Welcome back my excitable friends! It’s that time, we get to learn the story of a new fan. Let’s get to know Brian Hollar!
The year was 1996 and it was when Brian heard “Down” and “All Mixed Up” that he discovered 311. Then when he met his wife who was super into them, he became an even bigger fan. She took him to his first show and he was hooked!
For show count he is somewhere in the 50 range. First show was 311 Day 2006 in Memphis. “That show was fucking epic.” Favorite event? The 2012 cruise. “That was our first cruise, first 311 cruise and that island show gahhhhhh!!!!”
Song that means the most to Brian is “Hive.” “I just love everything about that song.” For favorite lyric, he chose: “I’d like to stay here just like this, it’s just a momentary bliss.”
Roanoke, Virginia, is where Brian grew up until he was 16. Then he moved to Alabama, with some summers spent in Panama City Beach. At 19 he moved to South Carolina and then a year later headed to North Carolina. “Live in Charlotte still to this day.” He played football from pee wee to his junior year in high school as a running back. “Loved playing football and was very good and it consumed so much of my life but just got burned out from all the years.”
Brian also played soccer, basketball, golf, track, swim, and wresting during his school years. “Sports and the brotherhood that came with it was a very large part of my upbringing in life. Love any type of competitive sport and still a very competitive person to this day which drives me in many avenues. Sometimes I’m just competing with myself lol.” To fund his 311 addiction, he is in sales for a HVAC company. “Love to travel with my wife and be on the water as much as I can. Ohh and I love to party as well. I’ll drink your shot lol.”
Interesting fact about Brian – he has a peanut butter obsession! “Literally ordered a whole case on Amazon and it didn’t last long.” For talent, he said he’s really good at voice impressions. Guilty pleasure for him is on T.V. – he loves Jersey Shore and Grey’s Anatomy.
Other artists that Brian loves include Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Slightly Stoopid, Foo Fighters, Rdgldgrn, Incubus, Metallica, Limp Bizkit, Korn, Bassnectar, and Above & Beyond. “The list could go on very far. I’ll listen to Jazz, Motown you name it but nooooo country. I just can’t.”
His words to 311 are actually a question: “So 20 more years?”
To the other fans out there, his message is simple:
“FUCK COVID. I miss your faces.”
——————
Thank you Brian for sharing your story! As always a big hug of gratitude to all the readers each week. I know times are weird, but with strength and support for each other we will get through it!
Much Love – The Runt