Happy 2015 my excitable friends! I hope everyone has kicked this new years off with a bang and are taking it by storm! Are we all ready for the first edition of the spotlight this year? I hope so because here she is – Meet Vanessa Sena!

Vanessa gives partial credit of her 311 discovery to MTV. During an episode of Alternative Nation, they played the video for “Down.” That was her first exposure but it was later on during a car ride that she heard the Blue album in full and was completely drawn to them. “The vocal pairing between Nick and SA was unlike anything else but it was the rhythms that drew me in. From there I transitioned to 311 chat rooms, joined the message board (in 97-ish before it blew up), the mailing list and bought any album of theirs I could find.”

10 live shows are in Vanessa’s repertoire so far and she has a great outlook on the ones she’s been to. “It’s not 20 or even 100, but it’s more than never and that’s good enough for me.”  Of the 10, she’s been to 311 Day 2012 and 2014. However her favorite so far was the Pensacola show in 2007. “It had been 7 years since I had seen them and given recent changes I had experienced then it was instant water works as soon as the lights dimmed out. I felt such immense joy that night, I’ll never forget it.”

The prize for song that means the most to her goes to “I’ll Be Here Awhile.”  “It reminds me to remain strong and that there isn’t a thing I can’t overcome.”  Some of her favorite lyrics come from the song as well – “But I’ll see it through in time.”  Other favorite lines from other songs include “Like having phone sex with a deaf girl” (She says it always cracks her up) and then these words from the song “Simple True” – “I’ve got a working title somewhere and I know one day I’ll get there, I’m grasping here.”  These lyrics really resonate with her right now because while she isn’t where most people the age of 31 are, she says she’s still here and fighting her way through all life’s rings of fire.

It was back in 1983 that Vanessa entered the world, the daughter of two wonderful parents who are sadly both gone from her life at this point. Her parents met while her father was in the Air Force. It took some time in Thailand and some distance in between, but they finally made it to the U.S. where they married. Vanessa has two older sisters and spent most of her time growing up in Northwest Florida (Fort Walton Beach). When her dad retired from the Air Force, he took a job with a company that eventually relocated him overseas. When Vanessa was in third grade, she, her mom and middle sister hopped a plane to join him there, while her oldest sister stayed behind to finish high school.

For the next three years Vanessa lived in Saudi Arabia. She says that’s an interesting fact that most people don’t know about her and that it isn’t what people think. “The majority of people I came across were very kind and welcoming. I did wear an abaya to cover my clothes but never anything covering my hair or face. I missed having pork and some other American fare but with authentic shawarmas and Kinder eggs at my reach I forgot all about it. It was a very humbling experience and would happily relive that piece of my childhood again if I could.”

Unfortunately in 1995 Vanessa lost her mother due to health complications. At the young age of 12, she travelled back to the U.S. to live with her sisters in a home her parents built in Niceville, Florida, and she says yes it is a real place! She went through a tough time dealing with the loss of her mother and handling the normal teenage growing pains. “I wasn’t used to cliques, wore glasses and until then my mom dictated my wardrobe. As a result, I saw no better thing than being gone because I felt it was my fault somehow that all this bad had come about. It wasn’t until years later that I would come to terms with it all but even now I’m hard on myself sometimes.”

Vanessa didn’t immediately enter college after graduating high school, choosing to work and experience life a bit more before heading there. It was in 2007 that she began working on her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Administration. She now really wants to end up counseling young kids and while her education has been put on hold momentarily, she does hope to finish that chapter in her life eventually. She is just getting ready to relocate to Washington state, so she can add that location to her list of cool places she’s lived! As for funding her 311 habit, she works just like most of us do. She said once she’s relocated, she knows she’ll find something to help her start saving for 311 Day 2016.

Most people don’t realize that Vanessa is actually half Thai. As for her guilty pleasure it’s pretty simple – “I love food. Eating it, cooking it, and admiring it in books and TV shows.  For instance, just after Thanksgiving I had the most amazing strawberry preserves at a local Phoenix eatery called Matt’s Big Breakfast. I shamelessly scraped the tiny round dish with the remainder of my home fries so I could eat the rest. It was that amazeballs.”

Vanessa also has an eclectic taste in music, which she credits to the influences of her father, mother, and sisters. Her dad was a Led Zeppelin fan, mom had an infatuation with Julio Iglesias, and her sisters listened to a variety of Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop. Her playlist on her iTunes goes something like this (besides 311 obviously): Deftones, The Airborne Toxic Event, Andrew McMahon and the Wilderness, Incubus, Slipknot, Adele, Maroon 5, Tool, Foo Fighters, The Sounds, Coheed & Cambria, Taylor Swift, Minus the Bear, Justin Timberlake, Matt Kearney, Big Band Jazz, some Rap, straight up 80’s tunes and Rock Oldies.

311 came into Vanessa’s life at a time she needed some guidance the most, right after she lost her mother. So here is her personal message to them:

“Music and poetry became my escape and in my quest for something to drown out my sorrows, this band unexpectedly entered my life.  I would tell them thank you. Thank you so damn much for creating music together. You’ve opened my life to experiences I otherwise may not have had and I’ve met some amazing people in the process (including someone I’ve unexpectedly become fond of). If not for the countless albums and attendance at shows I don’t think I would’ve seen things through. In addition to everything else that keeps me held together, you five have aided me in seeing the positive in things and what I have to fight for. I love you all.”

Finally her message to the great people of the 311 community:

“No matter what our focuses, beliefs and opinions are in life those of you reading this very blog were brought together by this band and the brother/sisterhood most of us consider family. When I first became immersed in 311 groups I didn’t expect it to have an effect of this magnitude. Within months I found myself part of the Familia Secret Santa Gift Exchange then meeting some of your wonderful faces in New Orleans.It was while I didn’t bother to search for something that I was rewarded and I am forever grateful. I have found far more than just other 311 fans but genuinely kind people; friends. Thank you to everyone who has welcomed me with an open mind and an open heart. Remember to love yourself, respect others, live life to the fullest and for Pete’s sake don’t sweat the small stuff. Cheers and Happy New Year!!”

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Well said Vanessa! Thanks my friends in the 311 nation for reading and learning more about this awesome slinky sister! Happy New Year to all and may 2015 be full of positivity and prosperity.

