Hey my friends in 311 nation! It’s a new week & Happy Memorial Day! Let’s get it started and meet Brian Sweeney!

Brian was in elementary school when he first started listening to 311. It was about the time that the blue album came out. He heard the singles – “Down” and “All Mixed Up” – he was hooked. “I was a big fan of alternative rock, and they had such a unique sound that I gravitated towards.  When I heard the full album for the first time I was blown away by the amazing guitar, the interesting rap / rock vocals, and then I started diving into their older stuff, and have been a huge fan ever since.  I think one of the things I really liked is that they were riff driven, and not simply playing 4 chord songs, they have a lot of changes and phrasing that make every song interesting to hear.”

As far as show count, Brian never really kept count. However, he thinks he is somewhere between 50-60. “I’d see them 2 times a year or more, and over the years and especially with their bigger events have been able to see multiple sets (cruise, 311 days, etc.).  I think my first show was at PNC in NJ, a large outdoor amphitheater.  They always packed the house!”

Cool story about Brian…he met his wife playing an unofficial 311 pre-party at the Cheeba Hut in Denver with Kevin Labella, who urged him to come see 311 at Red Rocks. “That was one of the first iterations of what would become the Unity All Stars.  I then spent the RR show ditching my friends and hangin with this beautiful woman Lauren Richerson, and we instantly formed a connection.  After that my favorite events have been the cruises..  Becoming part of the 311 family I have gained so many new friends, and it’s not just the music I look forward to but seeing all those happy faces and feeling the love.  Each cruise is different, on Cruise 1 I didn’t know many people, but when I came back for Cruise 4 (and have been on each since) my friends group grew to the hundreds!”

As for song that means the most to Brian, it was a hard choice. It depends on the day and what musical sounds are soothing him. “But as a guitarist, generally my favorite songs are Tim heavy on solos, and Stealing Happy Hours is probably my #1 go to when I want to chill out.” Favorite lyric for Brian is this – “The world revolves around your mind in a golden spiral, the natural way that things organize, you can’t stop entropy so why even try. Observe the conscious flow and don’t mystify, life’s not a race.”

Northern New Jersey is where Brian grew up. From the age of 6 until he was 18 he played competitive soccer. That and playing guitar were his outlets. He then attended SUNY Albany where he met 2 of his current band mates – Kevin Labella and Aaron Zuckerman. They started a cover band that also played a lot of 311 music. “We kept in touch over the years and I consider them 2 of my best friends.”

Post college Brian lived in New Jersey for awhile and then when he met his wife they moved out to L.A. Then at the end of last year they relocated to Kansas City. “Happy to be in a home in a cool city but having the burbs life.” Brian started playing guitar when he was in elementary school and he said it’s become an extension of him. “I almost always have music and ideas for songs or riffs in my head, and it’s a great outlet for emotions and the drive for creativity. I love seeing live music, and I love a lot of different kinds of music genres and seeing musicianship up close.  But I’ve definitely seen 311 more than any other band, it’s not even close.” Other musicians that Brian loves include progressive rock bands like Tool and Propagandhi, as well as artists like Jimi Hendrix, NoFX, Strung Out, Clapton, Deftones, and Snarky. “Variety is the spice of life.”

Unique attribute for Brian is that he he has a bit of synesthesia with sounds, colors, and shapes. “It’s basically like having certain sounds, notes, tones, giving off unique colors or shapes that I can feel.   And the brightness, tone, distortion, phrasing, etc. all give it sort of a unique signature to me, and each note, an E or a C or an F# minor or whatever are generally in certain parts of the color spectrum.  Like a bright sounding happy G chord can be a lighter shade of green with gold and silvery flecks, or a heavy distorted palm muted G chord takes on a dark hunter green.  It can apply to any sound but I feel it most with music.   I can’t read music and don’t really know how to speak music theory, a lot of it is self-taught, intuitive, and using relationships of sounds, chords, notes, etc. that I’ve sort of learned over the years.  To me every song is almost like a painting, with different colors, shapes, and textures that are unique to them.”

Interesting tidbit about Brian is that he once won a state-wide drawing contest to design the mascot for a recycling PSA. He was in the 4th or 5th grade when it happened. “Drawing, writing, and making music are all creative outlets for me.” Guilty pleasure for him is that he watches Dragon Ball, an anime that has been around for about 30 years. “I dig it as much now as a 35 year old as I did as a 12 year old.”

Words Brian has for 311: “Thank you.  More than any other band, 311 has really changed my life.  From bringing me into contact with people like my wife or my bandmates, to giving me endless hours of musical bliss, and always keeping me feeling positive with their messages, 311 is really close to my heart.”

