Welcome back my friends of 311 nation! Time to meet the next fan spotlight. This week let’s learn all about Mike Vicious!
So Mike had heard of 311 before he actually heard their music and that’s because he’s from Council Bluffs, Iowa, which is part of the Omaha metro area. He said there was a lot of buzz around town when the blue album dropped and “Down” started being played on the radio. “I was just 14 when I first saw them on Letterman in 1996. So, I missed their local come-up; but a lot of my friends had older siblings who saw them live locally way before they were famous, and I was interested before I ever even heard a note. I’m a musician myself, having played instruments and being involved in musical things since I was little. At that age I was discovering what I personally liked… you know, “my music”. Although at that time I played classical, I was into hip hop and rap, and then was most definitely turned on by the whole 90’s alternative scene that was thriving. Witnessing the airing of “Down” on mainstream TV was so crazy… I had no idea what I was listening to, but I was hooked. And to think, these dudes were from my own stomping grounds! I subconsciously thought, if they could do it, I could do it! I quickly became obsessed… ASAP. I got the Blue Album (on CD, of course), followed by retrofitting Music & Grassroots, plus any bootlegs of their “Omaha Stuff” I could get my hands on. I played ETSD of VHS constantly during the summer of ’97. Transistor dropped before my freshman year of high school. It was revolutionary. I loved everything about them and still do. It’s all my favorite things: hip hop, rock ‘n roll, reggae, jazz, and sweet, sweet love songs & lullabies. Plus, they’re always my hometown heroes. So much love.”
For show count, Mike decided to go back and tally it up and he landed at 32. He said he would have gone to more if he could have and that 17 of the shows were from 1997-2017. His first 311 show was his first ever “real” concert and he was lucky that it was in his backyard at the Westfair Amphitheater on September 21, 1997. “I was only 15 years old at the time and already a ginormous fan. That night changed my life forever, and they’ve only continued to do so time and time again over the years.”
Like many, Mike says it’s impossible to narrow down his favorite show or event, but there are a few that really stand out to him. One is the very first time he saw them. Then the second time he saw them in 1999 at Sokol a week after Soundsystem was released. “CD intro, that’s all I’m gonna say. Having a 1-on-1 moment w/ Nick & SA after the Des Moines show in 2002.. I have a tattoo of the signed ticket to commemorate the event (life changing). Seeing Nick & Zack Hexum play a small acoustic set at Homer’s before the Memorial Park Show in 2004… OMG so much… the 25thanniversary show… SA coming to my restaurant.. Lincoln in 2021… everything 311 Day 2022… the 2023 Cruise!!!! Most recently, the dinner here in Omaha this past September. Hard to describe, but it was freaking cool.”
As for favorite song, Mike chose two: “Places that the Mind Goes” and “Inner Light Spectrum.” Favorite lyric comes from the song “Two Drops in the Ocean:” “The love we have is the only real thing.”
As mentioned, Mike grew up in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and is now currently residing in Omaha. He also lived in Iowa City for about 15 years. “So I am a Midwest boy with mad love for Phoenix, LA, Miami, Portland, NY and Chi-town! To fund my “311 Habit” LOL, I approach it the same way I do all expenses: tap into the entrepreneurial spirit! Besides being a musician, I’m a chef by trade and work with a lot of food service programs, grocery stores, and restaurants. I also cashed out a sum of retirement funds in order to build my home studio and, yes, my voyages to Excitable Reunions all over the country and beyond. My only regret is not saving up more to spend more.”
Fun fact about Mike, not only does he make music, he’s an artist too. “That is, I paint and draw and stuff.. also, I write! Oh and I went to college for photography and cinematography. And I speak Italian.” Something you may not know or have been wondering – his real name is Mike Vicious. “Also, I do SA things in 311 cover bands (Don’t sleep on Brodels! Tune into “Off-Beat Podcast” for more info on that…). I’ve also performed on some important stages that 311 has also performed on: The Ranch Bowl, Omaha (RIP), Westfair Amphitheater, yes the same!…and the Metro in Chicago!”
Guilty pleasure for Mike, he loves to binge watch high-quality shows like Stranger Things, Suits, and Breaking Bad. “And drinking White Russians. Delicious.” When not listening to 311, there are a ton of bands that Mike can be found jamming out to. Some that made the list are A.V.Collective, K-Os, Zebrahead, Z Effective, The Urge, Cardboard & Tape, Beastie Boys, Massive Attack, N.E.R.D., King Iso, Tech N9ne, ILLTH, Run The Jewels The Refreshments, RATM, RHCP, Radiohead, Macklemore, 2 Skinnee J’s, Dr. Octagon, Cloud 9 Vibes, 9CN, ICP, Kottonmouth Kings, OutKasts, Richard Warner, Otis Julius, Tropidelic, Ballyhoo, Cypress Hill, Connor Price, Taylor Swift, Corporate Avenger, Too Rude, The Fugees, The Roots, Pink Floyd, Bob Marley, The Beatles, B.O.B, Los Stellarians, and The Nick Hexum Quintet.
To 311, Mike would like to send these words: “We’ll keep going if you will.”
Now here are his words to all his fellow fans:
“I love you all!!!!”
Huge thanks to Mike Vicious for sharing his story with us all! My eternal gratitude as always to the supporters of this blog each time as well. Now go have the best week you can. Sending you all the light & positivity.
Much Love – The Runt