Hello again excitable friends! Now is the time…the time for our next 311 fan spotlight! This week we learn the story of Marino Radke!
Fresh out of the Navy is where Marino’s story begins. He returned from overseas and moved into his first apartment. After finally getting cable hooked up, he turned on MTV and there was the video for 311’s “Down.” “I turned it up all the way and was literally glued to the TV. Never heard anything quite like it and I was ready for some new music in my life. Went the next day and bought the Blue CD, fell in love and when that happened I needed more, went out over that summer and found the rest of their CD’s.”
Twenty-seven is where Marino stands for live shows. He’s seen them 3 times this year already and has two more planned (Atlanta shows). “I was a late bloomer to seeing them live, making up for it now!” Of all the amazing shows and experiences he has seen, his favorite comes in as a tie between Pow Wow and his first ever show back in 2000. “That first show I really didn’t know what to expect and it was an amazing set list with Jimmies Chicken Shack opening and the venue was so small (Music Farm). But I’m still hoping the best is yet to come!”
“Come Original” is the song that speaks the most to Marino. Then there is “Beyond the Grey Sky” that brings back memories of his dad. “Visit” is another favorite, because visiting the world is his other hobby. The one that really means a lot to him though is “Two Drops in the Ocean.” “I was lucky enough to get married on the beach in Cancun with my wife walking down the aisle to this song. Forever our song!”
Some of his favorite lyrics come from “My Stoney Baby” – “The fish who keeps on swimming, is the first to chill upstream.” Marino has a koi tattoo with 311 bars on his calf to remind him to never give up and keep giving his all. Another favorite lyric comes from “Eons” – “Nobody knows just what you’re battling inside, you can hide.” Marino believes we all have a story and we are all going through something. “Another reason I love the band, the inclusion and the positivity.”
Marino grew up in Seal Beach and Garden Grove, California. “Loved surfing, most everyday if I could as a kid. The beach was my favorite place to be.” He was raised around some great uncles who were really into music and got him into bands like The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Hendrix. After high school Marino joined the Navy and was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina. He got to travel all over the Mediterranean including France, Italy, Greece, Israel and Spain. He also went to almost every island in the Caribbean. After he left the Navy he chose to stay on the east coast and after moving around a bit, he finally settled in Fort Mills, S.C. He lives there with his lovely wife (who he says understands his 311 habit), his teenage son Zack and daughter Caswell. He’s even brought his kids to three shows already!
Currently Marino supervises an order fulfillment center for Time Warner Business Class. He’s also a huge fan of most music and has attended over 2500 show and festivals. Some other bands he loves are RHCP, Pearl Jam, Social Distortion, Rancid, The Movement, Sublime, The Offspring (who he went to high school with), WAR, Bob Dylan and the Stones. When not seeing shows, he enjoys relaxing with friends to some good music and great beer, and most weekends it’s at the pool. “At this point in my life I believe life is about living and experiences with the ones you love. I will sleep when I’m dead.”
Something that makes Marino unique? “Useless information. I have the ability to remember tons of it!” He said that over the years he read a lot about music, movies and travel. They always had Rolling Stone magazine in the house as he grew up and that’s where he got a lot of the info. “I am often asked by friends to answer questions. I would attend trivia with friends and our team would kill. It’s really amazing since I can’t remember everything from work. But when it comes to music especially, I can remember everything from set lists from the 90’s, bands I’ve seen and where they are now, just random information. Origins of bands, Band names, members gone from band, what band they used to be in.” Guilty pleasure he says is that he’s a huge Rolling Stones fan, but I don’t think that’s anything to be ashamed about! “I have been to 6 shows over the years, all but 1 with my parents and uncle. I have a deep catalog of their music. I was raised on all the early stuff at family parties or when I would come home late in high school my Mom would make me stay up a lil longer listening to the Stones on vinyl. The music is so raw and rocking, what rock music should be!”
Cool fact about Marino – for a few years growing up he and his mom lived in the same apartment complex with members of the band WAR. “I was probably 3 or 4, they would jam in the garage and me & my mom would hang out with them. Mom said I would dance and just loved it…I took her word, still love WAR to this day! Music is timeless and I thank my mom all the time for instilling in me the love of music and sharing her appreciation for all music.”
To the guys in 311, Marino’s message is, “The band is more than just music, it’s a community they have brought together. Sincerely, Thank You, we as fans appreciate you and we can tell you appreciate us!”
To the community of fans:
“It’s so Simple….Stay Positive & Love your Life. I say this all the time to friends now and they think I’m a weirdo, but when they think about it, it’s all you really need!”
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And that is the story of Marino Radke my friends! Thank you all for reading each week and learning more about the amazing community of 311 fans. Until we meet again, go be awesome and spread the positive vibe!
Much love – The Runt