Good day to all out in 311 nation! The latest fan spotlight has arrived. It’s time to meet the beautiful Tish Dawne!

The time was the late 90’s and Tish will never forget the moment that she first heard 311. She was on her way to float down the Spring River in Arkansas with a group of college friends and that’s when she heard Transistor. “From then on, I was hooked. The vibe, the beat, and lyrics of their music is what drew me in. Anytime I get goosebumps listening to a song, I know there’s something special about it.” 

Total show count so far is 32 and she’s seen them from west to east coast, including California and Boston. Picking a favorite was tough, so she gave us her top three. Number one favorite was 311 Day 2018 when she became engaged to the love of her life Kevin. Second fave is 311 Day 2016, that’s when she met Kevin. Then finally the third is 311 Day 2014 because that’s when she took her oldest son Ashton and met one of her best friends and Matron of Honor Mary Beth Tarver. “She’s like a sister to me.”

The song “Two Drops in the Ocean” means a lot to Tish as it reminds her of Kevin and how they dated long distance for a year. The second song that holds a special place is “Freak Out,” as that is the song that Kevin sang to her right before he proposed. “I will never forget that moment!” One of her favorite lyrics comes from the song “Beyond the Grey Sky” and she said the song means so much to her for many different reasons: “Don’t give up the fight to stay alive and even if you have to, find the reason of another’s pain if they lose you. If not for yourself then those around who care like I do, one day you’ll see the clear blue.” She also has two other favorite quotes tattooed on her shoulders, “Stay positive and love your life,” and “From chaos comes clarity.” 

Tish grew up in a small town in Arkansas called Batesville.  She was blessed with being raised by two families – one biological and the other her adopted family. In 2017 Tish moved to Boston and she absolutely loves it there. She works a full time job but is also going to school to get her doctorate in Health Science. “I’m hoping that will pay off one day!” Tish has two amazing kids, Ashton who is 22 and in the Air Force, and Kyle who is 18 and attending college in Arkansas. She also has a fur baby Hexie whom she adores. Tish also has a soft spot in her heart for the homeless and if she ever wins the lottery she wants to start an organization to help them, specifically providing mental health assistance to them. 

A special talent that Tish has is she can play the flute and started in the 5th grade. She also took piano lessons starting in that grade as well. “I didn’t have much of a choice on that one since my mother is a piano teacher lol.” She grew up in a household of musicians. Her mother, father and grandfather all have played in various bands. “Music literally runs through my blood. I don’t know what a life would be like without music.” Some other musicians that Tish loves include Dirty Heads, Passafire, Iration, Bassnectar, GRiZ, and Rusko. “I’ve been following EDM artists since the early 90’s.”

Guilty pleasure for Tish is anything Real Housewives related and she loves the crappy Lifetime movies (she was watching one as she wrote her answers). “I’m addicted to trash T.V.” Some of her favorites also include Jersey Shore and Vanderpump Rules. 

To 311, Tish would like to say, “Thank you for making music that makes me and my friends happy and that has helped me find my future husband and amazing friends.”

To all her fellow fans:

“It isn’t just about the amazing music, but about the friendships that have been made because of this band.”

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Now you know the story of Tish Dawne! Thanks Tish for being a part of this and of course, a big thank you to everyone for coming back to read each time. You are all beautiful souls! Have a fantastic week! 

Much love – The Runt

Welcome again my friends to the latest edition of the fan spotlight! Without further ado, let me introduce you to Scott McCarroll!

For Scott, 311 came into his life thanks to his three kids. “We just really let the music speak to us and here we are 5 years later.” 

So far Scott has attended 19 shows. Most recent show was Bristow, Virginia. His favorite show so far was 311 Day 2014. “I had my family there with me and when they played Sunset in July and the lyrics, ‘Watching you dancing and having the time of your life, and it’s getting me high, time is flying by.’ it really was a special moment.” Favorite venue he said is the Tabernacle in Atlanta. “I won’t miss another show there.” 

The song “Beyond the Grey Sky” is one that really resonates Scott’s soul. “I was ready to throw in the towel a few years ago and the 311 community came to my rescue and this song played over and over.” Favorite lyrics for Scott were mentioned above and come from “Sunset in July.” 

Scott was born in California but moved around because he was an Navy brat. He graduated high school in Mississippi and spent 10 years in the Navy himself. When he got out he moved Ohio and then Hawaii. For work he’s a truck driver and has been for about 22 years now. When not driving a truck, he loves to do charity work for veterans and the children’s miracle network. “It is my dream and passion to create a foundation that benefits veterans suffering from depression and anxiety as I have suffered most of my adult life from both.”