Much love – The Runt

Hello again 311 community! I hope you all had great holidays, no matter which one you celebrated. It’s the last Monday of 2014 and that can only mean one thing…the last 311 fan spotlight of the year! It’s time to meet Greg “G-Dogg” Keiling!

Let us travel back to a time when record stores still existed. One particular store, which I’m sure some of us remember well, was Tower Records. It was in that store that Greg was exposed to 311 for the first time. “I was working in the loss prevention department in ’95 when I heard ‘Homebrew.’ Been hooked ever since.”

Almost twenty years later and Greg still loves them just as much as on day one. He’s seen the band live 22 times since then. Out of the 22, he says this past 311 Day in New Orleans was his favorite so far. “Made lots of new friends and saw the most epic 311 show ever.”

The song “Golden Sunlight” has special meaning to Greg since it reminds him of his friend Deora who sadly lost her life back in 2001. She was on United Flight 93 on September 11th – the flight that crashed in Pennsylvania. “Deora too loved 311. I actually saw them perform 2 days before here in San Diego at Street Scene. At the time, Deora was visiting our friend Aly in Jersey, then boarded flight 93 on September 11 bound for San Francisco. She was returning to school. Anyhow, I get happy tears when I hear ‘Golden Sunlight’.” Since it’s his favorite song, it’s no surprise that one of his favorite lines comes from it. “There’s a door open to walk through, all I want it, just beyond.”

Greg was born near College Park, Maryland, and lived there and then Ohio before he settled down in Northern Virginia back in 1976. In ’95 he relocated to Phoenix, Arizona. Then in ’97 he made his way to San Diego and has been there ever since. He funds his 311 habit working as a case manager for kids with developmental disabilities and loves what he does! Greg also has full arm sleeves which he says makes him stand out, especially at work. “I have full tattoo sleeves with lots of colors and a variety of stuff!”  While his tattoos may be large and clearly visible, his fear is a bit smaller on the size scale. “I am absolutely terrified of ants.”

Guilty pleasure for Greg is a vice I know many 311 fans love – Jagermeister! His first musical love came at the age of four when he first heard KISS. “I am primarily a metalhead at heart i.e. Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Pantera, In Flames, and local San Diego metal.” Greg also has a really great sense of giving and arranges benefit concerts in his local area (he’s even done some in Arizona).  “I have done 14 Flight 93 benefit shows and have raised close to $11,000 towards completion of the Flight 93 National Memorial. I’ve also facilitated other shows for breast cancer (my mom is at stage 4 and currently kicking it’s ass).” Greg has also orchestrated shows to raise money for child abuse victims services, tornado victims, and for the Dimebag Darrell Foundation.

Greg’s message to the members of 311 is a simple one – “Thanks for making me smile when I need it.”

To the members of the 311 fan community – “Thank you for being so amazing. When I hang out, rock out and party with you guys, I see Deora living in all of you, which lets me still have her. And for that, I am forever grateful!”

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Well my friends, that officially wraps up the spotlights for the year 2014. I hope you enjoyed reading about Greg and getting to know yet another fellow fan! I’d just like to take a moment to thank each and every person who reads these spotlights. You are all amazing people, and I know that because we all love a stellar band that guides us down a path of positivity each and every day! So thank you again…and as long as you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. Happy New Year all!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome back friends! Happy Christmas week! As we round down the awesomeness of 2014, lets take the time to meet a new 311 fan! This week we feature Mr. Jeff Seipel!

1995 was the year Jeff was introduced to 311 when a coworker tried to have him listen to the blue album. At the time though, it wasn’t the style of music that Jeff was in to. About a year later, a friend told Jeff he had to check out a certain drummer and “his amazingly unique snare sound.”  His friend played the song “Random,” and from there Jeff was hooked.

At 67 shows and counting, Jeff says he keeps track for two reasons. One, he loves music and going to concerts, and never could have imagined seeing one band this much. “There are some people who won’t attend that many concerts in their life, so I feel blessed to be able to do it. The last 4 years have been a pretty crazy string of travel and shows.”  His second reason – he has a goal to eventually hear every song 311 had ever recorded live. “I believe it will happen one day. They’re the kind of band that doesn’t record filler on an album. Everything is a viable live song, and they’re not afraid to try it at some point. Hearing “Dreamland” and “Will the World” at 311 Day this year blew my mind. It just goes to show you that anything is possible with them.” Jeff is under 10 songs now that he has never heard live. When I asked him which of the 67 shows is his favorite, he said it was way too hard to choose. “That’s like asking a parent to pick their favorite kid. I can’t do it.”

Jeff isn’t a lyrics guy. Being a drummer, he focuses more on the music than the lyrics in the songs. There are songs that he knows all the words to due to repetition. But to pick one that has resonated with him, it’s not solely based on the words. “I think it would be “Time is Precious.” The live debut of that song at 311 Day 2012 came one month to the day after I lost my mom to cancer. I don’t know that the meaning of it applies to losing someone you love and I’ve never taken the time to actually read the lyrics, but that’s what I take from it.” And while not into learning the lyrics like most, Jeff says one line that stands out to him is from the song “Brodels,” simply because he thinks it’s hilarious and would never expect to hear it in a song. “I can’t hear you, like havin’ phone sex with a deaf girl.”

Columbus, Ohio is where Jeff was raised by his parents, and his father was a huge musical influence on him. “His record collection reached upwards of 4,000 at one point and his CD collection today easily tops 2,000 now.” Jeff likes to tell people he grew up on the “good stuff” – Beatles, Zeppelin, Zappa, The Doors, etc. “My parents were kinda sorta hippies. Not fully living the lifestyle, but definitely the musical and recreational aspects of it.”  He was taught not to just take what music is on the radio as what he had to listen to and he looked beyond it to find different bands. At age 5 he had a guitar in his hands, but it never really stuck with him. It was Jeff’s sophomore year that he discovered the drums. “I switched to drums when the guys I was jamming with realized I was a better drummer than any of the guys we were “auditioning” for our half-assed attempt to play the talent show.” Then in his senior year he ended up with a new group of guys and they had a 6 year run in a band. While they didn’t make much noise outside of Columbus, Jeff says they, “Progressed immensely during this time and I’m really proud of the music we created.”

