Hello my Excitable friends! Hope all is well with you and everyone is finally happy about the 311 Day announcement. And now, let’s meet the new fan spotlight. Here’s Pam Kuepper-Lessor!

When 311 came into the popular music scene, Pam was busy having kids and trying her best at a dysfunctional life. “I remember hearing Beautiful Disaster and thinking that the drums around 2:45 sounded like the clacking of coconut shells from Monty Python.” Later on, in 2009, she met this guy Shawn, and later down the road he asked her if she wanted to go to Summerfest to see 311. “I was like, “sure, whatever”.  When Sunset in July was played and I saw the joy in him while singing, dancing and having the time of his life, I fell in love.  311 won me over in that moment.”

Show count, Pam said she would have to count the posters in their basement to know for sure. “If setlist.fm is correct, Shawn and I have seen 311 41 times.  After the first Summerfest show in Milwaukee, WI, we started listening to them regularly.”

As for a favorite show, Pam started scrolling through photos on her phone, trying to decide. While she said her favorites are the ones where all her friends are with her, there is one event in particular that kept coming back to her. “Memorial Day Weekend of 2022. It was my birthday weekend and friends came from several different states.  We drove up to Superior, WI for a very cold show…I mean, SA barely sweat! During the show, we discovered that one of our own snuck some fresh cheesecurd contraband into the venue. We got back to the AirBnb at the exact moment our Chinese Takeout arrived.  We drove the 4 hours back to our house and partied a bit and got ready for the Green Bay show.  I rented a coach bus and 20 of us piled on.  We jammed out to 311 all the way there and all the way back.  There was a “falling down the bus hole” incident.  There were “tortilla tits”.  We added a person to the party from the GB show.  We played instruments, sang, danced around the pool table, put on the clothes and hats hanging in the basement closet. And it was ALL with the people I’ve come to call family because of 311.”

The song that means the most to Pam is “Sunset in July” because that’s the one that sparked her interest and really got her into 311. “It made my heart melt when I looked at Shawn.” Favorite lyric? “I find myself using “Stay positive and love your life” as a mantra sometimes.  It feels cliche.  But those words are strong and sometimes you just need that reminder.”

The Fox Cities of Wisconsin is where Pam grew up. She went to a Lutheran school and also attended church every week. Around the time she got “confirmed,” around 8th grade, she started hanging out with the public school kids. “I was learning about Metallica, AC/DC and all kinds of other things that I’d been sheltered from.  When I hit 9th grade, I went to a public school.  My parents were recently divorced and I went down a path.  In the summer after 9th grade, I realized that I really liked smoking weed.  This led me to dating a guy who was frequently selling weed at the party house I went to.  Well, right after high school graduation, I found out I was pregnant with his child.  I had Paige when I was 18. My pastor held my daughter’s baptism as ransom, making us get married if we wanted to assure her soul a spot in heaven. UGH!  Well, the marriage didn’t last and was very emotionally abusive.  But I did get two beautiful little girls out of it.”

Now at 22, Pam was afraid of being alone and having no way financially to take care of her kids. So she took a temp job, got into debt because she didn’t have health insurance, and then her daughter had a seizure. She ended up in another marriage thinking he could take care of them, but unfortunately she was wrong. “Another alcoholic/addict.  While married, my temp job became permanent and then I got laid off.  Because of the Trade Readjustment Act, the company paid for my schooling.  My husband wasn’t supportive of my education and wanted me to go back into a mill job.  I got a degree in computer science.  My education was empowering and I learned to stand on my own two feet.  My daughters both struggled with depression and anxiety.  They still do.  Thankfully, I met an amazing guy who was supportive, strong, fun, hot AF…Shawn. He was there for me while dealing with my youngest daughter’s suicide attempts and meltdowns as well as sending my oldest off to college.  I gained a son when I met Shawn.  We got married after 4 years.  Not too long in, we found out we were having our first grandchild. We now have 2 grandsons, a granddaughter, a daughter-in-law, a couple notso-son-in-laws. The friends we have are the greatest people in the world. They are all over the world and many of them are friends gained through 311.  This combination of friends and family have made me the luckiest person in the world.”

After Pam earned her bachelors degree, she quit her job that she had for 15 years. They ended up moving to South Carolina, and fell in love with the 311 crews down south. “Covid hit while we were in Vegas for 311 Day 2020.  Luckily, this allowed me to get my job back in Wisconsin, working remotely.  Then, on 311 Day, 2025, I was notified that my team and I were losing our jobs. I have landed on my feet and am now with a young company that will, hopefully, respect my 311 concert plans.”

When she lost her job back in March, Pam took a bartending job until she found another software development position. ” I fell in love with bartending and had to keep the job to meet the needs of the extroverted side of myself.” Guilty pleasure for her, she said she has a crafting problem! “I love everything from pouring epoxy, using my laser for engraving, my cricut for t-shirts, pictures, stickers, etc and my latest, making earrings for my Etsy store.”

For other musicians Pam can be found listening to, she said that 311 led her down a rabbit hole of music. “Tropidelic quickly became one of my favorite bands.  Bumpin Uglies, Prof, Aaron Kamm and the One Drops, Little Stranger.”

To 311, Pam would like to send along this message: “Thank you for the family you have given me. They have become the world to me and we all come together around you.”

Now here is her message to all the other fans out there:

“For my friends in the 311 community, I think we need to remember that with all of the turmoil around us these days, love, understanding and forgiveness are more important to practice than ever.

‘IT WOULD BE MUCH MORE CONSTRUCTIVE IF PEOPLE TRIED TO UNDERSTAND THEIR SUPPOSED ENEMIES. LEARNING TO FORGIVE IS MUCH MORE USEFUL THAN MERELY PICKING UP A STONE AND THROWING IT AT THE OBJECT OF ONE’S ANGER, THE MORE SO WHEN THE PROVOCATION IS EXTREME. FOR IT IS UNDER THE GREATEST ADVERSITY THAT THERE EXISTS THE GREATEST POTENTIAL FOR DOING GOOD, BOTH FOR ONESELF AND OTHERS.’

H.H. THE XIVTH DALAI LAMA”

Thank you to Pam for sharing her story with the rest of 311 nation! As always, my love to all the supporters of this little blog each post. Have an amazing week my friends!

