What 311 is all about

311 is taking their Unity Tour across the US this summer in support of their latest album Universal Pulse, but when you’re 311, you don’t need to use a new release as an excuse to tour. Touring is what they’re all about.

“We really solidified the idea that we don’t need an album to tour,” says 311’s Aaron Wills (aka P-Nut). “Our ticket sales just keep going up and more and more people come to our shows. We’re really catering to our concert-going audience now.”

311 turned summer touring into something of an annual affair. This year is the ninth consecutive summer that the band packs their rock/funk/reggae fusion into amphitheatres around North America and their set lists are anything but tired.

“It’s almost an entirely different show each time,” P-Nut assures. “We have so many songs and we love playing them all.”

The bassist has a point. With a repertoire like 311’s, believe P-Nut when he says there’s no worrying about repetition. Including their 1993 major label debut album, Music, we’re talking about 10 studio albums, four compilations and one live recording.

Since day one, fans have counted on 311 to deliver hits. Universal Pulse is no exception. The album debuted at #7 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart, 311’s fifth straight Top 7 debut. Meanwhile, the lead single “Sunset in July” is positioned at #13 on the Alternative Chart.

While 311 climbs the charts, the quintet continues to acquire hordes of fans. And the numbers just aren’t dwindling.

The band owes a lot of thanks to their fanbase. Take 311 Day for example, a celebration that the fans are fully responsible for. If you haven’t heard of the event, don’t sweat it, P-Nut’s here to explain.

“Fans were telling us online that they were getting together on 3/11, listening to our music and celebrating the band. We thought we should give them a show. In 2000, we did our first one in New Orleans. We put on a four-hour show. It was such a success.”

The epic jam session was such a smash that 311 has put one on every year since and the concert attendance has grown to crowds of 15,000.

“It’s a 311 extravaganza! It’s such a special event, it’s like we have our own holiday,” P-Nut laughs.

As if 311 fans aren’t spoiled enough, the band is launching another special event that they’ve dubbed the Pow Wow Festival. The band has planned a three-day, concert/camping trip from August 4 to 6 in Live Oak, Florida. 311 will share the bill with Deftones, Reel Big Fish, Sublime with Rome and The Dirty Heads among other bands.

Wait there’s more. Over the three days, 311 isn’t scheduled for just one set, they’re playing four, including a performance of their hit album Transistor in its entirety.

311’s commitment to their live shows and to their fans’ concert experience outweighs… well, everything. It’s simply who they are.

“We strive on a high-energy show and we try to get [our fans] involved as much as possible,” P-Nut says. “I think we have to be experienced live to be fully understood.”

Visit 311.com for tour dates.

Universal Pulse is available now. 

Posted by Marc Andrew on Jul 28 2011. Filed under Interviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.