311 Fan Spotlight #423 – 11/11/24 – Anthony Vallario!

Hello 311 nation! It’s about time for the next fan spotlight. Let’s meet Anthony Vallario!

Anthony had just moved to Oklahoma, where he met some likeminded cats. One of them was an intern at the local radio station and he introduced him to one of the jocks, Rich. “Rich was the one that got all the submissions from record companies like Capricorn. 311 Music and Grassroots were the last two to show up and we listened. Hooked immediately; so much so that when the tour was announced, we immediately committed to the 1994 Trees Dallas Texas show. That show of maybe thirty people in attendance set it off. Been going to their shows ever since. Actually met the band immediately and easily after the show.”

While Anthony isn’t a spreadsheet keeper, he’s pretty sure his show count is in the late 60’s or early 70’s, based on some quick head math. First show was in 1994 at Trees in Dallas, Texas. As for favorite, he has three, not including the first show he saw. “1.) Taking my then girlfriend, now wife Carmen, to her first concert EVER, which was the Oklahoma date of the Transistor tour. Set a high bar that day lol. 2.) Cruise 1 sail away show for obvious reasons  3.) 311 Day 2020. Those few days were very special in saying goodbye to a world we once knew.”

Song that means the most to Anthony is hands down, “Tranquility.” “That song got me through back to back deaths in my family. I still tear up when it plays.” As for some favorite lines from their songs, Anthony said these stand out to him: “But when I look at you it’s like praying with my eyes,” and “I want to sniff the glue that holds me to you.”

When asked where he’s from, Anthony says he usually has a smart ass reply, “My mom’s womb.” However, he says this answer is pretty much true as he grew up an Army brat and doesn’t have a hometown, he attended 4 different elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools. “Call me adaptive and dynamic because of this. In order, I grew up in the following, North Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Germany, New York, Kansas, Texas, Germany, DC and Oklahoma. My family as a whole are from St. Petersburg Florida and I’ve spent many a summer there in between moves. Part of my high school experience was also overseas and in DC. Saw a bunch of good shows because of this. Grateful Dead with Jerry and Blood Sugar Sex Magik tour being two of them. My upbringing was fun and I don’t regret any of it. Landed in Oklahoma as it was Dad’s last duty station and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet in life. From there college, internship, career in IT and meeting my future wife all came into play. Been here ever since short a slight stint at 3rd Army in Atlanta as I was doing simulations at the time and was part of the internal look and ramp up team for the 04 effort in Iraq.”

Anthony has been married to Carmen since September 9, 2000. They’ve been together since winter of 1995. They have two sons who are pretty much grown at this point. “My boys and Carmen tolerate my 311 fandom as they know concerts are my thing and sometimes Carmen comes along for the ride for some fun too.”

Interesting fact about Anthony is that he’s shy and a bit on the spectrum. “Social anxiety happens frequently for me but concerts smooth that shit out.” Another interesting fact about him is he’s a Liberal gun nut. “I haven’t met many folks that have the social and fiscal beliefs I have that also love a good trigger pull. The conservative cats at the range take pride in “the most well armed hippie” being part of their ranks.”

For a guilty pleasure, he’s a “Below Deck” fan thanks to his wife Carmen. “If you’re a husband or wife and you find yourself alone watching something your significant other typically watches, you are not co-watching… you are now a fan.”

For other music that Anthony is into, he said he believes the term for himself is “polyjamourous.” “I like live music and even some country. Currently in rotation are Tropidelic, Two Player, RDGLDGRN, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Teddy Swims, Briston Maroney, Arts Fishing Club and Lamb of God.”

As for what Anthony would say to 311, he chose the same thing he says every time he gets to see them which is simply, “Thank you.”

Now here is his message to all other fans out in the universe:

“To all the fans I’ve met through 311 over the years, I love you and I’m so glad to know you. 
To all the fans I’ve yet to meet through 311 in the coming years, can’t wait for the opportunity.
To all the rail riders, hold my spot I’ll be right back…”


Thank you Anthony for sharing your story with all of us! Plus a huge thank you to anyone reading each post. Wishing you all good things to come.