In 2001, Jeff moved to Southern California with his previous girlfriend. He struggled out there during the first year, but eventually landed a job at a start-up ecommerce company in Aliso Viejo. “I never could’ve imagined staying with a company this long, but it’s been 12 plus years now. I’m very blessed to have the job I do.”  It’s this job that enables Jeff to travel as much as he does to all the shows. He not only has five weeks of vacation, but he can pretty much work remotely from any location and he has.  “Airplanes, airports, ski lifts, concerts, hospitals, you name it. If I have internet connection, I can be online and working.”

About 16 years ago, Jeff became involved in hobby collecting the lapel pins that are sold in the merchandise shops at the Hard Rock Cafe locations. It turned into him traveling worldwide visiting locations and accumulating a collection of close to 6,000 unique pins. He’s been to about 80 different locations around the globe. He even met his previous girlfriend through collecting. Jeff says the community of collectors is somewhat similar to the community of 311 fans, but much more spread out around the world. Jeff says the pin collecting is really the foundation of his efforts and why he’s able to do what he does for the groups regarding merchandise. “I already have a system for handling stuff in volume like this, it’s just changed from pins to t-shirts and posters.”

When Jeff was a kid he was a huge LEGO fan, and he still is now and then posts photos of sets he buys now and then builds. “I used to build all kinds of weird stuff, including life-sized guitars that I would string with kite string to make them look more realistic.” He was also really into video games as well. His parents bought an Atari 2600 not long after it debuted, so he’s been gaming most of his life. His guilty pleasure though he says is snowboarding. As a kid he was really into skateboarding but never transitioned into snowboarding because of his location in Ohio. It wasn’t until he moved to California that he had the opportunity with mountains nearby. “I had a coworker who went up to Mammoth all the time, but despite my best, subtle (or not so subtle) hints that I wanted to go, he never invited me up. Thankfully Gloria was a boarder and soon after we started dating, she took me up to the local mountains for my birthday. All it took was one trip and I was hooked.”

Apart from 311, Dream Theater is Jeff’s other long time favorite band. “I’ve been a fan of them since the fall of 1992 when “Images & Words” hit. Amazing musicians.” His other musical loves fall all over the map and include bands like The Urge, The Cure, Dirty Heads, Meshuggah, Faith No More, Breaking Benjamin, and Steve Vai, just to name a few. As Jeff says, “I could do this all day.”

Jeff has been lucky to meet 311 and say these simple words to them. “Thank you.”  He said it may sound cheesy and simple, but it’s all he can really say. “Their music has been a part of my life for almost 19 years now, and I have some incredible memories, people and experiences in my life because of it. I was an aspiring musician at one time and looking at the way they’ve done things over the years, the fan base they’ve built, the lengths they go to to give their fans an amazing live experience, etc. its the model I would love to follow to build a successful music career.”

Now to all the fans out there in the 311 community, Jeff’s words are this:

“I think it would definitely to not be afraid to ask for something you want, need or think of. Just go for it. The worst someone can say is no, right? So just ask. You never know, the answer just might be yes, or open an unexpected door. You never know whats on the other side…”

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There you have Jeff’s story my friends! I trust it entertained you and truly thank you all for reading these week to week. If you celebrate it, Merry Christmas to you. I’m sending every one in this awesome community much love & positive vibes this holiday season.

Much love! – The Runt

Another week and another fan spotlight is upon us my excitable friends! I hope you all have your shopping done and can take the time to read this awesome new spotlight! It’s time to meet Mr. Dan Voehse!

Dan’s introduction to 311 came when many fans did – right as the Blue album came out and “Down” was getting a ton of airplay on the radio stations. “The video was getting played on MTV, back when you know, they still played videos, so it was kinda tough not to get into that song. I really liked ‘All Mixed Up’ when I first heard it.  It had, for me at the time, a really different sound to it, plus something about the funk/jazz aspects really got me.”  It was a few years later that Dan really ended up hooked on the band. He met some “super fans” through a girl he was dating and it was with them that he went to his first show back in 2000. Driving to the show they put on the “Music” album, and it sucked him in to the awesomeness of 311.  “Every song just got better and better and that was for sure the album that mad me say ok, it’s time to seriously go back and listen to this shit!” While his first show was a short radio station one, it got him listening to “Music” and watching ETSD 1. He also was getting first hand accounts from his friends of the 2000 311 Day, and in Dan’s words, “It just validated that I was missing out on something that I didn’t want to miss out on any longer.”

Recently Dan did a count of how many shows he’s attended. “I’ve been to 41 shows, including every 311 Day since ’02, all the cruises, and Pow Wow.”  The best show of those 41? “Cruise 1 sail away show, hands down. I have special memories and feelings from every event/show, but that one was the best. The whole cruise in general was amazing. Best trip ever. Through that trip I met so many amazing people a lot of whom have become really good friends.  At the time, we didn’t know if there was ever going to be another cruise so it felt like a once in lifetime trip for me anyway. That coupled with the fact that I’d never been on a cruise before and standing on the deck of that ship, leaving the port, feeling that pre-show buzz go through the crowd, getting ready to watch my favorite band?!? It was surreal.  Plus, when they opened with ‘Down’ everybody knew we were in for one hell of show!”

There are many songs that have a special meaning to Dan, but “Strong All Along” has been a stand out one to him. “It can always bring me out of a funk if I’m ever in one, plus it’s just an awesome track to jam driving around when the weather’s mild!”  Some of his favorite lyrics from the band come from the song as well. “Let your body go, just don’t follow the letter. Do what you feel, the more absurd the better.”  He also loves, “Can’t get enough, this is the stuff, life’s about and it trips me out” and “To all my friends, it’s not the end, the earth has not swallowed me yet.”

Venezuela is where Dan was born and he lived there until he was 3. Then shortly after his brother was born, the family moved to Germany where they are originally from. Dan’s extended family still lives there. He was in Germany until he was 7, then his dad took a job with his company in the states, which is how Dan ended up here. “We spent  a few years in New Jersey, but eventually settled just outside of Houston for the majority of my middle school years. Freshman year of high school we moved again to Plano, and I still call it home.”  To fund his 311 habit, Dan works for a family business that distributes a specialized mineral/plastic compound. There he runs the day to day operations.

