of my closest friends thru this band and community.
Much love to my boys Cory J, Nathan A, Matt W, Maurice K, Jason R, Jerad D.
Much love to all my 311 friends all over Michael & Levi S, Michael S, Jared H, Mars, Brandon S, Ryan S, Brian E, Patrick H, Matt K, Gerald, Mark L, Ryan B, Darin S, Greg R, Todd S, The Aarons, John G, John M, Lauren M, Terri S, Destiny D, Anne E, Emily R, Carolyn U, Selena C, Laura S, Gretchen B., Matt A., and Andrea L.
Peace to all the rest of you! I’m not gonna waste life being hateful!”
Thank you so much to Joshua for sharing his story with the world! As always, my eternal gratitude for the supporters of this blog each post. Hope you all have an amazing week!
Welcome back my friends out there in 311 nation! A new week is here and that can only mean one thing – it’s time for the next edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet Dennis Jewell!
It was the 1992 Lollapalooza that Dennis had his musical awakening. Now flash forward to 1994, where now he felt like he had a good ear for music. He was driving in his car one day when “Homebrew” came on the radio. “I go absolutely nuts I am dying to find out who this band is. Honestly I don’t remember how the knowledge came to me I just know I went home and told my ex-wife who had very similar musical taste all about the song I was like”they were rapping and singing…. I think there were two of them… The music was unreal…”I found out somehow the album had just came out and went out and bought it immediately we listen to it a couple times and I was absolutely blown away… I called a drummer friend of mine and asked him if he had heard of them and he was like bro this band is for Real and told me that Grassroots was their second album…. He told me to go get Music that he thought it was even better.. I went out the very same day bought it…”And I will never be the same…👽”
Exact show count Dennis has yet to really dig in to, but he believes he’s around the 50 mark. First show for him was in 1994 or 1995. “I’m pretty sure it was 94 because we followed them in 95 after The Blue album came out…. It was at what was then called The Roxy in Atlanta. That’s all it took I was a Brodel for life.” As for a favorite show/event, it was hard to pick just one. “311 Day 2020 was magical.. I had always wanted to go to one and for whatever reason just was never able to… I decided on a whim that I was going went by myself didn’t know anybody and became a true part of this wonderful family… That being said what can I say about my first cruise 2023….wow…. With the combination of all the other bands I got to see and meet hang out with and enjoy the cruise might trunk 311 day slightly.”
Some of his top songs include “Flowing” and “Large in the Margin,” as they are both from his favorite album. It’s “Visit” however that takes top billing as Dennis’ favorite song. “Get Down” he said is a close second. “The lyrics just mean so much to me.”
Some lyrics that really resonate with Dennis include: “Music’s what I need to keep my sanity’,” “If you don’t have someone to do it with it’s not worth doing,” “We only enter in one contest that we made up ourselves it’s to be the 311est,” and “It’s alright, wherever you are right now. I tell you it’s alright, that’s where you’re supposed to be now.”
Dennis is a military brat so he’s lived all over the place. Born in Ohio in 1972, he then moved to Colorado, then Georgia, then Germany, Kentucky, Virginia, Texas, and New Mexico. He lived in Germany for 7 years. He lived in Virginia and Georgia twice, and said his heart is really in Atlanta. He has two older brothers and an older sister that all have different musical tastes, so he gathered a little bit from each of them in his quest for what he calls “real music.” “Music that touches my soul music that makes me move in a way I cannot control…. Cuz I do not dance LOL.” Dennis has five daughters….you heard me right – five! He’s a total girl dad. He also has one son that is a musician and huge 311 fan also. “I also have six grandchildren who are the loves of my life. My Kids range from 12 to 36 😲 ,”
Getting back to 311, in the 90’s Dennis actually hung out on the bus with 311 a few times and Tim would put him on their guest list at small venues that he couldn’t get tickets to. “. dude actually gave me the shirt off his back once… I gave him some weed after a show and he like touched his pockets and was like man I don’t have anything to give you he was wearing a hempilation shirt the album had not come out yet and he took his shirt off and handed it to me… We used to be really close his eyes would light up every time he saw me and we had some amazing conversation about other guitar players during that time including my favorite Mike McCready… We actually rode on the bus with them and the Phunk Junkeez to an after show party once and walked right in like we were just part of the crew it was amazing… I could go on for hours with some of my stories but they are real and these dudes were absolutely amazing back in the day I haven’t had a whole lot of interaction with them in the past 20 years but when I got to see Tim on the Cruise he remembered me and it was an amazing moment… Sweet was always one of my favorite songs back in the day cuz I love to hear SA sing…. I used to always ask them to play it…. One of my greatest concert moments ever was in New Mexico when Nick walked up to the microphone and said this one goes out to one of our greatest fans and played Sweet after telling me before the show they probably weren’t going to play it cuz they had played it the night before….YES… What a moment.”
