311
Sharing insight to a massive career and plans for continued success
Band of the Month |
Music - Rock |
By: Adam JonesPhotos: Myriam Santos-Kayda+ Aug 9, 2006 at 3:57pm |
Article Views: 3,589
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311 has never been a band to sit back and watch events unfold without its participation. After eight studio albums, a greatest hits package and three albums released on their own independent label, What Have You Records, you would think the band would kick back and enjoy the perks of being rock stars. Instead, 311 has embarked on a three month summer tour before returning to the studio to work on a new album due out in late 2007. To get the latest 411 on 311, lead singer Nick Hexum and
bassist P-Nut mused over the band's origins, the continuous evolving of their musical styles and why they just love doing what they do.
It all started back in 1990 when Hexum's girlfriend at the time spotted a flier at a local record store called Jurassic Plastic, a musical den which P-Nut calls "the best record store in Omaha," promoting a show for Fugazi. There was no opening act and after a few calls, 311 got booked to play. They gained a reputation for their energetic performances and gradually gained a loyal fan base in the Midwest. "Those shows were the basis for how we played and still play live," P-Nut says. "We didn't use any tricks or elaborate stage effects. The music is the most important thing for us."
"We liked everything," Nick adds. "The nice thing about starting out in Omaha was that there were no rules musically. We liked rap, funk, rock, reggae, whatever. It was a good breeding ground because we were allowed to create music fusing all these genres we admired and people who would come to our early shows were very open-minded. It helped a lot and now 311 has created its own genre, which is really no genre."
Indeed, 311 carved out its own niche in mainstream rock but they manage to keep a relatively low profile over their success, focusing more on their music and building a strong following.
"We started out slowly," P-Nut explains. "We played bars. We were persistent. We worked our asses off. It really wasn't until 311 (also known as the "blue album") that we had a major breakthrough."
With the release of that album in 1995, all that hard work paid off and 311 was rewarded with their biggest selling album to date on the strength of the singles "Down" and "All Mixed Up," heavy MTV exposure and constant airplay on mainstream radio stations. The album eventually went triple-platinum.
The band released their next album Transistor in 1997 and is considered a fan-favorite. "We were really determined to give our fans something different with that album," P-Nut says. "We decided on a lot of dub with a rock style and warm tones. We did not want to release a Blue Album 2. And I think we succeeded because when you talk to our fans, Transistor is consistently in their top three favorite albums."
While the band's sound is constantly evolving, there has been an ability to maintain a particular standard that comprises 311's sound. There's guitarist Tim Mahoney's distinctive "wah" sound and drummer Chad Sexton's characteristic snare. You've got the vocal trade-offs between Hexum and S.A. Martinez complimented with P-Nut's thick and bright bass riffing.
"Nick and S.A. write most of the lyrics," P-Nut says of how their songs come to fruition. "We all have ideas but we're not going to feed them something that isn't them. With Tim, Chad and myself, our voices are our instruments. Everybody writes something. We don't' want to leave it up to a Rivers Cuomo type and feel like hired guns. There will be times when I'll come up with a riff and I don't want to forget it. Usually I'll be at home and I'll have my video camera handy to tape something I've come up with. It's really good for me to review the tape and visualize what I'm playing from another point of view."
"311 is all about a mission of positivity," Nick says. "We want to bring people together through our music. Sometimes a phrase will drop out of the sky and I'll have to put it down on paper. Lately, I've been focusing on important titles wrapped around a song concept. How the song is interpreted is important as well, but it's really about a representation of experiences and trying to make those personable and relatable. As I said before we don't really have a genre but we do have a sound. In the studio we try to express our musical diversity and each member of the band has something to contribute. We're individuals in a collective. That's why we sound the way we do."
Such diversity keeps 311 from being labeled to a specific style, but it would seem to cause head-clutching frustration from record executives, who prefer safely packaged material that's easy to market.
"We've had a few clashes with record executives," Nick says with a matter of fact tone. "Luckily, we have ample management and we're very involved in everything that has to do with the band. We pay attention to our fans. We're involved in booking tours, finding the best place to play. We like venues that aren't too small or too big. If we did a club tour, a lot of people wouldn't be able to get in. If we played a large venue, we could lose something musically with so much space. The right venue is crucial because it really depends on the audience and level of excitement."
"We pay attention to our fans and try to walk the fine line of business management," P-Nut adds. "We didn't get into this to crunch numbers. Frankly, the business side isn't very interesting. Some of the higher-ups weren't satisfied with the last album and we got a little frustrated. I think we felt we could've gone further, but we take control of our future and I think we've got our best album coming up. With our fans, we're very Internet savvy and close to them. Aside from our website we have a MySpace page to keep in touch with them. It's crazy. There are 311 communities, local parties, petitions online to hear certain songs. It feels great to be in this position."
Nick points out that because of the way they came into the business, they have the best of both worlds. "We have the freedom that comes with being on an independent label, along with the promotional side and exposure that comes with being on a major label. How our fans view us has helped enormously. We've never had a problem maintaining the right level of exposure. We try to focus not on our offstage antics and be famous for our music. We want to keep it that way and not make a big deal out of it. And our fans are terrific. We get letters talking about our music, how it has inspired them, helped them in some way."
"Anyone who wants to break into this business needs to be dedicated and believe in themselves as an individual," says P-Nut. "Be prepared to make a lot of sacrifices and push yourself. Persistence pays off and you'll be able to enjoy what you've created. Huge overnight sensations are going to have arrogant attitudes. Keep it real."
Nick adds to P-Nut's remarks, "Be very individualistic. Be original and create something new. Love the whole process of being in a band, your style, your musicianship, and a lot of rehearsing. Rehearsal is key, otherwise you won't be disciplined. And it helps if you play out a lot. Build a following and get exposure. If you believe in what you're doing, you'll be able to break through."
For 311, reaching their level of success in the music business has been long and arduous, but their dedication to their craft as musicians has kept them going, swirling musical soundscapes together to create something fresh and exciting.
"311 will continue until there's nothing left and it self-destructs, which I hope will never happen," P-Nut says. "It's just a great thing to be a part of. We feel incredibly privileged and have nothing to complain about. Plenty of other bands have a destructive side, but we don't. It's really about our relationship with our fans, our music, this extended family that surrounds this music we make, it's great."
The benefits of being in 311 seem limitless, and have allowed its members a lifestyle that is both rewarding and gratifying. Nick recently bought an island off the Florida Keys as a personal getaway as well as a private vacation rental for those who don't want to be bothered with tourist filled hot spots such as Hawaii or the Bahamas. "It's my favorite place to be in the whole world and I try to go there at least three or four times a month. A lot of my musical inspiration comes from being there."
P-Nut has amassed a sizeable collection of bass guitars, having filled a room with them and one wall covered entirely with Warwick basses. "I've always played Warwick's. The guys who make these bass guitars are so dedicated to their craft that it would be wrong to do anything else but play them. I mean, I'm 6'4', 220. I'm sure I could smash one of them during a show or something but it would be an injustice. The different pick-ups allow for different tones and achieve the sound I'm looking for. They can really handle my style of playing, whether it's slap bass or choking up on the fret. It's probably the best well-rounded bass out there."
311 is currently touring North America in support of its latest album Don't Tread On Me, turning the summer concert scene into one giant keg party and musical journey with their unique sound that has enthralled fans since their humble beginnings in Omaha, Nebraska. And while the band continues to strive to the next plain of musical existence, one thing is certain. In terms of influence and popularity, they're going to be here awhile. They ain't going nowhere.
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