Since his family hails from Germany, Dan can still speak fluent German! He’s also been playing music pretty much his whole life. “I started taking piano lessons in Germany at 5 years old and played all the way through 6th grade when I discovered the drums. I’ve been playing the drums now for close to 25 years now and can’t imagine ever putting down my sticks.  I’m playing in a band again with some great dudes and things are going really well for us here in Dallas.  We even got a plaque on the wall at Curtain Club (kind of like a local wall of fame) which is something that I’ve wanted since I was 16 and first saw the plaques on the wall.  Hope some readers go check us out! www.generationwasted.net.”  When not working or playing music, Dan can be found watching his guilty pleasure, “The Voice.”  “I’ve basically watched it since season one, but it’s the only talent competition show that I’ve ever liked. At the beginning more than now anyways, it felt like it had more integrity than Idol. I’ve always hated Idol lol.”

Since Dan has been into music from a young age, he loves a ton of different bands. “I’m a huge Tool fan and Maynard’s new project Puscifier. Puscifier is way different but I love it.”  He also really likes Chevelle and Volbeat for heavier stuff. He also really got into Rebelution as well as Bad Rabbits the past few years. Dan also loves 90’s alternative. “I’m a 90’s alternative kid so I love all of that stuff like Sublime, Stone Temple Pilots, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Rage, etc.”

Given the opportunity to speak to the members of 311, Dan would like to say, “Thank you for making the kind of music that brings together the most amazing people I’ve ever met.”

To the awesome members of the 311 fan base:

“See everybody in Miami!!!!  I’m sooooo looking forward to the next cruise and throwing down at another massive pre-party for all my friends!!!  The show we played in NOLA was one of the best I’ve ever been a part of and this next one in Miami is going to be even better. “

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Now you’ve met yet another member of the Unity All-Stars! If you are headed to Miami or are cruising, make sure you check out their cruise anthem and see them live not only at a pre-party, but as they record the video for the cruise anthem on the boat! Check out these links for more:

http://youtu.be/1ctLvni8QUo

https://www.facebook.com/events/393071107517325/

That’s all for now my awesome, positive friends!! I thank you all for reading, and hope you have an amazing week! Until we meet again. Happy Chanukah to all those who celebrate it!

Much love – The Runt

Welcome back loyal excitable blog readers! I know, I missed a week and I’m sorry! But the return is here and we feature another awesome 311 fan this week! Time to read all about one of the Unity All-Stars, Brian aka Bizzy B!!

Brian’s story takes us back to when the video for “Down” premiered on MTV. It was around one in the morning when he saw it. “I immediately said to myself that this was my new favorite music. It had everything I loved about music ‘All Mixed Up’ together!”

His show tally is somewhere around the 20 mark and he feels it’s way too low. “I need more shows!”  He’ll get that when he heads to the next cruise in 2015. Of the shows he’s been to, the second cruise was hands down his favorite. “The best vacation of my life!! Between all the people and the entertainment and the beach shows and perfect weather and everything, it was perfect!”

There are many songs that mean a lot to Brian and they often change from time to time. Right now the song is “Omaha Stylee.”  “It means a lot because it’s always been one of my favorites, but when my friend Chrissy and I were walking into 311 Day 2012 Las Vegas, I was singing it and it was the first song they played! It really just made that experience so much better, and that’s hard to do! The song itself, talking about being from Omaha and just doing what they love regardless of surroundings or negativity, and what that has turned in to, is amazing to me and makes THAT even much more special.”

In a little town just north of Pittsburgh called DuBois is where Brian was born. His parents divorced when he was just 5 years old, and then at 8 he moved to Pittsburgh. “First time I saw 311 live was in a small club in The Burgh in 96.  It was amazing.”  Brian now lives near Hilton Head, South Carolina and runs an entertainment company called BizzyB Productions! “Music recording and production, video filming and editing, and even silent disco parties! I try to do it all!”  He travels as much as possible to see 311 and the family of fans he’s met, but he has to pay the bills so it may not be as often as he’d like. However he will be, “Cruisin’ to Jamaica, Mon! We will be filming a music video for the BizzyB & The Unity All-Stars cruise anthem during the cruise! Make sure you’re there!”

One attribute that makes BizzyB unique is his height! “I stand 6 feet 7 inches. I know there are people tall and taller, but it’s nice to be in the group of extra tall people.”  He says it has more advantages than disadvantages such as being able to stand anywhere at a show and see over everyone. He can also locate anyone in minutes in a crowded place as well as being found himself. “If I wanna hide I just sit or crouch down! I could go on about the greatness of giantdom but I won’t bore you.”

Brian was also a math tutor in high school, but he ended up not graduating because as he says, “I thought I was too cool for school I guess.”  He took his G.E.D. fourteen years later and without studying he scored in the top 5% of the whole state. “Shame I didn’t graduate legit, but it felt good knowing I still got it! Haha.”

Movies are Brian’s guilty pleasure. “I am a movie BUFF!! I watch way too many movies. The ones I really love I’ve seen way too many times. There isn’t just one particular type either, I love most movie styles – dumb, good, funny, serious, sad (not my fave though), cartoon, family – you name it, I’ll watch it!”

When not listening to 311, Brian says, “I love me some Dirty Heads! They are on my recent rotation but I really listen to a lot of everything.”  Some other bands he’s into are Yelawolf, Ritz, old school Metallica, Beastie Boys, Pantera, and Richard Cheese. That’s just to name a few. “That’s another one of the billion things I love about 311 fans, their music playlists are all over the place!”

When asked what he would say to 311 if he had the opportunity, Brian replied, “Do you have a lighter? If so, would you like to hit this?” Ha ha he was just kidding…kind of! His real message to them is this: “Through good music and positive vibes, you and the fan base you have created, which I now call family, have literally changed my outlook on humanity in the most positive way imaginable.”

Now for his message to all of the family out there:

“311 has brought me to you and now you have become my family. I don’t have to say much more because you know EXACTLY what I mean. People that don’t know are the ones I tell, if you knew you would understand…”

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That is BizzyB’s story my friends! If you are heading on the cruise, be sure to show up for the video shoot and see the Unity All-Stars! You won’t be disappointed, I promise!! (Check out the video for the cruise anthem here…http://youtu.be/1ctLvni8QUo  ) If you are heading on the cruise you can see Brian and the All-Stars at a pre-party the night before! See the event here – https://www.facebook.com/events/393071107517325/ As always, thank you for reading the fan spotlight. I leave you with Brian’s favorite lyrics – “The roots that grow underground are as big as the tree that you see, if not, it will fall down.”

