Hello again all of you amazing Excitable people! As we inch closer and closer to our favorite holiday, let’s learn about yet another awesome fan. This week we meet Chris Colby!
Like many other fans, it was thanks to “Down” and “All Mixed Up” that Chris was introduced to the magic of 311. He heard them for the first time when he was still in high school and was immediately drawn to their unique sound.
While Chris doesn’t know the exact count of shows he’s attended, he believes it’s above 70. That includes shows at Red Rocks, Halloween 2010 and 2021, Pow Wow, and 311 Day in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016. His wedding day was on 311 Day in 2010! He’s also attended 5 out of the 6 cruises (they only missed the second cruise due to his wife being pregnant). First show he believes was August 13, 1997, at Pine Knob Music Theater in Clarkston, MI.
As for favorite event/show, Chris couldn’t pick just one. Best he said he could do would be his top 3. “311 Day 2010, 311 Cruise 6, and 311 Pow Wow Festival.”
Of all the 311 songs that exist, Chris said picking a favorite is another tough question. He chose his top songs which include “Life’s Not a Race,” “Use of Time,” and “Outside.”
As for favorite lyrics, Chris has many that he loves including: “Of course we’ll bring the dog”, “Why are you sleeping… gotta get outside”, “Listen to your heartbeat, flow and imagine”, “To be one who loves, to be one who works, the nazz not something that can be given, the Brodel is inside you it comes from within”, “A day like today is for you… to let your mind unwind like you ought to”, and “…lover of animals, yeah I wanna hear ’em”!
The area near Grand Rapids, Michigan, is where Chris grew up and will always consider home. Half of his family is Canadian, so he also spent a lot of time in Ontario, Canada, as well. Central Michigan University is where Chris graduated from and it’s also where he met his incredible wife Megan! Chris was a DJ on the college radio station Modern Rock 91.5FM and played a lot of 311’s music during his time there. “We’ve lived in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater, Florida area since moving here from Michigan in 2005. I fund my 311 travels as a Creative Design Manager – designing product packaging, web, etc.”
Very cool fact about Chris is that his great uncle, Ray Getliffe, was the oldest living winner of multiple Stanley Cups before he passed away. “He played for the 1939 Boston Bruins and 1944 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup winning teams.”
Chris is very into Volkswagen vehicles and he said it’s sort of an addiction. “I’ve owned three 1967 VW Bugs, including my first car. All were originally the same color – VW Blue. I still own one of them today. I’ve owned many other VW’s too.” Guilty pleasure for Chris comes in the form of treasure hunting T.V. shows, like “The Curse of Oak Island,” amongst others.
For other musicians Chris can be found listening to, the list includes TOOL, Beck, Cake, The Elovaters, Thievery Corporation, Rebelution, Incubus, Turnstile, The Urge, Rage, Weezer, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, Fatboy Slim, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Tears for Fears, and Dire Straits.
To 311, Chris has this question: “Want to get some tacos and a beer sometime?”
Now here are his words to the rest of Excitable nation:
“Much love to all the amazing friends and family we’ve made over the years in so many different places – you know who you are! All the thanks in the world to 311 for bringing us together!”
Thank you to Chris Colby for sharing his 311 story! Without a doubt, I thank you all for reading each week. Thanks for the support and love my friends. Have an excellent week!
Hello again my friends! Welcome back to another 311 fan spotlight. Let’s get right to it and meet Jimmy Clausen!
The year was 1995 and Jimmy was sitting in a friend’s college basement apartment, waiting for them to get ready so they could head to a party. They tossed in a CD and skipped right to track number 6, which was “Guns (Are For Pussies).” Then the next two tracks played and Jimmy was thinking, who the hell is this band? “The punchy verse’s, the rhythmic bass and melodies encapsulated me. I sat there alone tuned into the lyrics (trying to understand what Nick and SA were saying. I knew it was something I wanted to listen to! After Purpose played thru, I had heard 3-4 different styles of music between 3 songs, that blew me away. The friends surfaced from the bathroom and bedrooms by the end of Don’t Stay Home, I was waiting like 10 minutes to ask who the hell is this BAND! Instant Fan, bought CD’s the next day I think.”
Show count for Jimmy is a little fuzzy, but he believes it to be somewhere in the 35-40 range. First show for him was at the Barrymore Theater in Madison, Wisconsin, on September 16, 1995. As for favorite show, it’s a tough choice, but he said it has to be his first show. “Went with a large group of friends, many of which was their first show also. We all became loyal fans, and saw many more shows together, but always talk about #1 the most. Nick started the show with, “Yo Madison WI, what up? I was born here if anyone gives a fuck!” I think he was still finding a little positivity in the Fall of 1995. He also lit a J on stage, passed it down to the crowd, and surfed during the show at one point. No Doubt was the second act on, before Tragic Kingdom was on the radio, they were pretty punk, and played super hard and that was cool to see.”
