The 311 fan base is a community like no other. We are more than just fans of the band, we are a family that has bonded over our love of their musical magic. When one of our family members is lost, a piece of us goes with them into the universe. Nick Stup was an excitable just like the rest of us, and tragically he lost his life far too soon. I only had just recently met Nick before he passed, and I’m honored to have even been in his presence for a brief moment in time. I was in Baltimore for the weekend and we were pre-gaming before the Slightly Stoopid show at Pier 6. Nick came and hung out with some of the MD peeps that I was with and I have to say he just genuinely seemed like a great guy. While I didn’t know him well, there are people who were very close to him and were kind enough to share their stories of Nick, to help keep his memory alive and breathing in this realm of the universe. Below is what I’ve learned from some of his close friends about the life, love and passions of Nick Stup. (Thank you to Colin, Kim and Josh for sharing their memories of Nick!)

Nick Stup was ,above everything, a devoted father and his kids were his number one passion – daughter Mary Beth and son Nick Jr. Nick held the unofficial title of “Team Dad” from his daughters cheerleading squad and he also coached Nick Jr.’s football team. No trip was too far for him to attend his kids events, and according to his good friend Colin, he doesn’t think he ever actually missed one of them unless they conflicted with each other. After reading many Facebook and Twitter posts, it was clear that nothing could hold a candle to the love Nick felt for his children. Based on what I’ve read, if you asked Nick what he did for a living, I can bet you he would say his real profession was being a father. Josh is another friend of Nick’s who knew how important his family was to him. There would be times Josh would try to convince Nick to hang out longer or come to a show that conflicted with other things, and Nick always responded that work paid for his kids sports and life, and that was all that mattered. Josh said that the way he talked about his family, you could just feel the love he had for them emitting from him. Being a father was a role that he filled well and I believe his enormous amount of love he had will be carried on in his children as they grow.

Nick was impassioned about many things in his life, Washington D.C. sports teams being one of them. He loved the Redskins, Nationals, Capitals and Terps. Nick and his good friend Colin shared a bond over their love of these teams and spent many hours attending games together. While Nick loved D.C. sports, his passion for live music was even greater. Colin and Nick really got to bond during shows that they would go see together. Colin and Nick met back in 2010 thanks to some mutual friends. They hung out all day at the Annapalooza Festival in Annapolis, MD that summer and instantly became good friends. Realizing they shared a love and interest in similar types of music and bands, they then discovered they had been attending the same shows for quite some time. Colin and Nick’s enthusiasm for music and live shows provided them a foundation that they built an amazing friendship on.

Obviously Nick had a love for 311, and one of his other all time favorite bands was 2 Skinnee J’s. In 2011 he heard that 311 would be doing a second cruise and that 2 Skinnee J’s would be on it as well. Knowing that Colin had been through a rough time that year, Nick suggested that they go on the cruise. Nick wasn’t even sure he was going to be able go on the cruise, but Colin convinced him that it was going to be the experience of a lifetime. Here’s the kicker – Nick’s first ever 311 show was the Lido deck show on the second cruise! Colin and their friend Kevin had talked up 311’s live show so much that once Nick saw them on the cruise, he was hooked. His love grew from there and he attended the third cruise as well.

Nick’s claim to fame in the world of excitable comes from the third cruise and the belly flop contest. Colin said that Nick had no intention of competing in the belly flop contest that day because it was picture day and there were a bunch of other events going on. Colin convinced him that he needed to participate, and to do it with the infamous inflatable whale “Phil”. Colin said it “took some serious arm twisting” but he managed to persuade Nick into going for it. They stood together by the pool, watching and waiting for it to be Nick’s turn. The first person who decided to jump from the balcony changed the stakes of the contest drastically. Nick looked at Colin and said that if one more person jumped from the the balcony that he was headed all the way to the top to jump. At this point, Colin started to get concerned thinking that he may have created a monster and didn’t want his friend to get hurt. Colin asked Nick if he knew what he was doing and Nick looked him straight in the eye and said, “Look at me, I know how to fucking belly flop! I’ve been off a 10M board before, this is nothing.” The rest as they say is history. They called Nick’s name next thankfully, so he ripped off his RG3 jersey, stepped up on the bar, grabbed Phil out of Colin’s hands and went for it. Nick was declared the winner and he has been famous among the 311 family ever since! Everywhere he went for the rest of the cruise, and even later on when he was off of the boat, people still recognized him as the bellyflop guy.

Nick was such a special person to so many people. Kim M. was also a good friend of his and shared some of her memories as well. She said he always brought positivity everywhere he went and gave some of the best hugs around. Every time he would see her, Nick would snatch her up, lift her up over his head and swing her around. The energy he had was undeniable if you met him. One experience that Kim & Nick got to share was attending a Redskins Draft Day and RG3 was there. Kim and Nick just looked at each other as RG3 came out on stage and screamed in each others faces. Both being huge Redskins fans, their enthusiasm at the experience just couldn’t be contained. After that they went to a Ballyhoo! show and Nick was buying everyone drinks without expecting anything in return. Kim said, “He was one of the most giving people I have ever met in my life. He just wanted everyone around him to have a good time.”

Nick’s first experience at a 311 show outside the cruises just came this past summer. Colin and Nick planned it out and got to see the Bristow, VA and Atlanta shows, and Nick made the excitable pilgrimage out to Red Rocks. Colin and Nick had a conversation not long before he passed about the adventures they had been on. Nick was truly happy and grateful that they had made it on the second cruise, saying it had opened up a whole new world to him. Nick said he had the chance to do so many things he never thought he would have done or ever considered doing. Nick was also excited about heading to NOLA for 311 day, and Colin said if you are one of the lucky ones that are attending, take a look to section 106 about 20 rows deep and you’ll see that Nick will still be there rocking out with the rest of us. In Colin’s words, “Trust me, you won’t be able to miss him!”

