SA Info:
Omaha. It used to take a surplus of energy to even think of one thing that makes Omaha famous - well, that was until the band 311 signing a record contract with the newly-reestablished Capricorn record label.
The famous idiotic first question from most fans is in regards to the origin of the band's name. Aside from 311 supposedly being a police code for indecent exposure, vocalist Nick Hexum revealed a more simple story: "Really... there were three of us and then we added on and then one more." The three would be Timothy Mahoney (guitar), Aaron Wills (bass, later known by his nickname PNut) and Hexum, with additions being co-vocalist S.A. Martinez and drummer Chad Sexton. Hexum, like the rest of his band, knew he wanted to play music at an early age. Actually it was simple piano lessons that led him to his life today. Sexton actually found his love of drums in 3 Nebraska drum and bugle corps.
The three with the one and the other one became a band officially in 1990. Their first show was in Omaha opening for hard core martyrs Fugazi. The Washington based band helped set a standard in 311's career. "They were against the commercialism of music. Fugazi got success by their own rules. They controlled their careers and tried to keep it about making music. They didn't depend on anyone to give them anything. That's what we have tried to do," S.A. explains.
Hailing from such a Yee-hah state has its limiting aspects when it comes to music. A small percentage of music listeners in a large metropolis may be fans of a band like Fugazi. However, underground fans in a small town can be surplus.
"When you are not from one of the big cities, you have to search for your music," Martinez says. "The music on the radio tends to be very general. As a result of looking for music, we found lots of different types. All of it influenced the band. Word of mouth is a lot faster in small communities. Some underground bands can get quite a following because of it. We took that approach and we do everything we can to maintain our underground status. It has worked for us so far."
311 mesh together the influences of everything from 24-7 Spyz and Bad Brains, to Bob Marley and Nat King Cole to Fugazi. In 1993 their debut album on Capricorn was pretty much ignored by mainstream audiences. However, the alternative purists were being mainlined with the band's hard rock-funk-rap-reggae hybrid.
The lack of commercial success failed to dampen the band's energy and drive. The Rage Against the Machine set a precedent for heavy alternative. "If our first album came out today it would be more of a success," SA insists. "Because it was a bit ahead, we have had time to grow. And our fan base has grown."
Grassroots was the follow up, seeing the band perfect their sound and nurture that deep-rooted fan base through non-stop touring. Tracks from Grassroots began popping up on college charts nation wide. "I look back and I know we deserve everything we are getting now. We paid our dues," SA confirms. "We feel we have earned all the things we have gotten. We were touring seven months out of the year with four or five months off. Now we have reached a point where we can rest. We can afford to take a month or two off. But we are still touring all the time."
Talk about dues-paying. How's this: Capricorn pulled their tour support right after the release of the first album - 311's response was to finance their own tour. The band was driving around in an old recreational vehicle borrowed from Chad's father. After tackling a steep incline one day, the RV caught fire. The only door out of the vehicle was surrounded by flames so the band jumped through the fire. All of their equipment and possessions were lost, but at least no one was injured, aside from some singed hair.
Then 311 headlined the WARP and Horde tours and released their break-through album, appropriately entitled 311. It was immediately a hit with alternative rock radio upon it's release. They even did a sold out United States tour with Cypress Hill and opened for Kiss. 311 had made it to the big leagues.
Success has not all been about the spoils of victory. In their hometown 311 has met with a lot of negative response. First, concerned parents unsuccessfully tried to ban the band or their support of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). 311 openly smokes the drug and had placed a song on the organization's benefit album, Hempilation.
The band's T-shirts were banned in Omaha area high schools because schools board officials heard rumors that the band's name was a numerically coded reference to the Klu Klux Klan (as K is the 11th letter of the alphabet times 3 thus KKK). But with titles like "Guns (are for Pussies)," who would dispute the band aim for a positive message?
"We don't try to make message songs. We do believe in feeling positive vibes. It all comes back to you. We want people to come to see our shows or listen to our music and feel good. We are not afraid to make a statement in a song and then stand behind it. That whole idea of the KKK was ridiculous."
There is also that frequent trend in alt-rock circles to write off bands that achieve mainstream success as sell-outs. There's that pride in keeping your favorite cult alternative act underground. A band's music is embraced as doctrine by the fans, while the band is surrounded by an industry centered on album, merchandise, and ticket sales.
SA comments, "I remember the first time I saw REM. They came to Omaha on the Reckoning tour. I saw them in the music hall. The next time they came to town it was in the arena. They put on a great show. Any band that I see and put on a great live show stays on of my favorites. But then again Bad Brains and 24-7 Spyz haven't gone on to more successful avenues. It's stupid to throw a band off because they meet popular. What matters is if they do something for you. Are they good?"
Popularity has given 311 a chance to gain more control over 311. No more promotional gimmicks from these guys. The band has established such a strong underground following that, when it came time to make the third album, the label did not even question their decisions. They've even saw complete artistic freedom on their first video "Down", which went on to top the MTV charts. 311 marks an introduction to one of the band's heroes, producer Ron St. Germain. Germain is known for his work with Bad Brains and the band were all big fans of Ron's. "We finally got the producer we wanted," says S.A. "We had the choice and the control. We had dreamed of Ron producing us for years. He definitely helped us malice a record that clearly defines our sound."
311 are currently on album #4. Can they continue to break new musical ground? "We do feel like some imagination has gone somewhere else. I don't think the music on this album will touch the next one. It is going back to the experimentation that got us where we are now. You never know what direction we could go in. You all will be surprised."
Modern rock is overflowing with personalities indulging in their self-importance and omniscience. A subject that should be touched upon, since they say it's what's on the inside that counts. Some fans find it somewhat surprising to find artists in touch with real life. It is with this very attitude that 311 meets their fans, as equals.
"There are all these personas in music. People create themselves for whatever reasons. They don't want to be bothered by fans. That's not our style. Our fans don't bother us. They got us here. They are one in a million and give us a lot of love."
"Hey," SA laughs. "I think we are pretty grounded."