Song that means a lot to Jimmy is “Silver.” “There is no major reason other than I just want to nod and dance to it. It has a funny intro and I like the message.” As for fave lyrics, he loves these from “Silver:” “Now I got a click but it’s more like a family, not an ethnic trip, more like an ethic. See, I write the rhyme today, tell it to you later. Whether we’re coming in whack or what it’s a waste to be a hater.” Jimmy also loves the opening verse from “Applied Science:” “Nod your head to this, as a lot of apprentice, some of this were standing on the shoulders of giants.”
Jimmy was born and raised in the midwest, Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. He was pretty quiet as a kid and didn’t talk much because he stuttered (which he still does but uses speech skills to try and be more fluent). “It’s a horribly psychological impairment (especially as a kid) because you know what you want to say, it can be hard to get it out, and then the cruelty of kids can leave some scars.” He played a lot of sports and liked exercising growing up. When he was around 10 years old his father bought a southern Wisconsin tavern and from 13-18 years old he worked there. “I definitely learned a lot in that place and got more confidence.”
Jimmy attended college at the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, then he had a daughter at the young age of 21. He then graduated and had 2 more children with his wife Dawn, and they’ve been together for 20 years now. “We have lived in Central Florida now for 7 years, and I am a sales manager for a fitness equipment manufacturer. Our oldest daughter has a child, I’ve been a grandfather since March 11th 2020, yep…. a 311 Granddaughter!!!!”
Interesting fact about Jimmy is that he can flex and/or shift something in his inner ear! “I really don’t even know what part it is that I’m moving. The same function that most need to hold their nose for and blow out? (I think) I can do it without anyone knowing I’m doing it. This is especially helpful on airplanes, which I am on often!”
Something that makes Jimmy unique is his “big” laugh, which he says is utterly ridiculous. “It’s super loud, like a major Cackle. If something gets me good I’ll laugh about it for days, replaying it in my head. I try to laugh as much as possible, I think it keeps us young!”
Guilty pleasure for Jimmy is the music of Ke$ha! Other than 311 and Ke$ha, other music he can be found jamming out to include Mighty Mighty Bosstones, NOFX, Pennywise, Passion Pit, Everclear, Lupe Fiasco, Bad Religion, Postal Service, Ween, Atmosphere, and lots of 90’s hip hop like Tribe, De La Soul, Wu-Tang, Fugees, and Busta.
To 311, Jimmy would like to say: “Thank you for a partial lifetime of joy. There really is not much better in life than that one simple feeling.”
Now here are his words to all the other 311 fans out there:
“This is going to be a little trite but, I love that a lot of us are very much alike in many ways. I have made some of my best friends through the journey of following this band. If you are passing through the Tampa Bay area hit me up, we have a good fam down here!”
Thank you to Jimmy Clausen for sharing his story! As always, much gratitude to all the readers each week. Have an amazing day, week, month, year! Sending good vibes to you all.
Welcome back friends to the latest 311 fan spotlight! This week, let’s meet the lovely Evan Stover!
Evan took notice of 311 in the days of MTV, when their videos for “Down” and “All Mixed Up” were playing in rotation. “I thought it was such a unique sound and creative videos and just really took to them.” Then around 2002 when Evan was 18, she met a group of friends – Bruner, Elise, Carleen, Kristen, Nigel, Boy Evan, Ian, Brooks, and Kyle. “My soulmates. A few of them were die hard fans and I began to be exposed to more 311 music and attended my first shows. The positivity of the lyrics and the beautiful community of fans just stole my heart. I was home. Finally, after so many years of searching for… Something.”
Evan has seen 311 around 40 times, in 5 different states and including one 311 Day event (New Orleans 2016). First show was in Tampa, Florida, in 2003. As for favorite shows, she chose that 311 Day she attended and then the show in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2014, where she met the band.
Songs that mean a lot to Evan include “Speak Easy” (which reminds her of Boy Evan) and “Do You Right” (which takes her home to the beach). As for favorite lyrics, some that she loves include: “You can’t be let down if you don’t expect the world,” “You make me think of a song that I did not write yet,” “At the end of the day the relentless always win” and “There’s nothing like the comfort of a silence that’s comfortable”
Evan grew up in Clearwater, Florida. Then when she was 18 she moved to Hawaii for a year, then Chicago for a year when she was married, and now she is back in Florida in Lakeland. ” I came here to put down roots and raise my daughter. Our days are long. We’re up at 5:15am. We don’t get home till about 7pm. I’m still close to my 311 homies from all those years ago. At least one of them will be with me as the boys keep bringing it live.”
Evan strives to be a kind and loving human. ” I think the meaning of life is love and I intend to fall in love with as many people, places and things as I can in this life. I’m a recovering addict. I have found so many lyrics that nod to recovery and that has gotten me through some pretty dark times. I even wrote an essay during treatment. I wrote a timeline of my life using nothing but 311 songs. I was supposed to choose one, it had to be 6. Lol.”
