Hello again my friends in 311 nation! I know it’s been a crazy week since last Monday – so take a break and read all about our next fan spotlight, Kala Knapp!
It was in middle school when Kala first heard the song “Down” and loved the sounds of 311. However it wasn’t until a friend asked her to attend Pow Wow with her back in 2011 that she really became a huge fan.
So naturally, Pow Wow is the show that means the most to her as it was the show that introduced her to the 311 Familia and the musical message that 311 really sends out to the world. “Although it was the hottest show, it will always rank highest for me.” Kala is at 32 shows total and her very first show was at Sunfest in Florida back in 2009.
While all of the 311 songs have some sort of meaning to Kala, she said that the song she always freaks out to is “Down South.” Lyric that she loves is – “Whether you think you can, whether you think you can’t, either way you’re right.”
Kala grew up in South Florida and lived there for 33 years of her life. She just recently moved up to New England back in 2019, to be with the love of her life Joe, whom she met through 311.
For work, she slaves away in corporate America as an Environment Data Analyst and Cartographer. “I make data understood visually and spatially on maps.”
Kala loves anything and everything nature related. “I love New England so much, we just bought a home in the middle of the woods!” She is really good at identifying birds and plants. “Not so good at tracking, but I’m hoping living in New Hampshire will help me expand!”
Speaking of loving Nature, Kala worked for 3 years on the huge BP oil spill, saving wildlife and beaches. “I had the chance to experience many different ecosystems and made lifelong friendships.” Guilty pleasure for Kala she says is brewery hopping around New England! “It’s kind of a hobby and brings us on great adventures.”
For other music that Kala loves, she loves anything with a deep beat. Some of the musicians she loves include RDGLDGRN, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Fortunate Youth, Passafire, and Ballyhoo!.
To 311, Kala has these words: “Just a simple thank you and if EVERYONE could please take your shirts off. Thanks.”
Now her message to all the other 311 fans:
“Party on and be excellent to one another.”
Many thanks to Kala for sharing her story! As always, a huge thank you to the supporters of the fan spotlight each week. Now as Kala said, be excellent to each other.
Welcome back friends! We are here and ready for a new fan spotlight. This week let’s read the story of Scott Tedder!
The year was 2005 when Scott, who had never really listened to 311, had a friend that talked him into going to a show. ” I only knew a few songs but decided to go, and the minute the show started I instantly became a fan. After the show I started to explore the message in their lyrics and that was what really had me hooked.”
For show count since that fateful first, Scott is now at 45 and has attended shows in 14 different states. His first show was in Providence, Rhode Island, November 10, 2005.
Favorite event/show for Scott was the 420 shows at Red Rocks and the Ogden Theater back in April 2018. ” Red Rocks was always a bucket list venue to visit, and there were so many friends I hadn’t seen in years. The setlist, the people and the location made it really special.”
The song “Life’s Not A Race” is one that really means a lot to Scott. While it was always one of his favorites, the lyrics really started to hit home for him earlier this year after he was shot. “It’s always a song that I can listen to and remember that life is a precious, delicate thing and to appreciate every single day.” One of his favorite lyrics comes from the song, “Running,” – “Give thanks and praise for good things you found, humble people not ashamed nor proud, and always try to keep your feet on the ground and love yourself.”
Scott was born and raised in Warwick, Rhode Island. He now lives in Greenville, South Carolina. He works as an operations manager at a landscaping company. Scott has been playing music since he was the age of 7, mostly singing in competition jazz choirs. Aside from his love for 311, he really loves hockey and Providence College basketball.
When Scott was in high school and sang in select choir, they were invited to perform at the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. “We performed there in 2005, and sang at several more churches throughout Rome.” Something fun about Scott, he is a great dancer and not at all embarassed to start dancing anywhere, anytime!
Music that Scott loves outside of 311 he said is mostly 60’s and 70’s artists like Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and The Beatles. He also loves the band Dispatch. Guilty pleasure for him is listening to the boy bands from the 90’s and early 2000’s.
To 311, Scott would like to send this message: “Thank you for being a positive force in a negative world.”
Now his words to all the other 311 fans out there:
“Much love to all the fans out there. Support one another, be selfless, be generous and be kind to each other.”
Great story Scott, thank you for sharing it with us all! Much gratitude as always to the supporters of this blog out there. I hope you all have the best week you can have, stay strong and stay well!
Welcome back folks! Here we go, another week, a new fan spotlight! This week let’s hear the story of Adam Fey!
The year was 1991-1992, and Adam can recall being in the 6th grade and being woken up at 7AM by his older brother who was getting ready for school. His brother would listen to music, sometimes Beastie Boys, Living Colour, or R.E.M., but mostly Adam remembers hearing 311’s Unity. “I remember yelling at him to turn it off so I can sleep. But I remember feeling the energy of that record. Being 12, I didn’t really recognize what that energy was, but I was hooked. Fast forward to my junior year of high school, cruising around with a friend of mine’s brother, listening to “Music,” shortly after they released the blue album. He had never heard 311 before. I found myself singing along to “Feels So Good” and the next thing I knew, he invited me to join his band and we did a cover. We ended up playing together for a few years, and although we never achieved greatness, it was the greatest time. 311 inspired all of that, all those years later.”
Show count for Adam he believes is somewhere around 15 and all of them have been in the Omaha area. “My first show was in ’97 in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Fishbone opened. It was my first experience in the pit and it was insane. Buried my front teeth in some guy’s shoulder, by accident. Jumped, moshed, surfed. It was magic.”
As far as his favorite show, he said nothing will top seeing them at Sokol Auditorium. “They played clubs during the Soundsystem tour around ’99-’00 and seeing them with Grasshopper Takeover and Hoobastank, in that kind of atmosphere, was indescribable. Talked with Tim for a little bit after the show as their buses were parked on the street right next to the hall. The intimacy of that venue, seeing your favorite band, you just can’t beat it. Then in 2015 for their 25th anniversary show, again at Sokol, they turned back the clock and played a set mostly from Unity and Music. Also taking my oldest son to his first 311 show, also in Council Bluffs, IA, when they played Grassroots beginning to end, was a very special time for me. And he’s been hooked ever since.”