Even though Scott will tell you he’s not a people person, he really is and likes to make people laugh as often as possible. “I’m the guy that will make sure everyone around me is happy and taken care of before I take care of myself.  My family and my friends are my world.” Scott also just officiated his first wedding in early August for his niece and her girlfriend. “I’m willing to get certified in any state if someone needs their wedding officiated.” 

Going back to the charity work Scott does, he has put on 4 golf outings and 3 comedy hows to the Toledo children’s hospital. A cool fact about him is that he has been to over 15 countries and 49 of the 50 U.S. states. He’s only missing Alaska. Guilty pleasure for Scott are the movies “Top Gun” and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.” He also said his favorite hobby is spoiling his grandchildren. When not listening to 311, he can be found jamming some Dirty Heads, classic rock, or 80’s music. 

To 311, Scott would like to say, “Thank you for the music. It means so much to so many and please don’t stop.”

Fellow fans, your message from Scott is this:

“I’ve met and made so many friends because of the band and our community. I look forward to making more friends from those I’ve yet to have the pleasure of meeting.”

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That’s the story of Scott McCarroll my friends! By the way, he just turned 50 on August 24th so be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday if you haven’t already! Thank you all for the support and reading these stories. Go be amazing and spread that positivity! 

Much love – The Runt

Welcome back friends! It’s time for the latest edition of the 311 fan spotlight! This week we meet the other half of last week’s spotlight, Traci Pearson!

For Traci, it was also courtesy of Eddie Bratke that she became hooked on 311. She used to make fun of him for seeing the band multiple times until she went. Then it clicked with her why he did it. “And I’ve never looked back! The lyrics of the songs is what drew me in. And how much fun the band had on stage.”

Somewhere around the 40 count is where Traci is at for seeing them live. First show was in Salt Lake City in 2013. “I’ve been addicted ever since.” Favorite event so far is 311 Day 2014 in New Orleans. “I met the most amazing bunch of people!! People that are now my family. We are truly a family. We are there for one another for the good times and the bad.”

There are a few songs that mean a lot to her. The first is “Unity” because it represents the family she was with this year in San Diego. Then there’s “Two Drops in the Ocean” because it’s she and Preston’s song. Finally there is “Island Sun,” since it reminds her of the cruise. Lyrics she chose that stand out to her are “Stay positive and love your life,” because she tries to live by it every day. She also loves, “I’ve got a clique but it’s more like a family,” and “Here I was happy.” She said that’s how she feels at every show.

Traci was born and raised in Utah and she’s never lived anywhere else. Currently she is a General Manager at a McDonald’s restaurant and she’s been there for almost 17 years. “I’ve actually been at the same store, in the same job position, for almost 17 years.” Traci is the youngest of 7 children. She said she has a very strange but true fact, and that is that she and her husband Preston are actually 10^th cousins! “Our great-great-great Grandfather was a polygamist. And I come from the 1st wife, Preston comes from the 2nd wife!!!”

Something you may not know about Traci is that she has dyslexia but only with numbers. “It made life very hard growing up.” Traci entered Kindergarten when she was only 4 and they figured out that she could read at a 3^rd grade level. “As I got older, I learned how to speed read.”

Traci loves music and loves to turn it on and just dance around her kitchen. “The one song that always gets me going is All the Single Ladies.” Aside from 311 she can also be found dancing around to a lot of Reggae, and she loves Dirty Heads. She also digs RDGLDGRN plus she listens to Snoop Dog. “Man he has a sexy voice.” She can also be found jamming out to Aerosmith.

To 311, Traci would like to say, “Thank YOU!! For the great lyrics that impact my life every single day and for the wonderful family you have connected me to!”

To all the fans out there:

“My heart is always full of the love and closeness we all share with each other!”

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And now you know the story of Traci Pearson’s love for 311! Thanks to Traci for sharing and to all of you who support this blog. You all make me smile each week! Now go be awesome. See you next time!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back my friends out in 311 nation! We meet again for the latest edition of the 311 fan spotlight. This week we meet Preston Pearson! 

Brother and former fan spotlight Eddie Brake is how Preston was introduced to 311 because he was a huge fan. “Crazy thing is that he was just a kid.  I am 41 years old and loved all music in that genre but for some reason 311 didn’t resonate with me at that time.” Preston said he thinks he just wasn’t ready for 311 at the time because he was too busy trying to climb the corporate ladder. Flash forward about 15 years to when Eddie took him to his first show. “I was instantly hooked. I only knew the hits, but I loved the vibe of not only the band, but the fans at the show.” 