Evan is a single mother to a beautiful 4 year old girl. “She already chants 3 11, 3 3 11!” Evan also loves to hoop dance, she loves art and also traveling. Currently she works as a hospitality staffing manager. “This is recent after 20 years of bartending and waitressing.”
Interesting fact about Evan, she used to perform swing dancing shows and was in the cast of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. She is also terrified of heights. Something that makes her unique is that she can match pitch perfectly, in a whistle or by song. Guilty pleasure for Evan is watching the show “Married at First Sight.” “While eating ice cream in bed. Don’t you dare tell!”
Other artists that Evan loves include Virgins Merlot (she said Signs of a Vacant Soul is very special to her), Dirty Heads, G. Love and the Special Sauce, Ani Difranco, Portishead, and Korn. “I like all genres of music. I can appreciate the artistry in every bit of it. I like classical piano to relax. And mushroom jazz.”
Along the same topic of favorite bands, there was a band in the Tampa Bay area that she loves called Suburban Tragedy. “I met the lead singer when I was only 16 years old. I attended every show I could and watched Niks career evolve. He became a dear friend over the years. He went on to do a recurring show called Sharp Sings Sinatra, signed a contract writing songs in Nashville and created a music app called Audidio. Audidio is amazing. It reminds me of old school MTV. Nothing but music videos and all the artists are unsigned. It’s Niks legacy. Nik Sharp passed away in December of 2021. My fb cover photo is in remembrance of him.” You can check out Audidio wherever you download your apps!
As for words to 311, Evan has met them all but when she did, she hadn’t found recovery yet. “I managed to ask Nick for a hug. I shook P-nuts arm so hard I might have yanked it from the socket. I chit chatted what ever small talk I could muster in that state but what I forgot to say, what I NEEDED to say was thank you. That music..those lyrics and those friends kept me going when I truly felt I had nothing left in me. So, I thank them for keeping on keeping on.”
Now here are Evan’s words to all of the other fans out there:
“You are loved beyond measure. Keep on climbing the hill. Love with everything you’ve got, like your life depends on it.”
Thank you SO much to Evan for sharing her story! It was a great one to write. As always, muchos gracias to all of the readers each week. I hope you all have an amazing week as we inch closer to our beloved holiday, 311 Day!
Welcome again my friends to another 311 fan spotlight! This week, let’s meet Joshua Fountain!
Anyone remember Columbia House? That’s how Joshua obtained his copy of the blue album. Then it was his friend Crystal, who is a huge fan, who got him back into listening to 311. “My better half of almost 10 years, Pollie aka LoveBug is a fan, I have seen all my shows with her. I love the bands positive message and awesome sound.”
First show for Joshua was back in 2014 in Boca Raton, Florida. “I am not sure how many shows I have been to ever since. We have done many Florida shows and 3 cruises and are planning to go to 311 day Vegas this year. This will be our 1st 311 day.” Favorite event for him was the 2015 Jamaican cruise.
Two songs that mean a lot to Josh are “Creatures (for a while)” and “Beyond the Grey Sky.” One of his favorite lyrics is, “Fuck the bullshit, it’s time to throw down.”
Joshua was born and raised in Florida but has done a lot of traveling. He loves the outdoors and nature. He is currently a cook at Treasure Island and loves what he does. “We love hosting parties and dinners. It brings us all together and I love seeing my friends and family smile and have a good time.”
Joshua also volunteers his time to the American Legion and he likes to help his community out as much as possible. “I also grow and donate my hair every 4-5 years to Wigs for Kids in hopes that it will help someone in need.”
Interesting fact about Josh is that he can’t float in water. “If I stop paddling, I sink like a rock.” Something that Josh loves is finding old yard gnomes and bringing them back to life. “I find it relaxing and the finished product is very gratifying.”
Guilty pleasure? For Joshua that is listening to John Denver. Other musicians that he loves include The Dirty Heads, Tropidelic, Sturgill Simpson, and Oliver Tree. “In all honesty though I listen to all kinds of music old and new across all generes. And there’s a special place in my heart for John Denver.”
To 311, Joshua would like to simply say, “Thank you for being you.”
Now here is his message to all the other 311 fans out there:
“I have met so many of you through out our travels and love every one of you. Such a great feeling knowing I have you in my life. Can’t wait till the next one. Much love and stay strong.”
Many thanks to Joshua for sharing his story! As always, much gratitude going out to all the readers each week. May you all have an amazing week!
Hey there 311 nation! A new week and new fan spotlight are upon us. Let’s meet the fabulous Pollie DeGrandchamp!
While Pollie has always liked 311 since the release of the blue album, it wasn’t until 2011 that she heavily got into them. “I just changed jobs and went from a fast past job in a lab to a very boring desk job in a cube farm. So, I looked up 311 and found a live recording of 311 at Red Rocks and I loved it. So, I downloaded pretty much everything else I could find from them and was blown away at how much I had never heard and how much I enjoyed them. I went through their whole discography and was hooked.”
