Hello again my Excitable friends! It’s a new week and we have a new fan to spotlight. Let’s meet Krista Bradley!

Krista was a teenager in the mid 90’s and heard a few 311 songs on the radio. She instantly fell in love with their sound. “I did some research on them and I didn’t realize they already had a couple albums out beforethen. Transistor was the first album I ever bought. Being a teenager in the mid 90s was the coolest andlistening to this album always brings back the fun memories I had during that time.”

For show count, Krista is sitting around 10. She went on the last cruise and is going on the next one too. First show for her was in Jackson, Wyoming back in 1996 or 97. “The area I grew up in, concerts didn’t hit our town very often. Jackson was about 3ish hours from where I lived.”

As for favorite, she said excluding the cruise, which was overwhelmingly awesome, she would go with seeing them at The Knitting Factory in Boise in 2012. “It’s my favorite because of the memories that come with it. My friend and I had a bet about what song they were going to start with and I guessed “Down” and I was right. So now every time we hear that song, we both laugh.”

The song “Sunset in July” is the one that means the most to Krista. She said it’s her birthday anthem. She also has several songs from each album that are tied to certain memories, that also mean a lot to her. As for lyrics, these are a few of her favorites: “You can’t be let down if you don’t expect the world,” “Today seems like a good day, to burn a bridge or two,” and “Let me introduce you to the excitable crew.”

Krista grew up in a small town in southeast Idaho called Rigby. She said it’s a very small country town. She grew up listening to a wide range of music, everything from country to grunge to metal and everything in between. “One of my favorite things about listening to 311 is their different sounds in each album. My music changes based on
my mood. I love that you can listen to different albums and get different vibes from each one. The story behind the Transistor album is one of my favorites. My sister and I loved 311 and that album was the first
CD we bought with our own money. We listened to it all the time and she actually started dating her (now husband) boyfriend because of that album. I think I was a Sophomore when we became obsessed with
their music. They weren’t known in our neck of the woods, so it was really cool when we met someone who liked their music. Even now, it’s like you have an instant bond when someone tells you they listen to
their music. Not just the “popular” songs that everyone knows, but songs that never really made it on the radio. One of my best friends of 14 years; we bonded because of 311 and movie quotes. Not only had
she heard of them, but she’s from Omaha and her knowledge absolutely outweighed mine. Transistor and Sound System were my go to albums all throughout high school. Those two albums are an instant time capsule to (in my opinion) one of the greatest times to be a teenager.”

Interesting info about Krista, she was born on the side of the road! “We lived in a very rural area and the closest hospital was about 50 miles away.” She was born in Wyoming and has lived in Montana and Idaho most of her life. “When we went on the cruise in 2023, I think there were like 5 or 6 people from Idaho (including myself and 2 friends). No one really knows where we are and has never really heard of us.”

Fun fact about Krista, she said she is full of useless trivia knowledge. “I’m not even sure how I know some of the things I know but I somehow know them. I knew that 311 was a code for indecent exposure in Omaha, but I don’t remember learning that fact.” She also loves to write short stories and children’s books. “I haven’t done anything with that but I’m told I need to explore that angel.” She also said movie quotes are her second language. “I very rarely run out of things to talk about. Besides music and movie quotes, the other portion of my brain consists of football knowledge.”

Guilty pleasure? Krista said she is basically a child when it comes to watching cartoons and Disney movies. “Well, I’m basically a child when it comes to a lot of things. I will watch cartoons over any other movies. If I had a hidden talent, it would be to sing/karaoke Disney theme songs. I love anything that has to do with the 90s like the original TMNT , T-Rexs (poor guys with short arms), 311 Logo, Metallica Logo, music, movies, etc.” As for other music she loves aside from 311, Krista will listen to pretty much anything 90’s. “Weezer, Metallica, 90’s country. Music is something I share with my kids and we can listen to just about anything.”

When asked what message she would send 311, Krista said if given the chance she would more than likely mess up what she wanted to say. “I would have something cool to say but when it’s actually said it would probably come out completely wrong. Nick or SA asking me if I enjoyed the concert: “Hey, how did you like the concert?” Me in my head: “I loved it!! You guys are so awesome!!” Me out loud: awkward wave : “Thanks, I like bread.”

Now here are her not awkward words to all the other fans out there:

“I think my favorite part of being a 311 fan is the camaraderie and acceptance. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or how long you’ve been a fan, 311 fans just love to live life and have fun. If you’re a longterm fan, my personal message is “Keep living your best life and have fun” T o the people who just discovered their music: “Welcome to the excitable crew!!”

