Happy 4th of July week excitable nation! While we kick off the holiday week, et’s read all about another fellow member of the 311 community. Meet Dewane Dean!
MTV is where Dewane first discovered 311 when the video for “Down” was being shown in heavy rotation. “All I could remember was, is this real? P-nut high stepping with the bas s guitar, and the pause in the song with Chad on the drums. It felt like 3D. I was hooked. I was drawn to the fact that they were fun and the music was positive. Also the fact that their song was being played on the very same station that the band was dissing. Down- “ And the Channel whatever that wack show Real World is on”. I thought it was bold and ingenious at the time. Then came ALL MIXED UP, mind blown lol.”
First show for Dewane was at the Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta back in 1997 when 311 played with Fishbone. “I was working there as an usher for a event staffing agency and when I heard 311 was playing I had to be at that show. One of my best memories and I was hooked on their live shows every since.” Show count for him is at 65 and he’s seen them play all over the country. Favorite event so far was the cruise to Jamaica in 2015. “It was my first cruise and Soundsystem is my favorite 311 album, so it was perfect.” He also mentioned the 10th anniversary show where they played Grassroots in its entirety and then all of Music. “Epic moment!”
The song “Electricity” means a lot to Dewane. “The words in that song changed my life! It’s rarely played but it’s super special.” Aside from the lyric, “Stay positive and love your life,” one of Dewane’s favorites comes from “Purpose” – “I believe in your Purpose baby, coming up to the surface and maybe I’ll never see you again, then again who knows.” He even has a tattoo on his arm with this lyric.
Originally from Detroit, Dewane moved to Atlanta in with his mom in 1993 at the age of 17. “The South has to grow on me because of where I’m from I wasn’t used to people being so damn nice. You know, Southern Hospitality and all. After my first year in Atlanta I decided this was the place for me. I’ve always been a positive person with ambition to get out of a tough environment. I found that peace of mind in Georgia.” In 2013 his job moved him back up to the Midwest and he was in Chicago for 18 months. “It was the best experience of my life besides the weather of course.” From Chicago Dewane then moved to Houston for a short time but then made his way back to Atlanta because he was homesick. “Atlanta is a special place for 311 fans. Every 311 fan new and old should experience the 2 night concert event at the Tabernacle. Definitely one of the best venues to see the boys. To fund my 311 habit I work for an airline, free flights.”
Some talents Dewane has is that he is a great singer, and he is also very calm and patient in most situations. Guilty pleasures for him include the movie “The Devil Wears Prada” and the T.V. show “Real Housewives of Atlanta.”
Interesting fact about Dewane is that he likes country music as well as rock and roll. He also said he is a gentle giant who just loves people! When not listening to 311 he can be found grooving to Incubus, Deftones, OutKast, Jay-Z, Nas, RDGLDGRN, Pearl Jam, Iration, The Green, Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine, Kendrick Lamar, Jack Johnson, Traffic, LED Zeppelin, Otis Redding, Donnie Hathaway, The Roots, Rebelution, Queens of the Stoneage, Band of Horses, Eminem, J Cole, and The White Stripes.
To 311 Dewane would like to say: “Thank You with everything I have for raising us as fans with your music. I am around the same age and I feel like I’ve grown up with you guys. When Soundsystem came out, I was in a dark place in life, I listen that album today like it is the first time. Also, Mosaic and Stereolitic are some of your best work and we are truly blessed to have you guys together after 28 years.”
Now his message to the 311 fan community:
“I look forward to meeting everyone on the Cruise, 311 Day or the many cities I visit during the tours! Say Hi when you see me. I’m so kool 🙂 We are so fortunate to be apart of a community like this, so enjoy this ride cause Life’s Not A Race 😁”
——————
There you have the story of Dewane Dean! Much gratitude to Dewane for being a part of the spotlight and to all of you who keep reading. Go celebrate life and love, be awesome and spread the positivity!
Much love – The Runt