We are back again my excitable friends, new week, new 311 fan spotlight! This week we meet and greet Nathan Ross!

Nathan can remember the first time that he heard Chad’s OC snare hit on “Evolution.” He was instantly addicted to their eclectic reggae/rock/hip-hop style. “Growing up in high school, I was an avid fan of the hip-hop/rock blend and was easily drawn to it, but I never knew how much the lyrics related to me until I dove into the lyrics of Soundsystem and From Chaos. I instantly knew 311 was the outlet I needed in my life.”

Nathan said for all bands and performers he has seen, he’s probably attended around 200 different shows from small local places to stadiums. His first 311 show wasn’t until 2005. Favorite 311 show/event so far was the 2015 cruise to Jamaica for a variety of reasons. “The idea that I had no responsibilities of getting a ride home was very nice, and I met most of the people from the community on that vacation.  Runner up was the 2010 Vegas 311 Day.”

Nathan said there is no way to pick just one song that means the most to him because there are many that have helped him through hard times. Currently “Made in the Shade” means the most to him and “Strong All Along” is a close second because of his insecurities getting out of high school. “The track literally made me break out of my shell and ‘flaunt my personality’ with no fear of being judged.” As far as favorite lyrics, again, it’s hard to choose just one. However a few that describe him are, “The kid is smart, the kid is clever,” “I am a cool and mellow man, Always got a plan. Copin’ out problems every time I can,” and the entire hook of “You Wouldn’t Believe.” He also loves, “I’ve one conclusion, it’s not illusion. But it’s creativity.”

In a middle class family in Santa Rosa, California is where Nathan was born, raised, and has lived his entire life. “I grew up with the biggest imagination and, at a young age of 5 or 6, had a passion for writing stories and drawing.  I loved computer games and only played those until I got my first Game Boy (the original brick).  I also played a lot of sports, but soccer was by far my favorite.  Between playing video games, a summer soccer league, hiking, swimming, and drawing Nickelodeon characters, that’s what most of my summers consisted of.”

Nathan said to fund his 311 habit, he simply keeps a category of things he “wants” and things he “needs.” “I am one of those fans who would rather spend my money at their shows and expensive events than buying all their merch.  I am definitely a fan of inside joke related items where only true 311 fans will get the references.”

Besides his love for 311, Nathan is also passionate about sound design and scoring for film and video games. “I am currently working on voice acting, map music, and ALL of the sound effects for an upcoming app game.  My dream would to work for Nintendo full time, but I am excited for any job!” He was also in a rock/reggae/funk/blues band called Propensity as the front man for about 2-3 years and is now currently an experimental hip hop artist working on a new album. As if that doesn’t keep him busy, he also is planning a YouTube channel for sound design tutorials and motivational speeches.

Something cool Nathan used to do was enter juggling contests! He even won first place at one. “Though rusty, I can still juggle and do special tricks too. I also used the devil stick.” Guilty pleasure? Nathan said he is a “crazy cat lady.” “Would love to own a handful in my own place someday.  I also thoroughly enjoy playing Pokemon Go when I have the time.”

When not enjoying the sounds of 311, Nathan can be found listening to everything from metal and progressive rock to hip-hop, dub-step, electronica, and much more. Some of his other favorite artists include Tool, Dream Theater, Rush, Rancid, Run The Jewels, System of A Down, and P.O.D.

Nathan’s message to 311 is this – “Dear 311, it goes without saying that you have changed many lives through you lyrics and community that you’ve built.  Music is so powerful and with the right intention, you can change people’s lives for the better.  You are the band that has helped me through depression, anxiety, and finding my ‘place’ in this world.  You guys have shown me that bands are not all stuck-up egomaniacs that think they are better than everyone else.  You are genuine, REAL dudes with gratitude to the community.  You have showed me that it’s okay to be unique and openminded.  That it’s not a weakness, but a strength.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”

To all the other 311 fans worldwide:

“I know that we all have our own opinions on things, and our own reasons for those opinions, but what makes this a great community is our own understanding of ‘agreeing to disagree’.  To share our side while understanding another’s.  My request is that we all hold onto that mindset for the many years to come, and to always remember that, if the intention is good, we have all the reason to ‘reevaluate our personal style’.  We all grow from one-another and in these volatile times, we need more than ever to spread love and be openminded.  Much love from Northern Cali!””

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There you have the story of Nathan Ross! Another fan spotlight is in the books and as always I thank you all for your continued support in this venture. Until we meet again my friends, “Stay positive and love your life.”

Much love – The Runt

Good day to you all out there in the excitable 311 nation! Welcome again to the next fan spotlight. Let us not waste anymore time – here is the story of David Goldenberg!