Something that makes Dennis special is he said he’s a true extension of 311. “I truly connect with others during their shows. If you don’t have someone to do it with it’s not worth doing.” Guilty pleasure for him is country music. When not listening to country or 311, he can be found playing tunes from Pearl Jam, Blind Melon, 7 Mary 3, Janes Addiction, Soundgarden, Live, Pink Floyd, and Audic Empire.
Dennis has these words to say to 311 (which he hopes they already know): “Thank you for ALWAYS being there.”
Now his words to the other 311 fans are simply lyrics from 311 themselves:
“Don’t Stay Home.👽👽 🙏”
Thank you Dennis for sharing your story with the community! Of course, my sincere gratitude to the readers each time. Hope you all have an amazing week, sending you all the positive vibes.
Well hello again my Excitable friends! Welcome back to the latest edition of the fan spotlight. This week let’s meet Marissa Menditto!
It was during her middle school years that Marissa became a fan of 311 by hearing their music on the radio and she immediately started to love it. “The beats and just how the their music flowed. Also the way they are for unity and positivity.”
Show count for Marissa is at 58. Her first show was during her high school years. While she doesn’t remember exactly where it was, she knows it was awesome! As for favorite show/event, she loves the cruises. “The last one I just went on had to be the most favorite so far.”
The song “Tranquility” means a lot to Marissa. “It reminds me of people I knew that have passed on in life.” As for favorite lyric, Marissa loves “Spirit on the run, I’m an alien.”
Central New Jersey is where Marissa was born and raised, and she has stayed in that area most of her life. For work, she’s an administrative assistant at a construction company. She loves going to shows, traveling and going to the beach in the summer.
Fun fact about Marissa is that she took dance lessons for 12 years. She is also very flexible and can still do cartwheels! Guilty pleasure for her is watching the T.V. show “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” “I also love to color in my free time.”
When not jamming the tunes of 311, Marissa can be found listening to The Elovators, Rebelution, Pepper, Slightly Stoopid, and The Movement (just to name a few).
Marissa would like to send this message to 311: “Thank you for everything you do for all of us and bringing such great music to our community.”
Now her words to all the other 311 fans out there:
“Always live in the moment.”
Many thanks to Marissa for sharing her story with us all! Of course, my sincere thanks to the readers each time. Hope you all have an amazing week my friends.
Hello again my dear friends out there in 311 nation! Let’s start this new week properly and say hello to a new fan spotlight. This week we meet Ryan Reali!
An older student was listening to 311 during Italian class when Ryan was a freshman in high school. That’s the first time he heard their magical sounds. “I was intrigued, picked up Transistor, and have been hooked ever since. The heavier sound of their earlier albums hooked me at first.”
As for show count, Ryan lost count years ago. “Being an hour from NYC and Philly I catch em at least twice year on top of 311 Day/the cruise. My first show was somewhere in the tri-state area, senior year of high school or sometime in college. So sometime between 2000 and 2005.”
As for favorite show, Ryan said it was almost 311 Day at sea on this past cruise, but instead he chose when they played on his birthday in December at a small venue in Atlantic City. “Pretty sure that casino doesn’t exist anymore though.”
For song that means the most to him, Ryan said it’s “8:16AM.” “Had an emotional moment on the boat wishing dad could of been there to hear it, looked up and saw the Orion constellation, the hunter, which was dad to a T.” A lyric that Ryan loves is , “And fuck the naysayers cause they don’t mean a thing. Cause this is what style we bring.”