Show count for Pollie, she isn’t really sure of the number. First show for her was in November 2011 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Orlando. “They opened with Jackpot. It was an amazing show. I didn’t know anyone but had an amazing time. Shortly after that I had heard about the pow wow and the cruise. I signed up for the pre-sale for the Jamaican cruise and me and my boyfriend have been on the last 3 cruises. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it to the pow wow. But man, I wish I could have.”
As for favorite show, Pollie said they are all her favorite! “They are all fun and exciting in their own way. I always have the best time at 311 shows and events. I have made so many great lifelong friends through the 311 community.”
Narrowing down one song that means the most to her wasn’t possible, for Pollie they all mean something. “There are so many different songs that resonate in different ways for different reasons.” As for lyrics that resonate with her, she of course loves the mantra “Stay positive and love your life.” “It’s a really good way to look at things. I always try to find the positive in any situation. If you look it is there. My favorite lyric is “Nothing in life is above being honest.”
Michigan is where Pollie was raised but she lives in Florida now. She was raised by an incredible single mom and has a brother & sister. “I am the middle child. We didn’t have much money, we were pretty poor but it didn’t matter. My mom was awesome and strong and taught me so much about life. How to treat people how I want to be treated and to not be judgmental. That everyone is different and that is ok.“
Pollie went to Florida on a 2 week vacation to visit her dad and ended up staying there. She’s now been there for almost 30 years! Pollie was a single mom to her 2 kids until she met an amazing man Joshua when her kids were in their late teens. “We’ve been together for 9 almost 10 years. And now we are grandparents to 2 beautiful little granddaughters and they call us memaw and J-pa.”
Pollie loves live music of any kind, camping, traveling, crafting and spending time with friends & family. She is also a huge fan of Jim Henson, Dr. Seuss, and Tim Burton. “I actually have a whole sleeve tattoo that incorporates my love of music, Jim Henson and camping. My tattoo is Kermit and The Electric Mayhem sitting on mushrooms in the forest. It’s my festival sleeve. 😊”
Talent for Pollie is that she is very crafty and loves making things. “I am willing to learn any type of craft and I love having craft days with friends and family. Things like tie dye, ceramics, jewelry making, sewing or crocheting. Recently I have gotten into glass fusing. It’s an expensive hobby but I have really enjoyed it and have been pretty proud of the pieces I have made. I’m always crafting something and have a huge room of crafts supplies lol.”
Guilty pleasure for Pollie would be trash T.V. “Things like Jersey Shore and Temptation Island. I can’t believe how these people act. Even if it is not real, I don’t get how someone would agree to be portrayed that way on TV in front of millions of people. It’s like a train wreck and I can’t stop watching lol.”
Pollie loves many different types of music and a hodge podge of artists from the 50’s to the present. Some of them are Violent Femmes, Dirty Heads, Prince, Panic at the Disco, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Oliver Tree, Zac Deputy, and Sinead O’Connor. She also loves electronic music. “I pretty much listen to anything, country and all. I used to sit in my room as teen and listen to my moms old 45’s from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. I was a teen in the 80’s, early 90’s and then my kids were teenagers in the 2000’s so I’ve listened and liked stuff from all of those years. I go to a lot of shows and have gone to few festivals and just enjoy music all around. I have gone to many shows not knowing the bands and ended up having a great time and becoming a fan and adding new music to my ever growing list of favorites.”
To 311, Pollie has these words: “Thank you so much for all of the great music, events and connections that you’ve helped me make.”
Now here is her message to all the fellow 311 fans out there:
“Stay Positive, Love your life, Be safe, Have fun and Be kind to one another. 😊”
Thanks Pollie for sharing your story! Many, many thanks as always to the supporters out there. Thank you so much for being awesome people. Hope you all have an amazing week!
Well hello there Excitable nation! Happy 2022! Wishing nothing but peace, love & tranquility to all. Let’s kick this year off and meet our latest fan spotlight – StatusBoost Breigh!
Breigh was in middle school in Texas, and as a kid her family moved around a lot, so music is what she gravitated towards and bonded with. “It was always with me everywhere I traveled to. I’ll never forget walking into Hot Topic. I saw this blue alien head on a tee and knew I needed it. It ended up being the Blue Album tee! Loved watching Down and All Mixed Up on MTV! Been a fan ever since!”
First show for Breigh was July 20, 2013, at Aaron’s Amphitheater in Atlanta with her bestie Anne Ekin. “Had she not invited me to the concert I would not be the excitable I am today! 311 Day 2022 will be my TWENTIETH show!!”
As for most memorable show, Breigh picked 311 Day 2020. “Between scooping up excitables from the airport to meeting some of the most amazing humans ever to THREE FRICKEN AMAZING NIGHTS IN THE PIT ROCKING OUT!! I was on cloud 311!” For most unique show, she chose Halloween 2021 at the Stanley Hotel. “First Halloween show and because STANLEY HALL! Amazing set, incredible Excitables, and all the feels!” Best venue, she has been to Breigh said it’s definitely Red Rocks. “This was my first Red Rocks concert and that venue and atmosphere shook my soul! I cannot wait to get back.”