Much Love – The Runt

What is up my friends in the 311 universe! Hope everyone is doing well. Shall we get to the latest fan spotlight? Let’s meet Nadia Rushing!

In 1995, Nadia needed a ride home from marching band practice. She was unaware of the musical journey she was about to go on. “A guy named Tony was kind enough to drive me home and he introduced me to Music and Grassroots and I was instantly hooked. I had never heard anything like them before. I believe Blue had just recently come out too. Being I wasn’t yet able to drive, I begged to get to the record store and spent most of the money I had to buy the albums. I spent hours upon hours lying on my bedroom floor  listening to the CDs, reading song lyric after lyric and singing my heart out. And yet, after hours of studying, I still sing what I hear!”

For show count, Nadia said she sadly isn’t one of those fans that keep accurate track. She believes it’s around 30. First show for her was in 1996, at the Omni in Atlanta, when No Doubt was the opener. “Besides my infatuation with 311, Gwen Stefani was my female role model so this show was amazing.”

Picking a favorite show can be difficult for most 311 fans. Nadia has been fortunate enough to attend a few 311 Day events, 2 cruises, and a show at Red Rocks. Of all of these, she said her first cruise was an experience like no other. “While this was my favorite event, I must share my favorite experience. While in college, 311 was playing in Jacksonville, FL with Jimmy’s Chicken Shack as the opener I believe. My friend I didn’t have a tickets to the show but the venue told us we could buy at the door. So we drove 3 hours only to find out it was sold out. (This was before the days of internet sales). We were bummed and didn’t just want to drive home for nothing so we wandered into a nearby tattoo parlor. There we ran into one of the road-crew guys for 311. We told him our heartbreak and he told us where to go to see their tour bus and hopefully catch a glimpse of the guys. We took his advice and hung around the tour buses, taking with other fans, etc. and wouldn’t you know, I looked over my shoulder and there stood miT, talking with the fans. We got his autograph and were lucky enough to meet Chad as well. P-nut then came out and one of the fans told him our story and asked if there was any way for us to see the show. He said “of course! Write your names down for me and I’ll turn it in at the gate”. We were in complete disbelief and never thought it would have actually happened. But sure enough, we went to the gate a while later, acting like complete fan-girls and we were on the list! It was an amazing show and we had a blast. Post-show we went back to the busses and were lucky enough to meet all 5 members and get all their autographs, I still have the shirt they signed all those years ago!”

For a favorite song, right now it’s “Persimmon” that holds some weight for Nadia. “Recent current life events led me down some dark roads and this song has helped me in ways I can’t explain. One thing I can say for sure, there is a 311 song and album for each part of life and I’m so thankful to have them all when I need them. In good times, happy times, sad times and angry. 311’s catalogue never disappoints.” Nadia also said that “The Happy Slam Dance Song” a.k.a. “Do You Right” will always be a favorite of hers! As for a lyric, she doesn’t have one in particular. “But I know I can always count on 311 to have the words I’m looking for. To have an ounce of the lyrical talent of SA would be a gift.”

South of Atlanta, Georgia, is where Nadia grew up, in a small town known as the bubble or gold cart capital. Others may know it as Peachtree City. She has very supportive parents and two sisters, one of whom has been the fan spotlight before (Jenna Kimlinger)! “I had no idea then, but she used to sneak into my room, find my diary and listen to 311 when I wasn’t home. She became a bigger fan than I can ever claim to be because of this.”

Nadia attended college in South Georgia, at Georgia Southern University. Radio and CD’s were her only music options. “There weren’t many non-country options so I didn’t keep up with 311 much after DTOM. (Thankfully my sister brought me back into the light a few years later and am thankful for that every day!) I graduated with my BSN, worked as a nurse and got married; we stayed in south GA for some time and I became a mom to 2 amazing kiddos. I am happy to report that I’m turning my youngest into a 311 fan as we speak! I can’t seem to get my oldest into them but can appreciate my love for 311. I’m now divorced and living back up near the ATL area with my kids.”

Nadia still works as a nurse, in a role that has allowed her to have an amazing work/life balance. “While my sister Jenna and I share the 311 love, our older sister never got into them. She has come to show here and there so we can spend sister time together.  We keep trying to convert her and maybe one day we will be successful. While she may not be a fan, she did share with me how she sees the roll that 311 and the connections made through this band have had such a positive impact on my sister and I. We’ve been lucky to have our amazing 311 family jump into action when we needed it most. These friends will never know how much we love them and appreciate the amazing humans that they are. And of course, I can’t even begin to say how much my sister from another mister, Tish Morgan means to me. Jenna, Tish and I all got matching 311 tattoos recently and life is all about who you have matching tattoos with. I would not be the person I am today, without those who matter most.”

Interesting fact about Nadia, she said the older she gets, the more introverted she is becoming. “But I wish I could be more extroverted and have the guts to talk to more people.” A talent for her, she was stumped, so she asked her sister. “Interestingly enough, she said that I am a great gift giver and have a knack for picking out just the perfect Christmas gifts for others! Who knew. 😉” Guilty pleasure for her? It’s the show “Gilmore Girls.” “It’s always on in the background and I  can recite most of it by heart. I usually have to have some kind of noise in the background so it’s either music or Gilmore Girls. I also have to admit, I like Ed Sheeran!”

When not listening to 311…or Ed Sheeran, Nadia is a huge 90’s rock alternative fan. She listens to it often. She’s also currently loving Little Stranger, Dirty Heads, Tropidelic, The Elovators, and most recently, Sitting on Saturn.

To 311, Nadia has these words: “Because of this band, going to shows, and the love, positivity and support of the Unity that is 311, I will always be thankful to 311 for the amazing friends I have the pleasure to call my 311 family.”

Now here are her words to all of the other fans out there: “Thank you to everyone who makes each event an amazing experience. There is nothing better than a 311 show and I will never be able to explain how each event fills my soul. IYKYK!”

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Thank you tons to Nadia for sharing her story with us all! Of course, my love and gratitude to everyone who reads these. Sending you all good vibes and nothing but happiness.