The song that means the most to Adam is a tough question to answer. He said being first exposed to songs like “Rollin’,” “C.U.T.M.,” and “Damn” that those will always be his favorites. “But what they did with Mosaic, at that time, was an inspiration. So, short answer long, “Wildfire.”
As for lyrics, these are some of Adam’s favorites:
“Truth I hid the truth I hid from me, hit the skids I hit the skids only to find the light to light my way home, sun come through.” “Anytime you will ignore your heart it will come back twice more, never deny your own instinct, reconsider everything.” “Nod your head to this.”
Adam was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, and still calls it home. He went to the same high school as Nick, Tim and Chad, plus his kids now attend it as well. “I had the interesting experience of being there while the farce of a t-shirt ban was going on. Thankfully, it didn’t last long, 311 shirts were half my wardrobe. The following year I wore my 311 Music shirt the first day of school, directly in front of the dean so they had come to their senses.”
The grass industry is where Adam has worked for the last 15 years, and he said no not that type of grass! ” I’ve worked at golf courses and sports fields, with most the appeal being that I can throw in the ear buds and rock out 8 hours a day.” Adam has 3 amazing children, the oldest one being in a band called 622. “He’s the skinny dark haired kid on vocals/guitar. I brought 311 to him, he brought them to his friends. It’s such an amazing thing to be able to share music, especially my favorite band, with him. The other two are a little younger, but I’m working on ’em!” Here is the link to the YouTube video of his sons band:
As previously mentioned, Adam was in a band in high school. What you may not know is that they recorded an album in the same studio were 311 recorded Unity. A talent that Adam has is that he can quote a ton of movie lines. “A blessing and a curse.” Guilty pleasure for him is the 90’s sitcom “Wings.” “It’s pretty bad. And the cheesy ones, Saved By the Bell for instance. Ya, Saved By the Bell.”
When not listening to 311, Adam loves the sounds of other artists such as Incubus, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Linkin Park, Beastie Boys, Buddy Holly, The Beatles, The Who, Van Halen, The Police, and Billy Joel. “Over the last few years my kids got me into Twenty One Pilots as well.”
Adam would like to send this message to 311: “Thank you for being an inspiration to so many through your lyrics, melodies and rhythms. Chad, send my Chad some sticks.”
Now here are Adam’s words to all his fellow fans:
“I believe it was P-Nut that said in an interview that the band has evolved into something more of a living, breathing organism. It’s a privilege to be a cell in the soundsystem with you all! Catch you at the next show!”
There you have the story of Adam Fey! Thanks Adam for sharing it with us all. Of course, much gratitude to all the readers! Thanks for all of the support, have an amazing week!
Alright here we go, welcome back my friends in 311 nation to the fan spotlight! Here we are at number 300 – I’m so thankful to have been able to interview so many wonderful souls! Let’s get to it shall we? Meet Rick Louis!
Like many, Rick saw the video for “Down” on MTV and that’s how he first heard of 311. However, it was the album “Transistor” that really made him a fan.
For show count, Rick has attended 27, with his first show being at the TLA in Philadelphia, November 10, 1999. “I won tickets from the ticket fairy (ticket raid from Y100 and the fairy was Casey Boy. Yes he was wearing a pink tutu with wings and a wand) at the old Langhorne ski shop. I also won the top raffle prize from the store, which was a snowboard. I still have it in my closet. Never used.”
As far as favorite show, Rick said it’s a toss up between his first show and his sons first show back in 2017 at Asbury Park, New Jersey. “He was just 3.5 years old at the time.”
Favorite song for Rick, well there are a couple for different reasons. “Tranquility” is one of them, because the song was released almost a year after his father died from cancer. ” I had missed the 2013 Philly show (was also the first show missed dating back to 1999 and was on my birthday). That song helped me heal, but hearing live for the first time and my first show back in 2014 really hit me. I’m not an overly emotional guy, but I was crying during the song.”
The other song he loves is “Creatures (For A While).” When his oldest son was still in the womb, he played that track for him holding headphones over his wife’s belly. “He started moving around in there as if he were going crazy :). The idea of passing the 311 torch to him had me smiling. I couldn’t wait to take him to his first show.” For favorite lyrics, Rick said that pretty much the entire song of “Peaceful Revolution” speak to him. “I’ve always loved this track (my unicorn to hear live one day). Released in 1990, those lyrics still hold true today. “
Rick was born and raised in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is a suburb of Philadelphia. He also lived in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, but now calls Mercer County, New Jersey, his home. “Happily married for 11 years with 2 amazing boys (7 y/o and 18 months). I was working in the tech sector for almost 20 years, but due to a layoff and then covid, I’m currently unemployed.”
Growing up Rick was exposed to a variety of music thanks to his dad, aunt, and uncle. “Some of my fondest memories was going with my dad to the tower records once a month to pick up vinyl’s and these new things (at the time) called cd’s. My dad had a system in his old car and we’d just blast music on the way home . We could go from Springsteen to NWA, to The Clash and Yanni in one trip lol. I remember having my mind blown when I first heard NWA and Public Enemy.” Thanks to his diverse musical upbringing, Rick loves a variety of musicians besides 311, including RDGLDGRN, Oxymorrons, Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Bad Religion, Pennywise, Pulley, Bad Brains, Minor Threat, Rancid, 2 Skinnee J’s, Zebrahead, The Urge, Springsteen, Hendrix, and The Doors.
Rick currently loves spending time with his family and friends. His favorite thing is taking his oldest to shows with him. “I love watching him experience all those firsts like I did when I was younger. Although my first show was David Bowie when I was 8. His was RdGldGrn at 3.5.”