Show count is close to 40 and it was in 2012 at Wendover, N.V. that he saw that first with Eddie. While it’s hard to pick just one favorite of the shows he has been to, he said that he’d have to pick 311 Day in New Orleans in 2014. It was his first 311 Day. “I met so many awesome people that trip and all of them are still a part of my life.  It changed me on every imaginable level for the better.” 

Picking a song that means the most to Preston was another tough question. “I love the lyrics, particularly SA’s deep shit.” He chose a few that really stand out to him which include “Tune In,” “No Control,” “And A Ways to Go,” Starshines,” “Plain,” “Sever,” and “From Chaos.” Some of his favorite lyrics include: “Stay positive and love your life,” “Life’s a bowl of punch, go ahead and spike it,” “I am a music lover, somehow I get paid,” and “A river cuts its way through stone, not through sheer force but persistence.” 

Preston was born in Utah and said he attended a lot of schools, 13 in total. He has two wonderful sets of parents which he said was because of a divorce that turned into a win for everyone involved. “I am the oldest of a total of 8 kids between the two parents (it’s a Utah thing 😊) and have 5 kids of my own.  Recently one of my kids and a fellow fan Chyann Davis gave us a grand baby.  Izzie lights up my life and is always the center of attention.” Preston and his wife Traci have a fun story of how they met. She was dating the big boss at work and he ended up working his way into her heart. “I fell hard for her and asked her to marry me only a month after we started dating.  Got married a month after that and have been happily together for more than 21 years now.” Preston works for a McDonald’s franchisee as an area supervisor and has seven restaurants that he oversees. 

Some things Preston loves include being outdoors and gardening. Interesting fact about him is that he is fluent in Spanish and loves the Mexican culture including authentic food. He’s also a pretty good cook and loves to do it. He said he makes dinner almost every night of the week. Preston said he’s also obsessed with the meaning of life. “From deity’s, to afterlife, to aliens I am always researching something to give me the answer.  So far, all I know is that we as the human race don’t know shit! Haha.” He also said a guilty pleasure is that he knows every Barry Manilow lyric ever written. “Like seriously, all of them.  I still blame my mother for that one.” 

Other than 311 the two bands that Preston has seen the most are Dirty Heads and RDGLDGRN. During his teenage years he was heavily into Nine Inch Nails. He said he now has evolved to like a little of everything. 

To 311, Preston would like to say, “From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.  It still amazes me that a band and their fans could completely change who I am as a person.  I love who I have become because of them.  I see things differently and have a greater appreciation for the things that really matter in life.”

Preston’s message to all the fellow fans:

“I love each and every one of you!  Most of the people that I hold near and dear to my heart are 311 fans.  There are many more that I will meet in the future and I know that they will fit into the same mold.”

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That’s the story of Preston Pearson! Tune in next week when you get to meet his lovely wife Traci! Thanks for reading all. Go have a great week and spread the positivity! 

Much love – The Runt

Welcome back friends to the latest 311 fan spotlight! This week we have the story of Todd Granger! 

While Todd was a fan of 311’s radio hits in the mid 90’s, it was the album Transistor that really hooked him. “That album has a distinct sound that drew me in and made me want more.” 

Show count as of right now stands at 65. His first show was July 23, 2004 in Mansfield, Massachusetts. “That setlist had a lot of Evolver songs.” Favorite event so far though was 311 Day 2016 in New Orleans. “It was a life changing experience for me.”

One song that means a ton to Todd is the song “Visit.” It’s always been his favorite. “The lyrics. The sound. Every instrument. It’s perfection. And pure bliss live. I absolutely go off when they play it. Rap, Rock, Reggae. It’s the perfect example of the 311 stylee. From their FIRST album.” A lyric that stands out to Todd and connects with him is, “If someone digs your art that’s a reason to live. And if ya got a gift then ya know that ya gotta give.” He said being an artist himself this lyric is really important to him. He also loves the lyric, “Do as you will, do as you wish, follow your bliss.”

Todd will tell you he’s from Boston but he actually lives in a suburb just north of Boston called Lynn, Massachusetts. “I’ve been here all my life. I’ve lived in a few different coastal towns such as Salem, Beverly and Quincy.” Todd plays hockey and loves attending Boston Bruins games. “They are my favorite and I am a huge hockey fan.” After high school Todd became involved in photography and worked at Lifetouch for 8 years. “Photographing school picture days and all other school related events such as sports, proms & graduations.  Then left and tried studio photography.  I was with The Picture  People for almost 5 years at the Burlington Mall and N.Shore Mall.  Also photographed a few of my own weddings on the side.  Decided to leave the photo fields and re-pursue my talent in drawing and painting.  It started out as therapy and became my favorite  hobby again.” Todd tries to sell his artwork to fund his 311 habit. “I might also splurge when I’m not supposed to. But, I gotta live my life. My family never traveled much when I was younger and I couldn’t really go to concerts till I was an adult and on my own.” 