Much Love – The Runt

Hello my friends! It’s been a minute but we are back with a brand new 311 fan spotlight! Let’s get the story from Samantha Westbrook-Gomez!

Samantha was the type of person that never really paid attention to who sang the songs she listened to, she just knew she liked it or she didn’t. So she was a fan of the blue album when she was young, but didn’t really know who 311 was. “The love I have now for 311 and their music comes from my Husband Justin. He is my own personal DJ.”

Show count for Samantha is around 13-14. First show for her was in Reno, Nevada, about 8 years ago, with her husband. Favorite of the shows she’s been to? ” I have had the amazing opportunity to enjoy 2 cruises (2023 and 2025). The 2023 cruise on 311 Day has to be my favorite.”

A song that means the most to Samantha, she says changes. “Right now Inside Our Home has been on repeat. Mountain Top off the new album is another. Down was my first love however. Followed by Champagne and then Strong All Along.” Favorite lyrics for Samantha? She said those are “Stay positive & love your life,” and “Fuck the bullshit.”

Samantha grew up in a small town in California, that only had about 10,000 people. “My parents separated when I was very young, so I’ve had 4 parents for as long as I can remember. I’m also blessed with a lot of siblings, 11, not counting ones that aren’t blood but still family.” In her 20’s, she realized that college wasn’t working for her, so she went to work as a server full-time, also training to become a bartender. “Along that journey I moved to Maine for 6 months to work in Acadia National Park at the only restaurant in the park called the Jordan Pond House. I got to learn a lot of old English traditions and serve tea and popovers and a tone of great fresh Lobster.”

After Maine, Samantha moved to Arizona for a bit, then back to Maine for a second summer season, and then decided she was headed to Alaska for a summer. “Flew all my stuff over for the summer, fell in love with the area & had an amazing summer, then decided to go back and be a little closer to home. So “close to home” for me meant a 5 hour drive. I found myself working for then Squaw Valley resort, at a top of the mountain restaurant. Before the season started I agreed to pick up extra hours at another spot in the mountain just for money, and the 2nd day I was volunteering for that they told me 3 guys from the banquet department are coming in and I was to show them how things are done. One of the 3 men is my now husband Justin. We spent the winter together, I was very apparent about my plans for the summer. Told him I have a truck and camper and I was going to be driving it to Alaska for my 2nd summer and I would love for him to join me, well he actually did! We spent the summer there, came back to Tahoe and Covid hit so we have decided to try and make a home and family here where we found one another. What’s great is we were from rival high school in the same small town areas, great up living maybe an hour or so apart and never met until our 20’s up in Tahoe!”

Interesting fact about Samantha, she started playing the clarinet when she was in middle school, all because her grandfather loved to play. “I eventually learned to play 4 different types of clarinet.” Something that makes her unique is her creative problem solving skills. “I feel like I tend to find solutions sometimes where there seems none at first. I’m also the person to call to put together IKEA furniture I love challenges! 🤣” Guilty pleasure for Samantha? “Harry Potter, and fantasy book reading. Literally could disappear for days.”

Other music Samantha likes she said is crazy and all over the map. The list includes Metallica, Turnstile, Fever 333, Blink-182, HIRIE, Little Stranger, Ballyhoo!, Living Legends and Shania Twain.

Samantha’s message to 311 is this: “I would thank the whole of the band, the message of positivity and love they spread is so empowering and strong.”

Now here are her words to all the other 311 fans out there:

“To all the other Excitables out there, you are a huge part of why this band is so great and we love going to live shows. It’s the community and friends we see time and time again at shows and on cruises that makes the love for the band that much deeper. Stay Positive and Love your Lives!”

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Thank you so much Samantha for sharing your story with everyone! As always, my love to all that read each week. Hope you are all having an excellent day/week/month!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back my excitable friends! Are we ready to get to the next fan spotlight? Let’s meet Jenise Sullivan!

Jenise was about 12 years old when the “From Chaos” album came out, and that’s when she first heard of 311. “I was getting ready for a ski trip with my sister Jessica Sullivan and she told me to pick up the album to listen to on our trip. The first song that stuck out to me was ‘Uncalm.”

Show count for Jenise is over a dozen. She’s seen them in 6 different states and on two cruises. First show for her was in Utah and her second show was at Red Rocks. Favorite of the shows? “Definitely the cruises! specifically Cruise seven when they played let the cards fall and second Cruise when they played get down.”

Favorite song for Jenise is “Get Down.” “For some reason it just gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.” There are a lot of lyrics that she loves also. “I would have to say basically the whole song Simplify and Jupiter when Nick says “so many things that have gone wrong, but still, you have ears to hear the song and if you’re reading in close caption, there’s still worse things that could’ve happened.”

Jenise was born and raised in Nampa, Idaho. She now lives in Boise. “I have never lived anywhere else but have been fortunate enough to see many places including 7 different states and 4 different countries. I’m the youngest of 6. I’ve been to many 311 shows with my brother Johnathon Sullivan and Jessica Sullivan, who not only introduced me to 311 but we have shared many fun days and nights laughing and crying to there music it really means so much to us.”

Jenise has 3 kids: Charles, Mollyann, and Lucy, and they mean the world to her! “They have also been to a handful of 311 shows and concerts in general.” Jenise also loves to snowboard and go on adventures with her boyfriend Justin Pickford. “We love to go camping and he also enjoys 311 and tells me that he probably wouldn’t have seen so much live music if it wasn’t for meeting me. Justin also helped me gain the confidence to start my own cleaning business so I do commercial and residential cleaning services all over the treasure valley so that how I support my concert habit.”

Fun fact about Jenise is that she loves to cook Italian food and she also drinks milk daily! “If you were ever my room mate on the boat you know I drink milk every day even on the boat and eat what ever pasta dish they have out!” Something unique about her is that she and her siblings were all born at home. “My mom is a badass tough women.” Guilty pleasure for her? Horror movies and true crime podcasts!

For other music you can find Jenise listening to, it’s a wide variety including all different types. “Right now I have tickets this summer to Glass Animals who I will be seeing for the first time, and Slightly Stoopid, and Little Stranger, all the awesome reggae bands. I also have a lot of Paramore, Surfer Girl, and Andy Frasco in my rotation.”