Rick said he was a pretty average kid growing up, but at 16 he followed in his dads footsteps and became a volunteer firefighter. “Did that for almost 4.5-5 years and one of my only regrets was not making that a career.” Interesting fact about Rick, his father was the first person in Bucks County to be granted joint custody. “Back in the 80’s it was unheard of that a father would be given joint custody. My dad fought for me and won.”
Something that makes Rick unique is his love for helping others. Back in 2010 he found a way to take his hobby of playing poker and was able to raise money for some charities and foundations. ” I’m proud to say that these efforts have helped raise over $56k in 10 years.” Rick said he also likes to beatbox and has been doing it since he was little. Guilty pleasure for him is Sheryl Crow. “It’s a running joke between my wife and I. During our dating years, she was going through my iPod and saw Sheryl Crow’s “All I wanna do” on there and I “jokingly” said she was my guilty pleasure. Not gonna lie, I have turned it up and belted it out in my car from time to time lol.”
Back in 2012, Rick’s wife bought him meet & greet tickets so he would be able to meet the band. “The morning of the show, I must have rehearsed what I was gonna say to each of the guys . When it was time to “perform” all I was able to muster up was “I like your t-shirt” to P-nut. He told me he had gotten it in Japan. Waited 12 years (up to that point) and I completely blew it. Still was a cool experience and the show was amazing (had front row seats on P-nut’s side).”
We close with Rick’s message to all the other 311 fans out there:
“Can’t wait to see y’all at live shows again. Don’t be shy if you see my fam and I. We love high fives and fist bumps!”
Thank you so much Rick for sharing your story about your love for 311! That wraps up fan spotlight #300. I want to really thank everyone who has participated in this journey and to all the amazing readers of my little project! Sending so much love to you all, stay well, and thanks for being there as we continue on this journey!
Well hello again 311 nation! Another week is upon us, hopefully you are all staying safe & healthy. Let’s get to it and meet the new fan spotlight, Candy Ant!
The age of 12 is when Candy first heard the magical sounds of 311. She was on a family trip and had gone to the hotel pool with a friend. They met a boy there who was listening to his walkman and she asked what he was playing, so he shared his headphones with her. “That moment started a life long obsession. I had never heard anything like this sound in my life before. The bass line, the plucky guitar.. “it kind of sounds like hip hop, but it’s definitely not?” It was a very Jack Skellington “What’s this?!” moment. It was All Mixed Up.. and I needed more. To this day, I couldn’t tell you what that boy’s name was. All I knew was I needed that CD. Once my family returned home from our trip, I used every dollar I had stashed away and went to the store and bought every 311 cd I could find – 311, Music and a censored copy of Grassroots… I spent every single day the rest of that summer in my room listening to those cds, reading the lyrics over and over – pretty heavy and thought provoking stuff for a 12 year old kid – and I was hooked.”
For show count, Candy said she lost track of the number. She has seen them every year at least 2-3 times, with the exception of 2018 because she had just given birth, and then this current year because of the pandemic. Her first show was in Asbury Park, she was in high school, so she skipped school that day so she could sit outside the venue to try and meet the guys. For favorite show or event, Candy had this answer: “Am I lame if I said “I love them all?” Because I do. 311 shows are like holidays to me – an opportunity to celebrate, be happy and be with the ones I love the most, my friends. 311 has brought so many amazing people into my life and we usually only get to see each other at shows and events, so each one is kind of special to me. If I had to pick one, I’d say the double night Tabernacle shows in 2014. The energy and the crowds were simply amazing those two nights; plus we had Stereolithic in the set list. I’m still waiting for those jams to come back into play.”
Song that means the most to her, she said they really all have meaning to her in one way or another. “Like a lot of others out there, their music has really pulled me through some rough spots in my life and each album has soundtracked a different chapter as I’ve aged. My go to jam though is Flowing. I’ve always found solace in the relatability of that one. But the majority of their songs, the real existential ones, the ones that hit on equality and love, those are the ones that mean the most to me because they’ve helped guide and navigate me.”
There is a lyric that Candy used as her high school year book quote and she said she will use it to help raise her daughter: “The fish who keeps on swimming, is the first to chill upstream.” “I always took this as “getting through life is hard. It feels like a never ending battle, like the struggle to swim upstream and against the current, but you have to. You have to to survive and you have to to find peace. Keep swimming. Get there. It’s going to be ok.”
Candy said she’s been a little bit of everywhere. While she grew up in central New Jersey, when she was 19 she decided that she wanted to “visit the world” and started her nomad lifestyle. “I moved out to the desert in California, spent a little over a year there and then headed back east to coastal NC. Spent 5ish years there and headed back to the desert. I lived less than 2 miles from the entrance gate to Joshua Tree National Park… it was by far the most beautiful place I had ever seen in my life and I needed to go back. I felt the most free in the open desert – some of my fondest memories are driving as fast as I possibly could through the open desert, blasting Evolver as loud as my car speakers would allow and just enjoying the freedom, being in the moment. But then after another year of blistering heat, I moved back east to Massachusetts. I have a deep-seated loathing for the New England Patriots, so staying up there was no longer an option for me. (I’m kidding… mostly.) I moved to Pennsylvania in 2008 and have been here ever since. While I left my heart somewhere on the left coast, I prefer the 95-corridor simply because it makes traveling to see 311 that much easier. I can hit 5 shows in 3-4 states over as many days.”
Interesting fact about Candy? “I’m Batman, and I can breathe in outer space.” Something unique about Candy is that she has a radio show. “I’m on hiatus right now because of COVID, but for the last 7 years I’ve had a radio show where I primarily feature 311 songs. The show is usually anywhere from 2-4 hours live and I’ll play 311 2-4 times per hour. Everything in between is what I like to call an “eclectic grab bag” and I’ll play anything and everything, including live requests. I use a “stage name” for on air, so most people don’t even know I’m the same person, so it’s always funny to me when I get a random message from someone telling me 311 is on the radio right now and I’m like “yes, I know. I’m the one playing it” lol.”