Colin mentioned to me that he believed Nick had some sort of super power to gain hours in his day that the rest of us didn’t. Nick did so much for so many people that it seemed impossible to  be able to accomplish this in a regular 24 hour day and 7 day week. Yet somehow Nick managed to get it all done and be the exuberant, positive ray of light in so many people’s lives. He may not be in this universal realm anymore but I have no doubt that his energy is still burning bright on some other plane of existence. In the words of 311, “The continuous life, there is no end. Movin’ through life, movin’ through death.”

**As you know by now, Nick loved his family more than anything in the world and they are left with the loss of their father. He worked hard for them and they relied on him for everything. A collection has been created to try and help raise money to go directly to his children. If you have the means and would like to make a donation in Nick’s memory, please visit http://www.gofundme.com/4a2hkk. Every little bit helps! Thanks!**

Feel Free to add your own stories and memories of Nick in the comments!

311 isn’t just a band to us in the community of fans, it’s a way of life. We live, eat, sleep and breathe everything that this band means and the positive messages that they imbed in us. When you meet a fellow fan, you can tell that they too share your passion just by talking to them for a few brief minutes. After reading his answers to my questions, I can tell Broc DeStefano and I share the same connection that all of us do – That electrifying blood coursing through our bodies making us excitables!

Broc fell in love with 311 when his older cousin, whom he has always looked up to, made him a mix tape with the song “Homebrew” on it. He was only ten at the time, but knew that this song connected with him differently than other music. “I thought it was the coolest sounding music ever.” Then the blue album came out and he says he knew “that this was for ME” and he has been a loyal fan ever since.  Broc can credit his love to his cousin, who is also still a huge 311 fan still. When the cruise rolled around, his cousin was unable to attend due to his wife being ready to give birth to their son. So Broc, being the good family member he is, took the ultrasound photo of their son and had Nick sign it because they were naming the baby John Hexum in honor of him. What a lucky little boy!

At 33 shows and counting, Broc says that his favorite event so far is the first cruise. “Nothing can ever really top the first cruise…myself and five friends scraped every penny we could to make it happen. It was incredible.” Anyone who went on that cruise has to agree that there was something magical in the air as the ship set sail. “Picture this: You’re on the top deck of a cruise [ship], the sun is setting in Miami, the boat just starts moving away from shore and 311 takes the stage. miT starts playing the opening riff to “Down” – I’ve never experienced anything so electrifying in my life. I’ll never forget it!”

Broc was born and raised in the suburbs of New Jersey where he still currently resides. How does he fund his 311 addiction? By his day job as a baker! How cool of a job is that? He loves all movies by Tarantino and Scorsese, and he is really in to tattoos. As many 311 fans do, he expressed his love by putting some ink on him to represent. He currently has two 311 themed tattoos, one which is the album cover of Transistor with an alien in place of the meditating guy. How he came to get that tattoo has an interesting story attached to it. He was in a local tattoo shop with a friend who was getting inked that day. Broc walked past a room in the shop and saw a bass hanging up that had a 311 sticker on it. He started talking to the guy in the room and saw he had a huge 311 tat on his leg. They started chatting, sharing 311 stories, and as it turns out he is a really great tattoo artist! As Broc puts it, “It was fate! We chatted about some ideas and he was honored to put my 311 tattoo on me a few weeks later. This was about three years ago and this tattoo artist is someone who has become a very good friend.”

Anyone that has met the band knows how precious those moments you interact with them are. Broc was lucky enough to meet Tim backstage when they were touring with The Wailers. Tim has been Broc’s inspiration for playing guitar so as he says, “It was really great to have him talk to me and not be in a rush. He was the coolest most genuine person ever and we talked for a better part of fifteen minutes. They were the greatest fifteen minutes to date!”

Every song means something different to them personally and Broc, like many of us, know it’s hard to pick just one song that means the most to you or narrow down some of your favorite 311 lyrics. “So many songs have meant so much to me at so many different times. If pressed I would say that “Eons” has always resonated with me very deeply. The ending where Nick sings “not an even field”, that part is so beautiful.” Some of his current favorite lyrics come from the song “Plain” which are “Don’t you know the devil he’s in me, and God she is too, my Yin hates my Yang but the hell ya gonna do. I choose a rocky ass path but that’s how I like it, life’s a bowl of punch, go ahead and SPIKE it!”

Broc mostly listens to 311 but he also likes listening to heavy bands such as Chimaira, Deftones, In Flames, or Crazyfists. He also throws in some Dean Martin & Sinatra for balance. Something most people don’t know about him is that he only dances at 311 shows! “Most people who have never been to a 311 show with me think that I don’t dance, and in a way, I don’t. I refuse to dance at weddings, clubs, bars, or other concerts. It’s just not my thing and everyone knows it. But at a 311 show, I let out all the dancing that I’ve stored up! It might not be good dancing, it’s kinda like interpretive dancing to the lyrics but regardless it’s my dance and its intense!

I think it’s clear that Broc has the same passion that we all carry with us daily. That fuel that 311 provides to get us through our lives, spreading positivity as we go! Thanks Broc for sharing your personal passion for the band! We loved hearing it! I leave you all with his personal message to the 311 community:

“Throughout the years and all the shows and events, I have met some of the most wonderful people. 311 is not just a band, it’s like a religion and their followers preach positivity. I love all my brodels and slinkies! Thanks for being the awesome people on the planet.”

Thank you Broc!

One thing I truly love about the 311 fan community is how many people you can meet and not even realize you are friends with them on Facebook and Twitter. Over the summer I went to the Jones Beach show and met this guy while we were tailgating. I had to talk to him because he was wearing a Celtics jersey, and since I’m from Boston, I had to comment. It was only later on after the show that I realized we were friends on Facebook and that I followed him on Twitter! So without further ado, I introduce you to Dan Mayotte!

