Hey all – happy New Year week! 2020 is about to descend upon us and what better way to wrap up this year than to read the last 311 fan spotlight of 2019. It’s time to meet Zachary Gibson!

The age of 12 was when Zachary found 311. He loved the vibes of the punk rock and reggae feel! First time he saw 311 was in Mesa, Arizona, August 28, 2012. It was with the band Slightly Stoopid. “Wish i would have went to one sooner! After that my excitement for more 311 shows was kicking in!  So far I think I have been to 12 shows which isn’t much at all, I want to at least get to 40 very soon!”

As far as favorite show, Zachary chose seeing them at the Roxy. “That was so up close and intimate.”

One of his favorite songs he says is 311’s cover of “Love Song.” “Just been going through some rough times lately and it keeps my head up.”

One of his favorite lyrics comes from the song “I Told Myself.” “Burn me once shame on thee but burn me again shame on me. I’m chasing and facing the point misplacing.”

Zachary was born in Downey, California, but has been all over the U.S. He moved to North Carolina when he was about 6 years old, then Arizona until the age of 15, and now he is in Arkansas. He is moving back to AZ in April though. To fund his love for 311 he is a magician and hypnotist. “I try to do as many shows as I can so I’m able to go have a great time! Plus during sets at 311 day 2018 I was vibing with some people showing them magic and so I hope I can goto 311 day 2020 now that every weekend I will be doing my own hypnosis shows there. Thank God for sticking to my dream.”

One thing you may not know about Zachary is that he can be a sarcastic person. Talent of his is obviously magic and hypnosis, but he’s also a great cook.

When not listening to 311 he can be found jamming to tunes from Rebelution and Fortunate Youth. Guilty pleasure for him? He said it’s just listening to 311 on repeat!

To 311, Zachary has these words: “Your music has really helped me out a lot!”

To all his fellow 311 fans:

“I wanted to say that all 311 fans are pretty much family! Almost all 311 shows I’ve been to all the fans treat each other with respect, and also FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS ! ;)”

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Thanks to Zachary for sharing his story! As we wind this year and decade down, a HUGE thank you to all the participants and supporters of this venture. I love writing your stories and sharing them with the world. Thanks for being awesome people! See you in 2020!

Much Love – The Runt

Happy Holidays excitable nation! Hoping you all have a peaceful and joyous holiday week. Let’s get it started with this edition of the 311 fan spotlight – meet Rich Williams!

It was Rich’s high school girlfriend who introduced him to 311. She had a bootleg tape from Nebraska and told him he needed to listen to this song, “My Stoney Baby.” “I listened to song and then the album Music and I was like this rock/rap band is amazing. I couldn’t believe how different and tight the band sounded at that time.”

While Rich doesn’t count the exact number of shows he’s attended, he believes the count is somewhere in the 40’s. First show he went to was in 1996 at Red Rocks Amphitheater. “They played an amazing 27 song set list that blew my mind (check the set list on the 311 site).”

Rich lives in Colorado, so he’s lucky enough to have Red Rocks right in his backyard to see amazing shows! However his favorite 311 show so far was the Sokol 25th anniversary show in Nebraska. “It was my first “special show” and the set list was amazing. I couldn’t believe a big band would come back and give back to their old school fans like that. There’s nothing  those small venues where you and 600 of your friends jam with a band and become one that night.”

There are many songs that mean a lot to Rich, as he feels he has evolved with the band over the last 30 years. However he chose “Little Brother” as a song that really stands out to him. “The reason I like it is I really identify with it. I’m a little brother and my big brother always looked out for me when I started going down the wrong paths in life, kinda like what Nick did for his brother. Plus it could be the most punk rock song they have, it’s so heavy! I believe they have only played it once in 3/11/14. I need to hear this at 311 day.”

One of his current favorite lyrics is from the song “Stainless” – Not for the faint of heart, It will not be painless. You’ll take your licks and you’ll never come out stainless whoa oh, oh. Outlandish dreams can come to pass, it happens so fast. There’s no end to what you can achieve, but first you gotta believe.”

Rich’s family is from the San Francisco Bay Area and he said his parents were hippies in the 60’s in San Francisco. “I mean my Dad saw Jimmy Hendrix c’mon man that is everyone’s bucket list. I would say I got my love of music from my dad initially then my older brother and sister.” Rich moved to Colorado his freshman year of high school and has been there ever since. “I absolutely love it here. I have raised 3 kids here and they are all grown up and out of the house. So once they kids left I went on tour with 311 every year starting in 2017. I was just over 40 years old and saying to myself what should I do with my life? So I went road tripping and found myself and 311 and it really rejuvenated my life, It reminded me of my youth when I would travel to see the Dead or Phish.”