Want to know what Candy’s guilty pleasure is? “ I listen to Ricky Martin and drink wine with a straw. I also play way more xbox than one should admit to.” When not listening to 311 or Ricky Martin, she can be found listening to pretty much anything due to her eclectic taste in music. However she draws a hard NO line at country music or Gregorian chant. “But honestly, I really do love all varieties of music. Aside from 311, my “all time favorite band of all time” would have to be the Beatles. I pretended John Lennon was my junior prom date and wore a yellow dress and used a Yellow Submarine lunch box with a rose tied to it as my purse. I was a weird kid. But my day to day playlist can include anything from Madonna, to Bowie & Prince, RTJ, the Misfits, the Unseen, Buddy Holly, Lady Gaga, Bill Withers, Dolly Parton, junior MAFIA… really, anything. If I were to throw my shit on shuffle right now, there’s a good possibility we could get GHOST or the Slap Chop auto tune remix by DJ Steve Porter… it’s really a toss up.”
To 311, Candy has this simple message: “Thank you!”
Candy has these words for all the other fans out there:
“It’s getting OK now!” I can’t wait until things are back to normal and I can hug and see you all again. All the love and all the missing.”
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There you have the story of Candy Ant! Thank you so much to her for sharing her adventure and to all of you for your continued support of the fan spotlights. Have a safe, healthy, and happy week!
Welcome again friends in 311 nation! Who’s ready for fan spotlight #298? I know I am! Let’s meet Keith Soljacich!
Between Keith’s freshman and sophomore year of high school, the year was 1994, was when he discovered the sounds of 311 because his musical tastes began to change. “My eyes and ears were opened wide after going to my first Nine Inch Nails concert and I quickly left behind pop music and formed my musical tastes from a combination of hard rock and hip-hop. I started leaning in to more Pearl Jam and Nirvana, but eventually making my way to bands like 311, Sublime, Primus, The Urge and Incubus. 311 always stood out amongst the mid-90’s bands though with their blend of musical styles. Listening to 311 in the mid-90’s was like having my own personal Spotify. If I wanted a hard rock song I had Unity, if I wanted a Hip-Hop song I had Lucky or if I wanted to chill out I had Lose or Nix Hex. Back then I got everything I needed out of music from 311.”
Keith didn’t keep track of shows attended when he started out, but he believes his number is somewhere between 70-80. “ In the early 2000’s my friends and I didn’t miss a single show that was within 100 miles of Chicago. We’d hit Milwaukee, Detroit, Chicago on every Summer and Fall tour. If they were playing, we were there.” First show for him was at the Metro in Chicago, on October 22, 1994. “ Back then my friends and I would go to The Metro almost weekly to see bands like Hole, Ween & Primus. It didn’t matter who was playing, it was what we did, and we ended up seeing some of the biggest acts in the world before they got famous on that stage.”
There have been many memorable moments for Keith over the years at the shows he’s attended. He filled his bucket list by going to 311 Day 2016 in New Orleans. He said though that without a doubt that being part of the “Creatures (For A While)” video shoot was his favorite experience. “I actually lied on my casting application and told them I lived in LA and once I got cast, jumped on a plane to fly out there. I was cast as an extra, but that wasn’t going to stop me from making sure I made it in to the video! I jumped in to the basketball scene with P-Nut when they called for extras and squeezed myself in to those tight old-school basketball uniforms. Then, when we were filming the mosh pit solo scene, I leapt my way in to the pit with holding my video camera, recording the SMASH through the wall! Afterward, I got to hang out a bit with the directing team, Nick and Nicole and Chad to talk about the filming experience. Afterward, I made a mini-documentary that was featured on the old 311 site called Creatures (Behind The Scenes). It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so glad I took it!”
For song that means the most to Keith, he said for the longest time it was “Stealing Happy Hours.” However, the first time he listened to “Space & Time” off the Voyager album, he cried. “That song has the easiest groove from miT, a nuanced bass line from Nut and a fill-heavy drum track from Chad that is so soothing. But, Nick’s vocals in that song along with SA’s light harmonizing just hit so nicely. Listening to that song always gets me to pause and look inward and find some zen and peace in my own life. Plus those miT solos are so sweet!”
For lyrics, he loves the bridge and chorus from “Homebrew” saying it brings him nostalgia from his youth: “I was 19. I’d do anything. Shit like that now scares me but I’d like to do it again!. It was Independence Day. I’ve seen the other side and I’d say. Oh I’ve been insane and I won’t ever be the same.”
Keith grew up in the northern suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, and has lived in that area his whole life. He attended Michigan State University studying advertising. “I always knew I wanted to work in Advertising to be able to flex my creative side and make an impact artistically there. As it turns out I’ve had a 20 year career in Advertising, which funds my 311 habit and puts a roof over my family’s head to this day. I’ve found my niche there and work as a Vice President of Technology at Digitas in Chicago. I’m happy to say I do get to work on the fun side of advertising and get to make cool and innovative technology-led ad campaigns for some big brands. I recently worked on a project called JFK Moonshot, where we recreated the Apollo 11 mission as an Augmented Reality app that tracks the entire mission in real-time. We won several industry awards for that work including a SXSW Innovation award. I’m incredibly proud of the work I’ve done there and am excited for all the future awesome work we’ll get to do!”
Keith spends most of his time with friends and family, and pre-covid was going to any 311 show that he could. He’s also a huge fan of the NFL, particularly the Chicago Bears and is in a bunch of fantasy football leagues. “ Lately though, I’ve spent a lot of time in my Oculus Quest VR headset. I love all the immersive VR games like Beat Saber, FitXR and Tower Tag and recently spent a few hours inside Burning Man VR which was a similarly life-changing experience! In the future we’ll all be attending shows and concerts from the comfort of our own VR headset and I can’t wait.”