Dan was born in Lowell, MA and raised just across the border in the lovely state of New Hampshire. He grew up spending his summers wake boarding on Lake Winnipesaukee and winters skiing in the White Mountains. Dan was lucky enough to grow up in a family that was very close to each other. He has two brothers and a sister (who he says don’t always understand his passion for 311, but they appreciate and accept his individuality). While Dan may call New England home he has also lived in a variety of other places like Michigan, North Carolina, and Montreal. He recently moved back to New Hampshire after spending four years in Seattle working for an aeronautics company.

Dan began his love for 311 back in July 1995, when he became a “Blue Album Baby.” It was his summer before he started high school and he said it was all of his “favorite kinds of music perfectly coagulated into one.”  He then went back and found Music and Grassroots, and he says it has been “A symbiotic relationship ever since.”  Dan stopped counting the amount of shows he has been to somewhere around 21, because he said at that point the number didn’t matter to him anymore. It was more about the experiences. One of the many shows he has seen that he says holds a special place in his heart is the second indoor show on the first cruise. “It was the closest to a transcendental experience as I’ve ever had.”  Dan has been to all of the major events in the past four years, and he says each one just keeps getting better. The one that sits at the top is the most recent cruise. He says those four days carried so many different experiences because of all the people he had met previously, that it was like “a culmination of everything I’d experienced up to that point. The bar has been set pretty high.”

Being from New England, Dan is what he likes to call a “shameless Boston sports fan.”  He can usually be seen wearing a Celtics jersey (to which he’d like to shout out to Paul, his “hetero 311 life mate” who just happens to be a die-hard Lakers fan).  Dan has a ton of hobbies, such as reading, cooking, and boating. He also has a passion for crafting and says that, “One thing that truly sets me apart and folks who read this might recognize me for is my 311 clothing creations.” One of these unique creations can be seen in his picture above. Dan has learned how to make clothing where he uses electroluminescent wire to make elements of the outfit light up, strobe and illuminate with the music at shows! How cool is that? Dan says that no matter what the piece he is creating, “Each project takes my love for 311 and transfers it into something that I can wear and display out into the world.”

Every fan has a connection to 311 for one reason or another, and there is always that one song that really sparks a love within. For Dan, since he’s been listening to 311 for half of his existence like a lot of us, he said it is hard to choose one because 311 was basically the soundtrack for his teen and adult life. However, if forced to pick just one he says Strong All Along would be it, “Only because it had the most dramatic impact on my development as an individual and what shapes my own personal ethos.” His clothing creations represent things he learned from the song, such as “Let your body go, just don’t follow the letter. Do what you feel the more absurd the better.” Dan said some of the clothing items he has made are “pretty damn absurd”, but if you ask me they stand out and show his unique personality! Something fun to know about Dan – his brothers and friends call him Father McKoss because his first vanity plate said “FRMKOS” (From Chaos). He also hates mayo and chocolate. (Chocolate?? Really Dan? Alright I’ll let that one slide! He he.)

The band has clearly had an enormous impact on Dan and has shaped him into the person that he is today, and they still influence him every day. When I asked him what he would say to the band if he could say one sentence, Dan replied, “Is thank you a sentence?” He was of course joking and instead decided on this stellar sentence – “Your longevity is reaching rarified air, how long do you conceivably and realistically plan on continuing?” If any of the 311 guys happen to read this and care to share their answer, please do comment! 🙂

Not only has the band impacted Dan but the community of fans have as well. It is thanks to 311 that he has met “some of the most amazing and wonderful people and afforded me the ability to express my true character. It’s celebrating music and meeting those people that have given me the opportunity to blossom and project the core of my essence.” Dan would personally like to say thank you to the following people who have come into his life: “Paul, Sonya, Chris, Will, The Bakers, Bobby J., Cheryl, Greg C., Kristen and all the NY peeps, Tom F. and the Chi Crew, Mike & Jane, Greg & Lauren, John D., Kyle and the CO crazies, Big Keith, Jay & Jill, and all the other wonderful folks who have enriched my life in ways I may never be able to fully express.”

In tradition, I leave you with Dans personal message to the 311 community of fans:

“I find that lately a lot of people seem more concerned with being a ‘311 fan’ than being a fan of 311, especially on the internet. Don’t put the cart before the horse. Be passionate about the music and the rest will come to you. And that’s all I have to say about that.

Well said Dan! Hope everyone has enjoyed meeting Dan. I have to say, the vocabulary and way he weaved words in his answers were a joy for me to read! Thanks for participating Dan! 🙂

If there were one word I would use to describe Caitlin, it would have to be the word energetic. Cait has more energy than any other person I know! This may sound old school of me, but she has spunk! Always upbeat and bubbly, she is a ton of fun to be around and if you are with her, you know a good time will ensue!

Caitlin’s love for 311 began at an early age, when she would listen to DC 101 and 99.1 HFS (her local rock stations) with her father on the way to school. She first heard 311 in 1996 and remembers singing along to All Mixed Up and Down in the car. She loved 90’s rock music, and the band just stuck with her. She said she isn’t quite sure what drew her to the band, but they have remained important to her even through other phases of her life (Like her boy band phase -no judging people! Most of us girls had that phase!). In high school Cait met two guys named Rob and Mike who also loved 311, and from there they bonded to become concert buddies. Cait even found love because of it! Rob ended up becoming her boyfriend and they are still together! They have been seeing the band together every summer since 2003. (Cait sends a very special shout out to her love Rob!)

