311 Fan Spotlight – 2/19/18 – Lauren Menier!

We meet again 311 nation! New week means new fan spotlight time. So without further ado, let’s read the story of Lauren Menier!

The reason Lauren became a 311 fan is because her best friend who lived across the street from her bought the blue album and they would listen to it on repeat together. Lauren was determined to learn all of the lyrics because in her mind, she and her best friend were in a competition as to who could like the band more. “I apparently had something to prove, ha!.” It was the bands style that really attracted Lauren because it was so unique and interesting. “I quickly bought Music and Grassroots and would listen all the time. I didn’t come to really appreciate their musicianship until Transistor. That’s when my fanatic ways blossomed. It wasn’t until then that I really got the message. Their message really drew me in at that point.”

Show count will be at 91 after 311 Day this year. Back in 2002 Lauren went to 311 Day and then did a road trip for the next 7 shows ending up in Atlanta at the Tabernacle. Then she did a couple more road trips in October 2002 and August 2003 which contributed to the bulk of her show tally. First show was back in 1997 at what was then called the Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. “I’ll never forget that curtain drop and them busting out ‘Hive’ as the opener.”

Favorite event for her was 311 Day 2002. “My friend was able to get us working passes that let us into the venue to watch them soundcheck. I remember them sound-checking Mindspin which hadn’t been played in a looooooooong time at that point. We were on the floor for the show and remember freaking out when they played Nutsymptom as that was the one song I was hoping to hear.” Favorite regular show for her was the Rushmore Room in Rapid City, SD on October 19, 2003. “Saw Nick before the show and asked if they could play My Stoney Baby to which he replied ‘you haven’t heard that one live yet?’ and chuckled cause by this point he started to recognize me and my buddy Lori from all the shows we had gone to. He obliged and even gave me a shout out before they played the song ☺️ ‘By special request, here’s my Stoney baby.’  At the time I was big into bootlegging so I happened to be filming that show so I got that all on video to commemorate the moment! It’s a prized possession for sure!”

Song that means the most to Lauren is “Sun Come Through.” Some lyrics that she loves include, “On the scales of desire your absence weighs more than someone else’s presence,” “In the shadow of those looming battleships I love our canoe,” and “I’m finally at home. I don’t have to roam. I can see it all now. Out of nowhere came a clue. Truth I hid, the truth I hid from me. Hit the skids. I hit the skids only to find a light to light my way home.”

Ronkonkoma (Long Island), New York is where Lauren was born but she moved to Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 3 and has been there ever since. She said she had an awesome child and was very active including rollerblading, softball, and kick the can every night with the neighborhood kids. It was in middle school where she started to realize that she was different than everyone else. “It took me a LONG time to admit to myself and everyone else who I was. I was so depressed and sad a lot of the time. I finally came out at 25 after meeting someone who changed the course of my life and that’s when my life really started. Up until then I was a lost soul trying to figure out what I wanted in my life.” After this she went to culinary school because she thought that’s what she wanted to do but then realized it wasn’t for her although she does still enjoy cooking. She also tried the rock start thing and was in a band for a bit. She finally fell into medical coding, which is what she does now, because her dad suggested it and she could do it from home. “Started my life over and went to school for it and graduated in 2016. It’s been a great career so far and I recently just got a fantastic new job working for Honor Health in Scottsdale. 33 years later and my life is finally coming together. :)”

Lauren mentioned she had been in a band and her musical talent there was as a drummer. “Been playing on and off since I was 12. Was in a cover band with my sister called Dave, Dave and the Double Ds. Hehe 😜  Played out for a few years until we broke up. Joined another cover band for a bit. I don’t really drum anymore cause I don’t have the time or energy though.” Guilty pleasure for Lauren is the TV show “The Bachelor/Bachelorette.” “It’s such a train wreck that I can’t look away.” Other musicians she loves besides 311 are  Coheed and Cambria, Jason Mraz, The Donnas, Incubus, No Doubt, Radiohead, Muse, Alien Ant Farm,  and Sheryl Crow.  She was also turned onto a lot of bands thanks to 311 such as 2 Skinnee Js, Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, Dredg. 

Lauren’s message to 311: “Thank you for never fading out any of your songs. Not one. Ever.  And thank you for always helping me see the good in everything.”

Her message to all the other fans:

“It could always be worse. ‘You’ve got it good, it’s not hard to be what you are.  Thank your lucky stars!”

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That wraps up this week’s 311 fan spotlight! Thank you Lauren for sharing your tale of your love for 311 and your life. Many thanks to all the readers out there. You are all awesome! Until next time.

Much Love – The Runt