For favorite songs, Breigh chose “Freeze Time” and “Face in the Wind.” As for lyrics that she loves, she chose these: “Sometimes I gotta center find out who I am, I chill out I let in the wind, I gotta feel the pulse of the planet on my skin, I got news for ya it ain’t nothin nice, We all got demons we all gotta vice, The struggle never ends, To keep it in check, But I never stop trying, To make the trek what up,” “I always say what I feel and that is a promise, nothing in life is above being honest,” and “We’re just a speck of dirt on this golf ball called Earth, so get stupid and sing.”
Breigh was born in Albany, New York. She’s lived in Texas, Alabama, and Georgia, before making the move to Las Vegas, Nevada. “I work as a director of sales and marketing for an assisted living community. I love working with seniors!! I love 311 merch so I enjoy trading and selling posters/pins/tees and more!”
Interesting fact about Breigh is that she went to school for saxophone performance and music education. She attended Auburn University. “WAR DAMN EAGLE!”
Breigh loves collecting 311 merch. She said she is very proud of her selection that has grown over the years. “My favorite piece in the collection is my 311 Steinman set!”
Other artists that Breigh adores include Dave Matthews Band, My Morning Jacket, Stick Figure, and The Beatles. Guilty pleasure for her are the Las Vegas Golden Knights!
Breigh has this message for the guys of 311: “Thank you for opening my heart to the 311 universe which has gifted me with the greatest friendships ever known!”
Now here is her message to all the other awesome fans:
“This moment is a gift, that’s why it’s called the present!’ Cannot wait to rock out with you all for 311 Day 2022!! #StatusBoost”
Thank you to the lovely StatusBoost Breigh for sharing her story! A great story to write and as always, thanks to everyone that reads each week. Happy 2022 friends. Have an amazing week!
Hey there my friends in 311 nation! A new fan spotlight has arrived…the last one of 2021! Cheers to another year friends and let’s meet Ashley Remington!
First introduction to 311 came from Ashley’s cousins in California. She said they were the cool, older crowd and she was always absorbing whatever they were into growing up. “The first song they ever showed me was “Do You Right” and I remember instantly wanting to dance around. The happy slam dance does that kind of thing to you, still to this day. It’s still my go to song that I show people who don’t know 311, I feel like it captures a little bit of everything 311 is in a four minute summary.”
Exact number of shows Ashley has seen is unknown, but she believes it’s somewhere in the 50’s. First show was in January 2000 at the old House of Blues in Los Angeles with her cousin Kris. “He didn’t want to take me, but did anyway with some persistent nagging from my aunt. I had no idea what I was in store for, and definitely don’t feel like I appreciated that moment like I should have at the time. I didn’t see 311 live again until August 2005 in Salt Lake City.”
As for favorite show or event, Ashley said it’s a toss up between her first cruise in 2019 and the Stanley Hotel Halloween show this year. “The cruise is an unforgettable experience, if you know you know, there just isn’t anything else out there like it. In the year leading up to my first cruise I made some amazing friendships that still carry me through today. It’s amazing how two perfect strangers sharing a groove transforms into bonds with people I now consider family, all over the world, it really is special. The Stanley Hotel show was off the charts between the set list and the whole vibe. I was honored I got to experience it with some of my favorite people by my side. Plus we got to dress up, and I am here for all the costume parties!”
The song “Do You Right” is always Ashley’s #1 jam, but there are many others that hold a special place in her heart. “I find that as I go through life, depending on my current head space different songs speak to me in different ways. Existential Hero, Made in the Shade, Flowing, Unity, and No Control have been in heavy rotation lately. I think that is what has always been special about 311s music for me, its ability to reach me in different stages, almost like a message from the universe when I need it the most.”
As for lyrics, there are a couple that mean a lot to Ashley. She said that depending on where you are in life, the lyrics will speak to you in different frequencies. “That is something that has always drawn me into 311 was the hidden messages. Some of them I didn’t catch until much later, and others have changed over time.” One of her faves is from “Made in the Shade:” “You gotta keep on climbing the hill, ’cause if you think you’ll make it you will.” “This is a constant reminder to myself that mindset is everything. You are what you consume, and your mind is a powerful thing. Whatever ideas you feed it with it will become. It’s okay to not be okay, feel what you need to feel, but you can’t unpack and live there.”
Another favorite lyric for Ashley is “It’s alright, wherever you are right now. Tell you it’s alright, that’s who you’re supposed to be now.” She uses this as a reminder to reside in the moment. “There are no timelines, there are no cards that have to be punched by a certain date, there are no rules to how you live your life. We all have been guilty of falling into the trap of thinking we need to be at a certain destination in life at a particular time, and I am here to remind you all that shit is made up. Life is short, and you aren’t guaranteed a moment more than the one you are currently in, so don’t waste it stressing about these imaginary timelines.”
