Welcome back 311 nation! Who’s ready for the newest addition to the fan spotlight? Let’s meet Bryan Weinstein!

The journey into 311 for Bryan began in the year 1993 when a classmate of his received the Music album. “I remember thinking to my 13 year old self, how rad is it that bands have shifted into numbers as for their names!!??” Then about 2 years after the blue album came out, someone had copied the album onto a cassette for him. “I didn’t stop playing it continuously for several months, bumping chads drumming and Pnuts phat bass lines on my 6×9’s in my old school station wagon! Soon after,  Transistor came out and I HAD to buy it on CD! That was quickly followed by the ’98 live album, then like all true heads,  had to dive backwards a small bit-and NEVER stopped going forwards from there.  It’s always been a soul connection. Their lyrics and funky fun riffs spoke to me, as I crave true consciousness, positivity, and a message from music. From the playfulness raps of the blue album to all the mind mellowing alchemizing tones and lyrics of transistor, it forever shifted me between the expansive years of 15- 18, every single lyric! I mean, who else was even mentioning sacred geometry in the 90s?!?!”

Even though Bryan was a fan early on, he didn’t start seeing 311 live until later on in life. “I regretfully didn’t start going to see 311 live earlier in life, although coming up in Phoenix, AZ, where they played a lot in the early years (Shoutout to phx on Grassroots!!!)  I had plenty of chances, and I kick myself  in the tail when I think about it…. the first show I can clearly remember was in 2001 in Columbus, Ohio. Other big shows I’ve attended were 311 Day Vegas 2010,  2011 311 Pow Wow Festival, all 6 Caribbean cruises, and last show of decade in Chitown Dec. ’19. I think my concert count is around 70-75ish?!”

As for a favorite show or event, Bryan really just loves all of his experiences too much to narrow it down. “I’ve been so lucky to have been to so many shows over the years, have made many trips around the country to see family/friends and to sneak in a 311 show while in town!! I can’t put into words how special each show is with different people and energy, that said, after the privileged of all 6 Caribbean cruises and the infamous private beach show, dancing and rockin’ out in the beautiful water and soft sands…, how could it not be all that!!!?”

Like many fans, picking a favorite song is difficult for Bryan. “I feel there’s so much wisdom and knowledge in each song and each lyric. I absolutely love all the young energetic hard rap rock, and the maturing chillness of more newer tracks, but  Evolving rapidly in my youth with Transistor I’d have to go with Inner Light Spectrum, The Continuous Life,  Borders, C.U.T.M, UNITY, Whiskey and Wine, & Who’s Got The Herb?!. And Extension, as it was the name of the road I grew up on!”

As for lyrics, Bryan named a few that really resonate with him including, “Time is precious, as you say it is”, “I wanna visit the world”, “The same force that flows through every circuit”, “Time to GET DOWN”, “See all the energy around you,” and “I wanna be free, I wanna do right.”

Bryan was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in Mesa. His parents were school teachers, always into good vibes and good music. “My mom raised me and my younger brother on all the excellent Beatles and British 50/60s music and Motown, my dad raised us on Hendrix, Floyd, Zeppelin, The Doors and all that incredible 70s Rock.  I gravitated to all the historic 80 and 90s bands including the humorous antics of Weird Al Yankovic, being the goofy kid I was is what truly cultivated my taste, and in blending all those styles together as I grew into my late teens 311 was the way forever forward!”

Being influenced by love and art in their household, Bryan became an artist majoring in 3D animation and his brother became an extremely talented musician. In 2001, Bryan moved to Columbus, Ohio. “It was living up there, where 311 loves to roll through that allowed me to start seeing them so often and in so many neighboring cities!  A couple years later I moved to South Florida (not knowing there’d be 6 future 311 boats sailing from here) and in 2005 after getting rocked by a few serious hurricanes,  I soon ended up changing from the visual arts to the healing arts.  Always striving for balance, harmony and wellness I was inspired to go down the path of becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist. After 15 years of successful massage practice (which has funded my 311 lifestyle) and incorporating my passion for healing and vitality with the study and practice of  Qigong and Tai Chi I have now shifted my studies on Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture.  With the wisdom’s of SA “be kind to every single body” it lead me down a path of studying and exploration, which lead to the incredible opportunity of teaching Tai chi classes on the 2017 and 2019 311 Cruise!  It was a honor which I’m forever grateful for.  After ending the ’19 Tai Chi class a few minutes early to race to the basketball court to see Nick and Pnut play 5 on 5 basketball, as I found a spot in the high bleachers, I was absolutely speechless when the crowd cheered Nick as he came through to the court, I had no idea Nick and his security detail were right behind me, and as he walked past he said personally in his sincere tones as always, “Hey, saw you teaching the Tai Chi from my room up above, that shit was dope!” He gave me a sincere pound, and that unexpected encounter is something I don’t have words to describe! I truly believe everywhere we go and all we do is meant to be, timing is everything in life, and as I moved back to Phoenix in 2016 for a special female, I was once again in the right place and time to see 311, out of all places on the planet, host a 2017 New Years Eve Show in my backyard of  Tempe, AZ!! As I left Arizona to head back to south Florida in 2018 I caught 420 shows in Colorado, Red Rocks, dream come true, to make it back in  time to Florida to see 311 again a week later in early May at SunFest in West Palm Beach, FL, then another monumental cruise in 2019! Had such big plans for their 30^th Anniv. summer shows with Incubus, as we all know it fell apart!  One fact is true, 311 always adapts, and will always continue to do so!”

Fun fact about Bryan is that he had Billy Joel tell him to go fuck himself! “It was a live show of his in Phoenix in ’99 and as he sung his encore song “Piano Man” the spotlight from over his shoulder was casting and shining onto me and my mom who were singing and waving as we were swaying… He sees us making direct eye contact.. asks us in front of over 20,000 people… “Hey, is that your girlfriend!!?”  Needless to say, stunned as we were, we didn’t answer quickly, and he said jokingly.. “ehhhhh go f%#k yourself!!” What a true honor!! A story we still share and laugh about constantly for over 20 years!”

As for something that makes Bryan unique, he said it’s his capability to know the body well and he gives amazing therapeutic massages. “Or so I’m humbly told from my many worldly traveled clients. If you’re ever in South Florida, feel free to contact me! Shameless plugs aside, I’d have to say my love and passion for brewing kombucha, messing around with different ingredients like chia seeds, ginger juice, and crafting unique flavors and spices, is a fun thing to create and enjoy! Some day I want to sell kombucha on a grand scale and partner with 311, that’d be a true honor!”

Aside from 311, Bryan has a huge love for artists like he Beatles, Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, KRS-ONE, Mr. Lif, Sublime, De La Soul, The Roots, Incubus, Pepper, Rebelution, The Movement, Stick Figure, Los Stellarians, Ghostwolf, Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid, and Phunk Junkeez.