Todd is developing his own style of artwork which combines his talents and skills in sketching, drawing, and inking, plus also painting and spray painting. Another talent Todd had was that he used to play piano. “I quit when I was younger but I have been thinking about going back.” 

Something most people know about Todd, if you know him personally, is that he is obsessed with Spiderman. However his guilty pleasure he said is Star Wars. “Been a fan all my life.”

When not listening to the sounds of 311, Todd also enjoys Slightly Stoopid and Stick Figure, two of his other favorite bands. He also likes the classic alternative like Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Primus, and Stone Temple Pilots. “I was a 90’s teen.” 

To 311, Todd would like to say: “Thank you 311 for all you’ve done and what you continue to do. And please DONT STOP.”

Now his message to all the 311 fans:

“Be patient. No matter what.

Promote what you love , don’t bash what you hate.

Love always wins.

Believe in Unity thru music.

Stay positive Love your life

May the force be with you

Eat tacos.”

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Well said Todd! Thanks for sharing your story with the 311 fan community. Now everyone go be awesome and keep spreading that positive light throughout your week! 

Much Love – The Runt

It’s a new week 311 nation which means it’s time to meet the new fan spotlight. This week we learn all about Saralyn Revello! 

Flash back to 1995. Saralyn heard “Down” on the radio and ran out to buy the blue album. At the time she was growing up Long Beach, New York, what she calls a California-like beach party suburb of New York City. “My girlfriends and I used to stumble down the boardwalk on summer nights belting out songs obnoxiously loud. Down and All Mixed Up were two of those songs although Im sure we butchered the lyrics. Those two will always remind me of that carefree time in my life.” 

While Saralyn listened to the radio hits and saw the band every time they came to town, it didn’t really take a firm grasp on her until the year 2011. Saralyn’s daughter was born two months early and she almost died during childbirth. “It wrecked me emotionally. She was 3.5 lbs and ended up in the NICU for a month. During that brutal month Universal Pulse was leaked and it was a staple during our walks to and from the NICU. It was also the year that Beautiful Disaster was in the MLB video game soundtrack, and at the time that game was played nearly every night in my household. For a while after that the Universal Pulse songs gave me PTSD flashbacks to those NICU days and I had trouble listening to it, so since Spotify and Pandora were pretty popular by then I started catching up on the 311 that I missed over the years. Uplifter particularly helped me through that postpartum depression/PTSD few years. I was happy to find some positivity and I knew I wanted more of it.” Saralyn’s daughter Emily is now 7 years old and a little excitable of course! “She’s an amazing creature!”

Then when Stereolithic came out Saralyn really became hooked. “I was driving a lot for work and for months I couldn’t listen to anything besides that album. The music and lyrics, especially The Call and Boom Shanka, but really the whole album, spoke to me in a way that no music had since before my daughters birth.” She realized that 311’s music had really been by her side since the first time she heard “Down” and she now couldn’t get enough of the positivity and gratitude that 311 embodied. “Summer of 14 I saw a few shows and it grew from there and I joined the Familia very specifically in hopes I would find others like me – who saw the connection and wanted the same things out of life. Although I was on a work trip on the opposite coast I nearly jumped on the boat in 15. And then I vowed to be at 311 Day in 16. And it was kind of like taking a ride on a cosmic trip from there. I’ve done at least 10 shows a year and both 311 days and Cruise 5 since then, with no desire to slow it down any time soon. They’ve truly been my constant companion and I could never thank them enough for waking my mind up and not giving up. I literally out loud asked the universe for unity consciousness and it answered with 311 and the 311 commUNITY.  I mean literally even a dude with a UNITY tattoo; it was so clear written down on his skin. I wasn’t missing the message this time.”

While Saralyn is unsure of her exact show count for 311 live, she believes it’s somewhere in the 40 range. She is pretty sure her first 311 show was at the Roseland in New York City back in 1997. While it’s hard to pick which show or event was her favorite so far, she said she’d probably have to go with 311 Day 2016 in New Orleans. “It was my first major 311 event and travel show and I connected so heavily to the 311 commUNITY in Nola and it really felt like I’m finally home (I see a lighthouse ☺ ) and finally found my soul tribe. There’s so many magical memories of that weekend that literally rearranged my life, especially dancing in the rain to Simplify and Sun Come Through on Bourbon Street at 3am with Jessica Pursley who I give much credit to for seeing the energy shining all around us and connecting a whole seemingly random bunch of excitables together. I’ve met some of my favorite people in the world thanks to her.” 