Much love! -The Runt

Happy Thanksgiving week my friends in 311 nation!! I hope you all have fun plans for this week of gratitude. Let’s kick it off properly with the new fan spotlight on Mr. Ron Ivanjack!

1996 was the year that Ron’s college roommate introduced him to the wonders of 311. Then “Down” blew up the MTV world and he bought the Blue album. “I loved the combination of hooks, aggressive guitars and complex drum patterns. By the time we got to “Hive”, I was IN!”

Since he’s been hooked, Ron has enjoyed seeing the band live. How many shows has he been to? An amazing 158 in 35 states! “I don’t see it as a competition.  With that being said, I’m proud of this accomplishment.  It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and passion.  My first show was December ’97 in Chicago.  It was a radio show and 311 played early on a bill that included The Cure and Duran Duran.” Obviously he’s seen some amazing shows with the number he’s been lucky to attend, so it’s hard to choose one that means the most. He said though a popular answer, cruise number one gets “the slightest nod.”  “I’d never been on a cruise and had no idea what to expect.  We knew we were seeing historical shows and that’s when I came out of my shell a bit and realized just how many friends I was making.” Of course, he holds a dear spot for the 2011 Atlantic City and Uncasville shows, because they were part of an “elaborate first date” with his now wife Becky Graziano! “We were married 11/23/13.” Happy 1st Anniversary Ron & Becky!

Ron mentioned the song “Hive” earlier, saying he was hooked on 311 by the time he heard it. It also happens to be his favorite song. “It connected the strongest to me initially, it was the first song I heard live, it was played for me once at a soundcheck in Hawaii and Nick even dedicated it to me at my 100^th show in Ventura, CA.”  One of his all time favorite quotes is, “Love is a stream that will find it’s own course, making due is a thing I think I will do no more.”

Chicago is the city where Ron was born and raised. “Yes, actually in the city on the south side which is also why I love the White Sox.”  Then after college, Ron spent about ten years in the northern suburbs before heading to Orange County, California for three years. He is a human resource manager and worked from home while in OC, which allowed him to take on the heavy traveling to shows. Ron and Becky dated long distance (she was living in South Carolina) until they decided to move to Chicago together. It didn’t take long for the Chicago winters to make them realize they wanted a warmer climate though, so now they reside in Dallas, Texas.

Ron has played drums since he was 4 years old (which he says is why he is always air drumming at shows). While he doesn’t drum much anymore, he is quite good at it. He hasn’t played in a band for about 15 years but he did have the privilege of jamming at 311 fan parties in Denver and New Orleans. Ron is a quiet guy, which he says causes some misunderstanding that he is a jerk. “I’m not a jerk. I’m usually not very talkative while waiting in line because I am extremely focused on getting my spot.”  And while he loves 311, he admits he’s terrible at getting the lyrics right. “You’d think I’d have them all memorized but SA especially throws me into fits. I often wonder if they see me on the rail and wonder why I’m not singing all the words.”

While 311 is Ron’s favorite band now, he says KISS was his first love at age 4. “In general, I am a metalhead.” Some of his favorites include Slayer, Mastodon, and Anthrax. He also loves music from St. Vincent, Soundgarden, Goatwhore, King Diamond, Genesis, The Cure, The Beatles, Juliana Hatfield, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Breeders, Deftones, and Faster Pussycat. Since he loves 311 and music as a whole, plus you know how many 311 shows he’s seen, can you guess his guilty pleasure? “Concerts!! Duh.”  He has been to 570 overall!

With all the shows Ron has rocked out at, he’s been lucky enough to meet the guys on numerous occasions. One thing he hasn’t said to Chad that he’d like to though is, “When are you gonna let me play your drums or join in on ‘Applied Science’?”

And his message to all the magnificent people in the fandom of 311:

“The music of 311 has changed my life in so many ways.  The friends I’ve made and experiences I’ve had as a result of this band are almost incomprehensible.  I am so thankful.”

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There you have it folks, the story of Ron Ivanjack! Thank you all for reading the latest edition of the fan spotlight. My gratitude is overflowing as always! Now go enjoy your Thanksgiving week and remember, always “Stay positive and love your life!”