As most fans will agree, seeing the band live is an amazing experience, and Cait has been lucky enough to see them around 35 times. “I believe its 35 shows, but it feels like more. It’s all about the experiences. I just love going to new venues now!”  Cait will be one of the lucky ones in New Orleans next March for 311 Day and she can’t wait. As she put it, “THAT will be a show to remember.” Cait has been to two prior 311 Day events, the 2010 & 2012 shows in Vegas. She has also been on all three cruises. Combined, these events make up her favorite shows because they allowed her to meet people from all over the U.S. and even other countries. These events have also allowed her to meet the people she goes to shows with every summer and she has developed close relationships with some of them as well. She met Rebeca Fernandez (shout out to Bex!) because of the first cruise when they roomed together. Then through Bex she met none other than yours truly. These shows really do provide such a great way to meet new people and develop friendships. Cait would also like to say, “Shout out to all of my MD folks and east coast people! It is really great seeing them and most of the time sharing the rail with them.”

311 has not only brought Cait new friends, they also have allowed her to bond with her brother, who is seven years younger than her (Shout out to Colt!). Their love for 311 is something they’ve shared since they were younger. Cait loves that Colt’s first tattoo were the words “From chaos comes clarity,” which are also some of her favorite lyrics. They even have matching 311 tattoos! You have to admire that sibling bond!

The band has brought so much to Caitlin’s life, and she is truly grateful for that. She’d like to tell them all, “First off it would have to be a huge THANK YOU! For your music, being awesome, for the chance to meet great people and to travel the world, the ability to bond with my younger brother. Really for everything!” Cait said that people often joke with her asking if the band recognizes her yet. I’m sure all of us excitables have heard this from people we know before!

Caitlin was born, raised, and still resides in the great state of Maryland. Her parents are in the dental field, which has given Cait a wealth of information regarding dental health (I won’t repeat the horrifying information she recently conveyed to me about plaque). Cait worked in the dental office for awhile when she was younger and realized that the field wasn’t for her. However, it did make her realize that she loved IT, so she went to school on the Eastern Shore where she graduated with a degree in it. She currently works in the field and has been doing so for five years now. As she stated, “I do desktop support for a living which helps me fund my 311 habit!”

Some more fun stuff to know about Caitlin – she is known as the concert girl at work, because she goes to so many (not just 311)! She loves seeing live shows and some of her other favorite artists to see include Ballyhoo!, Dirty Heads, Exes of Evil, Ghostwolf, Pretty Lights (whom she says has a girlfriend that is a 311 fan) and Justin Timberlake. Cait says she really loves all types of music, and her list of artists she loves is too long to list here! Her first concert was Janet Jackson with Nsync opening, and she loves that it was her first live music experience (She even met Nsync in the 8th grade). Caitlin also is the proud mother to a fur baby named Kitty Whittles, whom she adores (As do I! Whittles and I are besties). Want to know Cait’s nickname at work? It’s Pot Pie, which may sound like a funny nickname but is appropriate since she does an excellent impression of Cartman from South Park. She even does a dance that they call the Pot Pie dance! Now you know what to ask Caitlin to do if you meet her or the next time you see her.

Caitlin has learned some valuable lessons from the lyrics of 311, as most of us have. She loves the line, “Take on the love and the good karma” because it reminds her to “embrace all the love from the people around you and to spread it to others. Also just to be nice and do things for others.” Cait is a firm believer in karma and that what goes around comes back around, so she tries to put forth nothing but positivity every day!

I said at the beginning that if one word could describe Cait, it would be energetic. In all truthfulness, one word really cannot describe her because she is so much more than that. She is a great friend, honest, caring, fun, happy, outgoing, and really just an all around wonderful person to have in your life. So if you are going to NOLA, be on the lookout for Caitlin! She is one person you definitely want to party with! 🙂

I leave you as always with parting words from our awesome spotlight participant. Cait would just like to say to everyone:

“First would be THANK YOU Chrissy for having me in your awesome blog. I feel honored because I’m writing this the same day 311 is having their last show for the Unity tour. (The first time I started to write this!).

Second – Much love to all the 311 fans out there.”

Thanks for introducing yourself to the world Cait! Much love 🙂

Ever meet somebody that you just fall in love with instantly? Not in a romantic way, but in an “oh my lord you are so sweet and adorable, how can anyone not love you” way? Well that is how I felt about Priscilla when I first met her! She radiates sweetness…I mean, just look at that face in the photo above! Alright, I’ll let you read all about her so you can fall in love with her too.

Priscilla lives in a suburb of Chicago and has lived in and around the area her entire life.  She mentioned that she has probably moved about 25 times in her entire life (which is a lot because she isn’t that old!) but has always stuck to that area. She went to school at Columbia College Chicago to study film making where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in the subject. Now she is a famous film maker…ok not really. Like many people who went to college, they aren’t doing anything remotely close to what their degree is in (myself included!!). Priscilla currently works for an import/export logistics company just outside of Chicago, which helps fund her 311 habits.

Priscilla first discovered 311 back in the 90’s because she was a self-proclaimed music video addict and she remembers seeing the videos for Down and All Mixed Up. “I want to say that I was a fan back in 1996 (I was 10!) but I was too young to start buying their albums and really start listening to their songs.” Flash forward to ten years later in 2006 when Priscilla started getting really into 90’s alternative music. Her boyfriend at the time made her a mix tape (remember mix tapes??) and the song 8:16 AM was on it. Priscilla said she just kept playing it over and over, mesmerized by Nicks voice. She then started buying all of 311’s albums and realized how they were all about positivity, unlike a lot of music she heard on the radio. From then on she was hooked!