Guilty pleasure for Bryan is that he has way too many 311 concert posters. “Most difficult honestly is finding enough wall space to house them in my  apartment.  I’ve collected a lot of 311 merch and schwag and am always trying creative ways to capture and collage them into something fun to decorate the 311 dojo!”

Bryan’s words to 311: “I would truly want to thank them from the depths of my soul and express my gratitude for who they are,  for what they’ve worked so hard to become, and just for how they’ve touched so many lives in the most important and positive ways! And for their 30+ ongoing years together, NO ONE IN MUSIC is more DOWN…. MUCH LOVE! Andddddd, thank you so much for allowing me to share tai chi on the last two boats, an absolute incredible honor of a lifetime!!!!”

Now his message to all the other 311 fans out there:

“Thank you to all slinky sisters &  brodels that I’ve been honored to meet whether on land or sea, and to all those out there I’ve yet to cross paths, stay frosty.  To all heads that supported Tai Chi initially, and requested to have it again, I’m eternally grateful!!  One day soon, with love, we will lift the veil of this crisis, we will rejoice and ROCK! Keep being the change you want to see and continue dodging raindrops! BE REVOLUTIONARY, and always stay positive and LOVE your LIFE!”

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Thank you Bryan for sharing your story with all the excitables! As always, so much gratitude goes out to the supporters of this little project. Have an amazing week friends!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back 311 nation! Thanks for returning for the latest edition of the 311 Fan Spotlight. Let’s not waste time, here’s the story of Gerry Fey!

Omaha is where Gerry grew up. He was attending Westside when Nick, Tim and Chad were in high school. It was his friend Mike Bartholet that told him about 311’s first tape, Dammit. “He played it for me. I loved their combination of rap and thrash, it was like nothing I had heard before. So I went to Joe Voda’s Drum City on 72nd Street with my $10, and went to the back office to buy the tape from Chad’s mom. She gave everyone the once over and said do you have $10. I love their message of unity. CUTM is still one of my favorite songs.”

Show count for Gerry is around 25. His first one was at the Ranch Bowl in Omaha in 1989. As for favorite event or show, he picked 311 Day 2020. “Three nights, 105 songs, unreal…little did us fans in Vegas know it would be the last live concert in the world for awhile.”

The song “Sunset in July” is one that Gerry holds close to his heart because it reminds him of the feeling of 311 Day. He also enjoys “Good Feeling” as it reminds him of his new wife Kat.

As for lyrics that really speak to him, he loves these from the song “Too Late:” “The river cuts it’s way through stone, not through sheer force but persistence, at the end of the day the relentless always win.” Gerry said these words are a reminder to never give up.

As mentioned before, Gerry was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. He made sure his two younger brothers Adam and Derek also became 311 fans. “I enjoyed going to see 311 in Lincoln with them over one winter break.” Gerry attended the University of Kansas and is a huge Jayhawks fan. He also got his brothers into that as well. “I am also a Nebraska football fan (although lately that has been difficult). Loved growing up watching the Minnesota Twins also. I am a huge sports fan, if you can’t tell.”

Gerry worked for newspapers for quite some time, so he has lived in many places including Hutchinson, Kansas; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Annapolis, Maryland; Columbia, Maryland; Cantonsville, Maryland; and currently Towson, Maryland. “I am a freelance graphic designer, but that has been difficult lately, so if anyone knows anyone who needs graphic design work, give me a shout :)”

Fun fact that many don’t know about Gerry is that he was close to playing in the Little League World Series. “The team that beat us in the Regional tournament went on to Williamsport.” Back to sports, Gerry said he has the kiss of death when it comes to buying jerseys of athletes. “I had a Twins jersey signed by Butch Husky and Manager Tom Kelly. Husky was released before the season was over and Tom Kelly retired after the season. I bought a John Vanbiesbrouck jersey after they went to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996. He left the next season to go to the Rangers. The list goes on. So if you have a player on your team you don’t like, let me know, I will curse him by buying his jersey. I have the gift!”

Guilty pleasure for Gerry he said is that he loves the Game Show Network…and also the Spice Girls! When not listening to the girls or 311, he can be found cranking tunes from artists such as Pearl Jam, Foo Fighters, Beastie Boys, Twenty One Pilots, Frank Sinatra, Sound Garden, NWA, and R.E.M. “Pearl Jam headlined a free concert at Kansas my freshman year, it was called Day on the Hill. Probably were 15,000 people there. Eddie Vedder climbed up the scaffolding during Porch, swung the microphone cord through the top of the stage and then swung into the mosh pit. That was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.”

To the guys in 311, Gerry has this message: “Thank you for continuing to make great music and continuing to send the Unity message and to love your life…..it’s needed more and more these days.”

Gerry has these words for all the other fans out there:

“I have met so many amazing people through the 311 community. I’ve enjoyed meeting all of you! Thank you to this amazing community! Stay positive and love your life!”

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Big thank you to Gerry Fey for sharing his story and love for 311 with us all. Much thanks and love to all of the continued support of this “little” project. Until next time, be amazing and spread that unity!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back awesome peeps of 311 nation! Let’s get right to it and meet the next fan spotlight. Here’s the story of Valerie Perreault!

The year was 1999 and Valerie was dating her husband. They compared CD collections when they moved in together and the only CD they had in common was 311’s blue album. “So it kind of naturally transformed into a much bigger love from there.”

Show count was something that Valerie never really kept track of. First show was when she was invited to see 311 with some friends at Northerly Island in Chicago in the early 2000’s. “After that show, 311 became a permanent fixture in our relationship. Not only were we influenced by the music we were also thrilled to meet so many other people out there just like us who share the same passions for a positive life style. We have found forever friends at 311 concerts/cruises and love looking forward to reunions with them, both near and far!” As for favorite event, she said it’s the cruises, hands down.

The song “I’ll Be Here Awhile” is one that holds a special place in Valerie’s heart. “After the first cruise I decided to get a 311 tattoo because I never wanted to lose who I was at that time. The lyrics in this song applied to so many things in my life at the time, and I REALLY wanted to start being a better person overall and not lose myself, because at that time I finally learned to love myself and life. So I decided “I’ll Be Here Awhile” was a perfect song for me to always bring me back to the perfect emotional and positive mental state of mind. It’s now been 10 years and I still carry those positive vibes through life, of course the tattoo reminds me to be a good girl too ;)”

Valerie grew up in DuPage County, Illinois. “Moved about 20 minutes from my parents so I can keep an eye on those trouble makers. ;)” She had a career in banking for over 20 years and just recently moved into accounting. “I liked numbers so much that I started saving money when I was 19 because I did not want to work the rest of my life. Met my wonderful husband and we are hoping to retire young and enjoy life and move closer to where the palm trees are. My husband and I both love the warmer weather so staying here in Chicago area is a struggle.”