Much love – The Runt

Good morning excitable people! Another week and another spotlight has arrived! This week we meet one of the members of the Unity Allstars – Mr. Kevin Joseph LaBella! Kevin’s story takes us back to 1995 when he was in the sixth grade. He heard “Down” on the radio, then saw the video on MTV, and was blown away by the music. It was when “All Mixed Up” was released that he became hooked. “Still probably the song that will always put me in that place that only certain songs can. Definitely love all the double guitar riffs and the harmonies. Plus the two distinct vocal styles between Nick and SA is a perfect combo.” Fifty to sixty is the rough estimate of shows that Kevin believes he’s attended. Those shows include the cruise shows and he sees them now at least 3-4 times a summer. His favorite? He’d have to say 311 Day 2014. “We got to play an amazing show 2 nights before, then throw in Ballyhoo and Full Service the night before, playing on the Brigade Brunch cruise, helping out Bruice3 and TJ as well as J Randy….jamming on the street w/ Windex Pete and his washboard. Finally getting to play Saints Go Marching in on my horn on the street in NOLA…..plus we had a 200 year old house we rented right on Bourbon street. Everything was incredible and having my crew there with me took it to another level. Then seeing 311 play w/ the Unity Orchestra literally brought me to tears. That was the most intense thing I have ever seen at a concert. I can’t wait for that live album!” “Trouble” is the song Kevin says he really related to immediately when he heard it. “I really feel like I’m always tiptoeing the line of going too hard sometimes, but then I remember that I need to chill out a little bit and keep my shit together. It’s always a good reminder for me.” One of his favorite quotes though comes from the song that hooked him for life – “You’ve got to trust your instincts, and let go of regrets.” As he said, no explanation needed. Kevin grew up in Port Chester, New York, which is about a half hour north of Manhattan. He loved sports and music and excelled at both, becoming a jazz trumpet player and baseball pitcher. “I learned trumpet in the 4th grade, bass guitar in the 5th grade, and taught myself guitar in the 8th grade. Our band program in Port Chester was top notch. We did the Macy’s Parade my freshman year, won multiple championships at Giant’s Stadium, and our band is in the remake of Miracle on 34th Street and Spiderman 3.” He then went on to college at SUNY Albany where he met some friends that he still plays music with today – Brian Sweeney and Aaron Zuckerman, who are also members of the Unity Allstars. After college, Kevin was hired to work in a stats position for MLB.com and has been with them for 10 years now. “My job with them now is running the pitch trax system from the stadium for the Colorado Rockies(used to do it for the Yankees and Mets….did some Red Sox and Phillies, then a season with the Texas Rangers). I basically get paid to watch baseball from the stadium. I get to meet players, go on the field and know when every pitch is or isn’t a strike. It’s pretty fn sweet!” Kevin currently works for Comcast in Denver, Colorado, running master control for the NHL network. This year his job sent him to the Stanley Cup Finals where he ran into the one and only Nick Hexum! Kevin told his boss he should thank Nick for Kevin working for him. Here’s why – after the first cruise, Kevin joined the Familia and met a bunch of awesome people he became friends with. Then on the second cruise he befriended Brandon, Eileen, Mike and Melanie – otherwise known as “The Big Heads” (the people with the cardboard cutouts of the heads of 311). Then after the third cruise he was looking to move from New York and his plan was to head to Denver, since he had family there and knew it had the awesome Rocky Mountain Excitable crew. He ended up getting a better job offer from Eileen in Dallas so he headed there. It was short lived though because after getting there, Eileen’s office shut down. Kevin scrambled to find something and that’s when he found the job in Denver with Comcast. He packed up his stuff, crashed on an air mattress at Kyle Knox’s place for a month before he got his own place (right across the street from John Dawkins) and then his girlfriend Jamie moved out as well.  “Now I am in an excellent situation, with 2 amazing jobs (watching baseball and hockey), have an amazing crew, and everything is awesome. In a strange twist, that was all a year ago, now Kyle sleeps on my couch! Oh sweet irony! So when Nick came back in for the 3rd period, My boss said “Hey Nick, Thanks” Nick looked dumbfounded as he had no idea what my boss was thanking him for and he just looked at me in my Rangers jersey and said “Hey good luck in the 3rd period guy!” Kevin can play trumpet and bass at the same time! “Did it in jazz band back in high school. Can’t be anything ridiculously hard but I can do it. Left hand on the bass, right hand on my trumpet.” He also says he has an impeccable memory. “I can remember everything as long as it is tied to a sporting event or music event. Anything that happened on a day the Yankees did anything special I can always remember. Now if I could just remember the things that went on during cruise 3…” Guilty pleasures? “I own every Def Leppard album on vinyl from back in the day. One of my faves growing up, love all that hair metal – Skid Row, Motley Crue, Ratt…then onto GnR, then Nirvana changed the world!”  His favorite band of all time though is Sublime. He even got to meet Bradley Nowell’s sister, who showed Kevin the grave site. “My guitarist Brian Sweeney and I played a little acoustic sesh @ his grave which is some all time, bucket list shit for me. It was absolutely amazing playing for the man that has influenced me so much.” The first time Kevin played in a band he was just 10 years old and they were called Negative Upbringing (which later became Gov’t Cheese).  He played bass while his brother sang and played guitar. “We were mostly a Nirvana tribute band but did all the good 90’s stuff like Silverchair, Spacehog, Toadies, etc…”  As I mentioned above, Kevin now plays with the Unity Allstars. You may have seen them in New Orleans this past March or at other various venues. They even made a theme song for the upcoming cruise! (See the video here… http://youtu.be/1ctLvni8QUo) Are you headed out to sea with us on the next cruise? You may just get lucky and get to see their song live on the ship! 😉 The band is also playing a pre-party before the cruise – check out the event page! https://www.facebook.com/events/393071107517325/ It’s obvious that 311 has had a major impact on Kevin’s life. He’d like to express his gratitude to the guys: “Play “Too Much Too Fast” more!!!!! (This is what I always tell them, and they played it as an encore on cruise 2) But seriously I would just like to thank them for being so dedicated to their fans and having all these cool events. Cruise 1 and the events following changed the direction of my life. Thanks for all of it!” Now his message to all the awesome people that make up the 311 fan universe: “I want everybody to come out and see their Unity Allstars play the night before the cruise in Miami. We will be playing like 55 songs, we will have a full horn section and plenty of surprises for the crew. If anyone saw our show in NOLA you know how we throw down. That was the best show we ever played and seeing all the excitables singing along to every song we played was an absolutely amazing experience.  CJ’s Crab Shack Feb 24th, 10pm till whenever!!!! Let’s kick this Cruise off right!” ——- As Kevin said to me, that’s his story and he’s sticking to it! Glad you could join us for another edition of the fan spotlight my friends. Until we meet again…rock on! Much love – The Runt

Hello again excitable people! Happy Monday! November is rolling right along and we have a new 311 fan to introduce! You met his best friend Tony last week. This week the spotlight aims at Charles “Wafer” Haskin!

Chuck’s love for 311 begins the same way that Tony’s did. It was the 89X Festival on September 5, 1994. Their friend Dan M. told them they had to see this band 311, so they did. “They played a 8 song set, we ripped out a street light cause it was in the way of the pit, Tony ended up with a bloody nose, and it was the first time I heard FTBS as they closed with it. I was hooked.”

How many shows has Chuck been to? “July 6th, 2014 in Detroit was my 50th show since that first one in 1994.” He keeps a spreadsheet so he can keep track of the shows he’s attended and the songs that he’s heard. He’s tracked all but 4 of the 50 shows. Out of the 50 shows, he’s been to all of the cruises (and will be on the next) and five 311 Days. Forced to pick a favorite, Charles says that the Lido deck show on the first cruise is up high on the list. “Met a lot of good people.  311 Day 2008 holds a lot of importance for me in my life. November 23, 1999, 311 at the Orbital Room in Grand Rapids, MI is up there as well. Tiny venue, lots of energy.”

