Welcome again friends in 311 nation! It’s time to meet another fan. This week the spotlight takes aim at Christie Carlin!
It was thanks to a friend that Christie discovered 311. He played some songs for her & another friend while playing along on guitar. “We thought highly of his music taste, and for a good reason. I also had a boy I dated that played Grassroots and would sing along with it, I was impressed. Their music was fun, upbeat, stoney, and they are all so handsome. It was a no brainer, I was hooked.”
For show count, Christie said she’s tried many times to get a number but she gives up because it’s just too difficult. Her first show was June 3, 1995, at the Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater. “The KTCL Big Adventure, with a bunch of bands, including Sublime. It was the start of a lifetime obsession. They used to play The Fox in Boulder, The Ogden in Denver, and the Aggie in Fort Collins when they came. You could find me at all of them. I saw them in Grand Junction, Vail, Colorado Springs. Every year at Red Rocks since their first show in 1996. My first 311 day was 2014 and my first cruise 2015.”
As for favorite, Christie said the cruises are the best experience. “I have done the last 3. They are so magical, I met so many people, and had so many fun adventures. Truly an experience that I will never forget and people that will be in my life forever.”
Song that is her favorite, there are many and it changes from album to album. From the start though, she always loved “Hydroponic” and she said it always gives her happy chills. “I just remember memorizing all the words and driving around Denver with my bestie, singing and smoking weed. It has always stuck out for me, and always a favorite to hear live.”
For lyrics, she loves the line from 8:16AM, “There’s nothing like the comfort of a silence that’s comfortable, not talking small, just skip the bull.” She also loves this lyric, “Everything I eat is from the Earth, right? I am what I eat, straight up Earth, right? Nothing but a walking sack of Earth, nice to meet you, how do ya do? Guess what, ya, you’re one too.”
Christie was born in the bay area of California, then moved to Glendale, Arizona, and finally landed in beautiful Colorado. She grew up in Aurora and has now lived in Denver for the last 30 plus years. ” I moved to Georgia for a while, but didn’t like it and I came back to Denver. The Mile High City is home, but I still love to visit the world.”
For work, Christie has a tattoo removal business called Wise Choice Tattoo Removal. She also had a part time job as a server at Comedy Works Downtown in Denver, but that has been closed since the pandemic started. Thankfully her tattoo removal business has been doing well. “Business has been great, and I don’t need a second job anymore. I remove tattoos and do skin treatments with my PicoSure laser. Helping people remove the past, is what I love to do, and I’m happy to help my clients.”
Fun fact about Christie – she won a scholarship in high school to be an exchange student for the summer in Sweden. ” I lived in a small village of less than 100 people. Vebomark, Sweden was my home for over 3 months. I loved it. I had one older host sister, and 5 younger host siblings. We are all connected via Facebook now. It was the time of my life, I remember it very well. I got to go past the arctic circle, a really beautiful country. I plan on returning once it is safe. Definitely started my passion for travel. And I can speak a little Swedish, just a little.”
Like many others with tattoos, Christie said they are one thing that makes her unique. “I love them, but I have also had about 20 of mine removed. I actually removed my 311 tattoo. It was the bars from the Blue album tour poster, and over time it became a square. I removed it and got the traditional 311 on my shoulder with the flower of Jamaica around it, (I got it right before my first cruise). I have all my favorite bands on my spine, but when I ran out of room, I started on my leg. I love tattoos.”
Music that Christie loves has changed over the years, but her current loves include Passafire, RDGLDGRN, Voo Doo Glow Skulls, Mustard Plug, Tool, Beastie Boys, Sublime, Incubus, Ballyhoo!, Bumpin Uglies, Prof, Lucky Daye, H.E.R., Snot, SZA, Manchester Orchestra, Anderson Paak, Hobo Johnson, Chali 2 Na, and Hirie. “Not much I don’t like, music is life.”
As for guilty pleasure, Christie loves the show “Below Deck.” “Reality drama is silly, but I love it.” She also loves the movie Goodfellas and she says she could watch it every day. She also loves to cook! “Mexican food is my favorite. Give me tacos any day! Don’t forget the Margarita.”
To 311, Christie would like to say, “Thank you for a lifelong journey filled with music and friends.”
Now her words to her fellow 311 fans:
“I know that 2020/2021 has been a hell of a year. I can’t wait to sing and dance next to all of you again. It will happen, and when it does, I will be crying happy tears. so give me hugs.”
There you have the story of Christie Carlin! Much thanks for her sharing it, and of course as always to the readers each week! Now an important message – Happy Birthday Nick Hexum!
Hope you all have an amazing week!
Much Love – The Runt