If Jenise could say one thing to 311, it would be this: “I would ask P-nut if he wasn’t the bassist for 311 what job would he have? I  also would tell them I love them.”

Now here are her words to all her fellow fans!

“I love you all and can’t wait to see and meet more of you at every show! I will be at the show in Pocatello  in August!”

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Thank you Jenise for sharing you story with all of us! Per the usual, my undying gratitude to all the readers each week. Hope you are all happy & well!

Much Love – The Runt

Hello 311 nation! It’s time for the newest edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet Johnathon Sullivan!

1996 was the year and Johnathon’s homie Jarom had the herb. This is when he first heard the tunes of 311. “We were space cruising and he popped in the fire album. The 2nd track Random just hit different. I asked him what we were listening to. He said “311”. From that point on I went and found everything they had done.”

Show count for Johnathon is over 100, but he doesn’t know the exact number anymore. First show for him was in 1997 with Incubus and Sugar Ray in Boise. “It was amazing.” As for a favorite event or show, he’s been to quite a few like Red, White & Boom and many 311 Day’s. His fave though? “You can’t top the 311 cruise. So many life long friends and epic moments on that boat! Incredible!!”

Johnathon said he doesn’t know if he could just pick one song that’s his favorite. “They are so consistent with the messaging, energy, and live show. So my favorites come and go. Right now Wildfire and most of Stereolithic.” As for a favorite lyric: “My drama unfolds behind closed doors.”

Johnathon grew up in Idaho, in a pretty big family. He has 4 sisters and a brother, a couple of his sisters are also huge 311 fans and go to many shows and events with him (Jenise and Jessica). As a kid, he pretty much grew up on the basketball court. “Music and hoop were my 1st 2 loves in life. When I was 19 I joined my 1st band and recorded my 1st album. This was before the internet lol. There are still copys floating around somewhere. I have been a part of various project since then. My last band was called Finding Keys. We did release a short EP on the streaming formats.”

At the age of 27, Johnathon moved to Hawaii with his girlfriend at the time. “We were there for about 7 years. I loved it and miss the ocean. While I was living there, my now 12 year old son Evan John L Sullivan was born. We did move back when he was about 2 so he could be raised around the rest of his mom and my families. I’m a Painter by trait and most of my disposable income is used on live music and travel. I love the people I’ve met through 311, many that are a huge part of my life. Talking to you Brooke, Ashley, and speed limit guy!”

Interesting fact about Johnathon is that he was raised in a cult. “I grew up in a church that didn’t allow doctor visits or modern medicine. I never joined the church but I learned a lot from it and wouldn’t change a thing about my childhood. It was full of love and compassion. Mixed in with a lot of crazy.”

Johnathon mentioned he grew up on the basketball court and said he was an excellent player growing up. “I can still shoot the shit out of a basketball.” Guilty pleasure for him is Stephen King. He’s a huge fan. “The Dark Tower series is an incredible read.”

As for other music Johnathon loves, he said My Morning Jacket has very much changed his life over the last 4-5 years. “They are tapped in. IYKYK. I love the new OK-Go album, never was a huge fan but the new music is fire! Aesop is amazing. I love music that is edifying. If you want people to listen, tell a story from your eyes. Don’t repeat someone else’s.”

To 311, Johnathon has an easy message for them: “Thank you!!” “The band has changed my life on many different levels like im sure they have many of the people reading this.”

Now to all the other fans reading this:

“Give yourself some grace. Try to avoid comparing yourself to others. Everything in moderation including moderation.”

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Thank you to Johnathon for sharing his story with us all! My thanks always also to all who read these posts. Hope you are all well and living your best life!

Much Love – The Runt

Hello again my Excitable friends! Happy July! Let’s get to the next 311 Fan Spotlight shall we? Let me introduce you to Jordan Henshilwood!

Jordan found out about 311 when he was just 12 years old and it’s because his whole family listened to them! “Became a real fan I would say about 17, loving how the music makes you feel and meaning behind the lyrics.”

Show count for Jordan he believes is somewhere around 10. First show for him was in Salt Lake City, Utah, and the Utah Credit Union Amphitheatre around 2016/17. Favorite show he’s been to? “2025 OTMFB!”

The song that really means a lot to Jordan is “Sand Dollars.” As for lyrics, one of his faves also comes from that song: “I kept making a U-turn, ended up with a sunburn, but the lesson that I learned, was worth the skin that peeled.”

Jordan’s upbringing from age 5 – 12 was a bit different than others. “My parents had my sister brother and I jumping hotel to hotel, from one homeless shelter to the next! Sitting on the corner asking/begging for money! They were in and out of jail my whole life. When I was about 12 I moved into my grandparents’ house. Eddie Bratke, well known in this community, my uncle, was living there and took on the role of raising us kids! Can’t thank that man enough! Couple years later he found his amazing wife Ashley Bratke and they both have been my guide in life, letting me know right from wrong, helping me be the best version of myself every day!”

In 2022, Jordan went to work with Eddie at a glove warehouse and he’s now the warehouse manager of it! “These two have taken me under their wing and showed me life and showed me the 311 FAMILY and what they are about! 2025 and life couldn’t be better, went on my first 311 cruise, moved into my first house alone and we are only half the way through! Life couldn’t be better!”

Something that Jordan does every day, he tries to find the good in any situation. “Always live my life with a smile on my face! It’s better that way!” He tries to make the best out of any moment. Guilty pleasure for him? It’s doing yard work! “It’s satisfying.”

Other music that Jordan can be found jamming out to include artists like Dirty Heads, Surfer Girl, Little Stranger, The Elovaters, The Movement, Denm, Artikal Sound System, and Bumpin Uglies, just to name a few.

For what Jordan would say to the band, his message goes out to Nick specifically: “Sorry I hit you with the ball OTMFB!”

Now here is his message to all the other 311 fans out there:

“You all are AMAZING and WONDERFUL people! So glad to be apart of the 311 fam,  You Guys Rock!”

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Thank you Jordan for sharing your story with us all! And of course, thank you to all that read these each time. Have a great week, keep smiling and spreading the positivity. The world needs it!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back my friends out there in the 311 universe! New week…new fan spotlight! Let’s check out the story of Lauren Black!