Ryan hasn’t gone far from where he grew up in New Jersey – there is only one neighbor in between the home he lives in now and the house he grew up in. The house he has now he said was a 3 bedroom, but he turned it into 2 bedrooms and a library. He heads down the shore on weekdays because his weekends, thanks to mom, are reserved for hunting at yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets. “Winter thanks to dad is for hunting for meat in the woods. Also a lil spring fishing. And thanks to both I do it all from woods, to freezer, to steaming hot and delicious on a plate. The only people from high school I still talk to went through Boy Scouts with me. A bunch of us got Eagle Scout.”
Civil engineering on highway projects is what pays for Ryan’s 311 addiction. Fun fact about Ryan is that he’s had sideburns since 7th grade. “And have progressed to full on civil war mutton chops.” Another fun fact – Ryan caught a pair of deer horns with his forehead!
Something unique about Ryan is that he collects the old, odd and unusual. “Such as an entire 5 drawer filing cabinet full of license plates. The oldest being a 1910 Ohio plate.” Guilty pleasure for him is watching the show “Big Brother” every summer. When not listening to 311, Ryan can be found jamming the tunes of Frank Zappa, Monster Magnet, Metallica, Halestorm, Alestorm, No Doubt, Black Sabbath, and The Urge.
To 311, Ryan has this message: “Thank you for creating this amazing community of people with your musical message of unity.”
Now here is his message to all the other 311 fans:
“Be kind, let each groove as they groove, and see y’all back OTMFB!!!”
Many thanks to Ryan for sharing his 311 story! Per the usual, my love & gratitude to all the supporters/readers of this little project. Hope you all have the best week possible! Until next time.
Hello again my friends out there in 311 nation! Hope everyone has been well since it’s been a few weeks since the last spotlight. Don’t worry, this one won’t disappoint! Let’s meet Matt Roads from the amazing Tropidelic!
The first memory that Roads has of 311 is around his time in middle school, when he saw the video for “Down” on T.V. He said he was immediately struck by it. “Even at that age, thinking this was something different.”
Roads attended a handful of 311 shows in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Columbus before Tropidelic really started up. “I do remember during the early onset of the band, we drove down to see them in Columbus and waited by their tour bus til the bitter end and ended up meeting Ballyhoo! instead. I’ve been a touring musician almost all my adult life and when you tour at the pace we do, you really don’t get a lot of time to go see shows (or do anything else). That being said, I’ve seen a ton of their shows now since opening for them, including 20 or so last year.” As for favorite show, he said it’s definitely one of the cruises. “Always a blast.”
As for song that means the most to him, I’ll let Roads tell you in his words. “I spent many hours during my college years running Transistor, Evolver, From Chaos, The Blue Album front to back. Those records take me to a place. Maybe..Jacks?”
Roads grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a blue collar household. “I think from a young age I was seeking some sort of alternate route or outlet. I found that in music and even more so, in music that diverged from the beaten path. I think that is why I gravitated to 311’s music.”
Fun fact about Roads is that can juggle and walk on stilts. “I think I can still walk on stilts at least.” Guilty pleasure for him is that he loves true crime and gangster movies. “As lame as it sounds, I also enjoy things as simple as cutting the grass at my home. It helps keep me grounded.” Some other musicians that Roads can be found listening to include Tyler Childers and Mac Miller.
As for what Roads would say to 311, these are the words he wrote: “I’ve said a lot of things, mostly all revolve around just having the utmost appreciation and respect for them. They definitely have helped form not just my musical path but my whole human path with their music. In recent years, the 311 community has been incredibly supportive and embracing of Tropidelic and that has been very significant for us. So many thanks are due from us to the whole 311 sphere of influence.”
Now here are his words to all the other 311 fans out there:
“It’s been an amazing experience to meet and form friendships with so many of you. Hope to meet more of you in the years to come!”
There you have the story of Matthew Roads! I cannot thank him enough for being a part of this. I hope everyone enjoyed reading all about his 311 story. Now if you haven’t listened to Tropidelic yet, do me a favor and check them out NOW! Have an amazing week friends. Until next time.
Hello my friends out there in Excitable nation! Happy 311 Day Week! Let’s kick it off properly with the story of Laura Robinson!
