Welcome back 311 nation! It’s the final spotlight of 2020 – time to wrap up this crazy year and meet again in 2021. Who’s ready for the final spotlight of the year? Let’s meet Stephanie Andrews!

During Steph’s 6th grade year, one of her best friends was listening to a band that she’d never heard of and he played her “Beautiful Disaster” and she was instantly hooked. “I became obsessed with their music and needed to find every single album and every single song I possibly could. Throughout middle school I became known as the girl who was obsessed with 311… not many people knew who they were until they met me. Friends, still to this day, will mention that if they see the clock at 3:11 or hear them on the radio, they think of middle school and think of me.”

Stephanie said that she was really drawn to their music because of the message of positivity. “As a kid I struggled with depression and self esteem issues. Music was my escape and when I found music that sounded great but also had a positive message, I was hooked. I developed a crush on Nick Hexum, like most girls do 😉 and 311 truly became my world, saving me from the negativity around me.”

Show count, Steph believes she is somewhere around 15 or more. Her first show for her was at the Worcester Palladium, in Worcester, Massachusetts, when Hoobastank opened for the band. “I think that was 2002? It was also my first concert, ever! I love being able to say that 311 was my first concert. I went to just about every show every year after that for quite awhile, missed a few in between.”

Favorite show(s) for her she chose the Mardi Gras 2020 shows. “My dream was always to see 311 Day in New Orleans and my husband knew that. He’s not a huge fan but wanted to make it happen for me this year, as we had a rough few months prior with trying to get pregnant and some personal/family issues. He found the shows on ticketmaster and booked the trip… a total surprise! It was our last trip before covid and I ended up *finally* getting pregnant on that trip!!! We stayed in room 311 at our hotel, completely by chance. The shows were amazing and we made a lot of new friends. It was truly the experience of a lifetime. I love the south and New Orleans, and my love for 311 only grew (if that’s even possible!). And to be able to share a show with my husband for the first time meant a lot to me. Great experience all around!”

Picking a favorite song is always hard for fans, so there were a few that came to mind for Steph, including “Sever,” “Stealing Happy Hours,” and “From Chaos.” “Sever got me through some rough times when I was younger and From Chaos truly cemented the positive message into my mind. Stealing Happy Hours has taken on new meaning in my life recently and I just really vibe out to that song.”

As for lyric that she loves, Steph has “From chaos comes clarity” tattooed on her right rib. “It means so much to me because it really gave me a new perspective on how to be positive, how to see the good from a bad situation and realize that even though there is chaos, there will be clarity once it has passed. I remind myself of that every time I’m in a tough or stressful situation. I wouldn’t be where I am today without that quote. It made me grow and evolve so much.” She also has “Sun come through” tattoeed on her left forearm. “I love having that reminder every single day and that lyric means SO much to me. To constantly be reminded that the sun WILL come through any of my darkest times, is something that gets me through anything.”

Stephanie grew up in the small town of Westford, Massachusetts. She currently lives in New Hampshire, but she and her husband spend a lot of time in his hometown of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. “I’m sad to have missed out on some Florida shows but I can’t wait for live music to come back and go to some shows down there!”

Steph says her upbringing is completely the reason she got into 311. ” I needed that positive outlet, as I mentioned before, and 311 shaped me into the positive, ever evolving individual that I am today. I do my best to see the good in everything and I truly understand now, at 31, why Nick pushes “stay positive and love your life”. Life is too short to be anything but positive.”

Fun fact about Stephanie is that she’s super into astrology and the stars. “I find it so interesting that we’re on this tiny little planet out in space with so many possibilities of what else could be out there. I guess that’s another reason I vibe with 311 so much.” Guilty pleasure for her is the podcast Call Her Daddy. “I’m married and a new mom to a baby girl but I just love listening to that podcast! Haha.”

Something unique about Steph? She said it’s probably her empathetic nature. “I’m always trying to help people and see the good, find the reason for their behavior and try to help them through whatever it may be. I find not many people are quite the level of empathetic I am. I used to think of it as a flaw, that I cared too much while no one else seemed to care at all… but I think we need more people like that in the world! Whenever someone is quick to judge, I try to think of the opposite. Think of why they feel a certain way and work through it with them.”