Cool fact about Keith? He was one of the first 10,000 people to join Twitter! Something he’s really gotten into, ever since Guitar Hero and Rock Band, are rhythm games and he says he has a sixth sense while playing them. “My new obsession is Beat Saber and I love that one because you get a full-body workout and get to swing lightsabers around in VR.” For a guilty pleasure, Keith said fantasy football takes the spot. “I spend an almost unhealthy amount of time researching and studying NFL players for that competitive edge. I’ve won more than I’ve paid out so it must be working!”
Some other artists Keith loves include Sublime, Stick Figure, Passafire, Pepper, The Movement, Iration, People Under the Stairs, Outkast, Jurassic 5, Wu-Tang, and Pharcyde.
To 311, Keith would like to share these words: “Thank you 311 for instilling the sense of unity and positivity in me as a youth as it has carried me through good times and bad and set me up to have an incredibly fulfilling life that I love!”
To all the other fans out there:
“I can’t wait to see all the Excitables at the shows in 2021!”
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There you have the story of Keith Soljacich! Thanks to Keith for sharing his story. Muchos Gracias to each and every reader out there! Sending so many good vibes to you all. Keep on being amazing!
Good day to all of you out there 311 nation! We are back with the next edition of the 311 fan spotlight. So let’s meet spotlight #297 – Dave Kerkvliet!
In the year 1995, Dave was finishing up college and was the drummer in a rock band called Sugarat. It was a friend of his that introduced him to 311 by playing songs from the Music and Grassroots albums. “I instantly thought it was the coolest stuff I had heard and I was hooked! 311 became an influence of our music. Chad Sexton became the biggest influence on my drumming and is to this day my personal favorite drummer. We performed the local Minneapolis circuit performing at clubs like The Uptown, Fine Line, First Avenue, Ground Zero, etc. Then we started to expand into the Midwest and MCA records discovered us. They were interested in a deal but unfortunately our band broke up and I was left to start over. (Most bands don’t make it very long. 30 years of 311 with original members blows my mind because of this!) What drew me to their music was how rhythmically tight the band was with catchy grooves, a variety of styles, and heavy guitar with clean melodic and harmonic vocals.”
Show count for Dave is 10. “ I was hoping to add four more this summer but Covid struck.” The first show he attended was with his wife April during the 2010 Unity Tour. “The show was in St. Paul with The Offspring. I’ve been a longtime 311 fan but I’m a late bloomer as far as attending shows and connecting with other fans. I hadn’t experienced the community they have built until 311 Day 2016. It is truly something special! In more recent years I have crossed paths with other 311 fans, along with 311 themselves, to connect, share stories, and thank them for all of their great music. I continue to bring other friends to 311 shows so they can experience the fun. A 311 cruise is on my bucket list for sure.”
Favorite event for Dave was 311 Day 2020. “What an awesome experience! To celebrate the 30 year milestone with the band and fans was extremely special. It’s even more special due to all the changes in the world related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was my brother’s first 311 Day and we had an amazing “Bro-cation”!” Dave also said one of his other favorite moments was when he had the opportunity to moderate a Q&A session during the 2019 fall tour in Minneapolis with some of his music students, his brother, Tim, Nick, and Chad. “The Q&A session earned national attention in The American School Band Directors Association newsletter, Minnesota Educator magazine, NEA Today magazine and In Tune magazine.”
Song that means the most to Dave currently is “I’ll Be Here Awhile.” “The acoustic closer at the end of 311 day 2020 was a fantastic experience. I also was included in the recent fan video of this song playing mallet percussion and drum set, which is quite an honor. It seems to be an appropriate song for the current times.” Some lyrics that he loves include: “The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream,” “You’ve got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret, you’ve got to bet on yourself now star, cause that’s your best bet,” and “Stay positive and love your life.” “The 311 messages of positivity helps me through the difficult times and situations.”
Dave began his life in South Carolina and then moved to his parents hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, when he was 3 years old. He has a younger sister and brother, who is also a 311 fan. He started playing drums in the 3rd grade and still plays. Dave earned his bachelors degree in music education at Augsburg College and is in his 25th year of teaching and directing at Sebeka Public School. “ I direct Senior High Concert Band, Junior High Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Marching Band, Winter Drumline, 6th Grade Band, and 5th Grade (beginning) Band. We’ve grown into a well respected program with over 20 years of “Superior Ratings” and 230 students in the program. The Sebeka bands have performed for local politicians, as well as, former Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Mae Schunk, former Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher, and Senator Amy Klobuchar. In 2004 I was awarded the “Crystal Apple” teaching award from KSAX news. Other important accomplishments of the Sebeka Band program include performances with the University of Minnesota Marching Band at Band Day, at the Target Center for the NBA Timberwolves basketball team, at Walt Disney World in Florida, at Valleyfair theme park, and at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the Minnesota School Board convention. In February of 2004 I traveled to Singapore as an invited guest Band Clinician for the Gen Eng Seng, and Anglican High School bands. In 2012 I was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) at the National Convention held in Asheville, North Carolina, and in 2013 earned “Distinguished Action Research Award” from Southwest Minnesota State University for my work with integrating technology into the Sebeka Band program which helped me earn my Master’s degree. In 2018, I traveled to France, Switzerland and Germany. While in those countries I was able to connect with educators and share experiences. In 2020 I was awarded “Educator of Excellence” from Sourcewell and earned my Specialist in Educational Leadership degree from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.”
Dave met his lovely wife April and his stepson Sterling in 1999. “They enjoy 311 as well. When Sterling was younger we really enjoyed being his biggest sports fans watching him play basketball, baseball, and run cross country and track. Sterling is an electrical line-worker who travels throughout the country. April is a nurse and likes to go kayaking. We have been truly blessed to have enjoyed many travels and live in a proud small town community. I am so lucky to have such a great family!”
Interesting fact about Dave, he was fortunate to be able to record in Prince’s Paisley Park studio! Something unique about him, he just recently learned how to play “Happy Birthday” on the accordion. Guilty pleasure for him is that he is really into outdoor sports, especially fishing.