It was due to Laura’s older brothers that she found the music of 311. She said they pretty much set the foundation for most of her musical interests. “To be truthful to our community, I must admit that I jumped on the ’95 Blue Album train. But when I love something, I love it all the way, so I dug through my brother’s CDs and found Music and Grassroots and made cassette tapes from them with my amazing 3 disc-changer stereo. Those mixed tapes of Music and Grassroots ended up being quite the soundtrack to my junior and senior years of high school. Ask any of my friends, and they’d tell you whether they learned to love (or hate) 311 due to my incessant playing of those tapes. From there I haven’t missed an album release, and likely memorized every song since. What drew me to them were the messages they delivered. I just never had lyrics and music feel like it was personalized to me before that, or that taught me something. Music before that was just humming along.”
Show count for Laura is at 41, which includes five 311 Day events. “I have yet to experience a cruise and having serious FOMO right now. My first show was at the Rosemont Horizon in 1997 on the Transistor tour. I can’t really tell you much about that show, except I learned that night I don’t really want to sit in seats along the side anymore. GA all the way!”
Laura said she’s not sure she can pick just one favorite show or event, so instead she listed some cool moments that have forever touched her as a fan. “When they played Champagne for the first time after 9/11/01 and released bubbles into the crowd, I cried. The gospel choir at 311 Day 2016 gave me chills. In 2000 or 2001, they played the Riv in Chicago, and I drove up from Bloomington, IL to see them with some college pals. After the show, my bestie and I climbed through a construction site behind the Riv because we saw Nick. He and SA had freshly showered before getting back on the bus or heading out for the night, and we met them for the first time. It was magical and I can still smell SA’s cologne. Going to see them in 2011 at the Northerly Island being 8 months pregnant and still smashing through GA to get a good view. Taking my daughter to her first show this fall in Iowa. Those were just a sprinkling of my fabulous 311 voyage.”
As for a favorite song, Laura said it changes as she grows. Her instinct told her to say either “Unity” or “Do You Right” since they are in her top tier of ones she loves. “In addition, “Don’t Dwell,” “Make it Rough,” and “Let the Cards Fall,” are all songs that I come back to for advice. I tend to look ahead at what’s coming in anticipation, sometimes to a detriment. Those 3 songs really bring in the reminders to not dwell on things, be present in the moment, and you’re not in control.”
Lyrics that resonate with Laura are as follows:
If there’s a shadow in your life, then there’s sunshine.
Take your frozen heartache, lay it in the island sun.
Can’t nobody do it like 311.
Violence is for those who can’t handle diction.
Try not to think too far ahead, the pendulum swings soon enough.
It’s been a wild ride, I wouldn’t change a minute.
Dundee, Illinois is where Laura is from. It’s about 40 miles west of Chicago and she said she is pretty much a townie. “My brothers and I were the 5th generation to live in my parents’ house, and my parents are still there. I haven’t really lived far from FUNdee, minus college dorms and my student-teaching stint in Cave Springs, GA for 3 months. I love my hometown. I’m really pumped for my kids to go to my high school. I’m so cliche like that! Hahahaha! Someday I’ll venture to a more scenic and serene place. Dare I say bucolic??? But for now, I’m happy where I am.”
Laura said she is 43 and climbing, and married to her fantastic non-Excitable husband. They have an 11 year old daughter and 8 year old son. For her career, she teaches 8th grade ELA and just celebrated her 20th anniversary of teaching! “20 down, 15 to go (but who’s counting?). I love to read, ride my bike, hang out with friends and family, and plan events and vacations. I overdo everything, I don’t pack lightly, and you will never be thirsty or hungry at my house. I love the Cubs, am a not-talented golfer, and enjoy cooking/baking. My best friends from middle school and high school are still by my side! I have an amazing family- and I’m not just talking in my house. My parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, in-laws are all great people and we do a lot together. My 311 partner is my bestie Christy whom I’ve seen the majority of my shows with. We travel well together and have the best time laughing together. I have the cutest black lab pup named Reggie. Lastly, anyone who knows me knows that I love 311. It’s one of my most identifiable characteristics.”
Interesting fact about Laura is that she has odd food fears. “I am literally afraid to eat shrimp. I will not put an oyster in my mouth. Those shows with Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain make me ill. I will eat brussels sprouts, cottage cheese, beets and other things picky eaters won’t eat, but I have strong aversions to certain foods. I am completely aware of how childish it is, and I know I’m making my children terrible eaters in the process, but I will starve before I have to eat meatloaf.”
