Well hey there 311 nation! Hope everyone is starting their week off well. It’s time to meet the next fan spotlight – say hello to T.J. Mavrogeorge!
Becoming a 311 fan for T.J. happened when his older brother Joe bought the Blue album on cassette tape. T.J. was a freshman in high school. “It was their very distinct sound and positive vibe that drew me to them. We used to play the heck out of that cassette until it was no longer playable. Then he bought Transistor and my life was never the same.”
For number of shows T.J. has seen, he’s lost count over the years. “It’s not a huge number, but I’ve seen them at least 1-3 times over the past 22 years. The first one (because you never forget your first) was March 29 2002 at the Whitmore Arena in Durham NH.”
As for favorite, it’s a tough question to answer for T.J. “There have been so many shows that have been amazing to me, but one of my favorite was the first one I went to with my wife Deanna. It was at the Hard Rock casino in Vegas in 2006. We traveled from Wyoming to Vegas in her blazer, meet up with friends from all over and got to rock out. Well, they got to rock out. I was unfortunately kicked in the back of the head by a crowd surfer and was knocked unconscious. The security guard pulled me over the rail and brought me to the back. They were going to send me to the hospital but I refused treatment. They released me and I was able to catch the last song in the back of the room, missing a shoe. When it was over, we finally met up and told them my story. Not only did they think it was crazy, but so did SA and miT as we waited by their buses and got to tell them about that crazy night. After pics and more stories, miT and up signing my neck tattoo which I then got inked in. That night created many beautiful friendships that I will forever be grateful for.”
As for favorite song, T.J. said this was one of the toughest questions he’s had to answer during this interview. “Most people that know me would say Taiyed, others would say Use of Time or Stealing Happy Hours. All of those would be correct, but Running is the one that means the most and I’ll explain in the next question.”
So next question is do you have any favorite lyrics from 311’s songs? “Give thanks and praise for good things you found” from Running. This is what my wife and I have tattooed along with our wedding date on our persons. 3-11-2008.”
T.J. grew up in the Boston area, born in Boston and lived there until he was 9. Then they moved south…a whole 6 miles south to Quincy. “That is where I cultivated my music taste and love of sports which is obviously everything Boston. When it came down to funding my 311 habit, besides my normal 9-5 job working for Filene’s in the visual design department, I sold 311 decals that I made on the side. That’s how I met my wife, when she decided to pay the ridiculous price I was asking, she thought I was kinda cute…ehhhh. That’s how this city kid ended up in Wyoming and loves it. These days, our 311 habit is funded by our jobs at the hospital, which if you knew me, I would never work in one, but now I live it.”
Interesting fact about T.J. is that his son shares the same date of birth as the band, June 10th, AND he is named after Tim Mahoney! “It’s not really a fact about me, but I still think it’s pretty cool.” T.J. said he doesn’t think he really has much that sets him apart from others, but he can fall asleep almost anywhere!
Guilty pleasures for T.J., he has quite a few. “I love the Lord of the Rings and anything Tolkien. Doctor Who will never do wrong in my eyes. Liverpool FC is the best in all the land. Anyone who says different is obviously lying to themselves.”
For other musicians T.J. loves, he said there is a lot. The short list though includes Czarface, Bad Rabbits, Aesop Rock, Lyrics Born. There’s also Cannons, Childish Gambino, M83, Tears for Fears and Pete Rock. “I could keep going on and on and on and on.”
For a message to 311, T.J. would like to say: “In all honesty, it would just be 2 words: Thank You. Thank you for doing what you do best, making the world a better place through your music. Thank you for all of the amazing friends I have made through you all. Thank you for my amazing wife and son, both of whom I wouldn’t have without 311. Thank you for my sanity.”
Now here are his words to all the other 311 fans:
“The message I want to say to the other fans is actually from a song by Gerry and the Pacemakers :
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark at the end of a storm
There’s a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a larkWalk on through the wind
Walk on through the rain
For your dreams be tossed and blownWalk on, walk on
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone, You’ll never walk alone.”
Wow what a great way to wrap up this fan spotlight! Huge thanks to T.J. for sharing your story with us all. As well as my undying thanks to all the readers each post. Wishing you all an amazing week!
Much Love – The Runt