Welcome back 311 fans! It’s that time, we get to learn the story of another awesome fan. This week let’s learn about Joe Bateman!
What drew Joe in to the sounds of 311 was their melodic nature, their range as musicians and their positive lyrics. “Especially when they first started getting big in the 90’s, all the other music was lyrically depressing they were a ray of sunlight in an otherwise gloomy musical landscape.”
As for the number of times he’s seen 311, Joe is unsure of the exact number. He first saw them perform in the gym at Westside High School when they were The Ed’s. “I saw them in Omaha when they were first starting out and then as they got bigger in Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois and Nevada.”
A special show for him were the 311 Day 2020 shows in Vegas, because it was the last time he saw live music before the world was shut down due to Covid. However the most memorable show for him was at The Boathouse in Norfolk, Virginia back in 1995, just a few short weeks after the blue album was released. ” I saw them perform Down at the sound check. There was no one in the place, it was a big warehouse, no special effects or lighting, just the sunlight coming in from the windows. I was standing next to the Phunk Junkees when the first few notes started playing and their lead singer leaned over and said “This is their best song off the new album”. AND THEY TORE THE ROOF OFF. Unforgettable.”
Out of the 311 song catalog, Joe says “Beyond the Gray Sky” means a lot to him. ” I knew Dave Barker (who the song was written about) and have personally been affected by suicide, that song really stands out to me.” As for favorite lyrics, Joe said there are just too many to list!
If you haven’t been able to figure it out yet, Joe grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and graduated with Tim, Nick, and Chad. “Just some background information on them, they didn’t just suddenly get to be nice and positive men, they were always very kind and happy people.”
Joe said that growing up in Nebraska you have to learn how to make your own fun. ” There wasn’t much for teenagers to do in Omaha at that time, so we had to get creative. Since then I have lived in Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, North Carolina then England for 10 years before moving back and settling in the northwest suburbs of Chicago.”
Fun fact about Joe, when he lived in England he worked with the English government to prevent homelessness during the housing crisis in 2008. He was also invited to meet the Prime Minister! “I couldn’t go though because I was getting married!”
Joe has also done a lot of stage acting. “The last one was “The Wizard of Oz” and I played the Wizard. It was really special because my daughter was in the play too. We are also doing another play together in October.”
Other music that Joe loves comes from artists like Green Day, Weezer, and Cake. Guilty pleasure for Joe is acting and coaching his daughters baseball team.
Joe’s message to 311 is this: “Even if I didn’t know you guys, I would still love your music.”
Now his message to all the other 311 fans out there:
“Just enjoy their music and live concerts, don’t complain about their set lists or the length of their shows. You have no idea what goes on behind the scenes and what rules they have to follow. One day they won’t be a touring band any longer and you will miss them so just enjoy them while it lasts.”
Thanks Joe for sharing your awesome story! And as always, so much gratitude going out to all who support this fun for me by reading each week. Until we meet again, go be super!
Much Love – The Runt