Something else Laura said that makes her stand out is that she is a 311 fan who doesn’t smoke weed. “It started by being a total prude and rule follower in my teens, to totally supporting others who enjoy it and just not liking it myself. It’s not for me. I don’t think if Nick himself put weed in my hands, that I’d partake. Guess that just leaves more for the rest of you.” Guilty pleasure for Laura? “Sometimes I don’t pick up my kids after school when I’m done and I just drive around listening to a book or album. If it’s nice out, I just drive with the windows down and take in the breeze. They’re safe at grandma’s. I get some me time = win-win! Also, I still love Grey’s Anatomy (I’m not a quitter) and I’m secretly in love with John B and JJ from Outerbanks.”
Other music that Laura can be found jamming out to include many that she found because of 311. “I love Incubus, Hoobastank, Tropidelic, Iration, etc. Being a Chicago girl (kinda), I love Alkaline Trio. I have always loved Sound Garden, Chris Cornell in general, and the Foo Fighters. I have a little country in me still, but I’m an old-school country fan: Garth, Travis, etc. A few other randoms I’m into are Pete Yorn, Jimmy Eat World, and Third Eye Blind, and I’m digging Little Stranger a lot too! Mainly, I’m a 90’s girl at heart.”
To 311, Laura would like to say these words: “Can we be friends? I just want to hang out with them and take in their essence. Back in the day, I’d say I want to make out with Nick, but my love for them is beyond that. I just want to go to family picnics and drink some beers in my backyard with them. I feel like we’d be good pals if they’d just give me a shot. :0)”
Now here is her message to her fellow 311 fans:
“Hey fellow Excitables! Thanks for reading the craziness that is my life and fanhood. I love that there are so many of you out there, who like me, love this band incessantly and obsessively! I hope to meet and make friends with many more of you over time. Even though I’m super jealous, I hope all of you cruisers have the best time! While you’re with the band, convince them to release ESTD3 already, and put out some new tunes for us! SP&LYL! 👌🤘”
Thank you Laura for sharing your 311 story! It was so great to learn all about you! Many thanks to the readers of this little blog. Now go have an amazing 311 Day week and see many of you OTMFB!
Hello friends out there in 311 nation! A new week is upon us and that means we have the newest addition to the 311 fan spotlight. Let’s meet another friend from Australia – Mathew Spicer!
1995 was the year that “Down” came on the radio and it traveled to Mathews’s ears. He instantly became a huge fan. The music just connected with him.
First show for Matt was in 1998 at the Warped Tour in Manly Australia and then he watched them the next day in Ulladulla. “23 shows all up with 2 in Australia and the rest in the states.” As for favorite show, Matt chose the first 311 Day he attended in 2010.
For favorite songs. Mathew said his top 3 are “Hive,” “Offbeat Bare Ass,” and “Visit.” As for favorite lyrics, he chose ones from the song “Hive.” “Being an Aussie fan and travelling overseas for them, my favorite line is ‘I represent the traveller, him he’s a shredder.”
As Mathew has mentioned, he’s from Australia! He grew up skateboarding. He spent 18 years on the deck, started when he was just 12 years old and went well into his 30’s. Fun fact about him – his birthday is on 311 Day! He also said that in this stage of his life, in his late 40’s, he needs to see 311 at least once a year. “My outlet in life.”
For other music that Mathew loves, it includes artists such as Unwritten Law, Papa Roach, Opm, Pulley, Bliss N Eso, The Vandals and No Fun At All.
To 311, Mathew has this question: “Why haven’t you returned since 1998 to our beautiful country to tour again?”
Now here is his message to all the other 311 fans out there:
“To my 311 crew I hang with at every show that always organize Airbnbs , tixs and rides to and from airports and shows to make this Aussie have a epic experience ..thank you so much you know who you are … big shout out to my best mate Chris Brauner from St. Louis bloody champion mate ….cheers. Last words See ya OTMFB in March!”
Thank you so much Mathew for being a part of this and sharing your story with us all. As always, much gratitude to all the readers and support each post. Hope you all have an amazing week. Sending out lots of positive vibes to you all.