Much Love – The Runt

311 Fan Spotlight #422 – 11/4/24 – Mallory Kohler!

Hey there 311 nation! We are back with the next edition of the 311 fan spotlight. Let’s meet Mallory Kohler!

Mallory’s older brothers graduated high school in the early 2000’s, so she grew up listening to 311 thanks to them. Her oldest brother had a rock band in high school with his best friends and they were highly influenced by 311, Incubus, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. “Also, my cousin is from Omaha and a girl we went to college with is friends with the band. so he used to hang with them back in the day haha.”

Show count for Mallory is at 16 she believes. First show for her was in 2007 at DTE (now Pine Knob) near Detroit, Michigan. ” I had just turned 16 and had been begging both of my brothers for years to take me. My 21 year old brother agreed, and I was the youngest out of the group lol. I had the time of my life though and have been obsessed ever since.”

For a fave show, Mallory said every show is a new memory so she loves them all for different reasons. “2022 in Vegas was my first 311 day, so that was like bucket list for me. Chicago blue album and Transistor shows are definitely up there as well. 2023 was my first time in Colorado and first ever red rocks experience, and that was bucket list for me as well lol.”

For a favorite song, Mallory said the beauty of 311 is that they’re a band that has a song that will fit every mood/emotion. “So it just depends on what mood I’m in. Anything from Music makes me think of my oldest brother, as he used to play covers in his high school band. He passed away back in 2012, so any early 311 makes me think of him.” For favorite lyrics, Mallory loves the following: “Fuck the bullshit, it’s time to throw down,” “The deepest dream we have could be tomorrows son,” “Inspiration, I’ve been waiting all my life,” “You’re all up in my mix like fuckin’ Betty Crocker,” and “Music’s what I need to keep my sanity.”

Mallory is from Michigan, born and raised and still residing there. “I would love to live somewhere in the mountains like Colorado, Nevada, out west somewhere I suppose.” She loves traveling and she started her 311 habit after the first pandemic lockdown. “My first concert in 2021 was actually 311 when them came to Detroit lol. I talked amongst fans before the show and mentioned 311 day and cruises. I said “man, I want to attend both of those some day.” and by March of 2022, I was booked for a week in Vegas for 311 day! I also attended the Chicago album shows that year as well. I had never been to so many concerts in one year! haha. After 2022, i just realized that life is too short to not take risks, so I decided to travel solo all over the US. I was nervous, as solo traveling was new to me and totally out of my comfort zone, but I have met soooo many amazing people throughout my journey.”

Interesting fact about Mallory is that she took hip hop dance classes 6th through 8th grade. “I love me some hip hop!” She also really enjoys arts and crafts projects. “Often my ADHD gets in the way of completing most projects, but I still enjoy it. I have also started getting into reading recently, and I’m amazed at how much I enjoy it as an adult lol.”

Guilty pleasure? Mallory is a sucker for boy bands! “Been listening to a lot of One Direction lately. RIP Liam Payne aka my British boyfriend.” As for other musicians she likes, the list includes Ween, Tool, Incubus, Sublime, Paramore, Deftones, Teenage Wrist, Turnstile, Primus, The Eagles, The Beatles, The Doors, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

Mallory has this message to the guys in 311: “I love you and appreciate all you have done for this community, you have no idea how much of an impact you have on all of us fans.”

Now here is her message to all the other fans out there!

“You guys are awesome! Thank you for letting me embrace my awkwardness, and I am so thankful to have met you. and to those who I have not met yet, cant wait to meet you someday! (OTMFB, perhaps?) 😁”


Thank you Mallory for sharing your story with us all! And of course, my love & thanks to all the readers each post. Hope you all have an amazing week!!

Much Love – The Runt