Hey there 311 nation! Yes I know, it’s been a hot minute since there has been a new fan spotlight. But here we are, back at it! So let’s not delay the introduction any longer – meet fan spotlight #296 – Vincenzo Basile!
It was the summer of 1995 and Vincenzo was taking a trip to Italy to meet some of his father’s family that lived there. It was a long flight, so his dad allowed him to pick out a couple of CD’s to keep him occupied. He chose Beastie Boys “Ill Communication” and the 311 blue album. “Now I was only going into 6th grade that summer so I was still very young and impressionable and 311 was the first band that was my own as opposed to enjoying all the classic rock my parents would play in the car or at home. They were the catalyst to develop my own sense in music. Nick’s voice was hypnotic and SA’s added harmonies had me hooked immediately. Their funk, grooves and punk elements had me in an excited Mindspin!”
As far as number of shows attended, his count may not be 100% accurate because he didn’t start collecting his ticket stubs until he was in college. His first show was during his freshman year of high school in 1999. “ I had just got out of the hospital and still in my wheelchair so my buddies had to wheel me around. Once they planted me in the handicapped section they all went out to do their thing. They ended up running into Adam Raspler after recognizing him from Enlarged to Show Detail and told him about my situation and asked if I could go backstage. Tall order right? Adam compromised and agreed to meet them back at that spot after the show and he ended up bringing a signed piece of paper by all five of our guys. How can you not fall more in love with this band after something like that?”
Vincenzo believes his show count is somewhere between 30-35. “The good thing about living in New England is that 311 will play Providence, RI, Boston, MA, Portland, ME and Gilford, NH and Hartford, CT in one shot. If not all at once, at least three locations where you tack on your experiences not to mention NY and NJ aren’t that far off either if you had any money left.” As for his favorite show, he believes he has seen the bands two best shows. “Watching 311 perform Transistor in its entirety at Pow Wow is everyone’s white whale if you weren’t there. It was special and one of a kind. I was blessed to partake in that and will wear that badge proudly forever. The second show that comes to mind was cruise 2. To witness 311 rock out on a tropical island was mind blowing! I’m sure anyone who was there would agree. What an incredible experience that was even though I suffered the worst sunburn of all time. My face looked as if an entire nest of bees stung my face and could hardly see which brought me to the boat’s infirmary. I’d do it again in a second!”
Favorite song for Vincenzo is “Do You Right.” “This song was chosen to be “our song” for my girlfriend at the time, now wife. Every time we hear that song at a show we just look at each other, hold hands and smile knowing how sentimental it has become over the years. It was also the song playing when being announced man and wife at our wedding reception. It encompasses everything we love about each other.”
As far as favorite lyric, Vincenzo said if you asked his 17 year old self, he would have said, “ I love it when the only sound I hear is your infectious laughter.” It was his senior quote! “311 had clearly made a profound effect on me and it was important to me at that time to represent them to help represent me. As I got older I really gravitated to Freak Out’s lyric, “The earth has not swallowed me yet!” These words speak volumes to me. I have had some scary health issues growing up that makes this lyric really meaningful and I’ll go into more detail in a later question. My All-Star jersey says Freak Out on the back for my love of this song.”
Vincenzo was born and raised just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, in a little town called Hebron. He stayed there until 2002 when he moved to Framingham, Massachusetts, to attend college. “I went to Framingham State College as a visual arts major where I met my now wife my junior year. After 3 semesters, I transferred to the New England Institute of Art with a graphic design major and I lived in Brookline MA before moving to West Roxbury for my last few semesters. After that, I was hired at a newspaper printer/distributor to join their graphics team in Gypsum, CO. This was 2008-2009 when people stopped reading the paper and smartphones began to replace them. I was laid off and moved back to Ashland, MA. I soon moved out to Framingham, MA where I worked in the restaurant business for a while and now in Marlborough, MA ever since. 311 is a priority so se every year, it’s like a holiday you want to be with your family but it’s our 311 community and fans that make it that significant. I’ll always stash some money away to be there at the Unity Tours.”
Something most people don’t know about Vincenzo, he has a fear of heights! “I don’t know when it kicked in because as a kid I’d go on all the rides at Six Flags, beg my parents to let me go skydiving or bungee jumping and now I won’t even get on a ferris wheel. I was on a cruise years ago and wouldn’t even go to the top deck of the ship. It’s probably why God made me 5’3″, I’m meant to be close to the ground.”
A truly amazing thing that makes Vincenzo unique, he is a 3 time brain/spinal cancer survivor! “First diagnosed in April 1997 in middle school, relapsed in high school in 1999 then again in college in 2003. I had to learn how to walk again in my mid teens. Things were rough. I’ve lost 90% of my hearing as a result and when I first got my hearing aids, I posted about 5 years ago in the Familia page about how 311 will be even better for me now and got a very warm reception from a lot of amazing people out there.I choose to stay positive due to all of the support so thanks guys!”
As far as other musicians that Vinnie loves, he said his next favorite band is Deftones. “‘I’ve been listening to them almost as long as I have been listening to 311. They are an unbelievable band that gives me similar feelings 311 does just through a heavier sound and genre that makes me feel alive in a much different way. Probably another reason Pow Wow was so amazing to me.” Some other musicians he loves include Phish, Glassjaw, Weezer, Rage Against the Machine, Silverchair, Mastodon, The Sword, Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, Pepper, and Rebelution. As for guilty pleasure, Vincenzo said it’s reaction videos on YouTube. “ It’s a pretty new thing for me. What I enjoy most is getting to see people connect with music and see candid reactions. At the same time, I get to enjoy more music myself whether it’s the nostalgic songs from when I was a kid or new stuff I never heard before. Each reactor has their own personalities which makes it fun.”
Vincenzo would like to say these words to 311: “A tremendous, heartfelt thank you. For the joy, happiness and SA moves I reenact behind closed doors. You’ve put so many smiles, hugs and love in all of us and have made such a positive influence for not just me but for so many. I hope you’ re all so proud of yourselves.”
Now his words to all the other fans:
“Oh the fans. I’ve witnessed some of the coolest strangers you’ll ever meet. Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet and I’m looking forward to meeting you! You’re the guy a row behind me at a show who taps me on the shoulder and shares a blunt and his buddy cracks the expected joke, ” I’m not from Philly but some say I’m blunt.” and we all laugh. You’re the stranger that drops off a bottle of water to the stranger puking in the bathroom. Keep being who you are, I’m very proud of this fanbase, sure there are some naysayers but it’s important I thank the one’s who Fuck the Bullshit and know how to throw down. The fans are a huge percentage to the 311 experience.”
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That is the story of Vincenzo Basile! Thank you so much Vinnie for being a part of this. Much gratitude to all the readers as well of course! Thank you all for the continued support of this fun project. Until we meet again, stay strong, stay positive, and as always, love your life!
Much Love – The Runt