Welcome again friends to another edition of the 311 Fan Spotlight! Let’s get this party started – it’s time to meet Scott Baumgarte!
How Scott discovered the band is by going to see another band that was opening for them and he stuck around to see 311. “A band like no other. Funky, punky,a little rappy and a little thrash mixed all in one with a good vibe. What really drew me to 311 is the Instagram they brought meaning the crowd that showed up. Super friendly and always willing to pick you up in the pit or be a shoulder to lean on while you put your heal back into your shoe. Hah.”
For show count, Scott believes he’s at 40 with being on the most recent cruise. His very first show was in Portland, Oregon, which was his home state. “The venue was McMenamins the crystal ballroom with the suspension floor. It was amazing!”
As for favorite show or event, Scott said this years cruise was probably his best experience, just because it was a day event. “2023 cruise 7 was my first cruise. It was life changing for me in all on that high.” He lives close to Red Rocks but has yet to go, and he has yet to experience a 311 Day even though he is also close to that. “It’s all about what I can afford and keep a smile on my wife’s face.” Second favorite show for him was the New Year’s Eve show at the Marquee Theater, with the balloons dropping at midnight.
The song that holds a special place in Scott’s heart is “Purpose.” For lyrics, he loves the line, “69 Lincoln, suicide doors” and also pretty much the whole song of “Hydroponic.”
As mentioned before, Scott was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He attended high school in Vancouver, Washington. Now he has been in Arizona since 2010. While he can’t attend every 311 show he would like to, he was psyched to have gotten on the cruise this year. “When I got into the boat I didn’t know what really to expect. I was wife and kid free for a week time to let loose. I feel like I stand out because I am a shiny ray of sunlight and very inviting to anyone to chat with. I met so many people took so many pictures. The overwhelming feeling of love I got almost immediately from everyone was electric. To be honest that is an understatement. I felt I connected with every person I encountered and it was so neat. I just wanted to spread a good vibe and send everyone home with a scottie KARATE sticker. It was my mission!”
Scott has a special talent – he can blow spit bubbles. “Don’t ask me how but I can make them and blow them right off my tongue. Others can do it but not many.” Something that people may not know about his is that he’s been a professional body piercer since 1995, and also even though he goes by Scottie Karate, he does not actually know Karate. Now for guilty pleasure, he said his it to be free. “Feel good in your own skin. I also love to dress up in any fashion.”
For other bands that Scottie can be found listening to, he said at this moment they include Katastro, Pepper, Dirty Heads, Bumpin Uglies, Bikini Trill, J Boog, Jelly Roll, and Mr. Bungle. One of his other all time favorite bands though is Nine Inch Nails. “Always a winner.”
Scott would like to say these words to every member of 311: “Thank you all so much for so many tours, albums and commitment from all of you. For you to keep this band together for all these years. Look what you have accomplished. My hat is off to you 5. Even if you don’t put any more music out you have surpassed what any other fan would expect or want. You have lifted me up when I needed it, you hand helped me when I was really down and even when I’m in top of the world you guys still blow my mind.”
Now here is Scottie Karate’s message to all the other 311 fans out in the universe:
“Scottie KARATE will be bringing the vibe in 2025 OTMFB.”
Thank you so much Scott for sharing your excellent story with us all! Much gratitude to all the readers today and every time I put one of these out into the world. Have the best week you can and keep spreading the good vibes.
Much Love – The Runt