Lauren heard of 311 when the Blue album debuted, one of the local stations had a show called “The Adventure Club with Josh” and she said he somehow always played cool new music. She’s pretty sure that’s where she first heard them. ” I immediately fell in love with the energy and that super sweet unique blend of rock and rap. It was truly love at first listen. I quickly became obsessed with Music and Grassroots as well, playing that shit on repeat, over and over again, and the rest is history. Their music became such a part of me and so ingrained in my head, I listened to it on repeat so many times over the years growing up. I did struggle with undiagnosed ADHD, depression and anxiety in my early teen years, and 311’s music literally probably saved my life, helping me reshape my mindset by thinking positively, inspired by their lyrics.”

As for show count, Lauren said she used to scoff at fans that kept such well documented spreadsheets of the shows they’ve seen and songs they’ve heard. “I always wanted to live in the moment, plus I smoke a lot of weed so sometimes I forget. A while ago, I went back and tried to count up every show I have been to. My best guess is that I have seen them about 135 times at this point.” First shows she saw were at the Bronco Bowl in Dallas and then also in 2001 at the Warped Tour.

For a favorite, Lauren said there have been a lot over the years that have been incredible. “Every 311 day I have been to (which is all of them since 2002, with the exception of 2016) has been amazing and always for different reasons. Each 311 day is unique. 311 Day 2010 was especially sweet for me because I got to interview the band for MTV news and got the full backstage experience. That may have been when I peaked in life.  The Halloween shows, especially 2010 and the one at the Stanley hotel a few years ago, have also been excellent.”

Songs that mean the most to Lauren can change over time, depending on where she is in her life. “Thankfully I am at a really nice, chill, stable place in life, but the top few songs that really come to me at this moment are “Sun Comes Through,” “Use of Time,” and “Space and Time.’ YES I do like their new music too!”

There’s a lyric that means so much to Lauren that she has it tattooed on her foot, as a tribute to her best friend who passed away her freshman year of college: “Lovely life I thank you.” “I met Lisa my first week of college and we clicked right away with our mutual love of music. She loved 311 so much but her all time favorite band was Less Than Jake. We always had the very best time together. The last time I ever saw her was when we went to a 311 show in Tulsa together in 2004. I left the next day to head to New Orleans for 311 day, and she went to Galveston for spring break, where she was tragically killed in an accident.  Though not the banger I love to hear for an encore at a live show, I do really appreciate Beyond the Grey Sky as a song. I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with my friend Lisa while she was here, and my tattoo with BTGS lyrics honor that.” Another favorite of hers is “Savor the sun, but when the clouds come, make animals.”

Lauren has lived in Texas her whole life, except her time in college. She said she is very lucky to still be close with her family. “My dad took me to my very first 311 Day in 2002 when I was a sophomore in high school. He hung out with a security guard in the back most of the time, but that was really cool of him, and I know he definitely considers it a parental flex that he was there and could do that with me. My mom went with me when I got my first tattoo (which happens to be the Soundsystem logo!), and she loves to play the 311 Lullabies album for the toddlers she works with in public school. My sister has been with me to countless 311 shows, including 311 Day 2006. I am actually too lucky to have a family that supported my 311 addiction so well over the years. How can I ever break this habit at this point?”

Lauren is married and living in Austin, Texas, with two dogs. “My husband actually does not love live music like I do (He likes seated shows only with super chill music like Iron and Wine, and even then he still might not want to go.) so I usually go to shows alone or with friends. I think sometimes people are surprised when they find out I am married. We are kind of homebodies but I do still love to go out for a good concert or a delicious meal.” Lauren also has Celiac Disease, a severe Gluten intolerance, so she has to watch what she eats but says she still eats really well. “There is a ton of great food here in Austin, especially gluten free (Tacos on corn tortillas are naturally gluten free!). Austin also offers a lot of cool outdoor and nature oriented activities, which I love (for now at least – before the extreme heat from climate crisis overtakes this area!). The trail at Town Lake and swimming at Barton Springs are two of the very best things to do in Austin, if you ask me.”

Travel is something Lauren loves to do, especially to legal states that sell 710 Labs products! She does hair for her profession, and she especially enjoys doing blondes or fun, vibrant colors. Her dogs, Bronte and Penny, are she and her husbands pride & joy. “Bronte is a five year old doodle mix and Penny is a sweet fourteen year old golden retriever. I wish I could bring them everywhere with me!”

Lauren graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin, however she has also studied English at both Cambridge and Oxford. As for a guilty pleasure, she stated that she doesn’t really feel guilty about any of her pleasures because her life is full of them! “from 311, to 90 Day Fiance, to old episodes of MTV’s The Challenge, to drinking Diet Coke almost every damn day (that shit is delicious and addictive!), to nerding out over Lord of the Rings, to wearing socks with sandals, or dresses that look like they were meant for toddlers… I am a big fan of just doing what makes you happy, as long as it isn’t anything messed up.” She also can’t get enough of trash reality television! “It’s a serious problem. Married at First Sight, 90 Day Fiance, Love After Lockup, and really all Bravo, TLC, Lifetime and old school MTV reality shows are the best.”

Lauren said some old school 311 fans might remember that back in the day she used to take official 311 merch and sew the basic shirts into cute dresses or halter tops with lace & fun prints. ” I still do that every now and then, but I always love to dress just a little different and wear what makes me happy.  I have even been told by someone in the band my unique clothing style sets me apart from other fans. I do love wearing a 311 shirt to 311 shows! I just need to put a fun twist on it.”

Other music Lauren can be found listening to? Her second favorite band is Guster, and she’s seen them about 60 times. “They are so insanely musically talented and their shows are nothing but fun and good vibes. The band members play multiple instruments and often switch it around during shows. The drummer for Guster is a beast and does a lot on bongos as well. I highly recommend everyone checking out Guster live if they have a chance. Much like 311, Guster really shines live and their energy is amazing. The biggest difference between the Guster guys and our 311 guys, is that Guster is always riffing and shooting from the hip. It’s not uncommon at all for them to do a live jam off the cuff about lobster rolls at their show in Maine, or to do long rambling intros, or just have fun talking to and interacting with the crowd.”