It was tough for Chuck to pick one song that means the most to him. His all time favorite live song is FTBS. “As evident in my 311 Day 2014 video when they played it, I may have lost my mind a little.” To pick a favorite studio recorded song, he’s going with “Come Original.” He also added that every time he hears “Rub A Dub” he thinks of the first cruise. Some favorite lyrics of his are, “From chaos comes clarity,” “Fuck the naysayers,” and the popular lyrical motto of most fans, “Stay positive and love your life.”

Michigan is where Chuck was born and raised and he said the first eleven years he was living off of 8 mile, “Just the nicer part of it.”  He moved to Indiana for four years, then back to Michigan for another seventeen. In 2006 he hit rock bottom, ending up unemployed, in a rocky relationship, and battling with depression. Then in 2007 he packed his bags and took off to Sweden. He went there to work for SAAB and the next fifteen months he was there he turned his life around. “I found myself, ended that bad 9 year relationship, sold my house in Michigan, cut out any negative in my life and became closer to my true friends and family. I flew from Sweden to New Orleans for 311 day 2008, and regardless of jet lag, that was one hell of a weekend trip.”

After Sweden, Chuck ended up in Arizona for a few years and then transitioned to Maryland where he still resides today. He funds his 311 fun by working as a CAD Designer. “For the last 2 & 1/2 years I have been design support for unmanned drones.”  He says one question he constantly gets asked is why he sees 311 so much and doesn’t it get old. His reply is, “Never. Every show is different. Yes there are the handful of staple songs that will get played almost every night, but until you are there at the show and feel the energy of the crowd as they are playing you just will not understand,  and most recently I am getting watch my girlfriend experience these things for the first time.  311 Day 2014 was her 2^nd 311 show,  before we met she knew of 311 briefly but Dave Matthews Band is her obsession. I am reminded how I felt when I first saw them 20ish years ago.”

While his job is mainly sitting at a desk all day, Charles mentioned he loves working with his hands. Most recently he built a 320 linear foot fence around his yard! He’s also in the process of converting the attic into a livable space. If you don’t know Chuck, you may not get his sense of humor at first. “Very quick witted and can turn any comment into something dirty. Your mom jokes are also still very funny. Very blunt and honest, I do not have the ability to sugar coat anything.

Chuck loves listening to the Eminem Pandora station, watching NCIS and CSI, and he collects a ton of 311 merchandise. “I have over one hundred 311 shirts, which were featured last 311 Day when 311 tweeted my pictures of all of them on my bed. Posters, so many posters. Last Christmas my girlfriend said to me, ‘I looked to get something 311 for you but it seems you already have everything.”

311 is actually not Chucks number one musical artist. That spot goes to Suzanne Vega. 311 is second and Ani DiFranco comes in third. “I have seen Vega live in Norway, Germany, Sweden, west and east coast, and in the midwest about 16 times. Yes she is still touring and releasing new music, and yes she knows me on sight and we talk after every show I have been to.”

Chucks’ message to the band is simple: “Thank you. Thank you for everything you do and the messages within the music, it gets people through things. Personally the music got me through a very dark place and time in my life and I probably wouldn’t be here or who I am if not partly because of your music.”

His message to all in the 311 universe: “Don’t forget to have a good time, it’s a Ani Difranco lyric (one that will be added to my tattoo soon). People get worked up over things and you just have to step back, find the good in your life and focus on that. Dwelling on the past or holding onto the bad is no way to live,  I was like that for half my life, now I live with no regrets.”

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There you have the story of Charles Haskin! I hope you were entertained and it helped pass this Monday by a little quicker. Until we meet again my friends, have a kick ass week!

Much love – The Runt

Good Monday morning my fellow excitable friends! Welcome to another edition of the 311 fan spotlight!! This week we feature a friend of mine that I met at the pre-party before the first cruise.  Let me introduce you to Mr. Anthony Perazzo!

Back on Labor Day in 1994, Tony went to the 89X Fest at the Phoenix Center in Pontiac, Michigan. He went to check out Weezer and MC 9000 foot Jesus when one of his friends said they should go check out this rock/reggae/rap group from Nebraska that was on one of the other stages. While he wasn’t really into rap or reggae, he decided to check it out thinking there would at least be a pit. “We were in the front row but there was no barrier, just a couple of security goons and a lamp post. The show started with “Taiyed” and things were pretty chill and groovy. Then “Freak Out” started and I was hooked.”  The pesky lamp post became quite wobbly and was going to become a problem, so with the help of Tony and his longtime friend Chuck, they and the security guards took the whole thing down, wires and all. Then during the song “Homebrew”, Tony & the girl in front of him ended up butting heads, resulting in a mass of blood from Tony’s nose. Even with the blood flowing, Tony and the girl continued to party on with 311 playing in the background. It was when the guys played FTBS that Tony said he knew his “musical horizon had been broadened more than ever in his life.”  He even still has the setlist from that show…

Since that fated first show, Tony has seen the band 53 times, including five 311 Day’s and all three (soon to be four) cruises. He’s also been to every Red Rocks show since 2006. His favorite show so far? “Lido Deck on the first cruise was probably the most charged 311 show ever. We “borrowed” beers from the deck boy with our new great friends whom we met the night before, Chris and Chrissy, and the show was astounding.  I’ve been to every 311 Day since 2006 and they keep getting better.  Every show is a very different experience for me. Every night a different song is my new favorite.”

When asked what song means the most to him, Tony said, “Amber, because it has a Pavlov effect and I have to urinate every time I hear it.”  In reality though, I know his real favorite is “Creatures (For A While).”  As he says, “It reenergizes me after I’ve been jumping for an entire show. When it’s played my legs find the energy to jump wildly for the rest of the show.” Tony also said that the beginning of “Silver,” when Nick says, “Ok, let him in. Bobby, you be quiet out there,” reminds him of his pup Darwin every time.

Tony grew up in Oxford, MI, about an hour north of Detroit.  His father played him Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” when he was still in the womb by putting headphones on his mothers belly. Then on the night he was born, they were hosting a party to watch Alice Cooper’s The Nightmare television special.  He only listened to one cassette tape a year because it was all he could afford to buy in those days. It started with Huey Lewis and The News Sports and ended with Pearl Jam’s Ten. Then he got a job and was able to buy more music. It was that first time he saw 311 though when his music genres started to vary.

