311, pronounced three eleven—and if you didn’t already know that, kill yourself—is a band that originated out of Omaha, Nebraska in 1988. The band’s members include Chad Sexton (drums), Nick Hexum (vocals/ rhythm guitar), Doug “SA” Martinez (vocals/ turntables), Tim Mahoney (lead guitar) and Aaron “P-Nut” Wills (bass guitar).
THEN
311 started out like most every other band. They made it huge around their local scene with their first record Dammit!. Then almost a year later they released their second album Unity, which included hits like “Do You Right”, “Feels So Good”, “Summer of Love”, and “Unity”. Check out the video below of 311 playing live in 1991 in Omaha at the Earth Day Festival. Notice how SA Martinez seems to be missing. That’s because he wasn’t formally invited to join 311 until 1992. After he joined, the band recorded a 6-track demo called Hydroponic and soon moved to L.A. The rest is history.
NOW
311 has been blessed with more success than most bands could only hope to achieve. They have released over a dozen albums including a live album and a best selling Greatest Hits album. Their two DVD’s, Enlarged To Show Detail 1 & 2, follow the band as they tour the world and entertain millions of loyal 311 fans. Their other DVD, 311 Day: Live In New Orleans, documents one of the coolest events in modern music. For hours on end, 311 plays over 60 songs on March 11th, 2004 to a sold out audience. Check them out in the video below performing “Sick Tight” on their latest tour, which myself and Steele had the pleasure of witnessing in person when we saw them in Detroit.