Dave likes a wide variety of music genres. Lately he’s been getting back into listening to Rush. “For jazz I’ve been listening to some Buddy Rich and Louis Armstrong, Mozart’s Requiem and Niccolo Paganini’s 24 Caprices for classical, Jay-Z, Dirty Heads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, Dream Theater, Led Zeppelin, Korn, Pantera, Foo Fighters, Beyonce, Metallica, No Doubt, Johnny Cash, Motley Crue, some John Philip Sousa marches, and the list goes on.”
Dave’s words to 311 are as follows: “Thank you 311, 311 crew, and 311 management for creating and sharing your music over the past 30 years and appreciating your fans as much as we appreciate you!”
Dave’s words to all his fellow fans:
“I am honored to connect with the 311 community to celebrate 311’s music and 30th anniversary. It is so great to see people from all different places and backgrounds unite because of 311’s music. The world needs our positive vibes more than ever!”
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Thanks Dave for sharing your story! As always, thank you to all of the readers as well! I hope you are all safe, healthy, and staying positive. We need the positive vibes to continue now more than ever!
Hey there 311 nation! Yes I know, it’s been a hot minute since there has been a new fan spotlight. But here we are, back at it! So let’s not delay the introduction any longer – meet fan spotlight #296 – Vincenzo Basile!
It was the summer of 1995 and Vincenzo was taking a trip to Italy to meet some of his father’s family that lived there. It was a long flight, so his dad allowed him to pick out a couple of CD’s to keep him occupied. He chose Beastie Boys “Ill Communication” and the 311 blue album. “Now I was only going into 6th grade that summer so I was still very young and impressionable and 311 was the first band that was my own as opposed to enjoying all the classic rock my parents would play in the car or at home. They were the catalyst to develop my own sense in music. Nick’s voice was hypnotic and SA’s added harmonies had me hooked immediately. Their funk, grooves and punk elements had me in an excited Mindspin!”
As far as number of shows attended, his count may not be 100% accurate because he didn’t start collecting his ticket stubs until he was in college. His first show was during his freshman year of high school in 1999. “ I had just got out of the hospital and still in my wheelchair so my buddies had to wheel me around. Once they planted me in the handicapped section they all went out to do their thing. They ended up running into Adam Raspler after recognizing him from Enlarged to Show Detail and told him about my situation and asked if I could go backstage. Tall order right? Adam compromised and agreed to meet them back at that spot after the show and he ended up bringing a signed piece of paper by all five of our guys. How can you not fall more in love with this band after something like that?”
Vincenzo believes his show count is somewhere between 30-35. “The good thing about living in New England is that 311 will play Providence, RI, Boston, MA, Portland, ME and Gilford, NH and Hartford, CT in one shot. If not all at once, at least three locations where you tack on your experiences not to mention NY and NJ aren’t that far off either if you had any money left.” As for his favorite show, he believes he has seen the bands two best shows. “Watching 311 perform Transistor in its entirety at Pow Wow is everyone’s white whale if you weren’t there. It was special and one of a kind. I was blessed to partake in that and will wear that badge proudly forever. The second show that comes to mind was cruise 2. To witness 311 rock out on a tropical island was mind blowing! I’m sure anyone who was there would agree. What an incredible experience that was even though I suffered the worst sunburn of all time. My face looked as if an entire nest of bees stung my face and could hardly see which brought me to the boat’s infirmary. I’d do it again in a second!”
Favorite song for Vincenzo is “Do You Right.” “This song was chosen to be “our song” for my girlfriend at the time, now wife. Every time we hear that song at a show we just look at each other, hold hands and smile knowing how sentimental it has become over the years. It was also the song playing when being announced man and wife at our wedding reception. It encompasses everything we love about each other.”
As far as favorite lyric, Vincenzo said if you asked his 17 year old self, he would have said, “ I love it when the only sound I hear is your infectious laughter.” It was his senior quote! “311 had clearly made a profound effect on me and it was important to me at that time to represent them to help represent me. As I got older I really gravitated to Freak Out’s lyric, “The earth has not swallowed me yet!” These words speak volumes to me. I have had some scary health issues growing up that makes this lyric really meaningful and I’ll go into more detail in a later question. My All-Star jersey says Freak Out on the back for my love of this song.”
Vincenzo was born and raised just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, in a little town called Hebron. He stayed there until 2002 when he moved to Framingham, Massachusetts, to attend college. “I went to Framingham State College as a visual arts major where I met my now wife my junior year. After 3 semesters, I transferred to the New England Institute of Art with a graphic design major and I lived in Brookline MA before moving to West Roxbury for my last few semesters. After that, I was hired at a newspaper printer/distributor to join their graphics team in Gypsum, CO. This was 2008-2009 when people stopped reading the paper and smartphones began to replace them. I was laid off and moved back to Ashland, MA. I soon moved out to Framingham, MA where I worked in the restaurant business for a while and now in Marlborough, MA ever since. 311 is a priority so se every year, it’s like a holiday you want to be with your family but it’s our 311 community and fans that make it that significant. I’ll always stash some money away to be there at the Unity Tours.”
Something most people don’t know about Vincenzo, he has a fear of heights! “I don’t know when it kicked in because as a kid I’d go on all the rides at Six Flags, beg my parents to let me go skydiving or bungee jumping and now I won’t even get on a ferris wheel. I was on a cruise years ago and wouldn’t even go to the top deck of the ship. It’s probably why God made me 5’3″, I’m meant to be close to the ground.”
A truly amazing thing that makes Vincenzo unique, he is a 3 time brain/spinal cancer survivor! “First diagnosed in April 1997 in middle school, relapsed in high school in 1999 then again in college in 2003. I had to learn how to walk again in my mid teens. Things were rough. I’ve lost 90% of my hearing as a result and when I first got my hearing aids, I posted about 5 years ago in the Familia page about how 311 will be even better for me now and got a very warm reception from a lot of amazing people out there.I choose to stay positive due to all of the support so thanks guys!”
