Well hello again 311 nation! Another week is upon us, hopefully you are all staying safe & healthy. Let’s get to it and meet the new fan spotlight, Candy Ant! 

The age of 12 is when Candy first heard the magical sounds of 311. She was on a family trip and had gone to the hotel pool with a friend. They met a boy there who was listening to his walkman and she asked what he was playing, so he shared his headphones with her. “That moment started a life long obsession. I had never heard anything like this sound in my life before. The bass line, the plucky guitar.. “it kind of sounds like hip hop, but it’s definitely not?” It was a very Jack Skellington “What’s this?!” moment. It was All Mixed Up.. and I needed more. To this day, I couldn’t tell you what that boy’s name was. All I knew was I needed that CD. Once my family returned home from our trip, I used every dollar I had stashed away and went to the store and bought every 311 cd I could find – 311, Music and a censored copy of Grassroots… I spent every single day the rest of that summer in my room listening to those cds, reading the lyrics over and over – pretty heavy and thought provoking stuff for a 12 year old kid – and I was hooked.”

For show count, Candy said she lost track of the number. She has seen them every year at least 2-3 times, with the exception of 2018 because she had just given birth, and then this current year because of the pandemic. Her first show was in Asbury Park, she was in high school, so she skipped school that day so she could sit outside the venue to try and meet the guys. For favorite show or event, Candy had this answer: “Am I lame if I said “I love them all?” Because I do. 311 shows are like holidays to me – an opportunity to celebrate, be happy and be with the ones I love the most, my friends. 311 has brought so many amazing people into my life and we usually only get to see each other at shows and events, so each one is kind of special to me. If I had to pick one, I’d say the double night Tabernacle shows in 2014. The energy and the crowds were simply amazing those two nights; plus we had Stereolithic in the set list. I’m still waiting for those jams to come back into play.”

Song that means the most to her, she said they really all have meaning to her in one way or another. “Like a lot of others out there, their music has really pulled me through some rough spots in my life and each album has soundtracked a different chapter as I’ve aged. My go to jam though is Flowing. I’ve always found solace in the relatability of that one. But the majority of their songs, the real existential ones, the ones that hit on equality and love, those are the ones that mean the most to me because they’ve helped guide and navigate me.”

There is a lyric that Candy used as her high school year book quote and she said she will use it to help raise her daughter: “The fish who keeps on swimming, is the first to chill upstream.” “I always took this as “getting through life is hard. It feels like a never ending battle, like the struggle to swim upstream and against the current, but you have to. You have to to survive and you have to to find peace. Keep swimming. Get there. It’s going to be ok.”

Candy said she’s been a little bit of everywhere. While she grew up in central New Jersey, when she was 19 she decided that she wanted to “visit the world” and started her nomad lifestyle. “I moved out to the desert in California, spent a little over a year there and then headed back east to coastal NC. Spent 5ish years there and headed back to the desert. I lived less than 2 miles from the entrance gate to Joshua Tree National Park… it was by far the most beautiful place I had ever seen in my life and I needed to go back. I felt the most free in the open desert – some of my fondest memories are driving as fast as I possibly could through the open desert, blasting Evolver as loud as my car speakers would allow and just enjoying the freedom, being in the moment. But then after another year of blistering heat, I moved back east to Massachusetts. I have a deep-seated loathing for the New England Patriots, so staying up there was no longer an option for me. (I’m kidding… mostly.) I moved to Pennsylvania in 2008 and have been here ever since. While I left my heart somewhere on the left coast, I prefer the 95-corridor simply because it makes traveling to see 311 that much easier. I can hit 5 shows in 3-4 states over as many days.” 

Interesting fact about Candy? “I’m Batman, and I can breathe in outer space.” Something unique about Candy is that she has a radio show. “I’m on hiatus right now because of COVID, but for the last 7 years I’ve had a radio show where I primarily feature 311 songs. The show is usually anywhere from 2-4 hours live and I’ll play 311 2-4 times per hour. Everything in between is what I like to call an “eclectic grab bag” and I’ll play anything and everything, including live requests. I use a “stage name” for on air, so most people don’t even know I’m the same person, so it’s always funny to me when I get a random message from someone telling me 311 is on the radio right now and I’m like “yes, I know. I’m the one playing it” lol.”

Want to know what Candy’s guilty pleasure is? “ I listen to Ricky Martin and drink wine with a straw. I also play way more xbox than one should admit to.” When not listening to 311 or Ricky Martin, she can be found listening to pretty much anything due to her eclectic taste in music. However she draws a hard NO line at country music or Gregorian chant. “But honestly, I really do love all varieties of music. Aside from 311, my “all time favorite band of all time” would have to be the Beatles. I pretended John Lennon was my junior prom date and wore a yellow dress and used a Yellow Submarine lunch box with a rose tied to it as my purse. I was a weird kid. But my day to day playlist can include anything from Madonna, to Bowie & Prince, RTJ, the Misfits, the Unseen, Buddy Holly, Lady Gaga, Bill Withers, Dolly Parton, junior MAFIA… really, anything. If I were to throw my shit on shuffle right now, there’s a good possibility we could get GHOST or the Slap Chop auto tune remix by DJ Steve Porter… it’s really a toss up.”