Valerie and her husband love animals! They currently have 2 rescue dogs, both of them shepherd mixes, named Rock (who is 14) and Lucy (who is 13). They also have a rescue cat named Angel (19). “I’m sure our next fur family will have some fun 311 names in there somewhere.”

Something that makes Valerie unique is that she’s good at reading animals. “I should have been a veterinarian but I sucked at school. Most animals trust me, and I know how to gain their trust faster than most people I know. I wish people had more patience and understanding toward them.”

Volleyball was a sport that Valerie played for 30 years, only taking a year off when she had to have shoulder surgery. “I am now looking for a safer sport after breaking my hand right before the 3rd 311 cruise, but that didn’t stop me from wheeling around my 50LB luggage on that boat!”

Guilty pleasure for Valerie is that she loves to watch reruns of “Jackass.” “And I am not ashamed to admit it! I just love to laugh. I am at my absolute best and cherish many memories from when I am laughing through life.”

Other musicians that Valerie can be found listening to include Weezer, Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, Eminem, Flyleaf, Nine Inch Nails, Alice in Chains, Faith No More, and Mr. Bungle

Valerie has these words for 311: “Thank you for being such a positive driving force for me and my husband. Our marriage is a happy one because of your music and ALL YOUR CRUISES:) We are looking forward to our 7th cruise with you if fate lets it happen.”

Now her words to all of the other fans out there:

“Save your money Then please don’t be afraid to spend it on happy memories or experiences. Those special happy moments/memories in life will help carry you through those darker and lonely days this world loves to throw at us XOXOXOXOXO”

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There you have the story of Valerie Perreault! Much gratitude to her for sharing it with us all. Of course, my love & thanks for the support of this blog. Have an amazing week friends! “Stay positive & love your life!”

Much Love – The Runt

Hello again friends in 311 nation! Welcome back, another 311 fan spotlight is upon us. This week let’s meet C.J. Chipley!

During C.J.’s junior year of college in 1993, he became friends with two guys named Eric and Josh, who had a Sega Genesis and owned the game NBA Jams. They were who introduced C.J. to the music of 311. “As we played NBA Jams& enjoyed some recreational activities, Eric threw in a bootleg copy of Music (tape form / poor college students) and it was ON. The energy enveloped me & the lyrics spoke my language. The NBA Jams catchphrase “he’s on fiiiiiiiiiiiiire” became secondary to the six song run of Feels So Good, Do You Right, FTBS, (flip the tape over), Welcome, Freak Out & Visit.  Although there are songs from every album that resonate with me & physically force me to ‘nod your head to this,’ this particular run of 6 songs will forever be stacked in my soul. This, however, was NOT the moment that 311 changed my life forever.”

First show for C.J. was April 15, 1993, in a tiny club in Memphis, Tennessee call Club 616 (now closed). Max capacity was about 400 and he said it was only about 60% full. This was the day that 311 changed his life forever. ” For anyone that has seen them live, the understanding of the feeling I describe goes without saying. In this smaller setting, the connection to every member of the crowd that each band member displayed throughout that entire show was not only kick-ass, but made the experience personal… like a group of guys you grew up with who were having shitloads of fun & a bit of success along the way, but would still go & grab you a beer from the fridge if you needed one. I was so incredibly blown away, I had to see them againasap & they were (fortunately) playing the next 2 nights at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, about a 3hr drive away. As a broke-ass college student, I had to become resourceful. Quickly. I pawned my golf clubs, about 15 CD’s (these actually had a bit of value in the early 90’s), sold back 5 college textbooks & got paid in advance to write a history paper for my roommate & another for my suitemate. Made both shows on 4/16 & 4/17. Best. Decision. Ever.”

For show count, C.J. is at 71. He’s had backstage, VIP passes three times, but says sadly no cruises yet. He’s been to every 311 Day show however. “On day 2 of 311 Day 2018, my wife & I decided to show up a bit early, enjoy a few cold adult beverages & grab our seats… relax a bit before the show. As we exit the beverage line (it was a line of 2… I mean we were REAL early), P-Nut comes walking around the corner from a back room & peaks into an (almost) empty arena. He has a smile ear-to-ear and a look in his eye like “we are about to fuckin’ ROCK this place.” As he exits the arena to return backstage, he takes one look at me as I exit the bar & says, “WOW, I’ve got to get a picture with that BIG ASS BEER!!” We proceeded to talk for a bit & it was super cool of him to share his excitement with us before the show. One of C.J.’s many stories: P-Nut asks to take a pic with me (actually my beer) & not vice versa.”

C.J. said that 71 seems like a lower show count for someone who’s been a fan so long, but part of the reason is that he moved to Hawaii in 2006. “I was previously living in Memphis, TN and 311 Day was shifted there for 2006 (as most know) due to Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. After the show, my mind is always spinning (pun intended) & I thought to myself- I’m pretty damn good at my job… why am I still ‘making the donuts’ in Memphis?!?  Where do I really want to be? I randomly look at the 311 ‘upcoming shows’ to get an idea (hopefully with some inspiration) and 3 of their next 4 shows were in Hawaii. About 6 months later, so was I- and have been ever since. Met my wife here & one of the things that ‘bonded’ us early in our relationship was her love of 311 as well (more to come on this). Have to give 311 a huge mahalo for their unknown karmatic inspiration. Omaha was never on my list.”

One of C.J.’s favorite events was when 311 played two shows back to back in a little club in Honolulu in 2010. His wife has epilepsy and due to the random bursts of light & patterns at shows, she had never been able to attend any bigger shows in her life. ” We practiced the ‘shut & cover’ method with her eyes routinely leading up to the show dates… we were ready. The 1^st night, things worked out perfectly, her health was absolutely fine, she had gotten to experience her first live show & we were on Cloud 9 as we exited the venue. Cloud 9 quickly became Cloud 10 as we got into our car & saw the entire band getting into the van parked RIGHT NEXT TO US. Let’s have some fun. I tailed them all they way from the show venue to their pink hotel in Honolulu & believe I only ran 1 red light in the process… the other 2 were still orange. We got out at the hotel, talked/laughed with them quite a bit & left by saying “it would be great if you ended tomorrow night with FTBS as you ALWAYS did back in the day.” I think they ended night 1 with a badass Omaha Stylee/Creatures mash up & I also knew they still had not played Down. SA winked & nodded, Nick said “we’ll see.” Night 2 was another incredible show (duh) & then they came out for the encore… Down. Linda & I looked at each other, shrugged, laughed & enjoyed the hell out of a GREAT song. As they began to walk off the stage, suddenly they stopped (I mean, literally froze in place). About face. Returned to instruments. “This one goes out to all of the old schools fans that remember how we ALWAYS closed a show…” BOOM!!  Linda & I both cried the happiest tears ever & I still get emotional telling the story.”

