Hey there 311 fans! Welcome back to another edition of the fan spotlight! Let us start this week off in the best way possible, it’s time to meet Brentton Parham.
Word of mouth is how Brentton stumbled upon 311. He was walking to his car after school one day when he heard his buddy blasting the song “Silver” from his Jeep. His buddy yelled, “Hey come listen to this sh*t!” with a huge grin. “The rest they say is history! I am extremely grateful that day occurred and that I was introduced to such an amazing journey that is more than just a band. Posi+ive vibes which this world needs.” The sound is what hooked him. He said there is nothing in this world like it. “Just pull up Soundsystem and listen to to ‘Livin’ & Rockin’” – Nuff said.”
Number of shows Brentton has seen? He’s never really been one to keep track. Ballpark number is in the neighborhood of 40 or so. “It’s a great ‘return on investment’ I think. I know others that are well North of that though. Hats off to those fellow Excitables.” He’s followed 311 around the southeast quite a bit back in 2000. His first show was back on 2/3/96 at The International Ballroom in Atlanta. “Pharcyde and Cypress Hill played that night as well. EPIC night.” Favorite event (or events really) and any 311 Day. “Fans coming from all over the World, together to celebrate Unity. Lots of good people getting together to build each other up, celebrate life and many good memories are made. The show the guys put on is amazing. Name me another band in the entertainment business / industry that plays either a one day 6 + hour show or two 3 + hour shows?? I’ll wait…..lol Hopefully, they (311) can continue to host the event in NOLA. Great place for it. Great vibe down there.”
Favorite song was narrowed down to “The Continuous Life.” “Hearing S.A. singing/rapping about an out of body experience is just fascinating to me. Very deep song. The afterlife interests me greatly.” Favorite lyrics? “Life’s a bowl of punch, go ahead and spike it!”
Brentton was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina but moved to Georgia after his 5th birthday, where he has been ever since. He’s a diehard Clemson Tigers football fan, as well as a lover of music and animals. “I wish I could save them all.” He works hard to fund his 311 habit. “Work hard / play hard so when 311 hits the stage it makes it that much more enjoyable. I think 311 is kind of like a release for folks to turn off any negative vibes or to go see them live, and just for a few hours actually live again, release and forget any negativity in his/ her own lives.” Brentton said there were many times where 311 helped him out of a dark place over the last couple of decades. When he wrote this he was counting down the days to the shows at The Tabernacle. “No cares, no worries, except for hearing that 311 sound pulse throughout my body when P-Nut slaps that 1st bass string.”
Something most people don’t know is that Brentton has very nice penmanship! Or so he’s told. Also, the “Transistor Intro” is the alarm on his phone. Something unique about him? He does impressions of celebs and public figures well. “Rodney Dangerfield, Obama, Bill Clinton, Don Pardo, and some others. Robin Williams had a huge impact on me. RIP.” Guilty pleasure? “My car. Car enthusiast. Lots of horsepower. These are a few of my favorite things.”
Other bands he loves include Van Halen,Incubus, Avenged Sevenfold, One Day As A Lion, RATM, Aerosmith, Marshall Tucker Band, Gregg Allman, George Thorogood, Nonpoint, Prince, RDGLDGRN, James Brown, J.J. Jackson, Mel and Tim, G N’R, Rebelution, Full Service, King Harvest, Bill Withers, and the Deftones. “I could go on and on. Always in my car so SIRIUSxm gives me many options. Very eclectic.”
To the band, Brentton has one question: “Can I play Chad’s kit to ‘Down’ with you guys? God, that would be epic!”
Now to all the other great fans out there:
“Rock On beautiful people! P.L.U.R. to you ALL out there in ‘311 Nation’. You are GOOD enough! Keep fighting! Love your neighbor(s)! Better days are ahead!
Cant NOBODY do it like 311, Fuc*in’ up competition ’cause their really is NONE!”
———
That’s Brentton’s story and he’s sticking to it! Thanks for participating Brentton and thank all of you wonderful people for reading! Until we meet again, go and be awesome, spread the positivity to all!
Much love – The Runt