Welcome friends out there in 311 nation! The new edition of the fan spotlight has arrived. Let’s meet Ryan McKinnon!
The year was 1995, in the spring season to be exact, when Ryan first found 311. His friend’s brother was driving them to baseball practice and he was playing the “Grassroots” album as they went. “I had to ask, “What is this!?” I was instantly intrigued by the raw sound and energy emitting from radio. The Down single dropped shortly after and the rest is
history. The mix match of styles, songs for any mood and the positive message being displayed got me hooked. The fact that they were stoners with an affinity for aliens was an added bonus. Lots of smoke rides in the boonies with 311 blaring through the car speakers during high school.”
For big events, Ryan has attended 311 Day in New Orleans in 2002, then Memphis in 2006, and Vegas in 2020. “Those were all special with Nola probably taking the cake.” Ryan says he also misses them playing the smaller venues, like when he saw them in Boston in 2001. “Needed a breather from the pit and went to get a soda. Then I was like damn how the heck am I supposed to go join my friends as the place was packed. So I asked a couple people to lift me up to crown surf my way back up front and ended up kicking my buddy Gabe in the head before crowd surfing all the way over the rail and into the pit up front. My friend was like “yo, was that you who just kicked me in the head?” hahaha. I will always remember that.” He also said that seeing 311 in Mansfield, Massachusetts, back in 2000 with Incubus opening was amazing. “311 played the Blue album in its entirety, playing 28 songs total that night.”
Picking a favorite song is a tricky question for Ryan, like many others. “There are so many with inspiring lyrics and others that you can just let loose to. Depends on the mood, time of year. Paradise, It’s Alright, Sever, Don’t Dwell, Simple True, Do You Right, The Great Divide, Hydroponic, 1,2,3 , Stealing Happy Hours, T&P Combo, to name a few.”
As for some favorite lyrics, Ryan has quite a few that stand out to him, including: “The jaded ones will wither while the optimistic grow,” “This is life man, all we do is jam. Make you feel like a child, again and again,” “Park the car and walk under the stars, so god damn afraid to let down your guard,” “Funk slap bass mixed with the dancehall and hip hop beats and punk guitar and deadly on the mic is the one SA. The name is 311 and you know it ain’t easy,” “Be positive with love, just see the good in everybody,” “More than 2000 years of fuckin with our fears, the only thing true, we gotta love each other,” “They try to play my emotions but I’m like the ocean, to calm to get upset by somebody’s notion,” “You’ve got to trust your instinct and let go of regret,” and “Give thanks and praise for good things you found, humble people not ashamed nor proud.”
Providence, Rhode Island, is where Ryan was raised and he now lives about 10 minutes away from where he grew up. His parents split when he was less than 2 years old and then his father passed away when he was 22. “My mom is remarried and I have two amazing younger sisters.” Ryan said the music scene in Providence was amazing during the mid 90’s but it unfortunately isn’t what it used to be. “I was probably at 2-3 shows a week at one point.”
Ryan worked in the restaurant industry for close to 15 years until switching to insurance adjusting in 2010. “My stepfather started his own business and I was lucky to get an opportunity to learn the trade from one of the best. I loved the restaurant but the hours were brutal. It’s nice to have weekends and holidays off and am fortunate to now have steady pay to support my concert needs.” Ryan has a beautiful wife Becca, who he said he just has to give a shout out to. “She’s the rock that keeps our family in sync and also puts up with me and my 311 habits. We have two daughters and a dog named Mary Jane. It’s amazing watching our kids grow up and developing their own styles.”
Fun fact about Ryan, he was in a band called Acclivity, which had influences of bands like 311, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Pearl Jam. “Won a battle of the bands, recorded an album called Vision, once played live in a local radio station studio with full band set up during their local program and even got the chance to open for Ill Nino at The Strand in Providence which was awesome knowing some of the all-time greats that have stepped foot on that stage even though we certainly did not fit that bill. Also, the home of my first 311 show.”
Interesting tidbit of info about Ryan is that he’s a lefty but plays guitar, shoots a basketball, and throws a frisbee with his right. He’s also a pretty good whistler! Guilty pleasure for him is craft beer and home brewing. He also threw in expanding his record collection.
Other artists that Ryan can be found listening to range a lot because he isn’t committed to just one genre. The list includes: “G-Love, Bad Religion, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, RHCP, Grateful Dead, Ween, Deer Tick, Cake, David Bowie, Rolling Stones, A Tribe Called Quest, Deftones, Dinosaur Jr, Ellis Ashbrook, Helmet, Wu-Tang, Jack White, Jimi Hendrix, Outkast, Bob Marley, Long Beach Dub, Primus, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Pavement, QOTSA, The Roots, Pharcyde, Soul Coughing, STP, Talking Heads, Yellowman, Faith No More, Pixies, Frank Zappa, The Interrupters, Tool, NIN, De La Soul and many other classic rock and hip hop greats.”
Ryan would like to send these words over to 311: “It’s been a great experience watching the band evolve over the past two decades, you all have seriously perfected your craft and kept true to your fan base. Also, Pnut let’s grab a beer.”
Now here is his message to all the fellow 311 fans:
“The future holds endless potential. See you in Vegas!”
Many thanks Ryan for sharing your story with the world! Gratitude also per the usual, to all the amazing supporters of this little blog. Have an amazing week, and as Ryan said, hope to see you all in Vegas!
Much Love – The Runt