Song that means the most to C.J. is “Jackpot.” It’s not his favorite, but it means the most because the album Uplifter was released while he and his wife were dating. That song is one they both loved the minute they heard it. “Every time we hear the word ‘jackpot’ used (wherever we may be) I will come in immediately with ‘all the people say’ and Linda then adds ‘whoa’ before we JACKPOT simultaneously. It’s our little thing.” As for favorite lyrics, he listed just a few samples as there are too many to fully list, including: “Welcome to this groove… you can move, right?,” “Unwind your mind & find entire minutes,” “Serendipitous my travels throughout time,” “We put that shit on the map,” “I kick in the teeth of condescending frowns,” “Nod your head to this,” and “I wanna stoke the fire.”

C.J. was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and moved around a few times due to his father getting better opportunities as he grew up. He’s lived in Charlotte twice, Cleveland, Fort Smith, Arkansas, Memphis twice, Henderson, North Carolina, Monterey, Las Vegas, Honolulu, and Kailua, Kona. He was in the restaurant industry most of his life, but now supports his wife’s retail business in Hawaii. “Our jewelry business is named Blue Water Fantasies… cool as the blue water all around.”

C.J. and his wife Linda married on 11/11/11 at 8:16AM for many reasons. “one of the biggest was having the ability to say ‘we were married on 3-11’s’ for the rest of our lives. Our wedding photos are titled We’re just two Misfits that no one else gets.”  C.J. has lived in Kailua-Kona for almost 15 years. He and Linda will celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary this year. “Currently have 3 fur-babies in the house- 2 cats (brother/sister Norwegian Forest Cats) & a German Shephard. Throughout my life, I have named at least 1 pet after each member of the band, also had a dog named Bobby & by chance, got the opportunity to name 2 donkey’s on a friend’s farm- one is now Terrence Henry & the other, Scott Stapp.”

C.J. since 1993 has included 311 stuff in his monthly budget, at $25 a month. “Gives me the rationale to buy anything 311-related and use the ‘yeah, but I’ve budgeted for this’ explanation.” Things he enjoys besides 311 are making others laugh, being a die-hard UNC Tarheels fan, plus the Steelers, Pirates, Penguins, and 76ers. “A huge fan of sports (competition in general) & unless playing one of ‘my’ teams, almost always have a soft spot for the underdog. Love seeing an ‘upset’ which re-enforces the principal that anyone can win. Everyone has a chance.”

Interesting fact about C.J. is that at one point he worked for a company where his territory covered 6 different time zones. “90% of my life was spent on the road & I always requested room 311. The travel also gave me the opportunity to catch a few 311 shows across the US, which is always nice.” Ever heard of the term Glossophobia? It’s the fear of public speaking, a very common phobia. C.J. does NOT have it. ” I am the categorical antonym of this. LOVE IT. Will get on stage in front of 1,000s of people and give speeches or facilitate presentations with passion, energy, excitement… it’s my juice. Love the process of learning the info & then energizing the masses/delivering the message as a knowledgeable, connected presenter. Do I get nervous or do I get butterflies?? Absolutely, along with a sweet blast of adrenaline… it’s when you don’t feel these things that you should worry.”

Guilty pleasure for C.J., well he loves gardening and has quite the green thumb. “I am blessed to have the climate zone that Hawaii provides, 365 days a year. In my time out here, I have grown (not at the same time) coffee, bananas, pineapple, mango & papaya, along with some amazing herbs all year round.I have a 10yr old bonsai tree (Buzz the bonsai) and a yard full of hibiscus, gardenia, plumeria, bougainvillea & palms to enjoy. Nature is pretty cool, you know?”

Other musical artists that C.J. can be found grooving to a rotating list of people. “Currently listening to quite a bit of RTJ… longtime fan of Zeppelin, Chili Peppers, Eric B & Rakim, Beastie Boys, SOJA, Snoop, Blind Melon, RATM, Pepper… occasional guilty pleasures include Tool, Toad the Wet Sprocket, NiN, Cyprus Hill, Ludacris, Slightly Stoopid, Jay-Z, Incubus, Slick Rick… & not gonna get mad if someone throws in something from the (very early) grunge era leading up to my 1993 “311 breakthrough.”

C.J. has been lucky to have had a few opportunities to meet the band and chat with them. He’s always given them a heartfelt thank you each time. “Each member seems like a friend & the ‘shout outs’ they give at shows & on albums feel personal, as if they are meant specifically for me. Each 311 Day, when the slide that says “…and ALL 50 STATES…” hits the screen, I know that I am the Hawaii representative. HeeHee. The culture of unity & positivity they have driven & enveloped throughout their 30+ years has created such a remarkable following of like-minded peoples. I appreciate the fact that their message has held true over the course of time.”

Now this is C.J.’s message to all his fellow 311 fans out there:

“If you have never had the opportunity to see a live show, make it the ABSOLUTE FIRST thing on your list when COVID is under control & we are again allowed to do so. If there is one thing that I will 100% guarantee & can attest to in all the live shows that I have been to (in addition to all the live online performances, etc.)à 311 never phones it in. Ever. The unity will grab hold of you & just might never let go… if you are lucky (again, pun intended). I bet that almost every 311 fan has thought to themselves or recited the line “To all my friends, it’s not the end, the earth has not swallowed me yet…” over the past year. Stay strong, stay safe, stay aware & never forget to stay positive & love your life.”

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Huge thank you to C.J. for sharing his fun story! And everyone wish him a happy belated birthday, as he celebrated on 1/31. Many, many thanks to all the readers and supporters of the blog. Have an amazing week my friends!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back 311 nation! Time marches on here in 2021, I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. Let’s get to this week’s fan spotlight shall we? Meet Kathleen Patricia!

Kathleen was about 13 when she heard the funky sounds of 311 on the radio. She didn’t go to a lot of live shows growing up. “As I got older and more established in life, I found that live music was a game changer and the people who come with that.”

First 311 show for Kathleen was back in 2012. “I had just finished my Master’s degree in clinical Psych and a very dear friend of mine and longtime fan (Kristina Muthart) bought me a ticket on the cruise that year. We had an amazing time and met the most amazing people. Since then I have been to some 30 plus shows.”

Naturally picking a favorite show is difficult. Kathleen said she loves the cruise and being out on the ocean traveling. However a close second for her was the time she decided last minute to travel to Wisconsin and go to a show by herself. “I bought a ticket and jumped in the car around 4pm and drove a couple hours. I must have run into 10 friends when I got there, no better feeling than that. 311 played a really fun set that show it was not the rare cuts or special show tactics they are known for at events; but I still stood next to my friends and sang every word and had an amazing time.”

Song that means the most to Kathleen? “Stealing Happy Hours would be my answer for today, I feel like this is so important.” As for favorite lyric, she chose “Stay positive and love your life.” “Because of my profession and passion for helping others I feel it is so important to get the most out of this life that you can.”