As far as other musicians that Vinnie loves, he said his next favorite band is Deftones. “‘I’ve been listening to them almost as long as I have been listening to 311. They are an unbelievable band that gives me similar feelings 311 does just through a heavier sound and genre that makes me feel alive in a much different way. Probably another reason Pow Wow was so amazing to me.” Some other musicians he loves include Phish, Glassjaw, Weezer, Rage Against the Machine, Silverchair, Mastodon, The Sword, Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, Pepper, and Rebelution. As for guilty pleasure, Vincenzo said it’s reaction videos on YouTube. “ It’s a pretty new thing for me. What I enjoy most is getting to see people connect with music and see candid reactions. At the same time, I get to enjoy more music myself whether it’s the nostalgic songs from when I was a kid or new stuff I never heard before. Each reactor has their own personalities which makes it fun.”
Vincenzo would like to say these words to 311: “A tremendous, heartfelt thank you. For the joy, happiness and SA moves I reenact behind closed doors. You’ve put so many smiles, hugs and love in all of us and have made such a positive influence for not just me but for so many. I hope you’ re all so proud of yourselves.”
Now his words to all the other fans:
“Oh the fans. I’ve witnessed some of the coolest strangers you’ll ever meet. Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet and I’m looking forward to meeting you! You’re the guy a row behind me at a show who taps me on the shoulder and shares a blunt and his buddy cracks the expected joke, ” I’m not from Philly but some say I’m blunt.” and we all laugh. You’re the stranger that drops off a bottle of water to the stranger puking in the bathroom. Keep being who you are, I’m very proud of this fanbase, sure there are some naysayers but it’s important I thank the one’s who Fuck the Bullshit and know how to throw down. The fans are a huge percentage to the 311 experience.”
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That is the story of Vincenzo Basile! Thank you so much Vinnie for being a part of this. Much gratitude to all the readers as well of course! Thank you all for the continued support of this fun project. Until we meet again, stay strong, stay positive, and as always, love your life!
Hey everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet spotlight #295 – Linnea Geres!
It was around the age of 12 that Linnea was introduced to 311 by her older brother. He lent her copies of Grassroots and the blue album and said, “Here listen to this, you’re gonna like it.” Linnea said she did like it, but it was more of a slow burn for her at first. “There were some songs that drew me in right away, but a lot of it went right over my head for a while. That all changed for me in high school. I bought Soundsystem and Evolver, absolutely loved those albums from start to finish, and then went back to the older albums with a whole new appreciation for the music. Somewhere along the way it all just clicked for me: the message, the energy, the sound, and I got hooked. When I finally saw them live for the first time, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed every minute of it, and I knew, without a doubt, that 311 was my favorite band. It didn’t happen all at once, but over the course of several years. As I grew into the music, suddenly, in that moment when I saw them live, I was home.”
First show for Linnea was March 1, 2010, at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. “At the time, I had been living out there for a year and was planning to move back to Connecticut at the end of the month. I think I just happened to see an ad for the show in a local paper and decided to go check it out, like a fun last hurrah before moving back home. I had no idea that night would turn out to be one of the best nights of my life!” Since then she’s attended just over 30 shows including Pow Wow, 3 of the cruises, and two 311 Day celebrations in New Orleans. “Basically, any money I’ve had to spend on fun and entertainment for the last decade, I’ve spent on 311-related adventures and concerts, and it’s been worth every penny! Honestly, there is no place I would rather be than a 311 concert.”
Favorite show for Linnea is difficult to pick with all of the great experiences she’s had. She decided it would be a tie between Pow Wow and her first cruise which was in 2012. “The Pow Wow was my first experience at a large 311 event and also my first music festival, and while it was ridiculously hot, I had the best time I could have ever imagined. I met so many amazing people, and Suwannee at night was out-of-this-world beautiful, not to mention having the opportunity to hear Transistor in its entirety. Similarly, the cruise was just beyond words, and that’s where I really felt like I became a part of this incredible 311 community. The show they played on the beach was a once in lifetime experience, and even just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!”
One of Linnea’s favorite songs, that means a lot to her, is “Speak Easy.” “Through many difficult times in my life, I have put this song on to remind me not to think too much or let my sadness, fear, or anger lead me down the wrong path. I’ve battled with anxiety and depression for most of my life and this song has always given me the strength I need to slow down and allow the difficult thoughts and feelings to pass.” Another song she loves is “Get Down.” “When I saw them in Boston in 2016, just before the show someone asked me what one song I’d like to hear, and I said “Get Down.” Sure enough, they played it, and it just hit me hard, unlocking all of this unspoken pain inside of me so I could finally let it out. I was going through some difficult changes in my life, and it was like this crazy, beautiful moment just for me. I’ll never forget that.”
For lyrics that Linnea loves, she chose the following:
“If there’s a shadow in your life, then there’s sunshine, things turning inside out all the time, just rewind, it’s all in your mind.”
“From chaos comes clarity.”
“Love is a stream that will find its own course.”
“Everything you do, it comes back to you, whatever it may be. If it isn’t one thing, rest assured that something will come back and pay you for your deed.”
Linnea was born and raised in central Connecticut right near Hartford. She attended University of Connecticut and graduated in 2008 with a degree in Film Studies and Psychology. After graduation, she moved to Seattle for about a year before returning to CT in 2010. “I found my way into a good restaurant job when I moved back and worked my way up into bartending for the last several years, but ultimately, I’m aiming for a career in video production/editing or something where I can flex my creative muscles in the communications field. The money bartending has been quite good for me, though, and has pretty much funded all of my 311 adventures!”
Aside from going to concerts, other hobbies Linnea has include playing guitar, writing poetry and short stories, photography, and hiking. “I also love board games. I have a whole bookcase dedicated to them! I have two cats and a fish tank, and S.A. is the name of one of my fish! I love stand-up comedy, and I like to think I’m pretty funny, but I don’t know… my cats can’t laugh, so my humor is pretty much wasted on them. To sum it up, I’m just a fun-loving hippie chick, and the first thing anyone who knows me would probably say about me is that I’m the crazy cool girl who loves 311 (well, and cats… and pizza).”