Ashley has spent most of her life in Utah, dipping her toes in different places throughout her life including Idaho, California, and Arizona. “Growing up in Utah was an experience in itself, especially when you don’t fit into the standard mold of a culture that dominates the state. It made it hard to not only find who you are, but be comfortable with who you are when you feel a constant pressure to fit in. I feel like in some ways I was forced to grow up very quickly so I could feel like I had the freedom to be me. When I realized that there was more to the world than just what was at eye level, and knew I had the choice to follow whatever path I wanted, without needing the approval of anyone else and make it my own a lot of doors into growth and discovery opened for me.”
Ashley is currently raising two beautiful humans, whom she said she is raising them to be and embrace everything that makes them, them. “I help fund my passion for music and following five guys in a band with my friends around the world by helping companies spend and budget their money. I found myself in the world of finance when I was 19. I slowly fought and climbed up the ladder in a male dominated corporate world to land where I am today in an accounting analyst position. I found my soulmate through my adventures in 311ing. Eddie Bratke and I met at a Los Stellarians show in Salt Lake City in January 2019. His brother, Preston, introduced us formally that night and that started the formation of a friendship that grew into something so much more over the following months. We are now engaged and navigating this crazy life together. Falling in love with your best friend is pretty special, and I am thankful that our shared love for music helped us cross paths when it did.”
Interesting fact about Ashley is that she grew up in a family of all boys. “I was the only girl in the family between siblings, and cousins. This definitely helped mold the “tom boy” in me. I am thankful I am able to switch it up between looking like a smoke show, and rocking the baseball cap and t-shirt flawlessly. Life is all about balance. Growing up in a family full of boys you were submerged into sports. I fell in love with the game of baseball, and have been letting it break my heart year after year since I was a little girl. Go Dodgers!”
Something Ashley loves is writing. “Stories, poems, essays, letters, anything and everything! It’s something I have enjoyed from the time I could put sentences together on paper. I have won several awards and been recognized throughout my life for different things I have written. I am constantly jotting down lines here and there as I think of them. I feel like I can express myself best with a good pen and a sheet of paper.”
Guilty pleasure for Ashley is bubble baths! She says they are her ultimate self-care and escape from reality. ” Give me the mountains of bubbles, I don’t care if you are 4 or 34, nothing sucks while you are in the bathtub.”
As for other musicians that she loves, Ashley said that she LOVES music and it has always been a big part of her life. “I have a jukebox tattooed on me to represent that part of me. Some of my favorite bands/artist off the top of my head are, RDGLDGRN, Tropidelic, Katastro, Chuck Ragan, Lucero, Rancid, Mos Def, Red City Radio, Rebelution, Dirty Heads, Kid Cudi, J. Cole, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Against Me!, The Menzingers, Johnny Cash, Atmosphere, Alkaline Trio, Incubus… I could go on forever, but you get the idea. I love hearing new music, so if you got something you think I should check out, please share!”
To 311, Ashley would like to send this message: “Thank you for creating a space for some beautiful friendships to flourish through a shared love of music and unity.”
Now here is her message to all the other fans out there:
“Life is hard all on its own… don’t actively participate in being an obstacle by creating difficulty in others’ lives. You can demonstrate compassion and kindness to everyone without the requirement to form a friendship. Do good things with kind hearts, and the universe will share that same energy back with you. Much love.”
Thank you so much to Ashley for sharing her 311 story! I hope everyone enjoyed it and as always, thanks to all who read every week. I wish you all a very happy New Year and can’t wait to see everyone in 2022!
Hello again my friends in 311 nation! A new fan spotlight has arrived, hooray! Let’s learn all about Matt Quast.
It was while Matt was in high school that he remembers hearing some songs from the Grassroots album on the Vanderbilt University radio station and he said it just clicked. “Then, when “Down” was released and I realized it was the same band, I was all in at that point.”
For show count, Matt’s number is sitting at 54. His first show was at the McNichols Arena in Denver back in 1997. “After having to sell the tickets to the two prior shows at Red Rocks (ETSD show) due to family events I could not get out of.”
For favorite show, he said that even though the Stanley Hotel show was AMAZING, that his first cruise back in 2019 was really pretty awesome. “The fan experience was just on a totally different level.”
There isn’t one song that takes top prize for Matt. He said that each song/album fit depending on his mood. Favorite lyrics of his come from the song “Space & Time:”
“Wrapped my head around somethin’ you said I didn’t know Making my mind, overflow Somethin’ I just can’t let go of Keep thinkin’ about to break through Got in too deep, fightin’ about what to do Needed a good talking to Somethin’ I just can’t let go of I think it’s about to break through Do-do-do-do-do you still remember What you tryin’ to dismember? A construct to destruct.”
