The Production Side

Since 311 are coming back with a tour and a new album this year, let’s do an FYI on the boys from Omaha, Nebraska.

• Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton and Tim Mahoney went to high school school together and in 1988 they formed Unity, with a keyboardist named Ward Bones.
• After a unsuccessful stint in L.A., the band moved back to Omaha and teamed up with P-Nut.
• Their first show was opening up for Fugazi on June 10, 1990.
• In 1991 guitarist Jim Watson with SA Martinez.
• The band’s name comes from Omaha code 311 (indecent exposure).
• From 1990-1991 the band released 3 records on their own label, What Have You Records, the albums were: Dammit, Hydroponic, Unity.
• 311 signs with Capricorn Records in 1992.
• February 1993 the band’s major label debut Music is released.
• While on the road, the band’s touring RV caught on fire and destroyed their equipment, but thanks to donations by fans, the band only missed one gig.
• July 1994, their second album, Grassroots, is released and the band starts gaining a loyal fan-base.
• July 1995, 311is released and has reached 3X platinum status.
• 311 made their network TV debut on Late Night with Conan O’ Brien in August of 1993.
• “Down” hits the number one spot on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart.
• The band released a long form video, Enlarged to Show Detail, which contained live performances, interviews, videos, etc.
• The video was also packaged with a 5 track EP.
• Transistor is released on August 5, 1997.
• In September 1998 311 releases the Omaha Session EP, which contains 9 tracks from their first 3 independent albums.
• November 1998 311 Live is released.
• October 12, 1999 Soundsystem is released.
• In 2000 the band buys their own studio in North Hollywood and have named it “The Hive”.
• Also in 2ooo, the band begins their annual 3-11 Day.
• 2001 From Chaos is released.
• July 22, 2003 Evolver is released.
• Their 2003 tour included opening acts such as The Roots, O.A.R., Something Corporate, G. Love and Special Sauce and more.
• 311 contributes a cover of The Cure classic “Love Song” for the Adam Sandler flick Fifty First Dates.
• On 3-11-04 in New Orleans the band performs an amazing 5 hour set, that included 68 songs! This was captured on the DVD 3-11 Day Live in New Orleans.
• June 8, 2004 the band’s greatest hits package is released and featured 2 new tracks, “How Do You Feel” and “First Straw”.
• August 16, 2005 the band’s 8th studio album, Don’t Tread On Me, is released.
• In the summer of 2007 the “Summer Unity Tour” teamed 311 up with several reggae artists.
• 3-11-08 the band will return to New Orleans for 3-11 Day.

For more facts and news on 311, check out their official site.

Comments Off