Some of her favorite songs include “Sun Come Through,” “Face in the Wind,” “Omaha Stylee,” “Unity,” “Full Ride,” “Get Down,” “Still Dreaming,” and “It’s Getting Ok Now.” There are a ton of lyrics that stand out to Saralyn and she said they are the basis for a lot of her crafting. If forced t chose just one, she’d go with “Do as you will, do as you wish, follow your bliss.” “It’s simply the number one mantra I try to live my life around on a daily basis. If I ever get a tattoo that’ll be it.”

Saralyn, as mentioned earlier, was born in New York and she is still living there 37 years later. “But for most of my life I’ve felt like I was born on the wrong coast. I am grateful for the accessibility of New York; especially concerts and experiences and food. But Im over the pace and energy of New York and I crave the Cali vibes – my heart is in San Diego.” She’s worked in the flower industry for 14 years and has dealt with everything from designing to sourcing to new business development. “Because about 80% US commercially grown flowers come out of California, I am lucky enough to get to visit various parts of the state at least 2x a year and I travel globally a fair amount as well. I love traveling and I love bringing the sweetness of the flowers to the people to help remind them that were nothing but a walking sack of earth!! But seriously I am beyond grateful to have amassed a really specific niche resume in my field and I hope to continue contributing positive change for the industry at large. Even on the worst days I just remember that the whole reason my job exists is to make people smile; from birth to death and hopefully more in between, flowers and plants are always with us.”

Saralyn grew up Jewish but she really doesn’t really practice organized religion anymore. She went to a very religious Yeshiva from nursery until 8th grade. “I had to wear long skirts every single day and still cannot bear to wear skirts at all, especially long ones. Sundresses are cool though.” Talent for Saralyn is that she’s very creative and can pick up pretty much any craft with just basic instructions. Obviously she’s done flowers for events and weddings, but she’s also run a photography side business and has an Etsy store where she sells random crafts. “I’ve been making my closest excitable crew event specific shirts and such since Nola ’16. If 311 is ever looking for a merch girl .. I got a head full of ideas, let me tell ya, that you wouldn’t believe!” Guilty pleasure for her is food related – appetizers! “I love appetizers and would be perfectly happy never ordering a main course again for the rest of my life. Ill order 5 diff apps just to have a little taste of everything. Its gluttonous but I love it. Im dangerous at a cocktail hour. I’ve literally had dreams about being in situations where I can just have a little taste of everything. But I think it kind of speaks to my feelings on earthly human life… I kinda just want a little taste of everything!! Except 311. Im always feeling famished for a 311 sandwich and would take that as a main course any day ☺.”

To 311, Saralyn would like to say: “I could never thank you guys enough for being the guiding light walking this earth beside me assisting with my greater ascension (cause I was born to elevate), spreading the love and the good karma, creating, living and rocking the songs of my soul and bringing me home to my tribe… and you never turned your back on me; even if it took about 20 years for me to realize!! Can’t nobody do it like 311!”

Now to all the other fellow 311 fans:

“Well I’ve got a clique but its WAY more like a family; through this commUNITY I’ve met some of my favorite people on this human journey, I have truly found my soul family within this fan base and I am eternally grateful to have this connection and abundant flow of love, light and pure momentum. Thank you for accepting me – even though I arrived fashionably late. I never feel more myself than when I’m standing at the rail living and rockin with all of you spirits on the run. Let’s keep it all together, its only getting better!”

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Thank you Saralyn for sharing your story of how you discovered and came to love 311! Gratitude goes out to all the other fans who keep reading about their fellow Excitables too of course. You are all wonderful creatures who keep the light alive on this planet! Go be awesome as always! 

Much love – The Runt

Happy 4th of July week excitable nation! While we kick off the holiday week, et’s read all about another fellow member of the 311 community.  Meet Dewane Dean! 

MTV is where Dewane first discovered 311 when the video for “Down” was being shown in heavy rotation. “All I could remember was, is this real? P-nut high stepping with the bas s guitar, and the pause in the song with Chad on the drums. It felt like 3D. I was hooked. I was drawn to the fact that they were fun and the music was positive. Also the fact that their song was being played on the very same station that the band was dissing. Down- “ And the Channel whatever that wack show Real World is on”. I thought it was bold and ingenious at the time.  Then came ALL MIXED UP, mind blown lol.”