Priscilla first saw the band live back in 2007 but didn’t fully realize the scope of the fan community until she attended 311 Day in Vegas in 2012. “I was waiting in the VIP line alone and thinking to myself, how does everyone know each other? I was really boggled by all of this because I wasn’t aware of the groups on Twitter and Facebook.” She then befriended an excitable by the name of Dan Economico (to which Priscilla would like to say #PIC shout out!). They started talking and he asked if she was on Twitter. They exchanged handles and she began to realize just how much fans connect outside of the shows. As she says, “I started following people left and right and soon became hooked in this world of 311 excitables on Twitter, and then Facebook. I can’t believe all the wonderful people I’ve met since then. I am forever grateful that [311’s] music has brought me to so many friends I know today, including my Georgia brodel!”

Of all the events Priscilla has attended (she is at 25 shows and counting) her favorite she says is the 2nd 311 cruise in 2012. She didn’t get to go on the first, so she was ecstatic that they did another one and she had the opportunity to attend. This was her first time meeting a bunch of other fans that she had connected with on social media sites and she said it was “surreal meeting them in person.” Describing the island show can only be done in her words that she wrote to me. “I will never forget that show on the island. I was in the crystal clear blue ocean with a bunch of other excitables, listening to my favorite band in the whole world, playing a special show for us in the middle of paradise. I remember looking all around me and thinking to myself, don’t forget this Priscilla!” It’s apparent that she hasn’t and truly never will! 🙂

There are other bands that Priscilla loves, such as The Doors, which were the first band she ever became truly obsessed with. She is also all about The Beatles and mentioned that she is one of the biggest fanatics you will ever meet. She told me that she knows the answer to just about every Beatles trivia question there is (to which I might have to challenge her at some point, seeing as that I too am a huge fan). Priscilla also loves bands like Nine Inch Nails (she believes Trent Reznor is a musical genius) and No Doubt. Priscilla stated “Gwen is my idol!” These are just a few in a long list of musicians that she loves. When I asked her to tell me something most people don’t know about her, she said that most people don’t know she is Mexican and Puerto Rican, but don’t go spouting of Spanish to her because she’ll tell you “I can’t speak Spanish if my life depended on it!”

One of the things that drew Priscilla to 311 (and most of us to them for that matter) is their positive messages. The song that means the most to her is one we all know and love, and where the bands most famous line came from. “Jupiter means the most to me because that song epitomizes everything that 311 stands for. Stay positive and love your life…this is a great song to listen to when you’re feeling down.” Priscilla knows just how much this band has brought to her and she wants to thank the band for that. “Thank you for bringing so many friends into my life through your music. If it weren’t for you guys, my life would be so much different than what it is today.” [Side note: I told Priscilla to give me one sentence she’d like to say to the band and she gave me two because as she stated, “I do what I want!” Who can argue with that?] Priscilla also mentioned how much she loves the lyrics, “But at twenty years of age, in frolic and in rage, I will see it through in time.” The reason? “It means a lot to me because I always try to remember that when my life is chaotic, I will survive through it and hopefully learn something out of it to take with me.” She’s a smart woman!

Priscilla is a prime example of how 311 fans take away more than just a great listening experience, they take away life lessons and uplifting messages. She also exemplifies just how many awesome people you can meet in this 311 community of fans. I’m lucky enough to have met her in person, and hopefully one day you all will too! I’ll tell you from personal experience, she is just as adorable and sweet in person as she is in the cyber world! I leave you with her personal message to all of you out there reading:

“I just want to say hello to all my excitable friends out there and lets not get caught up with some of the negativity posted in some of the Facebook groups. We’re all here in these groups because we enjoy their positive message through their music. Let’s keep the positive vibes going. If you ever see me at the shows or events, please stop me to say hello! :)”

Thanks Priscilla! Love ya girl! 🙂

When Laurie first contacted me, she asked me if family members counted as fans of 311. My response? OF COURSE! Family of any band are the original fans and are the cheerleaders that gave the members the drive needed to succeed. So it is with my utmost honor and pleasure that I was able to interview Laurie, sister of Mr. Doug SA Martinez!

Born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Laurie is the oldest of the four kids in the Martinez family. Her mother was a school teacher who became a stay at home mom once Doug was born, and her father worked for a trucking company by day, and played bass in a few bands by night. She credits her family with shaping her into the person she has become. As she says, “I couldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for my loving parents and family. They’ve loved us all unconditionally.”

Laurie is lucky to be surrounded by love at all levels. She is currently engaged and marrying the love of her life Kim next March. Her adoration of Kim is evident in everything she wrote. As she puts it, Kim “Makes my heart sing and flutter every day.” You know you all just said, “AWWWW” out loud, don’t deny it! Laurie is also the proud mama of three kids, Evan, Willow and Trey. Some of you might know Evan since he is 311’s band assistant, and also a member of the bands Exes of Evil and Ghostwolf. The three will soon turn to four when she marries Kim and welcomes Max into her family.

Laurie currently resides in Lincoln, Nebraska now where she is accompanist at a middle school, and she also teaches voice and piano at a music studio. She knew by the time she was in the 5th grade that she wanted to do something with music. She was in a group called the “Omaha Mini-Singers” in middle school, then performed in musicals and swing choir in high school. Laurie attended college at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she majored first in music, and then in musical theatre. There she joined the university show choir called Scarlet and Cream Singers.