What drew David to the sounds of 311? Well it was the blue album of course! “I remember sitting home watching MTV (when it was all about the music) and on comes Down. The beat drew me in and SA’s rapping. Didn’t have a clue what he was saying, still don’t sometimes, but I just knew that I loved it. I immediately went out and bought the cassette and didn’t take it out for months. I was 14 at the time and never really had that band that got me excited quite like how this album hit me.”

Show count is at 36 for David and he’s seen the band in 10 different states. Very first show for him was October 6, 2001 at Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey. “There was a small window where I stopped listening to 311 and was a big fan of rap music instead. A girl in my dorm asked if I wanted to go see 311 and I immediately said YES. The show blew my mind and brought me right back into being a huge fan. The night started with Omaha Stylee, got some you Got Worked in the setlist and ended with Fuck the Bullshit. What an amazing night and show.”

Asked what was David’s favorite event, the medal goes to Pow Wow. “I have attended 4 311 Days and zero Cruises. The 311 Days have all been a freaking blast, but the one event that will always stand out was the 2011 311 Pow Wow. If I could have a Groundhog Day type of experience in life, that Saturday show would be it. The Transistor set, OMG, what a magical moment. From the time that the Transistor intro hit until the end, I was just in awe. My favorite album being played live from beginning to end just gave me goosebumps. It made sitting through the entire Universal Pulse album earlier well worth it. The whole weekend was amazing too. From being picked up at the airport by Charleen and Curtis Elliot, to causing a ruckus with Sean Campbell and Gabe Guerra in our RV for the weekend. RIP first golf cart that we had. The tea colored water of the lake and all the other amazing bands that played that weekend. The Deftones REALLY kicked that weekend of right.”

Song that means the most to David is “Strong All Along.” He said it ties him to his mother in a very positive way. “My mother developed cancer and was given 6 months to a year to live. I was blessed to have her by my side for another 8 years after her diagnosis. Through her fight, she remained Strong All Along and was the inspiration to the tattoo that I recently got.” Besides the lyric “Strong All Along,” another favorite of David’s is “Stay positive and love your life.” “We all go through hard times, I’m no different, this quote has always inspired me to keep on going. Look for the good things and enjoy life all the time no matter what happens.”

Where did David grow up? “I grew up at the ripe age of 0 in Manalapan, NJ. A half hour from the Jersey Shore and about an hour from NYC. Nothing like being a kid growing up in the 80s. Staying out till dark playing manhunt with friends, riding bikes everywhere.” David said his unfortunate claim to fame is that he grew up as a classmate of The Situation from the T.V. show Jersey Shore, but don’t judge him from that. He said he’s really not your typical Jersey shore person! “While I have never lived outside of Jersey, I have moved around plenty in the state. Now I currently reside in Vernon, NJ, which is the exact opposite of what you would expect from Jersey. We have mountains, hiking trails, lakes and the scenery is beautiful! Oh, and I sell mortgages so this was also a marketing ploy if anyone is looking to buy a house in Jersey! Lol.” He uses his money to fund his 311 habits, but he did say he might be able to have retired by now if he had just been a fan of Nickelback. “Thanks 311! 60 more years of work for me!” David also has an 8 year old son named Jacob who he said is his life. “And also a great wingman. He is also single, so if any ladies are interested and have a daughter for him, hit us up!”

While David loves 311, he said his first musical love was the Beastie Boys. “The first time that I heard Fight For Your Right, I was instantly in love. How a couple good Jewish boys from Brooklyn were able to jump into the rap scene amazed me!” Other artists that have peaked his interest are Rebelution, Jurassic 5, Deftones, Dropkick Murphys, and Slightly Stoopid. “Going to start a petition for Jurassic 5 to be on the 2018 Unity Tour. That is a tour that NEEDS to happen.”

Growing up David played baseball and hockey. “You couldn’t get me off of the field or out of the rink.” Favorite sports teams for him are the Mets, Giants, and the Devils. When asked what makes him unique, this was his answer: “I have been known to be a little sarcastic. Not sure if anyone in the 311 pages have noticed that. Got to keep the humor in life or life becomes stale. So if anyone has ever been offended by anything I have said in the 311 groups, sorry but not sorry. None of it is meant in a bad way, all just in fun!” Guilty pleasure for David he said is that Stranger Things is his favorite T.V. show, but musical guilty pleasure is Katy Perry. “My son LOVES her so I have no choice.” Movie guilty pleasure is called Goon. When not partaking in these pleasures he loves hiking and can spend a whole day in the woods if he has the time.