Matt is originally from Burlington, Wisconsin, and all of his family is either in Wisconsin or Illinois. He mostly grew up in Nashville, Tennessee, before moving to the Denver, Colorado, area in 1995. “I was a junior in high school when we moved, so I left behind a ton of people I had grown up with. I was excited to move to Colorado since there was every major sports team here. I’m glad I never moved away. It’s too nice of a state and I have some very solid friends here that I wouldn’t want to leave behind and I would have never met my wife.”
When Matt was in college, he said his goal was to land a public relations job with either a record label or sports team. “I learned that it is very difficult to get hired. I am now 16 years into the criminal justice field. I really like my job because I’ve met plenty of people who come from different backgrounds and have it much harder than I do and I try to use that to be more understanding. Sometimes I’m good at it and sometimes I fail at it.”
Fun fact about Matt, he had to be a security escort for Kelly Osbourne during a The Used concert! Something that makes him unique is he said he absolutely can’t speak other languages. Guilty pleasure? He said he follows and has a fandom of standup comedy just as much as bands or sports teams. “I really wish I could afford to go to a stand up show every single weekend.”
Musicians that Matt loves, aside from 311 obviously, include Deftones, Pennywise, Bad Religion, Passafire, and Ballyhoo! just to name a few. “I could fill a whole page with multiple bands and genres.”
Matt has these words to send out to the members of 311: “Thank you for creating experiences that have led me to new friendships.”
Now here is his message to all of the other fans:
“We all got here from our own unique path to meet with this great common bond. Let it develop and enjoy it during that time. But when it ends, respect it, learn from it and walk away respectfully.”
Thank you Matt for sharing your story! As always, thanks to my readers each week, you are all amazing. Christmas week is upon us. Do good deeds. Send out positivity. If you celebrate it, I hope you have an amazing Christmas! Until next time.
Hello again my friends in 311 nation! New week means it’s time for the latest edition of the fan spotlight. This week, let’s meet Sonnie Burmaster!
When Sonnie was young, her father didn’t like her and her brother to watch MTV. So instead she would binge it over at her friend Dana’s house while she was living in New Orleans. “I remember seeing them debut on MTV, when it was actual Music Television. “Down” came on and I remember how cute they all looked but mostly how different they sounded from everyone else. My love continued to grow as time went on, they were fun to mix in with beach jams,/ funk, reggae or hip hop. I have always loved the versatility of their style.”
Show count for Sonnie is around 42, which includes festivals, cruises, and 311 Day events. “People are always so shocked when they hear when I went to my first 311 show. I spent a lot of time in my young adult years going to see bands that I knew I would no longer see again as I got older. I went to see Prince, Tom Petty, Motorhead, etc and was lucky to have gone when I could because several bands I have seen no longer tour or have passed on. My very first show was on the 2015 Jamaican cruise. It was the best first show ever and I am so glad my neighbors had their cabinmates back out!!”
Favorite show for Sonnie was the Wendover, Nevada show on October 21, 2018. “I could not make it to Colorado and lived in Utah!! I had to make it happen because I have heard how intimate and small the venue is. We had bought tickets and were supposed to be along the back wall, we didn’t care. However, right before the show we found out there was something that happened with the sale of tickets and seats may change. When we got in and went to the usher, they kept walking us further and further up! We ended up on row 3 and I was seat 10 (seat 11 didn’t show) and I felt like I was in the band!!”
One song that really strikes a chord with Sonnie is “Made in the Shade.” “The lyrics really resonate with me because of how much trauma I have endured as well as hard times, as everyone goes through. “You gotta keep on climbing the hill, ’cause if you think you’ll make it you will” was something that I have to use as a mantra to remind myself of how strong I am and how capable I can be in life’s turmoil. I cannot believe I actually saw the guys perform it on the 2019 cruise! Water works for sure!”
Some lyrics that stand out to Sonnie include, “You can’t be let down if you don’t expect the world,” and “You’ve got to trust your instinct and let go of regret.” She also enjoys being silly and singing along to the lyrics from “Gap” that say “Eat smoked fish, that is my favorite dish.” She also loves “You can’t make me hate you no matter how punk you act no matter what you do I don’t react, I’m a perfect example of not giving a f*ck about the catty rude people that just suck.”
Sonnie was born in New Orleans and moved around a lot. Her father was an independent crane operator so they would move around for his jobs, then in between they would go back home and he’d work at Shell. “I have lived in NOLA, FL, TX, GA, CA, UT and now currently in SC but planning on moving to the gulf coast of Mississippi. I am what you call a wandering soul and always looking for a new adventure.” Moving around a ton when she was a kid has made its way into Sonnie’s adult life.
Sonnie has experienced a lot of trauma and hard times but managed to remain positive in spite of it all. “My parents got divorced when I was 9, my grandparents died before I was 12 and I dealt with a lot of trauma from family. Times were never really easy but I would not have it any other way. I do not like to struggle, but it is the struggle that keeps you humble and loving of those around you. I am a total empath and take a lot of emotion on, but even while dealing with my own struggles, I have managed to keep the love alive for my friends who are more like family because of the love they have shown me. I am a positive vibe merchant and spread as much love as I can because we do not have enough of it in this world!”