Lauren also loves Hip Hop & Rap. “I love alllll the hip hop music – old, new, mainstream, underground, hard, pop, drill, down south, whatever. I love a good beat.  I especially love female rap. Megan Thee Stallion, Glorilla, Trina, Lil Kim – there are so many talented females in the game. Outkast, Animal Collective, Lil Nas X, Kendrick Lamar, Beyonce, Drake, Less Than Jake are also up there in my favorites. I love variety!Finally, I cannot say enough good things about the collab Nick Hexum did with George Clanton. I could listen to that album for the rest of my life and never tire of it – it’s just so good!”

Lauren has been lucky enough to speak to the guys in 311 multiple times, and her message to them is always one of gratitude: “Thank you for making fantastic music and bringing people together, and spreading love and positivity all these years. While that is most definitely still true, currently I would like to thank P Nut and SA for standing up and being vocal about their political and moral beliefs during these dark and divisive times. They embody the positive qualities and values 311 has been singing about these past thirty plus years, if you ask me.
Also Nick, you are still fine as hell, and your golden retriever and dog posts are literally the best – keep giving us cute animal content.”

Now here are her words to all the other awesome fans out there:

“I cannot express enough how much I love this community and all the friends I have made over the years. I can’t believe I am still meeting cool new fans I didn’t already know who have also been fans for ages! Like, how did our paths not cross sooner? I love jamming with y’all, sharing joints with y’all, getting fun fan made swag, making sweet memories, and having the time of our lives together. Please do not ever hesitate to say hi if you see me out and about or reach out if you happen to be visiting Austin!”

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Thank you Lauren for sharing your fun story with all of us! So happy you are a part of this community. Always, my undying gratitude to everyone who reads these posts. Hope you all have a week full of happiness, peace & good things.

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back to the next 311 Fan Spotlight! This week, let’s get the scoop from Erin Perez!

It was the summer before 7th grade when Erin saw the video for “Down” on the MTV Top 20 Video Countdown and she was completely blown away. “The sound and the video really caught my attention and woke up something inside. It was like a shiny puzzle piece snapped into a missing part of my brain.”

Erin says she lost track of her show count at this point, but a few years ago she and her friend Gabby past the 200 mark. “When I was 15, after begging my parents, my uncle took me to my first 311 show on 4/3/2000. It was at The Palladium in Los Angeles, and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack opened. It was an excellent experience and gave me a taste of that 311 magic that happens at their events.”

Picking a favorite show was difficult for Erin to narrow down. “The three-night 311 Day 2020, right before the world shut down, was amazing! The basement set was the coolest thing, and closing with acoustic I’ll Be Here Awhile gave me chills. I have been so fortunate to have attended six 311 Days (we had to miss 2010 because I had surgery too close to the date. I’m still sorry Gabby!), five 311 cruises, Pow Wow, the two recent Hawaii concerts, Mandalay Bay Beach shows, the Raiders Halftime set, and many other memorable shows! Anytime they play Champagne with bubbles my heart gets extra happy.”

For songs that Erin loves, she said the Transistor Intro is her pump her up song. “I listen to it before I have to do something hard or intimidating.” Some of her other favorites are “Eons,” “Visit,” “Extension,” “Purpose,” and “1,2,3.”

Favorite lyric? Erin said she picked one for her high school yearbook: “The jaded ones will wither while the optimistic grow.” “From Six, I still love that line so much.” She also likes these lines:

“It’s alright to feel good, it’s alright for nothing to be wrong,” 1,2,3

“I wanna do what’s right, Be kind to every single body,” Creature Feature

“You can’t stop entropy so why even try,” Life’s Not A Race

Erin grew up in a little suburb of Los Angeles called Azusa, which the locals she says call “Mayberry.” “There’s no anonymity here, ha. I met my best friend, Gabby, in middle school and we’ve been true comadres ever since. I feel so blessed that she became a huge 311 fan and we have been blessed to share so many amazing experiences, including many with her daughter (my goddaughter).”

Erin said she’s pretty much a townie, as she grew up in Azusa and still lives there. She works for Azusa Unified. Although she did live in Long Beach for 4 years while attending college. “I love learning and studied Human Development at CSULB. Post-grad, I have credentials in Visual Impairments and Blindness, Orthopedic Impairments, and a credential and Masters in Orientation and Mobility. Next year will be my 19th year of teaching for Azusa, where I spent time as an Assistive Technology Specialist and Teacher of the Visually Impaired (VI). I am an itinerant VI teacher and get to drive around between schools/districts and work one-on-one with my students. I truly believe it is the best job in education!”

While Erin has always been a quiet and shy person, she said that 311 shows are one of the few places she feels free and part of a positive collective consciousness. “Whatever is happening in life, we’ve always had a show, new music, special event, or a coming announcement to look forward to, and help keep things positive and moving.”

Fun fact about Erin, she worked for In-N-Out Burger’s cookout department while she was going to school. “I got to serve from the food trucks at some really cool events. My favorite experience was meeting Zach Braff and Donald Faison at a Scrubs taping we catered, where they did a hilarious bit/routine for us. I also got to meet David Hasselhoff and Jon Voight (along with some very rude rich people…).”

Something that makes Erin unique is that thanks to her job, she can read braille by sight. “I constantly read (and judge errors!) on signs/etc out in public.” Guilty pleasure for her, she said she has the spirit of an old person and purchases TV series on Apple TV. “I like to play stuff in the background and am guilty of re-watching all my favorite/comfort TV shows on a loop: The Office, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, Freaks and Geeks, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, King of the Hill, Girlfriends, Better Call Saul/Breaking Bad, Dexter, Ugly Betty, and Schitt’s Creek. I also love puzzles and can spend hours zoned out listening to an audiobook/podcast/music while working on one.”

For other music Erin is into, she said The Beatles were her childhood favorite and she still loves them with her whole heart. Other than that, she can be found jamming tunes from The Strokes, Paul McCartney, Passafire, Billy Joel, Yellowman, Oliver Tree, Charlie Zaa, Oasis, New Found Glory, Hanson, Reggie and the Full Effect, Johnny Cash, Sublime, and The Smashing Pumpkins. “My bf’s favorite, so we always joke they’re his 311.”