Words for all the other fans out there:

“Just to love each other.  We’re on this golf ball called earth, and every day we have the power to be positive, and to try and be the change we want to see in the world.  Life goes by too fast to be swallowed by negativity.  Enjoy every day, every song, enjoy each other, and try to lift yourself and others up at every chance.”

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That’s the story of Mr. Brian Sweeney! Great story and thank you for sharing. Much gratitude to all the readers as well. Now go have a great Memorial Day and be the positive, loving people you are!

Much love – The Runt

Hello all excitable friends! It’s time we meet the latest 311 fan spotlight. This week we meet the other half of last week’s spotlight – Joe Waltermann!

The year was 2005 and Joe and his wife had just moved into a new home. He had just set up his man cave and was going to take a nap.  “My wife decided to sit in the room and watch a concert on TV. Of course I did not sleep as it was 311. It rocked and I was hooked.”

First show for Joe was in 2007 in Indianapolis. He took his wife and kids to it. His show count is now at 35. They’ve been to four 311 Day events, and five out of the six cruises. “Would have been all 6 but it was moved back to May and we had a son graduating High School.”

Favorite show for him was the sail away show on the first cruise. “That was the most exciting and coolest thing to see 2500 people getting ready to set sail. The energy was intense. And this was the start of a lot of great friendships.”

Joe said that he’s not really a lyric guy, that’s Julie. “I am the guy that can’t hear the words and sings the wrong lyrics. But love the music. How does a guy that has been to 35 shows not know any lyrics??  I write my own lyrics for my life and have loved every moment.” Joe is however, all about the energy of the crowd and the rhythm. “I just love to rock to the sound.  It takes me to a place all my own. There are so many great songs. One that gets me chill in my head and then jumping would have to be Creatures.”

Richmond, Indiana, is where Joe is from and the farthest he’s moved is about 90 miles away to a suburb of Indianapolis called Greenwood. Julie and Joe have lived there for 30 years and have 3 kids. For 25 years he’s been a banker and financial advisor. He also loves to volunteer in his community. “People see me as pretty conservative and good person. I do have that dark crazy side that most people don’t see. The positivity of the 311 family allows me to let loose and enjoy the fun in life. Work hard, play hard. I like to spend as much time as I can with the love of my life and best friend, Julie Waltermann. She brings out the best in me. The best 30 years of my life. We love doing as much as we can with our 3 kids even today as they are getting older and have their own lives. We travel together and play in numerous tennis leagues together. My family is the most important part of my life.”

Joe said he is a true introvert. “Someone once called me a Social Introvert. Most people think I am an extrovert  as I am always talking. This is an introverted awkward reaction to silence in a room. It tends to work great in my work life but I am very quiet at home.”

There is a rule Joe created called “my rule of 50” that he goes by. “Not very original but totally effective. Anytime I was going to pass on an adventure because i was an introvert, I would think whether or not I would regret it when I was 50. I almost passed on going on the first cruise due to many issues, family, cost, and am I too old for this. Guess what? Look at the fun I would have missed and the friends I wouldn’t have. This has worked wonders in missing nothing in life with family and friends. I had zero regrets when I turned 50.  OMG!!! I am over 50. Thanks to the music, my heart, body and mind are still in my 30’s.”

Other musicians that Joe loves includes Dirty Heads, Stick Figure, and Rebelution, which he discovered thanks to 311. “I am still a rocker at heart and love the 80’s and 90’s hair bands. We try to catch any of them touring through Indy. I was too quiet when I was younger and never went to concerts. I am making up for it. Use my “rule of 50”.  Can’t forget Evanescence. Love me some Amy Lee.” Guilty pleasure for Joe is any and all action movies. “Gets the adrenaline pumping.”

To 311, Joe’s message is this: “Thank you for giving me this incredible family.”

Words for all the other fans:

“Go to the shows. Love the music and lyrics(those that can hear the words or google them) and meet as many wonderful people as you can. You will love that these are the friends that will always have your back and make some of your best memories.”

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Thanks Joe for sharing your story! Keep on rocking everyone  – have a kick ass week!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome friends! It’s time we meet another awesome 311 fan. This week I introduce you to Julie Waltermann!

A complete accident is how Julie was introduced to 311. She belonged to the CD club Columbia House and if you didn’t send back the card saying you don’t want the CD of the month, they send it to you. The CD for that month was Soundsystem.“Of course, I forgot to send the damn card! I decided to pop it open and give it a chance as I had heard Come Original on the radio and from then on I was hooked! That CD was on repeat for months in my car! Their music was so unique and combined so many genres that I enjoyed that it was instant fandom.”