First show for Dewane was at the Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta back in 1997 when 311 played with Fishbone. “I was working there as an usher for a event staffing agency and when I heard 311 was playing I had to be at that show. One of my best memories and I was hooked on their live shows every since.” Show count for him is at 65 and he’s seen them play all over the country. Favorite event so far was the cruise to Jamaica in 2015. “It was my first cruise and Soundsystem is my favorite 311 album, so it was perfect.” He also mentioned the 10th anniversary show where they played Grassroots in its entirety and then all of Music. “Epic moment!”

The song “Electricity” means a lot to Dewane. “The words in that song changed my life! It’s rarely played but it’s super special.” Aside from the lyric, “Stay positive and love your life,” one of Dewane’s favorites comes from “Purpose” – “I believe in your Purpose baby, coming up to the surface and maybe I’ll never see you again, then again who knows.” He even has a tattoo on his arm with this lyric. 

Originally from Detroit, Dewane moved to Atlanta in with his mom in 1993  at the age of 17.  “The South has to grow on me because of where I’m from I wasn’t used to people being so damn nice. You know, Southern Hospitality and all. After my first year in Atlanta I decided this was the place for me. I’ve always been a positive person with ambition to get out of a tough environment. I found that peace of mind in Georgia.” In 2013 his job moved him back up to the Midwest and he was in Chicago for 18 months. “It was the best experience of my life besides the weather of course.” From Chicago Dewane then moved to Houston for a short time but then made his way back to Atlanta because he was homesick. “Atlanta is a special place for 311 fans. Every 311 fan new and old should experience the 2 night concert event at the Tabernacle. Definitely one of the best venues to see the boys. To fund my 311 habit I work for an airline, free flights.”

Some talents Dewane has is that he is a great singer, and he is also very calm and patient in most situations. Guilty pleasures for him include the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” and the T.V.  show “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”

Interesting fact about Dewane is that he likes country music as well as rock and roll. He also said he is a gentle giant who just loves people! When not listening to 311 he can be found grooving to Incubus, Deftones, OutKast, Jay-Z, Nas, RDGLDGRN, Pearl Jam, Iration, The Green, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Jack Johnson, Traffic, LED Zeppelin, Otis Redding, Donnie Hathaway, The Roots, Rebelution, Queens of the Stoneage, Band of Horses, Eminem, J Cole, and The White Stripes.

To 311 Dewane would like to say: “Thank You with everything I have for raising us as fans with your music. I am around the same age and I feel like I’ve grown up with you guys. When Soundsystem came out, I was in a dark place in life, I listen that album today like it is the first time. Also, Mosaic and Stereolitic are some of your best work and we are truly blessed to have you guys together after 28 years.”

Now his message to the 311 fan community:

“I look forward to meeting everyone on the Cruise, 311 Day or the many cities I visit during the tours! Say Hi when you see me. I’m so kool 🙂 We are so fortunate to be apart of a community like this, so enjoy this ride cause Life’s Not A Race 😁”

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There you have the story of Dewane Dean! Much gratitude to Dewane for being a part of the spotlight and to all of you who keep reading. Go celebrate life and love, be awesome and spread the positivity! 

Much love – The Runt

Well hello again to all the awesome peeps in 311 nation! We meet again for the next edition of the fan spotlight. This week let’s read all about Jeremy Swisshelm!

Radio is where Jeremy first heard the magical sounds of 311, when stations were playing “All Mixed Up” and “Down” in heavy rotation. He loved it instantly and then his friend let him borrow Grassroots. He never gave it back. “Sorry not sorry. I repaid him years later with a ton of 311 music he wasn’t familiar with. Became a super fan after seeing them live for the first time.”

Show count he believes is somewhere in the 20’s and he’s been on two cruises. Jeremy’s first show was July 2011 at Northerly Island in Chicago. “My wife got us tickets for my birthday. Show was unbelievable and became a super fan after that!” Favorite event was his first cruise, which was the 4th cruise overall. “Sail away show was amazing. I can’t even put into words how amazing it was.”

Favorite song is a tough question to answer but Jeremy said he would probably pick “Misdirected Hostility.” “It reminds me that sometimes when people are mean or mad, you should try giving them the benefit of the doubt. I mean I don’t know what that person is going through right now.  And I also find myself with misdirected hostility and it helps me to reign that in.” One of his favorite lyrics comes from the recent Mosaic album and the song “Forever Now” – “For an infinite minute, let’s stop the clock and be in it!”