To 311, Erin has this message: “Thank you so much for everything and making the soundtrack of my life so much better than it would have been otherwise!”

Now here is her message to all her fellow 311 fans:

“Thank you all for the energy, love, acceptance, joy, and support unselfishly shared between us all over the years! “Two perfect strangers sharing a groove!”

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Thank you Erin for sharing your story with all of the community! Of course, my love & thanks to all the readers out there. I hope you all have an amazing week!

Much Love – The Runt

Hello 311 nation! Happy 311 Day week! Let’s kick it off properly by meeting another fan – here’s the story of Stephen Murphy!

Back when Stephen was in high school there was a kid who was one grade ahead of him and he had an old Chevy pick up truck that had a huge 311 sticker across the back window. “I went up to him before class one day and asked him about it and he told me who they were and that I should check them out. That weekend I went to Newbury Comics and picked up the blue album and Music. After that first listen, I was hooked. The mixture of different sounds, how it made me move and feel. I was all over the place while coming into my own, so hearing a band that was somewhat “all over that place” as well felt pretty good. Everything about it felt good and it was for me. Little did I know that the sounds of 311 would be with me from that point on, through thick and thin.”

First time Stephen saw 311 was in North Hampton, Massachusetts, when they were part of Warped Tour. “From that point on, its has been fifty shows in multiple states and across two cruises to this point. Cannot wait for Cruise #3 in a few short weeks!!” As for his favorite show, it was the July 2008 show at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. “I was on leave after my tour in Iraq and I was excited to be seeing them again. I will never forget it was during the beginning of Come Original that a thunderstorm started. Everything was hitting right, it was great.”

For songs that resonate with Stephen, there are a few including “Come Original.” “It wants you to be happy with who you are and be who you are. Do not be who you think others want you to be.” The other song is “Crossfire.” “In Iraq, there was a point in my deployment where I was in fact in a crossfire while listening to 311.”

As for favorite lyrics, there are ones from “Too Much Too Think” that hold a special place for Stephen, “I don’t got time to waste or time to kill, I’ve had too much to think. I wanna get high (I wanna get high) but you’re taking me down.” “They help me keep my mind in perspective when goals need to be achieved.”

Lowell, Massachusetts, is where Stephen is from. He is a dad to 3 amazing children – Fiona Jane is his oldest and she is 19. Then there’s Kennedy Julianna who is 18 and about to graduate high school and start college in the fall. The youngest is Clash Fenway and he just had a birthday turning 15! Stephen is also the oldest of four brothers.

Stephen lived in Lowell most of his life until he joined the Army in 2005 as a medic. Then he moved around a bit including Texas, Washington, and Colorado. “I also had a couple of overseas deployments sprinkled in before getting out in 2014. It was because of the Army that I was able to see 311 all over the country in places I never thought possible. After my time in the Army, I became my youngest brother’s caretaker and was his main person until his passing in July 2023. It has been a long year and a half of healing and figuring things out. I am currently back in school figuring out what I want to be when I grow up.  I am getting close to maybe figuring it out.  My kids say I got this, they haven’t been wrong yet!  My kids are my biggest fans and I am their biggest fans.  They keep me young at heart and keep my mind sharp.”

On April 20th of this year, Stephen is going for his third Tough Ruck marathon. “That’s 26.2 miles with my 45lb ruck sack on.  I am one crazy Mother Rucker! I never in a million years thought that I would be good at something, let alone be able to do it like this.  Who would have thought that carrying a heavy backpack long distance would be something a person could be talented in.

Fun fact about Stephen is that he has a large Funko Pop collection. “It’s a damn addiction!  I even Funko’d my kids, lol.  I am also a huge horror movie fan. From Killer Klowns to Gremlins, I am all about it.” As for a guilty pleasure, for music he likes to get down to some Twiztid. “On the down low. I also watch a lot of Supernatural! Dean and Sam, all the way!”

Aside from 311, Stephen can be found cranking tunes from artists such as Ice Nine Kills, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Avenged Sevenfold, Wu Tang, George Clinton, Ballyhoo!, Little Stranger, Aurorawave, Pennywise, H2o and Less than Jake.

To 311, Stephen has these words: “Thank you. Their music was the soundtrack to the hardest parts of my deployments.  Their music kept me positive in a place that was mostly negative, Thanks Guys!”

Now his words to all his fellow fans out there:

“Always make your bed, that way you can say you accomplished something that day!”

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Thank you Stephen for sharing your story with us all! As always, so much gratitude to all who read each week. Now go have an awesome 311 Day and a great week and hope to see some of you shortly on the cruise!

Much Love – The Runt

Well hello again my friends out there in Excitable Nation! Here we are, time for a new fan spotlight! Let’s meet Andrew Dean!

It was around 1997-98 that Andrew was first introduced to 311, when his friends who were about 2 years older than him showed him the “Enlarged To Show Detail” VHS tape. “They were into bands like Incubus, Primus, Korn and Deftones. At the time, I mainly listened to West Coast Gangster Rap, R&B with a side of Pop Rock. The transition between those genres and 311 seemed to blend together just fine because I was slowly opening up to a heavier Rock and Metal style of music along with the funky rap style of Nick and SA just felt right. Mix in the reggae vibes and by 2000, I definitely became a Brodel. The one thing that keeps me a fan after almost 30 years is that with every album they release, you never know what direction they’re going to take next. They always keep it fresh. Funky fresh.”

As for show count, Andrew said he really didn’t start keeping track until about 2010, when he began collecting ticket stubs. “Anyone remember those?” Taking a guess, he believes he’s around 20 shows. First show was the summer Unity Tour in 2003 with G. Love, at Fiddlers Green in Denver with about 6 of his friends. “I was such a “fun-guy” that night, much of the evening did not get stored in my brains hard drive. Rookie move.”

