Good day all out there in 311 nation! Are you ready for a new week and a new fan spotlight? It’s time we meet Andrew Martin!
How Andrew came to love 311 is a funny story. He was 12 years old and at the time he used Limewire to download music, but it was really his brother Ryan who used it all the time. Ryan had put all the music he downloaded in to a Windows media player which also used to be how Andrew got his music onto his mp3 player. Ryan one day added a few 311 songs to the list and when Andrew synced his mp3, he ended up with those songs. “One day I was on the bus home from school and a song called “Fuck the Bullshit” came on. I remember thinking “this is trash” and skipped to the next song “How Do You Feel?” and I remember thinking once again “what the hell is this? what is going on with my MP3?” so skipped again and thats when “First Straw” played and I LOVED IT! I promptly went back and listened to the previous tracks again and again and again and again. I couldn’t stop listening to those 3 songs and somehow I just didn’t realize how much more music they had until one day I told my brother I loved those songs and he let me borrow all of their CDs to put onto my MP3. Talking to him about 311 (as a 12 year old) is probably one of the coolest memories I have considering we were both at that age difference where we didn’t hang out or even really get along. It was probably what led us to become a lot closer as the years went by.”
So far Andrew has been to 11 shows and his first was in Mansfield, MA back in 2013. “That’s where I got myself the Poseidon poster! Still lookin’ for that sweet foil though, HMU.” His favorite show so far has been 311 Day 2014 and 2016. “It’s amazing how much a performance they really put together for those shows. I had no idea what to expect and even if I did, I’m sure my expectations would’ve been blown away.”
There are two songs that mean the most to him – “Beyond the Gray Sky” and “Don’t Dwell.” Some of his favorite lyrics come from those songs as well including, “Everything is a choice, go ahead, raise your voice. Might as well, forgive yourself, that means more than someone else. Set you free, break the shell” and “A firecracker flash of light then on to the next plane, soul remain. Come along if you dare, It’s gonna be that you’re scared. Lovely life I thank you for the reason, to see the pain through.”
Andrew was born in Massachusetts but moved to Connecticut around the age of 2 or 3 because his dad was commuting there for work. The first place he lived he said was great and all of his best childhood memories are from that home. At age 10 he moved again, about 10 minutes away from his first Connecticut location. “I remember thinking “but all my friends live here” even though i was practically moving down the street haha.” Andrew is just about to move again and they are in the process of renovating an old home that they just bought. Funding the 311 addiction comes from working at an awards business, where they build and engrave various types of awards. “My job is designing the engraving for the award itself and then printing them in some of the laser printers we have. I often print 311 things for myself haha.”
Andrew describes himself as a pretty open person so he can’t really think of anything that people wouldn’t really know about himself, but he believes his sense of humor makes him unique. “My brother Ryan and I used to joke about horribly messed up things all the time to each other. One of our favorites was about dying and haunting each other and ruining each others lives. I’m really glad he hasn’t followed through on that one though.” Andrew also plays drums and has been doing so for about 4-5 years. Aside from that he builds PC’s. “I’m always tinkering and planning my next upgrade. It’s definitely an addiction at this point.” His guilty pleasure he says really isn’t guilty for him. He loves this musician Feist. “Has got to be one of my favorite things to listen to on my record player. I mean c’mon 1234 is a classic.”
Other bands Andrew loves include a Connecticut band Violet Mae. “I think the deserve a bit more recognition around here.” He also loves his friends band Bonsai Tree. “Everyone should go check them out!” Other than that he’s been listening to random stuff lately on his Spotify while at work. “If I were to pick a genre that sticks with me more than others though that would be punk rock for sure. I grew up playing tony hawks pro skater and Dave Mirras Freestyle BMX so I love all the classic punk rock from the 90’s: Rancid, Sublime, Agent Orange, Dropkick Murphys, Swingin Utters, Social Distortion, Pennywise. Stuff like that.” Some other favorite bands are The Thermals, A Wilhelm Scream, The Shins, Streetlight Manifesto, Jeff Rosenstock, The Planet Smashers, and Against Me!
Andrew’s message to 311 is one of gratitude: “I think its incredible that after all this time the inspiration that kept them going in their early career is clearly still there and they clearly care a whole a lot about their fans and its not often you see such
an incredible connection between a band and its fans. They managed the create a whole following of wonderful people that I’m happy to call my Familia!”
His message to all the fans is a very personal dedication:
“I want to dedicate the Fan Spotlight to Ryan Arthur Martin. I would’ve answered all these questions for him but we just weren’t able to find out even just 2 full answers.
I don’t know his first show or even his favorite song or lyric. I’m not sure what drew him to their music but I’m glad he found them somehow. He’s the reason I grew up the way I did and listen to most of the music I do. Ever since I was little he was always there for me and I owe it all to him. Stay positive and love your life! Even when its tough.”
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What a great dedication and story from Andrew Martin! Thank you Andrew for sharing your story and I think your brother would be proud of the person you’ve become and that you still carry his love for 311 on with you. Time is precious people, go out and live the best life you can with 311 as your soundtrack! Until next time, be spectacular!
Much love – The Runt