Interesting fact about Rich is that he has a ton of phobias including clowns, balloons, spiders, and snakes. Something that makes him unique is that he’s a very outgoing and social person most of the time. “I can go anywhere and meet somebody and have a good time. I started traveling around following 311 and I would just introduce myself as Rich from Denver and it has just stuck, it like I have this alter ego when I go on tour.”

Some other bands that Rich loves include System of a Down, Alice in Chains, Rage Against the Machine and Iron Maiden. He also really enjoys Rebelution and RDGLDGRN. Guilty pleasure for Rich is The GAP band. “I freakin love them, I mean who doesn’t right?”

Rich’s message to 311 is: “I appreciate every band members attitude, humbleness and dedication to their ever evolving music and fans.”

Now his words to all the fellow 311 fans:

“I have met hundreds of people on my travels and I will say overall we are the best fans ever and friends for life all over the country. Stay Positive and Love your life. Much Love, Rich From Denver!”

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There you have the story of Rich Williams! Much gratitude to Rich for sharing his tale and to all those out there who keep on reading. You are all amazing and I wish you the happiest holiday season!

Much Love,

The Runt

Hey hey friends in 311 nation! Another week has arrived and that means it’s time for the next fan spotlight. Let’s meet Jessica Sullivan!

It was a time in Jessica’s life when she needed clarity on things she had been through and where she wanted to be that she found the music of 311. “I was introduced to 311 from my cousins boyfriend in 1994.  He came from a party and was pumped up on 311 and shared it with us.  As soon as he hit play I was hooked.  I never looked back.  I became consumed by 311 immediately.  I played Off Beat Bare Ass for about 8 hrs straight just to be able to sing along every word.  I can honestly say I have studied 311 for many hours.”

Jessica’s show count number is at 64. She’s been to see 311 at Red Rocks 3 times, attended 311 Day three times, and has been on the last 3 cruises. First show for her was in 2000 in Boise at the Double Tree Hotel. “It was maybe 800 people in a little area.  I held a sign that said “Show me your Omaha Stylee” for about 45 min.  They came out on stage and rocked it the first song!  I was beyond excited!  That was the first of many memories I have made because of this band.” As for her favorite event, it’s a tie between 311 Day 2018 and the cruise to Jamaica. “Epic moments and memories! The basement stage at 311 day was alllll the feels! Epic moment on the 311 Cruise when Vanessa Holliday Girard took the mic from SA – HA HA HA THE BESTTTTT!!!!!!”

Trying to decide on a favorite song seemed impossible to Jessica. She did name a few of her favorites, including “Do You Right,” “Face in the Wind,” and “Too Late.” As for a favorite line from a song, she chose this one from “Evolution” – “Evolution is exponential timing, it’ll be half as long until the next breakthrough that blows our mind. It’s up to the people to be brave on with experimentation move forth the species by using our imagination.”

Jessica grew up in Idaho and is the oldest of 6 children who ALL love 311! “My co brodel and little brother Johnathon Sullivan has been with me every step of the way! Bail bonds for funds, whatcha gonna do? Hold my beer and watch me run like its my wedding day to the pit when the music starts. Actually I have been waiting at the rail for 7 hours ha ha !  (I have to pee).”

Something people may not know is that Jessica grew up in a very strict & religious home. . “One of the saving graces was 311.” Some fun facts about her: She’s not articulate but has beautiful handwriting and she can shred a mountain like a block of cheese. “Snowboarding is my passion!” Also she’s really into Crossfit. “And just so everyone knows, my autocorrect tried to write crossfire LOL.”

Guilty pleasure for Jessica? “ Smoke weed everrryyyydaaayyyy! Space cruises &  KCR.” Other musicians she loves include Coheed and Cambria, The Avett Brothers, Most Def, KO-S, and so many more. 

To 311, Jessica has these words: “Thank you for changing my life in the most positive way, I have felt every emotion through your music; we are all together as one organism in celebration!”

Finally, her words to all her fellow fans:

“I fucking love every single person I have ever met, whether this side of the moon or not! Love you Clont! Our Familia runs thick…every inch of the planet!! To all my friends it’s not the end, the Earth hasn’t swallowed me yet, See you at 311 day 2020. See you in 100 DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!”

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Thank you Jessica Sullivan for sharing your story! Much love to you and to all the readers as well. Have an amazing week!

Much Love – The Runt