Interesting fact about Linnea is that she experiences lucid dreaming. “I’m not sure exactly when it started, but at some point, I realized I was experiencing a dream while still conscious that I was dreaming, and from there I just started playing around with what I was able to do in my dreams. It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, I just become highly aware that I’m dreaming and know that I can then actively make decisions and choices throughout my dream. It’s definitely a weird experience, but now I just have fun and roll with it.”
Something that makes Linnea unique is her ability to work with space in a purposefully creative way. “Whether it be how I design my living room to how I frame the subject
of a photograph. I think that affinity for spatial awareness is what first drew me to video production, and subsequently, to photography and graphic design. I love playing with the use of space and framing in an image, and I mirror that aesthetic in all of my creative endeavors. I would love nothing more working on the cinematography and editing of a 311 video project… a girl can dream… lol.”
Linnea said, “If I was a pie chart, music would probably make up half of that chart.” Needless to say, she loves music and there are many, many artists that she loves. Some of her favorites are The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, Queen, Collective Soul, Less Than Jake, Atmosphere, Halsey, Incubus, Modest Mouse, Porcupine Tree, Slightly Stoopid, Deep Banana Blackout, Paramore, and Sublime. She also has a musical guilty pleasure – Avril Lavigne! “I’ve always said that my guilty pleasure was Avril Lavigne, but, honestly, I don’t even see it that way anymore. I love her, and I’m not afraid to say it! She kicks ass!!”
To 311, Linnea has these words: “. Music is a journey of the heart and soul; thank you for shining a light on the path that speaks to mine.”
To all the other fans out there:
“To all of my amazing 311 friends and family, thank you for welcoming me into this incredible community with open arms. I have grown so much as a person through all the crazy experiences and wonderful friendships, and I wouldn’t change any of it for a minute! It’s definitely a strange time to be alive, but I’m glad to know that there’s so many other people just like me because we have an energy that can change the world 🙂 Keep Livin and Rockin!”
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What a great story Linnea! Thank you so much for sharing it and of course, many thanks to all the readers! Take a moment today to remember that we are all on this crazy ride together, and for that we should be truly grateful. Have an amazing week!
Hello again my excitable friends! I hope you are all staying well and enjoying your summer the best that you can. Let’s get to it and meet the next fan spotlight – the lovely Jessica O’Neal!
At the age of 15 in the year 2004 is when Jessica was introduced to 311. It was her sons father that told her about them. “Their lyrics are nothing but positivity and hope, the beats impossible to not dance to. I was instantly hooked.”
For show count, Jessica believes she is up to 34 but she isn’t 100% sure. Her favorite show so far? “I took my son to his first show July 7, 2018, and watching his face light up, watching him sing every song, dancing with him to the tunes we’ve heard for years….nothing could ever compare to that.”
To pick a favorite song Jessica said is a tough one, but she went with “Getting Through To Her” because she said it just melts her heart. For favorite lyrics, she went with the following:
“You’ve got to bet on yourself now, star, because that’s your best bet.”
“Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions.”
“You gotta keep on climbin’ the hill, cuz if you think you’ll make it you will.”
“The river cuts its way through stone, not through shear force but persistence. At the end of the day the relentless always win.”
Jessica grew up in a small farm town with just her dad and her brother for awhile. At 15, she met her sons father who was from the city. Not only did he introduce her to 311, but she said also about 99% of the other bands she loves. After high school she moved to Columbus, Ohio, and that’s when she had her awesome son Cread. “While the relationship didn’t work, we co-parent really well, we actually took Cread to his first 311 show together in 2018. I work full time, as many of you know, for the Ohio Army National Guard as a Recruiter. I am actually right now in the process of coming home from my first deployment to Kuwait, which has been a wild experience but I think helped me grow. 311 has introduced me to my favorite people, helped me through the best and worst times, and the community’s love and support was vital to my success while overseas. That active duty pay certainly helps fund my annual show with my sisters, and now my son, which has easily become one of my favorite family traditions!”
Interesting fact about Jessica that you may not know, she showed pigs and sheep in the county fair! “I was quite the little country bumpkin as a kiddo.” What makes Jessica unique? “I think the thing most ‘unique’ thing about me is my ability to help push people to be their best versions of themselves. It’s part of what helps me as a recruiter, and why I adore the band as much as I do. I love meeting people, learning their hopes and dreams, and helping them find the tools to accomplish anything. Nothing good comes easily, sometimes you have to fight! I take so much pride in being the person who is able to really help people accomplish things.”
Guilty pleasure for Jessica is the show “Fixer Upper” with Chip & JoAnna Gains! “I love their relationship dynamic, the way they put in some TLC to help people’s dreams come true, and I’ve taken many of the things they’ve done in the show and applied it to my house.”
When not listening to 311, Jessica loves music from artists such as Tropidelic (whom she adores), Taylor Swift, Coheed and Cambria, and Chris Stapleton. “Basically I listen to everything I can get my hands on!”
To 311, Jessica would simply like to say: “Thank you. Thank you for being a positive role model in a world where the norm seems to be the opposite. Thank you for being the good, being a role model and for giving my life such a rad soundtrack.”
Now here are Jessica’s words to all her fellow excitables:
“You guys are the most amazing people I have ever met. I love our Familia. I am honored to know and love you guys, you have become such a huge part of my life. The love and support I got from you guys overseas, as well as the love and support that we all give and receive at all times, is so beautiful. We truly are the luckiest excitable crew, and I am SO ready to be home and (once COVID is a thing of the past) HUG EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! Thank you for being amazing, stay positive and love your excitable lives, I love you all! <3”
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Thank you SO much Jessica for sharing your story and for your service to our country! You rock girl! Of course, thank you to all the readers out there! Go have an amazing week and keep smiling!