David has two things he would like to say to 311: “First would be thank you for everything. The shows and the people that I have met through 311 have been sooo amazing. My favorite meet and greet with the band was with Tim. I met him a few hours before a show in Vegas. Such an excitable and humble guy. After the show, he saw me, ran over and gave me the best hug ever. He thanked me for attending the show. Nothing can top that. Secondly, ‘Stop making new music’. I loved the last two albums a ton. But, they have such a huge catalog of music now. Would love to be able to hear more of the older music. Then again, my son has really loved our first listens to the new albums and has become just as big a fan of me. Raising the kid right.”

Now David’s message to all the other fans:

“Be humble. There is too much chest bumping of who the biggest 311 fans are. As well as putting down of people who say that “Amber” is their favorite song. Don’t be a 311 snob, accept everyone who embraces the music. And it’s OK if people don’t like everything 311 does. I personally hate Universal Pulse, and that is OK. I’ll Amber bomb each and every one of you and you will have to deal with it! Besides that, Love Your Life. Signing off. 36/M/NJ if any females are in the area LOL.”

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That was the entertaining story of David Goldenberg my friends! Thanks for sharing you tale David and of course, thanks to all for reading! Now go out there and turn up the volume of whatever you are listening to. Rock out and start this week off strong!

Much love – The Runt

 

Welcome back 311 nation! A new week begins and that means new fan spotlight time. This week let’s meet Josh O’Saile!

The year was 1995 and Josh was just ten years old. He had some major things going on in his life at the time, and while riding the bus to school one day he heard an upper class-man singing while listening to his discman, “You’ve got to trust your instinct and let go of regret.” He was instantly hooked just from hearing that line. “Without knowing the words, music, nothing.  What I knew was that was legit, and my awkward kid heart desired that…  genuine mentality.  As a hesitant kid, I timidly asked him “hey man, hate to bug you, but, what is that?” His response was simply “The only good song on the cd.” Took it out, put it in its case, and so easily handed it to me.  Just like that, my life was changed.”

First show for Josh was at the Starwood Amphitheatre outside of Nashville in 1997. “ I won tickets on the radio.  Typical 90’s stylee.  My God the hours spent making sure that it would happen.  I can close my eyes and still see the stage.” Show count is around 20 and he said the number climbed fast early on but then stalled out after awhile. Prior to 2017, his favorite show was 311 Day 2006. “Memphis model.  Oh man, the stories I could tell.  I was like the 7th person in line, we brought a small grill, gave away food away to folks we don’t and won’t know, partied, sang, danced, while simultaneously adding and taking away years from our lives.  As the song goes, perfect strangers, sharing a groove.” In 2017 Josh attended the shows at the Tabernacle, and his favorite show changed at that point. “At a major low point for me, a weekend trip to Atlanta fell into my lap and I got the whole experience.  Put names with faces, saw a hella’ show, and even got my first signed artwork.  I could go on, but, just know God was smiling on me that day.”

Song that means the most to Josh is “Omaha Stylee” because he says it tells you to “know your roots and refuse to let circumstance cause deviation from your course.” As far as favorite lyrics, pretty much the whole song of “Tune In” strike a chord with him. “It’s good for the heart, and helps hold your head high…to know your worth.” http://www.311.com/lyrics_transistor/#TI

The town of Greenbrier, Tennessee – a one stop light town as Josh called it – is where he was raised. His parents divorced very early in his life. “We seemed to live on each side of that light for a while until I moved in high school…  Thats when I moved to south Alabama.  Yes, Bayou la Batre’ IS a real place. A weird place… I’ve lived and worked there, and oddly enough, a great part of adult me still calls it home.  There hasn’t been much by way of funding the habit as of late due to the funding of my deteriorating health.  Some awesome people send me stuff from time to time, and their works fill my cup enough.  Circumstance has lead me away from sand dollars.”

What makes Josh unique is his “pursuit of the Nazz.” “I want to be the poet, the carpenter, and everything in between.  Not that I have had insurmountable success, but, folks notice the can do.”  Fun fact about Josh – he has nine 311 tattoos. “All but one is symbolic.  Only one actual logo.  Because, come original, y’all.”

Guilty pleasure for Josh is what he calls sappy girl music. “Ingrid Michaelson, Norah Jones, Yael Naim, blah blah blah.  I am going to regret that one…” While 311 is the only band he knows the whole discography of, he is also a pretty big fan of Van Morrison. “Then after that, I like my punk and anarchy.”

Josh’s message to 311 – “Thank you.  You will never know how many kids found your message wandering down the straight and narrow path that chose not to deviate.  Your message made people like me a good daddy.  And, that in and of itself bridges the generational gap.  In music.  Your music.  Your message, our homes.”