Laurie teaches voice lessons and has being doing so for the past twenty four years, and has made her living by performing a variety of roles in the music world. Some of her resume includes acting and singing professionally, as well as directing with the Lincoln Community Playhouse, Nebraska Rep, Haymarket Theatre, YAAL, and OmniArts Nebraska. She has even done some commercials and radio jingles, training films, and voice overs. Then there is the group she is in with two other women called Broad Appeal, which you can check out at www.broadappeal.net. To say that Laurie is a busy woman is an understatement! However she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I am happy to say that I work in music day in and day our and wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Clearly, the attraction to music runs in the family. Laurie recalls not knowing exactly what to make of Doug first joining 311. At the time she was busy being a mom, performing herself, and giving voice lessons. She knew that Doug was in a band and really enjoying it, but he was also attending college at UNL. As his oldest sibling, she says she remembers him asking her for some advice. 311 had the opportunity to go to California and sign with a company, but Doug still had a year left of college and wasn’t sure what to do. Laurie told him that he should please the parents by finishing school and then move out to join the rest of the band once that was done. As Laurie puts it, “I can honestly say that it was probably the worst advice I’ve ever given anyone!” As you all know, he didn’t listen and the rest is history!

It’s known that many of us fans keep count of how many shows we’ve seen but Laurie can’t really say how many she has actually seen total. She can vividly recall being at one of their earlier shows though because she was very pregnant with twins. It was back in 1993 and 311 was playing a few shows in Lincoln. She said even though the show was small, she remembers it being great and that her mom was “standing on a table dancing to their music. I’m glad one of us was able to do that!”  Laurie says that all of the shows and events she has attended have been her favorite in one way or another. She goes to at least one show a year, but has been trying to make it two and turning the other one into a vacation that “takes [her] someplace other than the flatlands.”  One show in particular that stands out in her mind was back in 2001. She went out to visit her brother in L.A. and went as guests to the KROC Weenie Roast. This was the famous show where Shaq was flown in by helicopter to perform with the band. Laurie said “I think I was just amazed with the whole theatrics…I was hanging out in the stands with the fans and I think that was the first time it hit me that these people were crazy for 311.”

Well, now that she knew the fans were nuts for 311, you have to wonder if she’s ever had any crazy fan interactions herself being SA’s sister. Laurie told me that there haven’t really been crazy interactions as just honest, nice ones with sweet fans. She first remembers being approached in San Diego in 2007. It was her son Evan’s 21st birthday and the English Beat (of which she is a fan) were opening for 311. A woman approached her asking who she knew in the group because of the pass she was wearing. When Laurie told her, the woman told her it was her 50th show and they struck up a wonderful conversation. After they finished the woman hugger her and walked away. Laurie says this was “probably one of the sweetest encounters.” She credits Facebook for letting her be friends with a lot of the 311 Familia and she loves meeting them at shows. Laurie gives this message to all the 311 fans: “I’m just a normal person who likes 311 as much as you. Come say hi and tell me why you love the band. The best stories I get are the ones where a song changed the life of someone for the better.”

You already know that music is a huge part of Laurie’s life, so it’s only natural she has a ton of bands and artists that she loves besides 311! Some of them include Manhattan Transfer, Rage Against the Machine, Willie Nelson, Dwight Yoakam, Beastie Boys, and New York Voices (she listed more and said the list could’ve gone on a lot longer!). She loves anything from the 70’s, then says to “throw in jazz and reggae and salsa and I can guarantee you a mighty fine time.” She also thinks that we should have a national dance anthem and that it should be Brick House because “that song will make all your parts move!” One of Laurie’s favorite 311 songs is Nix Hex because there is a spanish phrase in the song that SA sings that their father used to say to them when they were young. It was part of a nursery rhyme and when they were toddlers their dad would have them stand on his lap as he pushed them back and forward reciting the phrase. Every time Laurie hears it, she smiles and reminisces about their childhood.

Some other fun things to know about Laurie: as if she wasn’t busy enough, she is starting a new group with three men and three women doing a cappella and piano. She loves to read, trying new wines, and is a huge fan of the DVR! Some of the shows on hers are all of the Law and Orders, American Horror Story, True Blood, CSI, and Cold Case. She also thoroughly enjoys the HGTV channel and declares that “Someday I will have that second home on an island.” Back in 2000 Laurie entered a song into an a cappella contest in Denver and she won best song! It’s called Refrigerator Blues and can be found on the Baby Needs Shoes CD (of which she believes she has the only copy!). Also, the closeness of the band members of 311 also stems to their families. Pnut’s dad will be the one to marry Laurie and Kim next year, and Laurie is giving Pnut’s niece voice and piano lessons. As she puts it, “Talk about coming full circle.”

One last funny story that Laurie mentioned in her response to me. One summer way back in the day she said SA was going to audition for the swing choir, so he asked her and their sister Monica for some help with what he needed to know. They showed him a step touch dance move, going side to side, and he had a little trouble doing it. So, being siblings, they were laughing and teasing as siblings normally do. As Laurie puts it, “Well, we made fun of him that day and of course, we all know that he got in the last laugh.”

So there you go – you have officially been introduced (or learned a little more!) about the fabulous Laurie Martinez. I have never met her in person (YET!) but I can’t wait for the day that I can be one of those fans that walks up to her and hugs her, just as that woman who had been to 50+ shows did years ago. How Laurie has time to sleep is beyond me with all that she accomplishes in her daily life. One thing she will always have time for though, is the 311 family and for that we are truly grateful! Thank you Laurie for sharing your story with us! Here is her final message to all of the 311 fans worldwide:

“My brother has said that they have some of the best fans and I agree. Keep on rocking and keep it real. Always. Peace.”

I have only two words for all of you readers: Speak Easy. If who I’m writing about this week isn’t the first person who comes to mind, well then you’ve probably never met him or just aren’t on Twitter. I’m talking about the one, the only Billy Madden a.k.a. 311Phillies!

Can anyone guess where Billy might be from? Ding ding ding! Philadelphia it is. He actually grew up in a town called Montgomeryville, PA which is about a half hour north of the city. Having been a PA resident his whole life, it’s no surprise that he is a huge fan of all Philadelphia sports teams. He also LOVES soccer and still continues to play. Billy even had full scholarships to play at a number of division 3 schools, but chose to go to college at Penn State instead. Why you might ask? It’s quite simple! “[I] decided I wanted to party and have the time of my life at Penn State instead.” Billy mentions that some of the best years of his life he spent at school, having fun with his fraternity brothers, many of which he is still quite close to.