Aside from 311, Steph said she doesn’t listen to many other bands like them or in their realm. She is mostly into “outlaw” country and Americana. ” I know, polar opposite. I listen to Jason Isbell, Tyler Childers, Turnpike Troubadours, Reckless Kelly, Drive By Truckers, Miranda Lambert, etc. I’m not much into any bands similar to 311, but I pretty much listen to every genre and love all types of music. Country is my home, but 311 is my soul.”

To 311, Stephanie has these words: “Thank you for saving me and showing me light during so much darkness in my life.”

Now Steph’s message to all the other fans:

“The unity we have as a fanbase is something unmatched and shouldn’t be taken for granted. I don’t think any other band can compare to this type of fanbase. I’ve made so many new friends because of 311 recently and I’m so proud to be surrounded by such positive and FUN individuals as a result… always remember the message of the music and you’ll never be let down.”

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That’s it folks, the final spotlight of 2020 and what a great one! Thanks Steph for sharing your story with us. Always eternal gratitude to all the supporters out there! See you in the new year….get ready for fan spotlight number 311! Happy New Year!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome again friends out in 311 nation! Time marches on and here we are for fan spotlight #309. This week let’s meet Sarah Smith!

It was Sarah’s friend Stephanie who brought 311 into her life during her 7th grade year. She would listen to songs like “Beautiful Disaster,” “Come Original,” and “All Mixed Up” on Winamp. Plus of course watched the music videos online. “I was at an age of discovering myself, my likes, and their music just clicked with me. I instantly fell in love.”

For show count, Sarah said she thinks it’s only 5 but it feels like so many more because each one was just so good. “My first show was in Albany, NY (where I grew up) and they were playing with AAF. My friend had come with me and he was into very heavy rock and screamo and to this day, he still says that this 311 show had THE best mosh pit he has ever been to, and he has been to a lot!”

Favorite show for Sarah was 311 Day 2010 in Las Vegas. “Not only was the show amazing, but the entire experience and few days there were absolutely amazing. There were fans everywhere AND I stayed in room 311! I am dying to go to the next 311 day event.”

First song that came to mind when asked what her favorite is, Sarah said it’s “I’ll Be Here Awhile.” “I can’t say its even a favorite of mine at the moment (I love it! I think I have just listened to it so much!) but that song got me through many hard times when I was younger and it was there to help me going through any hard times I was going through.”

For favorite song lyric, there is a line from “This Too Shall Pass” that hits home for Sarah: “Your problems will seem inconsequential and trivial when you realize one thing, we’re just a speck of dirt on this golf ball called earth so get stupid and sing.” Sarah said these words have gotten her through a lot in her life and helps put things in perspective for her. She also lives by “Stay positive and love your life” as it’s gotten her through tough times and made her the positive person she is today!

Sarah grew up in Albany, New York. She moved to Maine in 2016 and just recently purchased her first home with her fiancé. “I have a dog and 2 cats and I work for them to have a good life. I am a licensed veterinary technician but am not currently in practice but work with the blood analyzers that most veterinary offices use. I am combining my love for animals and my degrees I have with animals with the new degree I am working on, a degree in IT.”

Sarah has a dog named Elsie and she had to bottle raise her from when she was just 2 days old. “So she literally thinks I am mom haha. She is now 6.5 years old and she is perfect!” When not working, Sarah likes to wind down by playing video games. Guilty pleasure for her is cheesy Christmas movies! “I know how they will all end but I will watch them over and over and love them each time!”

Other music that Sarah loves includes Linkin Park, System of a Down, Dashboard Confessional, and Bright Eyes. She also now listens to a lot of Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid, Queen, and Too Many Zooz.

Sarah would like to tell 311 these words: “Thank you for getting me through all the good and bad times in my life, you have truly made me the positive person I am today!”

Now her message to all the other fans out there:

“You guys are amazing and I am so happy to be a part of this positive community!”

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Thank you Sarah for sharing your story with us all!And a huge congrats on your engagement that just happened!! Of course, much gratitude to all the supporters of this little blog. Hope you all have an amazing week.