To pick a favorite show stumped Andrew a little, because it’s a tough one for most. He did pick one, but also picked a runner up. ” New Years Eve 2017 at The Marquee in Phoenix deserves to be runner up. The whole balloon drop at midnight was such a cool and intimate vibe with it being in such a small club. And, add to the fact that it was a show that started at night and ended in the early AM made it even cooler. Before that, it had always been in arenas or amphitheaters. As for my favorite/most memorable show, it has to be Reggae On the Rocks 2016. I wasn’t even supposed to go. I had been visiting home and I had a friend drop me off up at Red Rocks with no ticket in hand. I waited outside all 3 entry gates asking for a spare ticket with every intention to buy one. Never did score one, but the entry attendant spotted me trying, we worked a deal and I was in just in time for 311 to start. By the end of the night, I was 3rd row back, made a cameo appearance on the once ‘couch tour’ stream to say hi to my girlfriend Jennica AND secured P-Nuts setlist. Ended up being a pretty crazy night. For “Event” I’d have to say 3/11 Day Vegas 2018. The people we met and the memories we made during those few days in the house we rented have become lifelong friends. It was almost like we already knew each other. It doesn’t get much better than that.”

For a favorite song, for a long time it was always “Use of Time” for Andrew. “I love everything about it. When miT strums those first chords I get goosebumps, every time.” However, now, out of every song they’ve made, his fave is “8:16 A.M.” for one very special reason. “I locked down my best friend and the love of my life, Jennica. In the beginning of our relationship  we were long-distance video dating. One day during a conversation she didn’t believe me that I was a fan of 311 and could spit some bars. Well, here we are 10 years later and I’m still the first thing that she sees when she wakes up. Tremensley.”

As for a lyric that resonates with Andrew, he said one that’s always at the top of his list is “Can you hear the void I describe? What can I say vacancy sounds like.” “Some bad decisions that I made at different points in my life, left me in the company of just myself and it resonated with me. Another one that I’ll always remember is “Eat smoked fish. Thats my favorite dish.” Like, what did he just say?!? It took me YEARS to finally figure out what he was actually saying.”

Andrew was born & raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado. When he was 24 he moved to Iowa for a few years. “The winters there were undesirable and the summers were way too humid for me, so I left for the sunshine in Santa Barbara. I eventually ended up back home in CO about a year later. Halloween 2015, I took a trip down to AZ for a TOOL show and decided after that, that’s where I wanted to be. I ended up spending about 5 years in AZ, basically living inside an oven set at 450 degrees, before deciding to settle in NH. I love it here and I’ll be sticking around until it’s off to the next plane, soul remains.”

Andrew never went to college after high school. Instead he started working jobs anywhere and everywhere that he could find because he wanted to move out on his own. “In-house maintenance repair for apartments, mobile audio installer, painter, fast food, street pharmacist, construction labor, factory work, landscaping and snow removal to name a few. I don’t ever recall getting help from family or friends to go to shows, so it was definitely up to me to come up with funds if there was ever a show I wanted to see. Prices were decent, so it didn’t hurt as bad as they do now.”

Fun fact about Andrew, he is still the only person he knows who at 14 years old hiked to the summit of Pikes Peak in Colorado. “My grandfather was a member of a running club that would run the Pikes Peak Marathon Accent/Decent and one summer for his training he took me with him up the trail for pre-race scouting. It started out real fun, but by the time we got to the summit it was exhausting and I was completely over it. When I turned 19, I ended up getting a job working maintenance for the Pikes Peak Summit/Highway. I spent my whole childhood staring at the peak from our front window of our house, so it was pretty rad to be staring at my home from the top.” Oh and there’s something else. “One more thing and not to toot my own horn here, but Earth Wind and Fire‘s song “September” may or may not have been about me being born. “Do you remember, the 21st night of September?” Just saying. No need to fact check that. LOL”

Andrew said that he’s pretty boring as he grows older. “I mean, leaving the house to “public” nowadays pretty much requires an internal pep talk. For junior high and high school, I played in the Jazz, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic and Marching Band, so I am pretty confident that if handed a trumpet or saxophone I could pick back up where I left off given an opportunity. Hobbies and such kinda come and go for me. Work consumes my life, so I try to enjoy the times I get to kick back and appreciate this life. 311 Cruise ‘25, here we come!!” Guilty pleasure for him? “No one is going to read this right? I LOVE a good fist pump while watching Jersey Shore! GTL! I’ve also been known to dabble in the world of the Supernatural. Baby sure is a sweet ‘67 Chevy. Oh, and I love cats now and am accepting that.”

As for other musicians that Andrew loves, he said he only listens to 311. “Sike. I literally listen to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Even Polka. Yup, I said it. Music has been running through my veins since I was born. This list is in NO WAY complete and I could no doubt make this the longest answer EVER for a question, but I’ll do my best to limit it. The most consistant and favorite bands/artists in my life would be: TOOL, Underworld, Massive Attack, Thievery Corporation, Deftones, Everything But The Girl, Devin The Dude, Scarface, DJ Quik, Bone Thugs N Harmony, LTJ Bukem, NIN, The Chemical Brothers, Louis Armstrong, Glenn Miller, Garth Brooks, Phil Collins, Kenny G., Funkdoobiest, Cypress Hill, Twista, Incubus, Chevelle, Duke Ellington, The Hip Abduction, Dirty Heads, Sasha & Digweed, Limp Bizkit, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd, The Prodigy, Skankin’ Pickle, NOFX, Mozart, RATM, Sade, Tracy Chapman, 2Pac, Above & Beyond, Alcest, Al Green, AiC, Angus and Julia Stone, Aphex Twin, Beastie Boys, Crosby/Stills/Nash, Hall and Oats, David Gilmour, Diamond Rio, Restless Heart, Shania Twain, Jurassic 5, Korn. Ok, Ok…you get the picture. I’d be happy to talk music with anyone ANYTIME! Granted, I’m not too up-to-date on the stuff those kids nowadays listen to, but I’m always down for conversation.”

For his words to 311, Andrew said as cliche as it sounds, he would say Thank You. “The songs they have created and the lyrics they have given to the world have no doubt helped me shape the person who I am today.”

Now here are his words to all the other fans out in the universe:

“To all my Brodels and Slinky Ladies- Always remember to love yourself and to quote Bill S. Preston (Esquire) and Ted Theodore Logan, “Be excellent to each other!”  SPALYL!!”

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Super big thanks to Andrew for sharing his story with us all! Per the usual, my undying gratitude to all the readers each week. Hope you all are well and have an amazing week!

Much Love,

The Runt