Kathleen grew up as a military brat, moving around quite a lot. “We were stationed in RI for a few years when I was born then  IL then Iceland then New Mexico and then when military life was over we moved to Cicero, IL and few other towns after that but still in IL.” She currently works in mental health in the ER as her full time gig, and part time at a private practice. “The one thing I really look forward to when I am having a rough time at work is a show or a 311 vacation. It is such a reminder that self care, friends, and music are so important. Especially now with all that is happening in the world. I cant wait till we can see live shows again.”

In Kathleen’s spare time, she loves to write poetry. “I recently published a book. Kat’s little Black Book According to the Zodiac.” As for something that makes her unique, she phoned a friend to see what they would say and the answer was this: “Your ability to look outside yourself and put yourself in other people’s shoes.”

Guilty pleasure for Kathleen is painting. “I am not great at it but I love it. One of my guilty pleasures is watching Bob Ross and learning new techniques.” When not listening to 311, she can be found grooving to Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Ballyhoo!, Bumpin Uglies, and RDGLDGRN to name a few. “My playlist gets more diverse from there Fleetwood Mac, Chicago, CCR, and sometimes a good 90’s alternative playlist is in order.”

Kathleen would like to tell the members of 311 this message: “Thank you for the music and the community.”

Now here are her words to all the other fans out there:

“I can’t say enough about how amazing you guys are! Thank you for sharing the music, the dance floor space and singing at the top of your lungs. I think that is my favorite part of being in a room full of 311 fans is hearing the whole room sing.”

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Thank you Kathleen for sharing your story! Many, many thanks as always to all the continuous support of this project as well. Hope you all have an amazing week. Keep sending out love to the world!

Much Love – The Runt

Here we are again Excitable nation! Another fan spotlight is upon us. This week let’s hear the story of Hannah McKernan!

The first song Hannah heard was “All Mixed Up” when she was on her way to the swimming pool at the Miramar Navy base that she visited at least once a week while her father was stationed in San Diego. “It was instantly my favorite song at that time! I was in the 6th grade at the time and trying to figure out who I was and who I was becoming at that time. Because we moved a lot being a Navy Brat, my life was basically about constant change and readjusting.”

Hannah doesn’t specifically remember what drew her in and make her become such a big fan, but she does remember that after she heard that first song and it ended, she just wanted more. “All I wanted to do was sit by the radio and record it on a blank cassette every time I caught it on the radio! I sat on my bed and listened to it over and over…wrote down the words and sang it till it had it memorized! Didn’t taken long! Then I wanted to hear more and learn more about them! My mom let me buy the “Blue” album and that was it! No more Hanson, 311 was my band!”

For show count, Hannah has lost count of her exact number. “My birthday is July 30th and they are always in New England around that time (I live in Maine), so my boyfriend and I will typically catch every show we can in the area, or at least see one closest to us! We’ve been together 11 years and have done this since we met!” First show was at the State Theater in Portland, Maine, with Hoobastank as the opener.

Like many fans, each show has a special place in Hannah’s heart. With that said, there are two shows that specifically stand out to Hannah as ones that are her favorites. “

The first would be when I saw them in New Hampshire, they were playing with Sublime with Rome and we had meet and greet tickets for Sublime with Rome! We were a little late getting there so we had to wait in what looked like a break area/lunch room for staff and bands. I look behind me and NICK HEXUM IS GRABBING A WATER!!! I couldn’t believe it! I had DREAMED of this day since the first time I heard them! I asked my boyfriend if it would be rude to ask him for a picture since he was probably on a break or something and he said “when do you think you’ll get this opportunity again?!”  and it was the best decision I ever made! He was absolutely willing and happy to do it! I treasure that photo! It reminds me that he is true to the music he writes and performs! Full of positivity and it radiates! The second would be when they performed at Thompson’s Point in Portland Maine while on tour with Matisyahu! When 311 came on it was starting to get dark, and by the time they were on their last few songs, all the boats that were in the water (because they were literally performing on the pier…best setting EVER for a 311 show) at the time were all either blowing their horns in support and a few even set off fireworks!! It was AMAZING! Again, it just radiated their message is being heard and is at its height during those couple hours! The message they spread about positivity just spills through the crowd and the energy is endless!”

A song that Hannah holds dear to her heart is “Beautiful Disaster.” “I have always said that this song was written for me!” There are many lyrics that help remind her to stay positive, and that’s one reason she loves the band so much. However she does have “From chaos comes clarity” tattooed on her right foot. ” I truly don’t think there’s a more statement! At the time when I got the tattoo it was a very chaotic point in my life! However as soon as I was able to see through the chaos and actually get a taste of my freedom and feel myself regaining my I’m independence back, I knew I needed that somewhere on me to remind me to ALWAYS stay positive, and despite how crazy/chaotic and as unpredictable life can be….try to stay as positive as possible and clarity will follow! I truly believe that!”

Like Hannah mentioned earlier, she is a Navy brat so she had many opportunities to travel when she was younger. “

Though mostly at a younger age, we moved every 2-3 years until I became a junior in high school and my dad decided to do his last tour in Virginia on his own and let us continue to reside in Maine so I could finish high school! Where we spent most of our time in California between San Diego and Monterey, I was also able to experience places like Seattle Washington, which is why I think 90’s grunge/alternative is my go to genre! Denver Colorado and few other states so very short amounts of time! As for funding my 311 habit, I’ve been VERY lucky to have them perform in the New England area every year around my birthday so my tickets are usually gifted to me! All my friends and family are well aware of my fandom! I consider March 11th a holiday and we celebrate every year :-)”

When asked if there’s anything people don’t know about her, Hannah said she’s pretty transparent and let’s people know who she is. Her friends all know of her obsession with 311. “3/11 is like a second birthday!” Guilty pleasure for Hannah is the show “RuPauls Drag Race” and she loves to binge watch it.

There are many other artists and bands that Hannah listens to. “I was very disappointed about missing 311 this year because they were touring with Incubus which is a band I ADORE and have been needing to add to my list of live shows! But I’m a little bit of everywhere with whom I listen to! I’ll give everything/everyone a chance, especially live, but Pepper, Dirty Heads, Matisyahu, Stone Temple Pilots, Slightly Stupid, System of a Down…and the list goes on and on!”

Hannah would like to send this message to the guys of 311: “Thank you for staying true to the messages you relay in your songs! Thank you for always having  a strong positive vibe! Thank you for the energy you put into your live shows that make them so much fun and something I look forward to each and every year!! Thank you!!!”

Finally, here are her words to all her fellow 311 fans out there:

“Keep the positivity alive my friends!!! Stay thankful, thoughtful and be kind!! Save your energy and BRING IT for when we are able to all rock out together again to our favorite band to all our favorite songs  and remember “One day WE’LL see the clear blue…” 

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That’s the story of Hannah McKernan friends! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thank you for the continued support of the fan spotlight. Have an amazing week all!

