Welcome again friends to the next edition of the 311 fan spotlight! This week let’s meet Victor Hsiao!
First exposure to 311 was when Victor was 12 and in middle school. He had moved from to Fairfax, Virginia to Loudoun County, Virginia. It was there that he saw some students with the blue album and then eventually saw the video for “Down” on MTV in early 1997. “The funky heavy riffs of “Down”, the raps/rhymes over these guitar riffs, then the chorus of thanking others and gratitude; I kept thinking this is like all my favorite types of music rolled into one with lyrics/messages I can support. Several weeks later, I’m at the Target and convinced my parents to buy me the blue album. Then Transistor came out late summer 1997 which I nabbed after seeing the “Transistor” music video. I found the spacy groves and guitar riffs to be unique and reminding me a bit of Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’ as having this unique sound. By my sophomore year of college, I found myself pulled further to 311 when some of us were riding home from the bar and ‘Hostile Apostile’ came on. I knew immediately it was 311 due to Nick’s voice and grooves. After hearing that, I purchased their remaining cd’s on amazon (CDNow back then) and the rest is history. Their ‘Music’ and ‘From Chaos’ albums are my top 2 with MOSAIC being #3.”
Victor just hit show number 45 last month at the Houston House of Blues. His first show was in 2008 at the Nissan Pavillion in Bristow, VA. “I hadn’t thought about seeing them until graduated college in 2008 when I was really into the band. After seeing them live the first time, I made it a point to see them at least once every year when they toured. I haven’t stopped since.”
As for favorite show or event, Victor of course said it was hard to choose. “2023 311 Cruise ranks up there since it was my first 311 cruise and I got to watch their performance with other fans and in the hottub of all places. Hard to beat that setting! As for venue concerts, the one that sticks in my mind the most is July, 2017 when I saw them on the Pier landing in Philly. They played a lot of their MOSAIC album which had some of my favorite live tracks (Face in the Wind, Extension, Perfect Mistake, Days’ of 88′, Till’ the City’s on fire) plus other live favorites of mine (Brodels, Hydroponic, Unity).”
Favorite song for Victor changes based on the timing, different styles, and lyrics. “So it depends what mood I’m in and what I’m going through. “Electricity” from Transistor means a lot to me due to lyrics about hate and people believing things about others before getting to know them. When I first heard the Transistor album, the music and lyrics spoke volumes to me due to being a new kid in a new environment and gave me a sense of comfort because of what they were preaching. The line about we’re all from the same lucy despite differences people would see; we’d be a more unifying world if we’d stop and acknowledge that. “Speak Easy” from their DTOM album is another one recently. Since my profession involves a lot of public speaking and presentations, I listen to that track every time before I’m about to start a meeting or do a presentation and it always calms my nerves. “Just speak easy, and say what’s on your mind”, couldn’t be more simple but more true. Other ones include Simplify due to the calming melody, and Full Ride and From Chaos due to the raps mixed with the riffs.”
Some lyrics that resonate with Victor include the following:
“I’m in disbelief at what people will believe. All along I thought we had our hearts on our shirtsleeve. If one thing I can say as a piece of advice. Don’t believe it till you see it and then see it twice” – Electricity
“This moment is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present.” – Simplify
“The question I’m observing is am I really deserving.” – No Control
“You get back what you give, and I was born to live.” – Born to Live
“From chaos come clarity.” – From Chaos
Victor spent most of his life in Virginia until 2019 when he moved to Houston, Texas, which is where he still currently resides. When he was young and moved to a new town in Virginia, it was challenging leaving all his friends behind and he said at the time there weren’t a lot of people there that looked like him. “During that period, we got exposed to MTV for the first time (thank you mom and dad for finally let us have cable) which is how we started to develop our love for music. Music, for me, became my shield from my troubles and anxiety as I started with grunge/alternative bands (Nirvana, Stone Temple Pilots, Foo Fighters, RCHP, Third Eye Blind, etc.) and the 90’s rap/R&B scene (Biggie, Nas, 2pac, Wu-Tang, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah, etc.). 311 jumped on my radar which mixed these genres and spoke about things I found myself longing for as a someone searching for belonging in a new place. Things such as gratitude, unity, kindness, perseverance, antiracism, dealing with anxiety, staying positive; those really spoke to me and I tried to emulate that as best I could.”
Current profession for Victor is bank examiner/regulator. “I never thought I’d ever get into my current profession but I’m thankful it’s provided me direction and purpose. Since the job has a lot of traveling involved, it’s also allowed me to follow my favorite band more frequently and regularly than I ever could have imagined.”
In his younger days, Victor was heavily into musical instruments. “I played piano for 12 years, violin for 3 years, and guitar for 6. That’s helped me develop an appreciation for all genres of music. I’m hoping to get back into playing an instrument again; maybe the saxophone or keyboard.”
As for special talent, Victor’s friends tell him he is a wizard in the kitchen. “I developed it during my server/bartender days in the restaurant industry and also from cooking with my mom during the holidays and family gatherings. Get me in the kitchen and give me some ingredients, I can whip up something tasty/delicious whether it’s a dish or some sort of tasty adult beverage.” Guilty pleasure comes in the form of the show “Succession.” “It’s already on my mt rushmore of best TV shows ever. Other areas of interest include NBA, Formula 1, concerts/live music shows, traveling, golf, and tennis.”
When not cranking the tunes of 311, other artists Victor loves recently include Tropidelic, Dirty Heads, Iya Terra, Bronx Slang, Logic, Gareth Emery, Alison Goldfrapp, Clutch, RDGLDGRN, the Band CAMINO, Incubus, Paris Jackson, Deftones, Iration, Rihanna, Metallica, Young the Giant, and SOFI TUKKER.
Victor would like to send this message to 311: “”Thank you for what you do, for being who you are, and for helping myself and others during those times we needed it.” (He also wanted to note: “The band and members have had a huge influence on my life and how I wish to interact and behave with others. Through all the positive/negative moments in my life, they’ve always been a constant that has helped me navigate and reflect.”)
Now here are his words to the other fans out there:
“Stay positive, love your life, and stay true to who you are.”
Many thanks to Victor for sharing your 311 story! Sending out so much gratitude to all those reading this today and any other day. Wishing you all good vibes and an amazing week.
Much Love – The Runt