As much fun as Billy had in college, he claims he never thought he’d like being an adult more. He can thank his beautiful wife for making him think that! He met her at a party that a mutual friend was throwing and they met on the staircase of the home. “She was coming down the staircase as I was going up, and since it was too narrow for two people to pass, I walked all the way back down so that she could come down.” Who said chivalry was dead? Later on at the party his future wife Liz approached him saying how sweet it was that he had let her come down the stairs. They talked for hours and had their first kiss. He called her the next day (which as a woman, we know is next to unheard of!). They’ve been together ever since! They were married October 20th, 2012 and are expecting their first child on October 1st! Billy says he can’t wait to be a dad and says, “I have never been more existed for anything in my entire life, (yes, even 311 shows!)”

So when did Billy fall in love with 311? It was back when the blue album was released and the “Down” video was being played on MTV (anyone else besides Billy & I remember videos actually being played on that channel?). He said he was playing pool with a friend, just about to make a shot when the song came on. Billy instantly said, “This song is awesome, who is this?” He then flubbed the shot but didn’t care because he was too busy rocking out to this new band. A few days later he went to buy the album, found out there were two prior releases, and so he bought all three. As he puts it, “It’s been love ever since. The way 311 can rap along with heavy beats and switch it up so melodically to slow reggae with beautiful singing is something no band will ever compare to.”

As far as how many shows he’s seen, well he may have lost count a little after he hit 40.  He thinks it must be somewhere around 60 at this point. Billy hasn’t missed a Philadelphia 311 show since 1996, which is impressive! He mentions 311 day in 2008 down in New Orleans as one of his favorites, saying how great it was because the fans literally took over the city. Even though that was an amazing experience, he says nothing will ever compare to being on the 311 cruises. “I’m lucky enough to have been on the 2nd and 3rd cruise, and my favorite show of all time was the beach show at Half Moon Cay on the 2nd.  Just floating in the ocean, listening to Speak Easy, (and all their reggae songs), on a beautiful island with crystal clear water surrounded by my friends is something I’ll never forget.”

So needless to say, “Speak Easy” is Billy’s favorite song! As he mentioned to me, he truly believes that the song is perfect. “From the very first note, to the drums kicking in, to SA giving what I think might be his best singing performance, to the tropical sound it gets when Nick joins in, to the way Nick and SA harmonize on the refrain, it’s just a perfect song.  The message behind it holds very true.” If there is one thing that Billy could say to the band (which I’m sure he has said on numerous occasions!) it’s thank you. “Thank You for helping me become the person I am today, through your positive lyrics and amazing music, and for helping me connect with so many life-long friends throughout the years.  I’d be a completely different person without your music.”

A few fun facts about Billy: first off, he is a Christmas baby! He also has run the Philadelphia half marathon and another ten mile run on 2 different occasions. Something he told me about his wife and him that I found truly amazing: In the 6 years that they have been together, he has only not opened the car door for her four times!! It’s become sort of a cute game, keeping track of when he misses. As he says, “It’s just such a simple gesture and it’s never going to change.” How sweet is that?

So that’s Billy for you. One of the sweetest (and most chivalrous apparently!) people that I’ve met in the 311 community. He knows how to keep a positive attitude and believes that, “If there’s a shadow in your life, then there’s sunshine” – one of his favorite quotes from “Speak Easy.”  If you haven’t met Billy, make sure you head on up to a Philly show someday and say hello! Or you can just look for him on Twitter, since as he stated to me, he might have a mild obsession with it 😉

I leave you with these parting words of his to all of 311 nation:

“What makes 311 so special to us all, is not just the music, but the way it has brought so many like-minded individuals together though our connection with the band and their message.  A lot of us, I feel like, have been teased by our group of friends at one point or another for being SO into this band, but I think it’s done out of slight jealousy for not having a band they can connect with in the same way we do. Through social media, (and other avenues), we’ve been introduced to one another, and can share our passion with other people who feel exactly the same way.  It’s a beautiful thing.  It makes going to the big 311 events more than just about the show, but about seeing all the good friends you’ve met and just having the time of your life with them.  People have stopped me before and said “Hey, you’re Billy Madden, (or 311Phillies), aren’t you?  You were my first follower on Twitter.  Thanks so much for everything you do and it’s very nice to meet you.”  I’m in awe when that happens and so very humbled.  You won’t find the outgoing and caring nature in people like that from anywhere else.  It’s something that few people can truly understand, but I’m proud to be a part of the Excitable Crew, and call you all my family.”

Thanks for letting us into your life Billy! 🙂

Meet our newest fan spotlight of the week – Rebeca Fernandez! 

Rebeca is a woman that goes by many names…Rebeca, Beca, Bex or Bexxhex as some of you     Twitter users may know her by. But one thing is for sure, she is a huge 311 fan that loves seeing live music! Not just 311, but many other bands as well. Very rarely does a week go by that she doesn’t try to squeeze some sort of show in. Beca has seen 311 a total of 41 times in 10 different states (plus an island!), and she plans on extending that number during this summers unity tour! Along with 311, she loves seeing other bands such as Slightly Stoopid, SA’s side project Ghostwolf, and of course Ballyhoo! As she puts it, “ Lotsa love for my Maryland boys!”

Rebeca has been a fan of 311 as long as she can remember and says that, “Their music just always made me feel good when it came on the radio.” She was even part of a street team back when From Chaos was released, going around Baltimore putting up posters to support the band. Gone are those days, but she has extended her promotion to the land of the Internet, with the help of social media! She admits, “Social media kicked my obsession into high gear as I communicated and connected with fans around the globe and also with band members.” I think we can all really relate to that!