Finally these are his words to all his fellow fans:

“Thank you as well.  People like me see your steadfast mentality and it helps us move forward.  We are more like a family.  There are outsiders that think they understand, and there are even those on the brink of it.  Then, there’s you guys.  Knowing people like you are out there makes me feel safer with my daughter in this world.  Knowing that other people preach love to their kids.  Preach understanding.  Preach respect.  Y’all are the real heroes.  The day in and day out models.  Without you guys being the conduit, this whole thing we love would cease to exist.  Of many, one.  We are the mosaic.”

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That is the story of Josh O’Saile! Much thanks to him for sharing and to everyone for reading. Now go seize the day and be amazing!

Much love – The Runt

Happy New Year 311 nation! Let’s kick off 2018 properly with the first fan spotlight of the year. Meet Lisa Wilson!

The year was 2008 and the month was March. Lisa was in the process of getting divorced which she said is the single scariest thing she has gone through. She was about to pack up and move home to Vermont when her friend Linda introduced her to a social club called PortSports, owned by Morgan and Dave Surkin, who are huge 311 fans. “Because PortSports had become such a big part of my life, in November of 2009, when 311 was due to play in Portland, Morgan was out of the world excited and I wanted to see what it was all about.  So Linda, myself and her daughter Vera went and the rest is history.”

Lisa just attended her 50th show in Montclair, New Jersey this past fall. Her first show was November 22, 2009, in Portland, Maine. Favorite experience so far was of course tough to answer.  “The most recent one would have been this past Unity Tour, the day of the Hampton Beach NH show.  Trying to plan a meet up at the beach during the day, but mother nature had different ideas and she rained on our beach party.  And so the ppppaaaarrrrrtttttyyyyy pppppaaaaattttiiiiioooo was born!  We took over the back deck of the Moulton Hotel and made the best of the day, rain and all, which included stalking the buses (in the rain) and a killer setlist!”

Favorite song for Lisa is “Strong All Along.” “During the 2013 unity tour when Nick said “Boston this one’s for you” in Mansfield and busted out this song, that was it!!” The first lyric that really, truly struck Lisa was, “Music, you’re my constant companion.” “Which is so true because music can turn your frown upside down.  Whether it be by the lyrics themselves or a blast from the past memory!!”

Fair Haven, a very small town in Vermont, is where Lisa grew up. It’s just west of the Rutland/Killington area. She is the youngest of 6 kids and her oldest brother is 17 years older than she is. She has 11 nieces and nephews and just as many great nieces and nephews. “Given all this, family is very important to me.” Supporting the 311 habit comes from working as a HR Generalist for the Portland Public School system, as well as driving for Uber and Lyft at night. “To really support the habit.” Aside from Maine and Vermont, Lisa also lived in a small town in Northern California called Susanville. “I worked as an HR Specialist for an Indian Rancheria and spent A LOT of time in Reno, we there wasn’t much going on in Susanville.”

A fun fact people may not know about Lisa is that she is a certified SCUBA diver! “While most of my diving has been done in the frigid waters of Maine, I’ve also been 60 feet under water in Monterey CA in front of Pebble Beach Golf Course.  I actually got engaged there, 60 feet underwater.  What a different coastal diving experience that was.  The kelp there was like a forest.  There’s really nothing like breathing underwater, so peaceful, and I being an animal person, I love seeing the sea life.   I really enjoy diving and wish I could do more often.”

Something that makes Lisa unique, that was thought of with help from her friend Adam, is her friendliness! “If I see someone alone, or not with a group,  wearing 311 gear on I will invite them to join our crowd, as Adam has witnessed this on several occasions 🙂  I guess it’s just because I want others to have as much fun as I do and meet the amazing people I have!” She also has an amazing and one of a kind whistle, you’ll know it when you hear it! 

Guilty pleasure for Lisa is sports, sports, and more sports! “Although most might know this already, because of the 4-311 jerseys I owns.  I’m a sports-a-holic. It’s so funny because everyone is always talking about all these series on, and I’m like yea no, I watch sport!! Like right now switching between the Bruins and Manchester United (no judging!!)”

When not jamming out to 311 Lisa can be found listening to bands she has met through 311 such as Ballyhoo!, RDGLDGRN (#teamsnaxx), Dirty Heads, The Urge, and Stick Figure. She most recently has gotten into Bumpin Uglies. “We need them on the boat and check them out if you haven’t.”

To 311, Lisa would like to say: “Thank you for all you do, the energy you bring to EVERY damn show and please don’t ever stop!!”

To all the other fans:

“Always keep an attitude of gratitude!! For life, this band and all the amazing people you’ve met and now call family, cause I certainly do!!”

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That my friends is Lisa Wilson’s story! I’m happy to call her a personal friend and hope you all get to meet her one day. Now go kickstart your year on a happy note – I wish you all the best in 2018! And as always, thank you for reading!

Much love – The Runt