Julie’s show count is now at 35, which includes four 311 Day events and five cruises. First show for her was in 2007 in Indianapolis. “Their energy during that first live experience made me want more!” Favorite of the 35 is hard to choose for her. “My first 311 Day in 2010 was only my third live show and was such an epic experience, seeing it was a 6 hour show! It was also my first time being with so many Excitables. The first 311 Cruise always stands out as a favorite as well because the vibe of being with so many fans for all the best reasons was amazing! I met some of my best friends that trip. 2016 at Red Rocks was my absolute favorite venue of all time and I can’t believe I waited so long to visit such an iconic music venue!”

The song that grabbed Julie when she first listened to Soundsystem was “Eons.” It remains her favorite to this day. “That miT riff at the beginning gives me goosebumps every time!” She loves all the words in “Paradise” but the lyrics she chose as favorites are, “Everything you do it comes back to you, whatever it may be. What you did as a devil or did as an angel. The favor returns itself somehow.” She also loves the lyrics, “Life’s a bowl of punch, go ahead and spike it,” and, “You’re all up in my mix like fuckin’ Betty Crocker.”

Richmond, Indiana, is where Julie was born and raised. She now lives in Greenwood and has been there for 25 years with her husband Joe. She and Joe have been married for 30 years and have 3 kids together – Tony, 25; Drew, 22; and Erin, 18. “All three of my kids inherited my love of music and concerts!”

Profession for Julie is dental hygienist, which has also been constant in her life for 30 years! “My boss is great to let me take time off each time I ask for 311 events! Joe and I love to workout, play tennis, travel, and spending time with our kids and friends.”

Joe and Julie met on a blind date when she was a senior in high school. Last March, when in Las Vegas for 311 Day, she surprised Joe with a vow renewal in front of 26 of their excitable friends! “It is literally the ONLY time I have pulled off a surprise on him!!”

Julie says her musical interests are all over the map and are very eclectic. She loves the reggae genre including Stick Figure, Rebelution, and Iration. She also loves some pop such as Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars. She said after 311, Prince and then Dave Matthews Band make up the 2nd and 3rd most songs in her Spotify playlist. “Others on heavy rotation are Dirty Heads, RDGLDGRN, David Bowie, The Police, and recently The Skints. My best friend in the world LOVES country and it is still the one thing we can’t agree on!”

Guilty pleasure for Julie is anything related to “The Real Housewives” on Bravo T.V. “And it drives my husband crazy!”

These are the words Julie has for 311: “Thanks for leading me through the good, the bad, and the ugly that life has thrown at me and giving some amazing friends along the way!”

Now her words to her 311 family:

“Every moment with 311 fans has been a privilege and adventure feeding my soul through life!”

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That’s Julie Waltermann’s story friends! Thanks for sharing Julie and to all who read the posts! Have the best week and see you next time!

Much Love – The Runt

Well hello and welcome back to another awesome 311 fan spotlight. It’s time we meet the lovely Carrie Butler!

It wasn’t that long ago that Carrie got hooked on the music of 311. She and her best friend went to see the 311 & Cypress Hill show in Mansfield, Massachusetts. She’s been hooked ever since!

Since that first show Carrie has seen them 25 times total. Her favorite event so far was this years cruise because it was also she and her husband Paul’s honeymoon.

The song, “Don’t Stay Home” means a lot to Carrie. “I was a single mother that missed out on the concert life to raise my daughter.” Another thing that 311 does that Carrie loves is the drum solo during “Applied Science”.  As soon as she hears the words “Not your head to this,” she knows it’s time to rock out!

Needham, Massachusetts, is where Carrie grew up. She spent a few years in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire, but then finally landed in Maine to be closer to family. For 13 years she worked as a caregiver while also working cleaning a bar/restaurant. Currently she works at Bates College. She and her husband save all of their change to help fund 311 fun!

Carrie is very thankful for having 311 come into her life. “I was in a very abusive relationship with my daughters father and 311 helped me get out and meet so many beautiful people, which one is my husband. I had a lot of anxiety that made me stay home and miss out. When I heard Don’t Stay Home I immediately connected with the lyrics.”

Some things that Carrie is really great at include gardening and pottery, which she vended at her local farmers market for 4 years. Guilty pleasures for her include chocolate and whiskey.

When not jamming out to 311, Carrie can be found playing music from Cypress Hill, Stick Figure, Pearl Jam, Bumpin Uglies, Pink Floyd, and Janis Joplin.

Carrie would like to tell the band: “Thank you for changing my life. For bringing us on the most amazing vacation and making so many memories I will cherish in my heart for eons!”

This is her message to all fellow fans:

“I want to thank all the lovely family I’ve met. I also want to thank Chrissy for taking the time to do the runt rant. Stay positive and love your life.”

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Aww thanks Carrie for the kind words & sharing your story! It’s my pleasure to share the stories of the excitables week after week. Thank you to each and every person who reads about their fellow fans.

Until we meet again my friends, keep being amazing.

Much Love – The Runt