Much Love – The Runt

Happy New Year my excitable friends in 311 nation! 2021 is here and I can’t think of a better way to start it off than with a new fan spotlight. Oh and it just so happens to be fan spotlight #311. So without further ado, I give you the story of the man we all know and love as P-Nut’s Dad – Mr. Larry Wills! 

Larry said it’s hard to remember what his first thoughts were when Aaron joined the band and he first heard their music. “Needless to say I did like it! I certainly had no idea they would become as famous and fabulous as they are!” Larry said he does remember when he first realized that the band was famous. “This occurred when I was visiting my twin sister and her husband in Washington state and we were watching TV we found a video of a concert in a huge venue I was stoked!!”

As for show count for Larry, he said he can only take a stab at the number he’s attended, which he believes to be somewhere around 33. This number includes the three 311 Day shows in 2020 and all six of the cruises! 

Picking a favorite show or event for Larry is difficult, but theres a memorable one for him which was back in 2017 in Albuquerque where he brought 25 friends with him! “It was awesome. I was hoping for a repeat this year but the pandemic nixed that.”

One of Larry’s favorite songs is “I’ll Be Here Awhile.” “Life is brief and I seek to enjoy every day I get!” As for one of his favorite lyrics, it’s “I wanna get high, but you’re keeping me low.”

Larry loves interacting with the fans and smiles when he thinks of how much love he receives from everyone. “The hugs and requests for a “selfie” fill me up with such energy and excitement and pride!  I love intermingling with the crowd at concerts and cruises and sharing a vape or a joint and getting stoned with everyone!  It’s such a delight to hear fans tell me how much the band has changed their life and how much they adore my son and how he loves them back.”

Larry’s upbringing was very unique, as his father was in the Air Force so he lived many different places. “My twin sister (Sally) and I were born in Somers Point NJ but right away we moved to Massachusetts.  Then we spent  3 years in Trieste Italy followed by: Biloxi MS, Panama City, FL. Tachikawa Japan, Clovis NM, Sumpter SC, Montgomery AL, Bossier City LA, and finally Wheeler AFB, Hawaii.” 

Larry and his sister Sally spent their freshman year at the University of Hawaii. Then Sally joined her fiancé at the University of Colorado where she finished her degree, while Larry moved to Albuquerque and finished his degree at the University of New Mexico. He majored in History and Sociology. Then he was off to Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree in 1970. “From there I pastored churches in Indiana for 4 years. In March 1975 I entered the Air Force as a Chaplain with the rank of Captain.  I felt I had come home!  Funny how my first assignment was at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery AL where I had lived for one year in High School when my dad was stationed there!  After Maxwell I spent a year at a “remote assignment” in Alaska where no families were permitted, only service personnel.  Galen Air Port AK had 350 men and 15 women assigned. Those gals were very popular!! It was a tough assignment for everyone since we were all there without our families.  Many of us got divorced as a result. I think a long absence from a spouse either makes or breaks a marriage.  I did a lot of marital and other counseling that year, as you can well imagine!”

After that, Larry then was assigned to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Florida, where he had also lived as a child. “I love the white sandy beaches and the fabulous Gulf of Mexico seafood down there!  Then overseas to jolly ole England!  I spent two awesome years at RAF Mildenhall, 26 miles from Cambridge!  I loved it! From there I traveled all over Europe including Scotland where my maternal grandfather was born!  After two years in England they sent me to Montana!  What a shock!! LOL. Malmstom AFB is a nuclear missile base with no airplanes, in Great Falls.  It was almost as cold as Alaska at times: -65!  Then the Air Force sent me back to Maxwell for a year at the Command and Staff College. I was one of only 4 Chaplains there among 600 other officers being groomed for higher command and responsibilities.  Then my best assignment came:  Aviano AB, Italy!!  I loved it there so much I extended for another year.  It was so wonderful to be so close to Trieste where I had lived 3 years as a child and learned the language! I also served the Embassy Personnel in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, as Chaplain to the Protestants.  While in Italy,  I was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and then sent to Sheppard AFB TX where I was the Senior Protestant.  Sheppard is a training base for pilots and many other careers. Many young people get married upon graduation there. I remember one year I did 78 weddings!  Then I was sent to Guam! Anderson AFB! 15 months on an island 8 X 32 miles big!  I felt so small there!  Fortunately I got certified as a SCUBA diver and spent a lot of time underwater every chance I got.  While on Guam Mt Pinotubo Volcano in the Philippines blew up and Clark AFB and Subic Bay personnel were evacuated to Guam.  I was tasked to assist the 20,000 men, women and children with housing and food and comfort during their transition. My chapel staff and I managed to get 2,000 volunteers from all over Guam to help! It was amazing!!  We had trucks of fruit and clothing and food given to these “refugees” who could only take what they could carry when they were ordered to escape the falling debris and ash.  It was beautiful how many Guamanians opened their doors and hearts to these in need. I will never forget their generosity and love.”

After this, Larry was sent to what he calls his most unique assignment, to be the Senior Chaplain at The National Security Agency on Ft. Meade between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland. “I spent three years there as an “Industrial Chaplain” where I served the men and women at the NSA including not only Air Force and their families but also the Navy men and women at the NSA and thousands of civilians!  All “hush hush” stuff but very interesting dealing with highly intelligent people doing very sensitive and difficult work with all the pressure you can imagine.” His final assignment was at the base where he said most Air Force women and men start out, Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. “I was supervising 16 chaplains and flying a desk which was not my cup of tea!  After slightly less than a year I felt it was time to retire and move to where I wanted to live and retire!”

Larry retired in Albuquerque and said he spent his first year of retirement getting used to the freedom of being himself as a gay man who no longer had to hide his sexuality. “I rejoice that change has come to the military where one can serve openly now!  I also started volunteering as a Chaplain with our local Police Department.  Then I took a job as the Chaplain for a hospice.  I was the chaplain for VistaCare Hospice for 14 years.  I can’t tell you how rewarding it was to be a spiritual support to patients and their families during this most difficult of times we all must face someday.”

Something that Larry believes many fans may not know about him is that for 25 years he has been living with HIV. “Fortunately I am doing perfectly well with the medications that keep me “undetectable”. Having a “terminal disease” has made me appreciate every day I get to live. It changed my life for the better.”

Larry loves all types of music, from Hard Rock to Reggae, Broadway Musicals to Country! “I love Neil Diamond, Barbra Streisand, Pink, Dolly Parton, and Jane Olivor, to name a few!”

Guilty pleasure for Larry? He loves to drive fast! “My Tesla Model 3 is such an awesome delight that thrills me every time I step on the accelerator!!  I also enjoy getting stoned! LOL.” Larry has also officiated many wedding ceremonies, including ones for 311 fans and also for SA’s sister Laurie and her wife Kim!