Per Tony, Oxford was the gravel capital of the world until a Japanese company took that title over. When the economy bottomed out in 2006, he moved to Denver, CO and has been there ever since. “I love it here. In the winters I ski. In the summers I take my jeep off road. All year I go to concerts of many bands. I fund my 311 habit with a career in land surveying. I sit on my ass in the office and analyze history, law and math to figure out who owns what.”

Some other music Tony is in to: Beethoven, Alice in Chains, Anthrax, Slayer, and AJ Croce. Even his pup, Darwin, loves Beethoven. “My dog barks along with Beethoven’s 9th in tune.”  Guilty pleasure? Tony listens to the Harry Potter books on tape at least two times a year. And if you know Tony at all, you know his shenanigans can sometimes lead to injury. “I have fractured my skull after Fireball shots. I’m not sure how exactly but I woke up with a shiner and pricker bush in my underwear.”

Tony’s had the opportunity to meet the fellas but he sometimes clams up when around them. So one thing he’d like to tell them is: “You should release every show like Pearl Jam and Metallica do. I go to Live311.com every day hoping that something has been posted.”

And to all of you out in the 311 universe:

“Just let me jump and if I bump into you nudge me back to wherever I came from.”

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That my friends is Mr. Anthony Perazzo! I met him on the eve of my first big 311 event. It was like it was meant to be and we ended up hanging out all night and then throughout the entire first cruise. One thing I can say is he has a good heart and is very loyal to his friends. And he’s fun to drink with…just look at this photo of him wearing my shirt the first night I met him..

Thanks for reading my friends! Until we meet again, have an amazing week!!

Much love – The Runt

Hello my friends and happy Tuesday to you all! I know, I’m a day late with the post but it’s worth the wait because this week we meet the one & only Mr. Klawson Borges!

Klawsons’ story takes us back to the summer of 1995 when a west coast friend of his named Jesse Naval distracted him with the music of 311 while he and some other friends smoked pot. “He asked if I ever heard of them, I said no. So he gave me his Walkman and I was instantly hooked.  This happen shortly before 311 dropped the blue album.”  It was then his first show at the Roseland Ballroom, where No Doubt opened, that the deal was sealed for Klawson. “Seeing how much energy they put into their show made me swear to see them any chance I could.”

He kept that promise to himself and while he doesn’t keep track of the number, he believes its close to fifty at least. “I personally don’t care about how many shows I’ve been to. All I care about is the next show.”  The first cruise holds a special place in his heart because it was the first 311 cruise ever and as he says, “making me the fanatic that most of you know me as today.”  However, the second cruise is where he proposed to his wife Stephanie, mother of his son Kayson.  “The second cruise also had great weather, the craziness of the beach show, it had white out glow out and it didn’t have the banana drama of the third cruise.”  He said the second cruise didn’t have the energy of the first, but it had the better experience for him. It really in the end doesn’t matter which was the better one. “I’m just happy that I got to go on all three, soon to be all four.”

Like many 311 fans, there isn’t just one song that means the most to Klawson. Currently his jam is “Freeze Time.”  “I’m always looking for balance in my life.” His favorite quote is one of mine as well, “If you don’t have someone to do it with, it’s not worth doing.”

Klawson was born in Brazil, raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. He’s lived in the neighborhood of Bay Ridge since he was four.  He said being an immigrant in a neighborhood built on immigrants you would think he was easily accepted but that wasn’t the case. “It was trying at times to say the least. In my pre-teen years I was often made of fun of and called a sissy. The name calling came from the fact that when I would get teased I would tear up out of frustration and not because I couldn’t handle it, but is was taken as me being a fairy. I heard fairy a lot in my life.”  What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger and Klawson believes that the majority of the hatred directed towards him was out of jealousy. “I’m not full of myself but I’m not that hard on the eyes and my mother worked her ass off to provide the best of everything. I always wore name brands and had more than most what a immigrant from Brazil should have according my Irish and Italian counterparts.”

It was right before freshman year when Klawson met Jesse and things started to change for him. He began hanging with an older crowd, one that was less judgmental and they helped him become more comfortable with himself. “The music of 311 reinforced that.”  He said that listening to 311 also gave him peace with his way of thinking. With his high school years came more isolation, and as he says his refusal to conform to the mainstream way of thinking. “The mainstream way would become the lesser road traveled. This was the beginning of my stay positive attitude and the end of my needing to fit in need. The majority of my funds that feeds my 311 habit has come from tax returns, my mother’s generosity,credit cards and some savings.”

I think it’s fair to say that Klawson is pretty much an open book. “There isn’t much people don’t know about me.”  However he did reveal that he was a skateboarder for over 10 years and was really good at it. He also speaks two other languages besides English, which are Portuguese and Spanish. One of his unique traits is that he’ll never forget a face! “Over my years of working in the hospitality industry I’ve developed an ability to remember faces and names associated to them.”

Some guilty pleasure time! Klawson loves watching reality television shows…everything from Survivor to Property Brothers.  His guilty pleasure band he says is the Ting Tings. “Their “We Started Nothing” album was at one time on heavy rotation.” He also said that, “The Hebrew Hammer is so bad that it’s good.”

There are so many bands he loves that there are too many to list, but he did give up a few, including new recent faves Full Service and Passafire. In the past he was into RHCP, NOFX, Green Day, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Aerosmith, GNR, Tupac, and Wu Tang Clan. “I’ve never been into punk but I can appreciate it’s history and its influence on music.”

Klawson has been privileged to meet 311 on numerous occasions. Each and every time he see’s them he simply says thank you. “Thank you for so many book marks and experiences that had have given me the strength to strive for more.”

With that, his message to all of the awesome members of 311 nation is:

“Learn from your past, live in the present and plan for the future. Always remember the grass isn’t greener on the other side it’s just another shade of green. Also try to stay positive whenever possible.”

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That my friends is the man Klawson! If you haven’t met him in person, definitely do yourself a favor and make his acquaintance! He’s a good human being. I hope you all enjoyed and were entertained by his story!

Thank you all for reading over & over and getting to know your fellow fans! Until we meet again.

Much love! -The Runt