Hello again my friends out there in 311 nation! It’s been a few minutes, but have no fear, a new fan spotlight is here. It’s time we read the story of Tim Northup!
Tim admits that he was not initially drawn to 311 when he heard the song “Down.” “I was more into metal at that time in my life when I hated high school and struggled to fit in. That summer after graduation I heard Beautiful Disaster on the radio and I was hooked. I listened to nothing but the Transistor album and the Blue album that summer. The big big turning point was when my older brother gave me Grassroots before he left for his final year in college. I was drawn into their lyrics of positivity, acceptance, and unity. The music was like nothing I’d ever heard. It was different as I felt I was. I was in full steam after that.”
On October 5, 2021, Tim hit show number 75 in his new hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. First show ever for him was December 1997 in Los Angeles. “I’ve seen three 311 Day shows, and have seen shows in six states. Next on the bucket list is the 311 cruise.”
Favorite event was 311 Day 2010 in Las Vegas. “First 311 Day for me. 5 hours of amazing music. Met some great people. Very memorable. There were two guys sitting in front of us who had partied way too hard and passed out about an hour in. We playfully toyed with them with the people sitting next to us. Turns out, one of the fans we met sitting next to us was Venus Williams who is a huge 311 fan. Had no idea who she was at the time. Also met Tim Mahoney the next day at a bar in the casino.”
The song “Beautiful Disaster” means a lot to Tim, even though it’s not his favorite song. “It’s the song that set me on the course of becoming an Excitable. That song turned me on to 311 and helped turn my life around.”
As for lyrics that Tim loves, they are as follows:
“The soul you have is electricity,” “I always say what I feel and that is a promise, nuthin in life is above being honest,” “I got a good feeling, about you,” “My bros are down for the Unity!” “I cannot handle all these negative vibe merchants,” “Missin’ the point musics about love, not pessimism,” and “Stay positive and love your life.”
Tim was born in Iowa (about an hour from Omaha) and then lived in Missouri until 12 years old. Then he spent almost 30 years in a city about 20 miles south of Downtown Los Angeles called Torrance. “I hated LA throughout middle school and high school. Always an outcast, I never fit in. I got really into the metal scene cause I related to a lot of the anger, aggression, and negative lyrics. I had no idea where my life was going to go. The summer after graduation I found 311 and things took a 180. So thankful for that!”
Tim spent a year going to school at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, just outside of Waikiki. “I mostly lived in Torrance and the surrounding beach cities and lived in Orange County for 8 years also (Newport Beach and Costa Mesa). In November of 2019, my wife and I bought a house in Murray, Utah, a city in Salt Lake County.” Funding his 311 habit comes from the Human Resources field and he really enjoys it. “Currently employed with an online university but looking for a job if anyone out there has any leads, hit me up! Other than listening to and jamming along with 311 (I’ve been playing guitar (poorly) for 25 years, I even bought a PRS guitar to get closer to that 311 sound) I love hockey, golf, reading, and craft beer. My son just turned 1 and fatherhood has completely blown my mind. It’s the most rewarding and joyful experience of my life but has also induced so much anxiety!”
Fun fact about Tim is that back in 2000 he auditioned for VH1’s Rock ‘n Roll Jeopardy. “Of 70, they selected 12 people to record 4 shows. I was contestant 14. Missed it by two spots!” Some things that make him unique are that he is a good listener. Plus his wife tells him he has an uncanny ability to quote movies and can hold conversations in nothing but movie quotes!
Some other musicians that Tim can be found jamming to include Bad Religion, Pennywise, Pearl Jam, Van Halen, Beastie Boys, Pepper, Lagwagon, The Vandals, Vampire Weekend, Rage against the Machine, System of a Down, Thrice, Guns N Roses, John Coltrane, John Lee Hooker, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
Guilty pleasure also comes in the form of music…Tim loves 80’s butt rock a.k.a. Hair Metal. ” In some ways it’s really good, but in so many ways it’s really bad. With older siblings, I grew up listening to it and just never let it go. My first concert was almost Poison (we moved before I could go)!”
Tim was fortunate enough to meet Tim at 311 Day in 2010, and he also ran into him at a free Van Halen concert on Hollywood Boulevard several years later. His words to him were this: “That guy on stage (Eddie Van Halen) is why I picked up a guitar, but your music is why I’m still alive. It changed my life. Thank you!”
Now here is Tim’s message to all the other 311 fans out there:
“311 fans are hands down the best fans. I love going to shows and meeting new people, singing along with complete strangers, picking up each other in the pit, and staying positive with you. Keep being kind to others and seeing the positive in such a negative world. Can’t wait to see you at 311 day 2020 in Vegas!”
Thank you Tim for sharing your story! As always, much gratitude to all the people who read each spotlight. Until next time, keep being awesome!
Much Love – The Runt