Finally, Larry has this message to all the 311 fans out there:

“I love you so much I can’t express it in words.  Three years ago I spend 6 days in Intensive Care after what was thought to be a stoke or seizure following my daily run.  .  I received hundreds of well wishes in cards and e-mails and such from fans all over the world, literally. Then I was crushed with hugs and love when you all saw me in Las Vegas!  

Several fans asked me to perform their wedding.  Such an honor and delight it was. Thank you! 

Peace Love Unity Respect. 311 is not only a band, it’s family.  I am so proud of my son Aaron and Nick, and S.A, and Tim and Chad!  

30 years and counting.  I’m still excited.”

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There you have it my friends, the story of Larry Wills! What a great way to kick off the new year. Here’s to hoping that 2021 gets us back to being able to be together and enjoy seeing the boys live again. Thank you to Larry for being a part of this excitable nation and for allowing me to interview him! As always, many many thanks to all the supporters of this little project. Have an amazing week and start to your 2021! 

Much Love – The Runt 

Welcome back 311 nation! It’s the final spotlight of 2020 – time to wrap up this crazy year and meet again in 2021. Who’s ready for the final spotlight of the year? Let’s meet Stephanie Andrews!

During Steph’s 6th grade year, one of her best friends was listening to a band that she’d never heard of and he played her “Beautiful Disaster” and she was instantly hooked. “I became obsessed with their music and needed to find every single album and every single song I possibly could. Throughout middle school I became known as the girl who was obsessed with 311… not many people knew who they were until they met me. Friends, still to this day, will mention that if they see the clock at 3:11 or hear them on the radio, they think of middle school and think of me.”

Stephanie said that she was really drawn to their music because of the message of positivity. “As a kid I struggled with depression and self esteem issues. Music was my escape and when I found music that sounded great but also had a positive message, I was hooked. I developed a crush on Nick Hexum, like most girls do 😉 and 311 truly became my world, saving me from the negativity around me.”

Show count, Steph believes she is somewhere around 15 or more. Her first show for her was at the Worcester Palladium, in Worcester, Massachusetts, when Hoobastank opened for the band. “I think that was 2002? It was also my first concert, ever! I love being able to say that 311 was my first concert. I went to just about every show every year after that for quite awhile, missed a few in between.”

Favorite show(s) for her she chose the Mardi Gras 2020 shows. “My dream was always to see 311 Day in New Orleans and my husband knew that. He’s not a huge fan but wanted to make it happen for me this year, as we had a rough few months prior with trying to get pregnant and some personal/family issues. He found the shows on ticketmaster and booked the trip… a total surprise! It was our last trip before covid and I ended up *finally* getting pregnant on that trip!!! We stayed in room 311 at our hotel, completely by chance. The shows were amazing and we made a lot of new friends. It was truly the experience of a lifetime. I love the south and New Orleans, and my love for 311 only grew (if that’s even possible!). And to be able to share a show with my husband for the first time meant a lot to me. Great experience all around!”

Picking a favorite song is always hard for fans, so there were a few that came to mind for Steph, including “Sever,” “Stealing Happy Hours,” and “From Chaos.” “Sever got me through some rough times when I was younger and From Chaos truly cemented the positive message into my mind. Stealing Happy Hours has taken on new meaning in my life recently and I just really vibe out to that song.”

As for lyric that she loves, Steph has “From chaos comes clarity” tattooed on her right rib. “It means so much to me because it really gave me a new perspective on how to be positive, how to see the good from a bad situation and realize that even though there is chaos, there will be clarity once it has passed. I remind myself of that every time I’m in a tough or stressful situation. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that quote. It made me grow and evolve so much.” She also has “Sun come through” tattoeed on her left forearm. “I love having that reminder every single day and that lyric means SO much to me. To constantly be reminded that the sun WILL come through any of my darkest times, is something that gets me through anything.”

Stephanie grew up in the small town of Westford, Massachusetts. She currently lives in New Hampshire, but she and her husband spend a lot of time in his hometown of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “I’m sad to have missed out on some Florida shows but I can’t wait for live music to come back and go to some shows down there!”

Steph says her upbringing is completely the reason she got into 311. ” I needed that positive outlet, as I mentioned before, and 311 shaped me into the positive, ever evolving individual that I am today. I do my best to see the good in everything and I truly understand now, at 31, why Nick pushes “stay positive and love your life”. Life is too short to be anything but positive.”

Fun fact about Stephanie is that she’s super into astrology and the stars. “I find it so interesting that we’re on this tiny little planet out in space with so many possibilities of what else could be out there. I guess that’s another reason I vibe with 311 so much.” Guilty pleasure for her is the podcast Call Her Daddy. “I’m married and a new mom to a baby girl but I just love listening to that podcast! Haha.”

Something unique about Steph? She said it’s probably her empathetic nature. “I’m always trying to help people and see the good, find the reason for their behavior and try to help them through whatever it may be. I find not many people are quite the level of empathetic I am. I used to think of it as a flaw, that I cared too much while no one else seemed to care at all… but I think we need more people like that in the world! Whenever someone is quick to judge, I try to think of the opposite. Think of why they feel a certain way and work through it with them.”

Aside from 311, Steph said she doesn’t listen to many other bands like them or in their realm. She is mostly into “outlaw” country and Americana. ” I know, polar opposite. I listen to Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Turnpike Troubadours, Reckless Kelly, Drive By Truckers, Miranda Lambert, etc. I’m not much into any bands similar to 311, but I pretty much listen to every genre and love all types of music. Country is my home, but 311 is my soul.”

To 311, Stephanie has these words: “Thank you for saving me and showing me light during so much darkness in my life.”

Now Steph’s message to all the other fans:

“The unity we have as a fanbase is something unmatched and shouldn’t be taken for granted. I don’t think any other band can compare to this type of fanbase. I’ve made so many new friends because of 311 recently and I’m so proud to be surrounded by such positive and FUN individuals as a result… always remember the message of the music and you’ll never be let down.”

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That’s it folks, the final spotlight of 2020 and what a great one! Thanks Steph for sharing your story with us. Always eternal gratitude to all the supporters out there! See you in the new year….get ready for fan spotlight number 311! Happy New Year!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome again friends out in 311 nation! Time marches on and here we are for fan spotlight #309. This week let’s meet Sarah Smith!

It was Sarah’s friend Stephanie who brought 311 into her life during her 7th grade year. She would listen to songs like “Beautiful Disaster,” “Come Original,” and “All Mixed Up” on Winamp. Plus of course watched the music videos online. “I was at an age of discovering myself, my likes, and their music just clicked with me. I instantly fell in love.”

For show count, Sarah said she thinks it’s only 5 but it feels like so many more because each one was just so good. “My first show was in Albany, NY (where I grew up) and they were playing with AAF. My friend had come with me and he was into very heavy rock and screamo and to this day, he still says that this 311 show had THE best mosh pit he has ever been to, and he has been to a lot!”