Much Love – The Runt

Hey hey 311 nation! Welcome back for the next edition of the fan spotlight. This week let’s read the story of Adam Medeiros!

When Adam was in high school there was a jam band that played at every pep rally. During his freshman year the band played “Down” and the whole school went nuts. “I remember thinking “whoa, that song is awesome”. I looked up 311, went to my first show a year later, and have been hooked ever since.”

Adam is one of those fans that knows exactly how many shows he’s attended and he has a spreadsheet that has the date, supporting act, and setlist. “I’ve been to 21 shows, seen 177 unique songs live, and the song I’ve seen the most is Applied Science (20!).” Favorite supporting act for Adam was Snoop Dogg in 2008.

Favorite show/event for Adam he said was 311 Day 2010 in Las Vegas. “I had just started dating my wife and we went with one of my friends that goes to all of the 311 shows with me. It was a ton of fun in Vegas and I got to meet so many great 311 fans. The setlist was amazing too – 60 songs including setlist debuts for Sun Come Through and Get Down.”

As it is for most fans, there are a ton of songs that mean a great deal to Adam. “There are songs that get me hyped up like nothing else can (Creatures, Down, FTBS), riffs that give me goosebumps every time (intro to Reconsider Everything), and songs that totally nail how I’m feeling and make me hopeful it’ll get better (Sun Come Through, Beyond the Gray Sky).” One of his favorite lyrics comes from “Reconsider Everything” : “Anytime you will ignore your heart it will come back twice more. Never deny your own instinct, Reconsider Everything.” “It’s a good reminder to stay true to yourself and go with your gut, it’s usually the right move.”

Adam was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, which is a medium sized city in the southeastern part of the state. He moved to Worcester, MA, to get his BS in Biochemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He then attended Worcester State University to get his MS in Biotechnology. “I took part in a study abroad program in Australia and lived there for 3 months in 2007, that’s probably the only cool place I’ve ever lived. Now, I live with my wife (Amy), 2 year old son (Ethan), and 5 year old black lab (Maverick) in Marlborough, MA.”

For work, Adam signed on with the company Quest Diagnostics right out of college and has been with them ever since. “My current job title is Continuous Improvement Program Manager, which means I lead project teams and manage junior project managers to complete big projects for the company. Luckily, I’ve been able to work from home since the pandemic ramped up back in March.”

Adam was so psyched when 311 decided to put photos of fans on the cover of the Mosaic album. “I have 2 pictures on the cover that are very special to me. One is a wedding photo of my wife and I and the other is a picture of my 311 crew and I in the parking lot before a concert. It connects a lot of the things I love together with other fans, it was fun finding many of you!”

Drumming is something that Adam really enjoys. He’s never been in a band but he took lessons for a bit and he plays an electric drum kit in his basement. “I mostly just jam along to music but I practice reading music and do exercises to get faster and more accurate too.” Cool fact about Adam is that his family has a top secret Limoncello recipe! “We make 1-2 big batches a year and give them out to friends and family.”

Guilty pleasure for Adam is that he is a self-proclaimed, big time nerd. “I love the Marvel movies, I go to the Boston and Providence Comic Cons every year, and I even play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends. I know, it sounds like the nerdiest thing on the planet but D&D is actually really fun. If any of you get a chance to try it you definitely should!” Adam said he also has another guilty pleasure, his wife has him hooked on the Lifetime show “Married at First Sight.” “Five sets of couples meet at the altar and they follow them around for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8 weeks they have to decide if they are staying married or not. It’s amazing trash TV.”

For other musicians that Adam loves, he listed Rebelution, Stick Figure, Ballyhoo!, and said he’s into many of the fun, summertime reggae/rock music that we see when 311 tours. However a lot of the time you can find him listening to hard rock and heavy metal. “I grew up mostly listening to Disturbed, Godsmack, Sevendust, Breaking Benjamin, and Metallica. The angrier music is a good outlet for when I get stressed or angry – just listening to a few songs can diffuse a bad day.”

To 311, Adam has this message: “Thank you for building something that is so rare in an age where new music is all around us: a steady stream of new music that is evolving and powerful, unique fan experiences like the Cruise (which I still need to go to!) and 311 Day, a community of fans that you are so in touch with, and the longevity to be the soundtrack to every major phase of my life.”