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Thank you Krista for sharing your story with us all! As well as my eternal thanks to all those who read each post. Hope you all have an amazing week & sending out all the good vibes to you all!

Much Love – The Runt

Well hey there 311 nation! Hope everyone is starting their week off well. It’s time to meet the next fan spotlight – say hello to T.J. Mavrogeorge!

Becoming a 311 fan for T.J. happened when his older brother Joe bought the Blue album on cassette tape. T.J. was a freshman in high school. “It was their very distinct sound and positive vibe that drew me to them. We used to play the heck out of that cassette until it was no longer playable. Then he bought Transistor and my life was never the same.”

For number of shows T.J. has seen, he’s lost count over the years. “It’s not a huge number, but I’ve seen them at least 1-3 times over the past 22 years. The first one (because you never forget your first) was March 29 2002 at the Whitmore Arena in Durham NH.”

As for favorite, it’s a tough question to answer for T.J. “There have been so many shows that have been amazing to me, but one of my favorite was the first one I went to with my wife Deanna. It was at the Hard Rock casino in Vegas in 2006. We traveled from Wyoming to Vegas in her blazer, meet up with friends from all over and got to rock out. Well, they got to rock out. I was unfortunately kicked in the back of the head by a crowd surfer and was knocked unconscious. The security guard pulled me over the rail and brought me to the back. They were going to send me to the hospital but I refused treatment. They released me and I was able to catch the last song in the back of the room, missing a shoe. When it was over, we finally met up and told them my story. Not only did they think it was crazy, but so did SA and miT as we waited by their buses and got to tell them about that crazy night. After pics and more stories, miT and up signing my neck tattoo which I then got inked in. That night created many beautiful friendships that I will forever be grateful for.”

As for favorite song, T.J. said this was one of the toughest questions he’s had to answer during this interview. “Most people that know me would say Taiyed, others would say Use of Time or Stealing Happy Hours. All of those would be correct, but Running is the one that means the most and I’ll explain in the next question.”

So next question is do you have any favorite lyrics from 311’s songs? “Give thanks and praise for good things you found” from Running. This is what my wife and I have tattooed along with our wedding date on our persons. 3-11-2008.”

T.J. grew up in the Boston area, born in Boston and lived there until he was 9. Then they moved south…a whole 6 miles south to Quincy. “That is where I cultivated my music taste and love of sports which is obviously everything Boston. When it came down to funding my 311 habit, besides my normal 9-5 job working for Filene’s in the visual design department, I sold 311 decals that I made on the side. That’s how I met my wife, when she decided to pay the ridiculous price I was asking, she thought I was kinda cute…ehhhh. That’s how this city kid ended up in Wyoming and loves it. These days, our 311 habit is funded by our jobs at the hospital, which if you knew me, I would never work in one, but now I live it.”

Interesting fact about T.J. is that his son shares the same date of birth as the band, June 10th, AND he is named after Tim Mahoney! “It’s not really a fact about me, but I still think it’s pretty cool.” T.J. said he doesn’t think he really has much that sets him apart from others, but he can fall asleep almost anywhere!

Guilty pleasures for T.J., he has quite a few. “I love the Lord of the Rings and anything Tolkien. Doctor Who will never do wrong in my eyes. Liverpool FC is the best in all the land. Anyone who says different is obviously lying to themselves.”

For other musicians T.J. loves, he said there is a lot. The short list though includes Czarface, Bad Rabbits, Aesop Rock, Lyrics Born. There’s also Cannons, Childish Gambino, M83, Tears for Fears and Pete Rock. “I could keep going on and on and on and on.”

For a message to 311, T.J. would like to say: “In all honesty, it would just be 2 words: Thank You. Thank you for doing what you do best, making the world a better place through your music. Thank you for all of the amazing friends I have made through you all. Thank you for my amazing wife and son, both of whom I wouldn’t have without 311. Thank you for my sanity.”

Now here are his words to all the other 311 fans:

“The message I want to say to the other fans is actually from a song by Gerry and the Pacemakers :

When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark at the end of a storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a larkWalk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
For your dreams be tossed and blownWalk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone, You’ll never walk alone.”

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Wow what a great way to wrap up this fan spotlight! Huge thanks to T.J. for sharing your story with us all. As well as my undying thanks to all the readers each post. Wishing you all an amazing week!

Much Love – The Runt