Hello again 311 nation! Welcome back for another installment of the 311 fan spotlight. Get ready to learn all about Billy Gravel!
The year was 1996 and Billy was digging through his sisters CD collection when he just happened to find one in this blue case. Upon opening it he saw a photo with these guys that had their faces painted like aliens and he thought it looked interesting. Then he popped in the CD to give it a listen. “I was hooked. The hard rock, rap, jazzy sound was something I hadn’t heard before and it blew me away! And the content of their lyrics was just the icing on the cake.”
For show count, Billy is at 12 and said he went through a time in his life where he allowed his anxiety to hold him back which is why his number isn’t higher. “A problem I have since squashed.” For favorite show he’s attended, it was the one at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel in Providence, Rhode Island that was billed as “An Evening with 311.” ” I believe it was 1999.Such a small intimate venue with just 311 and their fans. You could feel the energy in the air! It was amazing!”
Choosing a favorite song is always hard, especially when the band has so many great ones. For Billy, he said he has a few that really stand out to him. ” I remember “Sever” and “Eons” helping me through some really rough times in my life. They’re so powerful and still give me chills when I hear them. My absolute favorite songs come in 3. “Visit”, “Homebrew” and (I know it’s a radio song but it doesn’t matter to me) “Beautiful Disaster”. I just think they’re so badass and really get me pumped.” For favorite lyric, Billy has one from “Do You Right” that he loves: “I’m free as I stare at the sea and I’m not coming down. The world is yours once you have found, the good is to share, which is elsewhere.”
Born and raised in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, Billy is the youngest of three and has two older sisters. Music has always been a big part of Billy’s life and he was introduced to it at a young age. “My father was always blasting music around the house. The Beatles, Dylan, Neil Young, The Kinks, Tom Petty. I eventually became obsessed with singing and recording music. When I was 15, I joined my first punk rock band and 25 years later, I’m still rocking out!” Billy now lives in North Smithfield, R.I., with his amazing wife Sarah and their three kitties, Lily, Daysie, and Charlie. For work, he followed his childhood dream and became a firefighter/EMT for the city of Woonsocket and has been doing that for 14 years.
Fun fact about Billy, when he was around the age of 12-13 he was in a boy band called Impursuit. “We pretty much covered the R&B of the time. Lol! I can’t believe I admitted that! Very less known fact about me!” Billy moved on later to be in a 311 tribute band. “From 2012-2015 I was the cofounder, lead singer and rhythm guitarist (Nick) for “Applied Science” Rhode Island’s exclusive 311 tribute band. We had so much fun with this band. We played a ton of shows, won a bunch of contests and had the opportunity to play with a lot of great tribute bands. Not to mention, we got to rock out to 311! What’s better than that!” Other things Billy really enjoys is being out in nature and also surfing.
For guilty pleasure, Billy said it’s music for sure. “Whether listening to it, playing, recording or producing it, music is always on my mind. I have a small production company called “Island Rhodes Productions” and a decent little recording studio. I’m currently the Co-lead singer and bass player for a 3 peice punk rock band, “Surviving Seasons” and I’m in the process of recording and producing our first album due out early 2021. I also have a solo reggae project called “B.Grateful” and I’m currently working on new music with that as well.” Other artists that Billy loves include Ballyhoo!, Rebelution, Stick Figure, SOJA, Goldfinger, No use for a Name, Passafire, Less than Jake, and Slightly Stoopid.
Billy would like to send this message to 311: “Thank you guys for creating the soundtrack to my life. For making dark days bright and bright days even brighter.”
Now here are his words to all the other fans out there:
“Especially in this day and age, we need to stick together and unite. We should all live by the words 311 has been spreading for 30 years. PLUR.”
Thank you Billy for sharing your story with us all! Another great tale about love for 311. I hope you all have an amazing week, thank you for reading, now go spread some positive vibes to others!
Much Love – The Runt