Now here are his words to all of the fans out there:

“311 Nation it has been so much fun getting to know all of you. Every show I meet new people and reconnect with old friends. I can’t wait to meet more of you, either through Chrissy’s interviews or in person at shows. Stay safe and stay healthy so we can all enjoy some 311 together soon. I know everyone says it but I mean it too…Stay Positive and Love Your Life!”

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Thank you Adam for sharing your story with us! So much love & gratitude to all of you that support this project. Have an amazing week, keep smiling and stay healthy!

Much Love – The Runt

Welcome again my friends in 311 nation! I hope you all are doing well & staying safe. Let’s get to it and meet the latest fan spotlight, Crystal Decoteau!

Crystal remembers being on the bus in elementary school and hearing 311 on the radio. She has two siblings that are 5 and 7 years older than her, and she would hear them playing the songs as well, but it was just the mainstream songs at first. “Fast forward to high school, my older boyfriend at the time played them for me and I remember being like “oh hey, I loved that song when I was a kid.” So he burned me a few cd’s but I only listened to them sporadically. It wasn’t until my first 311 show at 16 that I got hooked. I was in a dark place at the time dealing with severe depression and suicide. My friend had an extra ticket to the Download Festival at the Tweeter Center in Mansfield, MA and made me go. I hadn’t really listened to them too much, but I went to the show because I wanted to see The Wailers and Dropkick Murphy’s and it was going to be my first music festival. I remember the intense energy of the crowd along with 311 when they stepped on the stage. It was something I had never felt before. There was a huge thunder and lightening storm that temporarily stopped the show and when the show continued the energy was even more crazy. After that night I started listening to them constantly, wanting to feel what I had felt during that show. I started really listening to their lyrics and felt like it hit home. The first time I listened to “Beyond the Gray Sky” I cried and realized I wanted to fight my depression and not let it consume me anymore. I became obsessed with 311 and relied on their music and their positive message to get me through everything. I tell people 311 saved my life because their music literally uplifted me and helped me change my point of view on everything. I was so hooked that I had bought every single album and listened to them nonstop. I went to every single show possible after 2006. But it wasn’t until 2015 that I talked to someone at a show and they asked if I was part of the “Familia”. I had no idea what he was talking about (I was never much of a social media person) so after the show I went home and checked it out. I had no idea there was such a huge group of like minded, loving and caring people. I have terrible social anxiety so I never really talked with anyone at shows besides the random sharing of blunts. Suddenly I learned about 311 Day and the Cruises and saw all these strangers coming together for the same love of 311. I fell in love with 311 all over again! It has become more than just music to lift my spirits when I’m feeling depressed, it has become a way of life for me. “

Crystal never really kept track of the number of shows she attended because when she started, she didn’t realize how much of a relationship she was going to develop with 311. “I see people hit milestones on show counts and wish I had kept track. I didn’t start keeping ticket stubs right away either. I tried going through them the other day and realized how many I’m missing. I’ve seen them at least once every year since I was 16, so theoretically I’m around 30 shows including the 2019 Cruise and 311 Day 2020. My first show was the Download Festival in 2006 in Mansfield, MA.”

As for favorite, Crystal said that each show has it’s own special moment for her. If she was forced to choose just one though it would be the cruise. ” I had tried to go on a 311 Cruise for years and was never able to get OTMFB. I finally got a spot with my sister and fellow slinky Krista. We celebrated my 30th Birthday, so the first show as we set sail was out of this world. It was a dream come true to finally be in that moment. And to share it with my sister (who doesn’t understand my obsession and love for 311) was amazing.”

Just like Crystal said that every show has a special meaning to her, so do the songs. However “Beyond the Gray Sky” she says is a song that helped save her life. It was the lyrics, “Don’t give up the fight to stay alive, and even if you have to find the reason of another’s pain if they lose you, if not for yourself, then those around who care like I do” that really hit her. “Although I have a hard time listening to it now. I don’t want to dwell on the past, I want to continue to stay positive, love life and more forward.”