When Bex isn’t attending live shows, she works as a proofreader for a financial firm and says that she, “Can provide you with a boatload of knowledge about 401K’s if you’re interested!” Hey, we’re all getting older, so I know who I’ll turn to for advice on the subject! 🙂

Some interesting things you might not know: Beca was born in Valladolid, Spain! Although she moved to Maryland at a young age and has lived there the majority of her life. While some of us who were born in the U.S. were learning Spanish thanks to Sesame Street (like me!), Bex attributes the show to teaching her English! That is very cool in my eyes. Some other things Beca enjoys doing in her spare time are collecting Pez dispensers, which she’s done for years, as well as crocheting which her mother just taught her recently. One of her other amazing talents is her painting. I can personally attest to the the skill she has with a brush and oil paints! As she tells me often, I’m her biggest art collector and fan 😉

One of Rebeca’s favorite songs is “Omaha Stylee”. She can’t really put her finger on exactly why, she says she just feels a connection to it. While that may be one of her favorites, she is truly thankful for all of their music. “I’d really just like to thank 311 for the amazing music, uplifting lyrics, good times, great friends, and tell them that I love them. I’ve actually been lucky enough to tell them that in person multiple times!” Beca also knows that the line most fans use as their personal motto, “Stay positive & love your life”   was a life changer for her. She attributes it to helping her turn things around and make the necessary changes that she needed to be a happier person. “There really is a 311 song to fit just about any situation, or a line to uplift you in any situation hidden within the 311 discography!”

Beca told me the other day to add some stuff if I wanted, since we really know each other quite well at this point. I have to say, that she is a strong, phenomenal woman that I’ve had the privilege of getting to know better. We share a love for so many things besides 311, that we’ve affectionately started calling each other our twin! And I have to truly thank her for keeping me entertained during the work day, as well as introducing me to the heavenly taste of Du Claw Brewery’s Sweet Baby Jesus!!

So if you haven’t met Rebeca, I suggest you try to at some point! She is a fun, feisty, and knows how to make a delectable cupcake or cookie! 😉 I leave you with her personal message to the fans of the greatest band around:

“The people I’ve met are half of what has made this experience so amazing for me. Reuniting with everyone at the big events is something I truly look forward to. I’m so thankful to know you and share these amazing times rocking out next to you! The passion of the excitable crew is like none other!”

Well put Bex! Love you twin! 🙂

Fans of 311 reside in all areas of the world and we all connect through their music. We’ve also formed a community that interacts not only at summer shows and special events, but through Facebook and Twitter as well. Every one of us is unique and special, and we contribute different elements to the 311 family. Wouldn’t you like to get to know these members better? That’s what I intend to help you do! I’ll be doing spotlights on various fans in 311 nation, so keep checking back to learn about them! 🙂

Meet Carlitos!

Carlitos Chávez is one 311 fan that puts in a lot of miles to see the band!  Carlitos was born in Mexico City, the capital and largest city in the country of Mexico. Later on in life he moved to Cancún where he still currently resides. So in order to see his favorite band, he has to make some pretty extensive travel arrangements but he knows the payoff is worth it. Carlitos started listening to 311 back in 2001 after a friend lent him some of their CD’s including Soundsystem and From Chaos. He was instantly hooked. “I loved the ryhthms and the lyrics”, stated Carlitos. He also loved that the band wasn’t really mainstream in Mexico although they did have a following there. It was like he was let in on an amazing musical secret.

Despite living in Cancún, Carlitos has seen 311 a total of 12 times, including the bands only Mexico concert back in December 2011 and the 2012 311 Day celebration in Las Vegas, which Carlitos says was his favorite show so far. “It was my first one and having a marathon of 311 songs over the span of two days, along with getting to hang out with a bunch of friends I’ve met through all these years…it’s just awesome!” His favorite song is “Get Down” because when he listens to it, he just gets the feeling the band wrote it with him in mind. I think we all can relate to that feeling!

Carlitos is a lover of music in general and also enjoys listening to bands such as Incubus, Ballyhoo!, and NOFX. He is always on the lookout for new bands and music to spark his interest. While Carlitos was born and raised in Mexico, he has also spent time in South New Jersey and Philadelphia, PA. Carlitos funds his 311 habit by practicing law – he is currently an attorney working for a bank. Something that Carlitos thinks most of his 311 family doesn’t know about him? That he not only is an avid lover of football but that he used to play! Carlitos played football for eight years and only gave it up to pursue his professional career of practicing law. His favorite team? The Philadelphia Eagles!

Carlitos can’t express enough gratitude for what this band and the fan community have brought to his life. “I’d like to tell them thank you, for all of their effort and work. Personally it has helped me a lot to get through some phases of my life and also it has filled it with such positivity and good vibes. They have been a major contributor to shape me into the person I am today.”

Carlitos and I have become great friends thanks to 311 and I can truly say he is a ray of sunshine in my life! Every time he messages me he puts a smile on my face by saying just positive things! If you haven’t met Carlitos in person, I truly hope one day you do. He is an amazing individual and one of the nicest people I’ve had the chance to meet!

We’ll wrap this up with a personal message from Carlitos to all the 311 family:

“Love your life. Love your loved ones and always tell them how much they mean to you. Love your work and never complain about your problems because there are people out there in the world in worse situations that would do whatever to have your problems. Also I’d love to invite them to come visit Mexico, it is not as they show it on the TV, come to Cancun, although 311 don’t tour here often but it is a nice, safe a fun place to visit, besides I live here 🙂 TRAVEL is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

Anyone down for a Cancún trip with me? Thanks for sharing your thoughts Carlitos! 🙂