Hello again my friends out there in 311 nation! Who’s ready for the latest edition of the fan spotlight? Let’s meet Kat Chuckran!
Kat was really little when she first found 311 as she was going through her older brothers diverse CD collection and he had a burned copy of the Music album. “I remember hitting that ‘play’ button on the stereo system like it was yesterday! I was instantly captivated by their unique style and enraptured by their sound, which fueled an insatiable quest to hear more of their albums.”
Show count for Kat is somewhere between 45 and 60. Her first show was in Mansfield, Massachusetts, at Great Woods (before the 800 name changes it’s had) either in 1998 or 99. While it’s hard to pick a favorite show, because 311 Day is one of her favorite things every other year, she said her most favorite event so far was this years 311 Day at Sea. “I’ve been on two 311 Cruises, and this last one was the most fun I’ve ever had in my life! Take me back OTMFB!!”
Picking a favorite song is also hard for Kat since there are several that strike her fancy. If she had to pick one, she would choose “Time is Precious” which is really meaning a lot to her right now.
Now favorite song lyrics, she has a lot that she loves! The list includes the following:
“It’s alright to feel good. It’s alright for nothing to be wrong. The deepest dream that we have could be tomorrow’s song,” “From Chaos Comes Clarity.” “Do as you will. Do as you wish. Follow your bliss,” “Everything is a choice, go ahead raise your voice. Might as well forgive yourself, that means more than someone else. Set you free, break the shell. To your Demons farewell. I tell you, don’t dwell,” “I think about you much more than I should. Now there’s a structure nothing had once stood. No more bluffing it’s cards on the table time, what it will be we must take it as a sign,” “In the genesis of the solar mine, Amid the fractals and the combination of the signs, It’s not hard to find patterns that flow bright, In the bluest light, now enhanced by your crystal sight,” “I’ve seen the other side and I say, oh, I’ve been insane, and I won’t ever be the same,” “I found a bootleg of the cosmic conscious, then erased it. Visualized the breath technique, slowly became it. Now something is watchin’ me, since I have found the keys, to free this energy- my high speed light body ‘Cause the galaxy is crazy, it doesn’t amaze me, that we’re livin’ out of phase and quickly decaying. 6 protons, 6 neutrons, 6 electrons Is encoded in this planet we live on,” “Spirit on the run, I’m an alien,” “I’m vexing many mofos, but I’m wishing you the best. I keep ’bout half my lyrics and I throw out the rest.” and “On the scales of desire your absence weighs more than someone else’s presence. I want to kiss reason goodbye today, I want to show it’s purple essence. On your lips, baby, it’ll fade away. Return your natural iridescence. On the scales of desire, your absence weighs more than someone else’s presence.”
Kat grew up in the small town of Raynham, which is a suburb about 35 minutes south of Boston, MA. She also lived in Rhode Island for a few years. As for work, her very first job was working with animals and she has been a veterinary technician for most of her adult life. ” I have a deep respect for all animals and the environment. I have several passions, and I enthusiastically seek new knowledge at any opportunity. I’ve been learning the art of Shibari and Kinbaku for the past year consistently and it’s become an exciting hobby. I’ve been a Floral Designer in the past as both a job and a hobby, and I recently graduated from Rittner’s School of Floral Design in Boston this year. I’m a certified Herbalist and I make Botanical Medicine for my friends and family. I’ve trained in Muay Thai on and off for many years. Presently, I work at a Hydraulic Forklift company that funds my 311-ing, and I enjoy my job. In my free time I love spending time with my cat J.J., being immersed in nature, making plans for new adventures, events and traveling, spending time with good friends & family, camping, and creating art to name a few.”
Interesting fact about Kat is that she’s been studying Peruvian Shamanism for quite some time. “I’m a Shaman apprentice.” Something that makes her unique is that she has been doing face & body painting since she was 12. ” I started doing that 4th of July weekend on the peninsula beaches of Scituate, MA. I’m a multi-media Artist, and I do commissioned work privately, as well as public work for all kinds of different events and festivals.” Guilty pleasure for Kat is that she loves the movie “Batman Returns” and she’s not sorry about it! “GET IN THE DUCK!”
Kat loves many other artists besides 311 and the list includes Michael Jackson, The Elovators, Ballyhoo!, Bumpin Uglies, KMFDM, Thievery Corporation, Beastie Boys, Static-X, Daft Punk, Sevendust, Kascade, Blue Oyster Cult, ATB, The Prodigy, Aerosmith, Silverchair, The Chemical Brothers, Tribal Seeds, BackStreet Boys, Jimi Hendrix, Alesso, NIN, Maceo Plex, Shpongle, The Expendables, Ramones, Nightmares On Wax, Bile, The Crystal Method, Iration, The Cure, Diplo, Marilyn Manson, Guns N’ Roses, Tool, Type O Negative, SlipKnoT, Benny Benassi, Knife Party, Eminem, Deftones, (Hed) P.E., The Movement, Breaking Benjamin, Kid Rock, Collie Buddz, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Street Urchinz, Gin Blossoms, Jane’s Addiction, Godsmack, Pepper, Pantera, STP, Stick Figure, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Incubus, Green Day, Rebelution, Avicii, Korn, Cypress Hill, Garbage, Swedish House Mafia, En Vogue, Boyz II Men, and The Smashing Pumpkins.
Kat has this message for the members of 311: “Your music has touched the lives of all us fans, and it’s helped an immeasurable amount of us out of the darkest times of our lives, healing so many of us– Thank you for all you do for your fans!”
Now here are her closing words to all the other fans out there:
“There’s much power in anger, but love’s a bigger banger. Complete props to my crew, ‘Cause this is how we do!” “Oh, life is a journey- waking, believing, running.” and of course:”Stay Positive & Love Your Life!”
Many thanks to Kat for sharing her story with us all! Now of course, my eternal gratitude for all the readers and supporters of this little blog out there. Hope you all are finding some peace this week and remember to keep on running. Sending love to you all.
Much Love – The Runt