Favorite show for Sarah was 311 Day 2010 in Las Vegas. “Not only was the show amazing, but the entire experience and few days there were absolutely amazing. There were fans everywhere AND I stayed in room 311! I am dying to go to the next 311 day event.”

First song that came to mind when asked what her favorite is, Sarah said it’s “I’ll Be Here Awhile.” “I can’t say its even a favorite of mine at the moment (I love it! I think I have just listened to it so much!) but that song got me through many hard times when I was younger and it was there to help me going through any hard times I was going through.”

For favorite song lyric, there is a line from “This Too Shall Pass” that hits home for Sarah: “Your problems will seem inconsequential and trivial when you realize one thing, we’re just a speck of dirt on this golf ball called earth so get stupid and sing.” Sarah said these words have gotten her through a lot in her life and helps put things in perspective for her. She also lives by “Stay positive and love your life” as it’s gotten her through tough times and made her the positive person she is today!

Sarah grew up in Albany, New York. She moved to Maine in 2016 and just recently purchased her first home with her fiancé. “I have a dog and 2 cats and I work for them to have a good life. I am a licensed veterinary technician but am not currently in practice but work with the blood analyzers that most veterinary offices use. I am combining my love for animals and my degrees I have with animals with the new degree I am working on, a degree in IT.”

Sarah has a dog named Elsie and she had to bottle raise her from when she was just 2 days old. “So she literally thinks I am mom haha. She is now 6.5 years old and she is perfect!” When not working, Sarah likes to wind down by playing video games. Guilty pleasure for her is cheesy Christmas movies! “I know how they will all end but I will watch them over and over and love them each time!”

Other music that Sarah loves includes Linkin Park, System of a Down, Dashboard Confessional, and Bright Eyes. She also now listens to a lot of Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid, Queen, and Too Many Zooz.

Sarah would like to tell 311 these words: “Thank you for getting me through all the good and bad times in my life, you have truly made me the positive person I am today!”

Now her message to all the other fans out there:

“You guys are amazing and I am so happy to be a part of this positive community!”

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Thank you Sarah for sharing your story with us all!And a huge congrats on your engagement that just happened!! Of course, much gratitude to all the supporters of this little blog. Hope you all have an amazing week.

Much Love – The Runt

Hey hey 311 nation! Welcome back for the next edition of the fan spotlight. This week let’s read the story of Adam Medeiros!

When Adam was in high school there was a jam band that played at every pep rally. During his freshman year the band played “Down” and the whole school went nuts. “I remember thinking “whoa, that song is awesome”. I looked up 311, went to my first show a year later, and have been hooked ever since.”

Adam is one of those fans that knows exactly how many shows he’s attended and he has a spreadsheet that has the date, supporting act, and setlist. “I’ve been to 21 shows, seen 177 unique songs live, and the song I’ve seen the most is Applied Science (20!).” Favorite supporting act for Adam was Snoop Dogg in 2008.

Favorite show/event for Adam he said was 311 Day 2010 in Las Vegas. “I had just started dating my wife and we went with one of my friends that goes to all of the 311 shows with me. It was a ton of fun in Vegas and I got to meet so many great 311 fans. The setlist was amazing too – 60 songs including setlist debuts for Sun Come Through and Get Down.”

As it is for most fans, there are a ton of songs that mean a great deal to Adam. “There are songs that get me hyped up like nothing else can (Creatures, Down, FTBS), riffs that give me goosebumps every time (intro to Reconsider Everything), and songs that totally nail how I’m feeling and make me hopeful it’ll get better (Sun Come Through, Beyond the Gray Sky).” One of his favorite lyrics comes from “Reconsider Everything” : “Anytime you will ignore your heart it will come back twice more. Never deny your own instinct, Reconsider Everything.” “It’s a good reminder to stay true to yourself and go with your gut, it’s usually the right move.”

Adam was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, which is a medium sized city in the southeastern part of the state. He moved to Worcester, MA, to get his BS in Biochemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He then attended Worcester State University to get his MS in Biotechnology. “I took part in a study abroad program in Australia and lived there for 3 months in 2007, that’s probably the only cool place I’ve ever lived. Now, I live with my wife (Amy), 2 year old son (Ethan), and 5 year old black lab (Maverick) in Marlborough, MA.”

For work, Adam signed on with the company Quest Diagnostics right out of college and has been with them ever since. “My current job title is Continuous Improvement Program Manager, which means I lead project teams and manage junior project managers to complete big projects for the company. Luckily, I’ve been able to work from home since the pandemic ramped up back in March.”

Adam was so psyched when 311 decided to put photos of fans on the cover of the Mosaic album. “I have 2 pictures on the cover that are very special to me. One is a wedding photo of my wife and I and the other is a picture of my 311 crew and I in the parking lot before a concert. It connects a lot of the things I love together with other fans, it was fun finding many of you!”

Drumming is something that Adam really enjoys. He’s never been in a band but he took lessons for a bit and he plays an electric drum kit in his basement. “I mostly just jam along to music but I practice reading music and do exercises to get faster and more accurate too.” Cool fact about Adam is that his family has a top secret Limoncello recipe! “We make 1-2 big batches a year and give them out to friends and family.”

Guilty pleasure for Adam is that he is a self-proclaimed, big time nerd. “I love the Marvel movies, I go to the Boston and Providence Comic Cons every year, and I even play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends. I know, it sounds like the nerdiest thing on the planet but D&D is actually really fun. If any of you get a chance to try it you definitely should!” Adam said he also has another guilty pleasure, his wife has him hooked on the Lifetime show “Married at First Sight.” “Five sets of couples meet at the altar and they follow them around for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8 weeks they have to decide if they are staying married or not. It’s amazing trash TV.”

For other musicians that Adam loves, he listed Rebelution, Stick Figure, Ballyhoo!, and said he’s into many of the fun, summertime reggae/rock music that we see when 311 tours. However a lot of the time you can find him listening to hard rock and heavy metal. “I grew up mostly listening to Disturbed, Godsmack, Sevendust, Breaking Benjamin, and Metallica. The angrier music is a good outlet for when I get stressed or angry – just listening to a few songs can diffuse a bad day.”

To 311, Adam has this message: “Thank you for building something that is so rare in an age where new music is all around us: a steady stream of new music that is evolving and powerful, unique fan experiences like the Cruise (which I still need to go to!) and 311 Day, a community of fans that you are so in touch with, and the longevity to be the soundtrack to every major phase of my life.”

Now here are his words to all of the fans out there:

“311 Nation it has been so much fun getting to know all of you. Every show I meet new people and reconnect with old friends. I can’t wait to meet more of you, either through Chrissy’s interviews or in person at shows. Stay safe and stay healthy so we can all enjoy some 311 together soon. I know everyone says it but I mean it too…Stay Positive and Love Your Life!”

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Thank you Adam for sharing your story with us! So much love & gratitude to all of you that support this project. Have an amazing week, keep smiling and stay healthy!

Much Love – The Runt