Fun fact about Sonnie, she has been able to roller skate since she was pretty much able to walk! “I have raced, danced, jam skate and played roller derby throughout my life.” Aside from roller skating, Sonnie is also really great at softball and gift wrapping. Guilty pleasure? That would be romantic comedies! “I do not watch them often, but every now and then I gush over rom-coms.”
When not jamming tunes from 311, other artists that are found in Sonnie’s playlist include Prince, David Bowie, Faith No More, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pantera, Scratch Lee Perry, Steel Pulse, Fishbone, Massive Attack, Dr John, BB King, Neville Brothers, Tool, Slightly Stoopid, Fortunate Youth, Black Sabbath, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Steve Miller Band, Kenny Loggins, and Steve Winwood. Her absolute all-time favorite band though is Pink Floyd. “I mean I am a super open book when it comes to music. I love anything from classical to jazz to reggae to metal.”
Words she would like to say to 311 are directed at the one and only Tim Mahoney: “miT, you give off the vibe man! I have greeted you with many high fives and far away waves, but I need a minute long hug from you!”
Now here are Sonnie’s words to the other 311 fans out there:
“I know life has been hard the past couple of years and a lot of us have not seen each other since 311 Day 2020 but please keep the love alive. It does not mean you have to like each other and pretend to be friends, but it is so easy to be kind to one another and spread love. I cannot wait to see many of you at 311 Day!!! SPALYL <3”
Thank you Sonnie for sharing your 311 story! Much love as always to the readers each spotlight as well. Hope you all have an amazing week!
Welcome again my friends in 311 nation! It’s that time – let’s meet a new fan. Here is the story of Brook Savoy!
It was with a group of friends that Brook started listening to 311, she had met them through an ex-boyfriend. “They were all obsessed (I get it now) with their shows and different events and of course their music. A lot of them had 311 of some sort tattooed on them which I thought was ridiculous to get a band logo tattooed on your body and here I am now, three 311 tattoos later. ha.”
Show count for Brook is at 36. Her first show was in Salt Lake City, Utah, back in 2009. As for favorite show/event, it’s hard to pick just one. However she did say that the 2017 cruise was definitely one of the top three favorite experiences of her life.
The song “Dodging Raindrops” is one that really connects with Brook. “I can relate a lot to that song specially because it came out shortly after I was diagnosed with bipolar.”
The lyric “From chaos comes clarity” is one that Brook really loves. “It’s just so true. From everything under the sun with life and relationships to work and school and money. Whatever hard things you are going through. . . you’re going to gain a lesson from that and everything will make sense. Everything happens for a reason.”
Brook was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was raised by her grandma and grandpa. “Not being religious separated me a lot from the kids I was growing up around. Couldn’t play with some. Wasn’t welcomed into others homes. Some kids wouldn’t even talk to me. Didn’t bother me much. Just figured “their loss. I’m cool as shit!”
Brook graduated from high school and gave college a shot, but she wasn’t really a fan so she ended up with a serving job at the age of 21 and has been in the service industry ever since. “I’m a full time bartender/server at a local wing and beer spot here in Salt Lake but won’t be here much longer as I’m moving to Austin early next year. . . surprise for those who didn’t know! It will be my first time leaving home so wish me luck! For now, I’m only at one bar but during the summer and busy time for the service industry I usually work 2 bar jobs. One to pay the bills, the other to support my 311 habit.”
Interesting tidbit of info about Brook, she doesn’t like bacon or peanut butter. “I know.. I know. Just means more for those who do like it.” Something that makes her unique is that she LOVES to write. “Write in a journal. Write a review. Write a letter, a story or even just a Facebook post about someone I love on their special day or something. Love it. And event planning and interior decorating. So much fun!”
Other artists that Brook loves include Dirty heads, Rebelution, The Menzingers, The Interrupters, No Doubt, Atmosphere, Pepper, Royal Bliss, Hanson (yes mmbop Hanson), Katastro, The Front Bottoms, Weezer, Alanis Morissette, Dreamers, Rdgldgrn, and Odesza. “I’m all over the place, EXCEPT country. Hard pass.”
As for guilty pleasure? Brook loves The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. “Can’t. Get. Enough.”
As for what she would say to the band if she met them, Brook said she has practiced daily in the mirror what she will say when she FINALLY runs into Nick. “I still haven’t figured it out. Something along the lines of “Thank you” tho.”
Here are her words to all her fellow 311 fans:
“Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.” “Don’t care what others think of you and live your life to the fullest. You do you and do what makes you happy. Don’t be afraid of being judged. Because people that judge you aren’t your friends and they don’t matter so why would you let someone that doesn’t matter stop you from being happy and successful.”
Thank you Brook for sharing your story with everyone! Much gratitude per the usual to all the supporters of this little blog. Have an amazing week friends, keep being awesome.