Jeremy grew up in Northwest Indiana, in the suburbs of Chicago. He played soccer throughout his entire childhood-travel teams, Olympic development, all of it. Then in high school he tore ligaments in his knee and was never the same after it. Then he started hanging out with two local bands during his high school years and he gained his love of live music from those days. “Living outside Chicago i went to a ton of shows in the 90’s.  But never saw 311 back then for some weird reason.”

Jeremy moved to Colorado in 2003 with his brother and his brothers girlfriend. “We lived in a tent for 2 months while we found work and a place to live.   Stayed there for 5 years. Snowboarded ALOT.” He moved to Colorado with no money, no car, and not knowing anyone there. “One of the best times of my life.”

Unfortunately then Jeremy’s mom passed away and he moved back home to be closer to his dad. “They had been married for 35 years.” It was a few years later that he met his now wife and last weeks fan spotlight Trisha. “Fell in love. Got married. Had a kiddo. Nolan is 10 and awesome. He loves a lot of the same music we do. We moved to Florida about 4 years ago.  I am a glazier (glass installer). Showers, windows,  table tops, mirrors, stuff like that.”

A talent for Jeremy is that he is very handy. “I can fix and build lots of things.” Guilty pleasure for him? “I love the movie Dirty Dancing.” Jeremy’s love for music has him liking a wide variety of musicians including Dirty Heads, Rebelution, Stick Figure, The Movement, Sublime, Blind Melon, Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boys, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Clutch, Simon and Garfunkel, Fugazi, Buddy Holly, Oak Ridge Boys, and The Grateful Dead.

Jeremy would like to tell the members of 311 this message: “Thank you for the endless entertainment and knowledge you’ve given me.”

To all the other fans out there:

“Before you judge someone, try to put yourself in their shoes.”

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Powerful words and great ones at that Jeremy! Thanks for being part of this 311 fan community and sharing your story. As usual, much gratitude to all that read each week! Until we meet again, do the usual. Be awesome and spread the positivity and love!

Much love – The Runt

Why hello there friends in 311 nation! It’s been a couple of weeks but we are back with the newest fan spotlight. Get ready to meet Trisha Swisshelm!

Trisha was always a casual fan of the band until she saw them in concert, that’s when everything changed. “My first show was in 2011, when Sublime with Rome opened. I got my husband and I tickets because he was a huge Sublime fan.  That was the day I fell completely in love with 311 and started listening to all of their music I’d missed over the years.” Aside from the band themselves and the music, what really drew her in more was the fan community. They started meeting fellow fans and she said it just all came together. “I’ve been totally hooked ever since!”

Show count for her is unclear, somewhere in the 20-30 range. She hits every show they can in the Florida area and tries to fly back home for shows in Chicago. One of her favorite shows so far was a small, intimate show in Fort Wayne, Indiana, plus the small show in Tampa before the 2017 cruise which she said blew her away. “The most memorable though would probably have to be our very first sail away show on the 2015 Jamaica cruise! Such a magical moment!”

The song “Beyond the Gray Sky” hits home for her because of personal struggles as well as those of her loved ones. “It’s a beautiful song with a powerful message.” For lyrics, one of her favorites is “The jaded ones will wither while the optimistic grow.” She said, “I try to remember those words and apply them to my life.”

Highland, Indiana, a small town about 30 minutes from Chicago, is where Trisha grew up. “We weren’t stereotypical farms or cornfields, but ya didn’t have to go too terribly far to get to them, lol.” Her family spent summers in Clearwater Beach, Florida, and she always dreamed of living in Florida one day. So 4 years ago Trisha, her husband, and their song moved there and they love their decision! “It was hard to leave behind family and friends, but we were ready for a change! The Florida Familia, and especially the Tampa Bay crew make us feel even more at home and the music scene is fantastic.” They live between Tampa and St. Petersburg so they have access to a lot of great live shows. Plus she said with the weather and beautiful scenery, how can you not love Florida. “There’s so much to love. Florida life suits us!”

Recently though Trisha was diagnosed with a rare and rarely diagnosed brain condition called Chiari Malformation. “It’s made me pretty sick for a lot of the last year, and I’ve not been able to work.  I’m pretty open about it because I believe there needs to be MUCH more awareness of it, especially among doctors so that patients can get the treatment they need without having to fight every step of the way.”

Something Trisha loves is to be creative and make things. She’s very crafty, from writing to making jewelry, or cutting up old or ill fitting t-shirts. She also draws, paints, tie-dye’s…you name it! “I’m always trying to learn new ways to be creative!” Guilty pleasure for Trisha? “I’m obsessed with all things Harry Potter!”