Some other lyrics that Crystal loves include: “I’m the perfect example of not giving a fuck about the catty rude people that just suck;” “To be alive is lovin’:” “You can’t be let down if you don’t expect the world;” “Fuck the naysayers cuz they don’t mean a thing;” “Lovely life I thank you for the reason to see the pain through;” “I’d like to stay here just like this, it’s just a momentary bliss, that’s all we can hope for, that’s the reason to cope for, this life, this life and no more;” “Life could slip away in absent minded numbness;” and “You wanna get free cause you dwell under the spell of negativity, and when the world is crashing down crumbling at your feet, just lean into it.”

Crystal was born and raised in Southern New Hampshire, which she said has pretty small towns with not a lot to do. She’s only moved four times in her life and it was always 1-2 towns from where she was. “Living in small towns there was never really anything to do so pretty much everything revolved around music. Whether it was sitting in my room painting, doing chores, roller blading, going to open mic nights, everything I did involved jamming out to music. I never went anywhere without my walkman/cd player and headphones. Every family vacation as a kid I would just sit there listening to music. When I was 13 I taught myself how to play guitar, but found it hard to find the time to play with school and work once I turned 16. Once in High School, driving around with friends listening to music is basically all we did (while smoking weed of course). My parents were pretty strict so that on top of living in a place with nothing to do made it pretty boring. But occasionally me and my friends would sneak out to the local underground spots where small bands would play.”

Crystal said she spent most of her childhood isolating herself because of her depression, so once she graduated high school and started loving life more, she realized how important her family was to her. “I wanted to make up for the time I lost pushing them away. So even though I’ve always wanted to pack up and move to a new place in the world, I don’t want to be far away from my family. So now I just try my hardest to save money to travel the world. I went backpacking in Europe with my sister and visited her in Morocco (she’s lived on 4 different continents).”

At the age of 16 is when Crystal got her first job, and she said she’s just been working hard ever since to fund her concert life and to make money to travel the world. “I go to about a dozen shows a year, it’s really all I do for fun. Concerts/music is my form of therapy. I’ve worked in customer service my whole life. Started in retail and ended up in the restaurant industry. Which is kind of ironic cause I was always super shy growing up and still have intense social anxiety.”

Crystal loves to spend time with her family, she loves animals, and she loves to go on adventures and try new things. “Ever since I found a new love for live, I’m pretty much open to anything.” Fun fact about Crystal is that for the last 4 years she has managed a craft cocktail bar. “It’s won a few awards for their cocktails. People tell me all the time that I’m an amazing “mixologist” (I don’t see it, but again self reflection/confidence is something I’m still working on). I do love bartending in a craft cocktail setting. It’s way different then regular bartending. Being able to play with different ingredients like pickling spices, ginger, lavender, etc. and come up with a cocktail that tastes good and blows peoples mind is fun. It’s like chemistry, but with a sense of creativity.”

Guilty pleasure for Crystal? She loves getting stoned and coloring. “I love to just relax and let my mind float away. I’ll put some music on and just color for hours. That and blasting music and dancing. If you ever see me at a show, I’m usually wearing sunglasses just dancing my heart out as if I’m the only one in the room.”

For other artists that Crystal loves, they are as follows: Tropidelic, Fortunate Youth,  Rebelution, Tribal Seeds, The Elovaters, Stick Figure, Slightly Stoopid, The Movement, Iration, Atmosphere, Incubus, Jurassic 5, Deftones, Tool, Glass Animals, CHVRCHES, Citizen Cope, Snakehips, Chet Faker, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Halsey, Alessia Cara, and Lorde. “But seriously, I listen to everything. I have a favorite band/artist for every genre.”

To 311, Crystal has this message: “Thank you for saving my life! Your music has helped me in so many ways I can’t even begin to put it into words. It has become more than just music for me, it has become a way of life. Keep spreading the love and positivity!”

Her message to all the other fans out there is this:

“Thank you for being so great! I don’t really know anyone and have yet to get over my social anxiety, but I know I can call each and every one of you a friend. I can’t wait till we can all be at a show together again!”

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Thank you Crystal for sharing your story and love of 311! It was a pleasure to write it and I send so much gratitude to all those supporters out there! I hope you all have an amazing week, keep being awesome!

Much Love – The Runt