As far as other music that Trisha loves, she said she discovered most of her other favorites because of 311 and the fan community. “My newest favorite is The Movement, who I saw open up for 311 in Orlando last year before the cruise.  I also love Stick Figure, Rebelution and of course RDGLDGRN who have become a cruise staple!  The only fav band I didn’t discover through 311 would be Dirty Heads, but then they were brought on the 2015 cruise! Nothing better than having all your favorite bands together, especially out on the sea!!”

To the band, Trisha has this message: “Thank you for everything, from the music to the love for us fans and for creating such a badass community of excitables to share it all with!”

And to all the fellow 311 fans:

“Keep on spreading the peace, love, and unity and fuck the naysayers!”

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That is the story of Trisha Swisshelm! Many thanks to Trisha for sharing her story and to all those that come back each week to learn more about individuals in this fan community! Such a great family to be a part of. Go now and be the awesome individuals you are.

Much love – The Runt

Happy Memorial Day friends out in 311 nation! Before you head out to celebrate, take a moment to meet our latest fan spotlight – Sandra Dee Guillen!

It was Sandra’s fiancé who introduced her to the sounds of 311. It was the island vibes to rock vibes and everything in between that really sucked her in. “Was feeling the grooves and nodding my head to the beats. While getting groovy…I even found myself doing a little ballroom dance & break dancing.”

Sandra lost count at 21 of how many shows she has been to. “It’s not the number that should matter but what we do with the time … every second…every year…. we must make every moment count.” Some of her favorites that she attended include both the Jamaica and Cozumel cruises, Asbury park shows, the New York City Halloween show, and Atlantic City. Her first show ever was in Philadelphia at Festival Pier.

First favorite song for Sandra was “Sunset in July” because she loves dancing and having the time of her life with friends. A few of her other favorites are: Tranquility (because it helped her through a tough time of losing 3 parents and 2 fur boxer kids in a short period of time), “Beyond the Grey Sky,” “Face in the Wind” (because it makes her think of just putting yourself out there and facing your fears), “Inside Our Home,” and “Island Sun.” One of her favorite quotes comes from her first favorite – “Rockers by my side, time is flying by. Watching you dancing and having the time of your lives and it gets me high.”

Born and raised in the Rio Grand Valley, Sandra is from the southern tip of Texas. She has a degree in Graphic Design but stuck with her passion, which is dancing. Dance and teaching took her to Las Vegas for 4 years where she competed in a variety of ballroom and latin style dances. She then moved to Pennsylvania and has lived there for almost 12 years. “It was then when I was introduced to that scratched CD…. that got played so much it looks like it has burn circles from the songs I played over & over.” She is a professional ballroom instructor and her dream was to share her love of dance with others, which she does at Pivotballroom. She opened this studio with her partner almost a year ago. “A place where when we were renovating the walls heard Mosaic on repeat through many hours/days of tears, sweat, injuries & even helped us get past the days we were most tired & overwhelmed.  Yes… 311 stuff can be seen/found in and around the studio.”

Sandra has had a love of classic music from an early age. On Saturday mornings she would be woken up by the sounds of old school music being played on the record player. “Dad would play all kinds of vinyl and we had a dance party in the living room. Gosh I miss those days.” Her musical choices are pretty diverse, including everything from blues to ska, from country to old school hip hop. Other artists she enjoys besides 311 include Dirty Heads, Rdgldgrn, Full Service, Soja, Prince, Beastie Boys, Frank Sinatra and Metallica.

Fun facts about Sandra include that she is a paranormal investigator and her nickname is Cha Cha. As mentioned, she loves dancing and has a talent for it. She can even break dance! Guilty pleasure? “Mermaiding.”

Sandra was lucky enough to meet Nick one day and this was her interaction:

Sandra Dee to Nick: “May I have a hug?”

Nick: Yess…sure.

“He sort of looked a little thrown back.. my guess is cuz I asked for permission  instead of just going in for one :: shrug shoulders :: & I was frozen.. wanting to respect his space/energy…with a huge smile on my face. Did I mention he is so much taller than I expected too..his energy was great!!!”

Finally, here is Sandra’s message to all the other fans:

“Fin ups!! Get out there and whatever makes your soul happy do that!! Be what we see and hear so often from 311… be yourself. .. Remember you attract what you put out there. So let’s all be creatures for awhile… spirits on the run…. living and let live with love & kindness. 

And if you see me don’t hesitate to give me a high five but….

*** Warning** I’M A HUGGER!”

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That was the story of Sandra Dee Guillen! It was a pleasure to write and share her story. Much gratitude as always for those who read each week. Now go celebrate the day and keep on spreading that positivity!

Much Love – The Runt