To 311, Candy has this simple message: “Thank you!”

Candy has these words for all the other fans out there:

“It’s getting OK now!” I can’t wait until things are back to normal and I can hug and see you all again. All the love and all the missing.”

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There you have the story of Candy Ant! Thank you so much to her for sharing her adventure and to all of you for your continued support of the fan spotlights. Have a safe, healthy, and happy week! 

Much Love – The Runt

Good day to all of you out there 311 nation! We are back with the next edition of the 311 fan spotlight. So let’s meet spotlight #297 – Dave Kerkvliet! 

In the year 1995, Dave was finishing up college and was the drummer in a rock band called Sugarat. It was a friend of his that introduced him to 311 by playing songs from the Music and Grassroots albums. “I instantly thought it was the coolest stuff I had heard and I was hooked!  311 became an influence of our music.  Chad Sexton became the biggest influence on my drumming and is to this day my personal favorite drummer.  We performed the local Minneapolis circuit performing at clubs like The Uptown, Fine Line, First Avenue, Ground Zero, etc.  Then we started to expand into the Midwest and MCA records discovered us.  They were interested in a deal but unfortunately our band broke up and I was left to start over.  (Most bands don’t make it very long. 30 years of 311 with original members blows my mind because of this!) What drew me to their music was how rhythmically tight the band was with catchy grooves, a variety of styles, and heavy guitar with clean melodic and harmonic vocals.”

Show count for Dave is 10. “ I was hoping to add four more this summer but Covid struck.” The first show he attended was with his wife April during the 2010 Unity Tour. “The show was in St. Paul with The Offspring.  I’ve been a longtime 311 fan but I’m a late bloomer as far as attending shows and connecting with other fans.  I hadn’t experienced the community they have built until 311 Day 2016. It is truly something special! In more recent years I have crossed paths with other 311 fans, along with 311 themselves, to connect, share stories, and thank them for all of their great music.  I continue to bring other friends to 311 shows so they can experience the fun.  A 311 cruise is on my bucket list for sure.”

Favorite event for Dave was 311 Day 2020. “What an awesome experience!  To celebrate the 30 year milestone with the band and fans was extremely special.  It’s even more special due to all the changes in the world related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was my brother’s first 311 Day and we had an amazing “Bro-cation”!” Dave also said one of his other favorite moments was when he had the opportunity to moderate a Q&A session during the 2019 fall tour in Minneapolis with some of his music students, his brother, Tim, Nick, and Chad. “The Q&A session earned national attention in The American School Band Directors Association newsletter,  Minnesota Educator magazine, NEA Today magazine and In Tune magazine.”

Song that means the most to Dave currently is “I’ll Be Here Awhile.” “The acoustic closer at the end of 311 day 2020 was a fantastic experience.  I also was included in the recent fan video of this song playing mallet percussion and drum set, which is quite an honor. It seems to be an appropriate song for the current times.” Some lyrics that he loves include: “The fish who keeps on swimming is the first to chill upstream,” “You’ve got to trust your instinct, and let go of regret, you’ve got to bet on yourself now star, cause that’s your best bet,” and “Stay positive and love your life.” “The 311 messages of positivity helps me through the difficult times and situations.”

Dave began his life in South Carolina and then moved to his parents hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota, when he was 3 years old. He has a younger sister and brother, who is also a 311 fan. He started playing drums in the 3rd grade and still plays. Dave earned his bachelors degree in music education at Augsburg College and is in his 25th year of teaching and directing at Sebeka Public School. “ I direct Senior High Concert Band, Junior High Concert Band, Jazz Band, Pep Band, Marching Band, Winter Drumline, 6th Grade Band, and 5th Grade (beginning) Band.  We’ve grown into a well respected program with over 20 years of “Superior Ratings” and 230 students in the program. The Sebeka bands have performed for local politicians, as well as, former Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Mae Schunk, former Education Minnesota President Tom Dooher, and Senator Amy Klobuchar. In 2004 I was awarded the “Crystal Apple” teaching award from KSAX news.  Other important accomplishments of the Sebeka Band program include performances with the University of Minnesota Marching Band at Band Day, at the Target Center for the NBA Timberwolves basketball team, at Walt Disney World in Florida, at Valleyfair theme park, and at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the Minnesota School Board convention. In February of 2004 I traveled to Singapore as an invited guest Band Clinician for the Gen Eng Seng, and Anglican High School bands. In 2012 I was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association (ASBDA) at the National Convention held in Asheville, North Carolina, and in 2013 earned “Distinguished Action Research Award” from Southwest Minnesota State University for my work with integrating technology into the Sebeka Band program which helped me earn my Master’s degree.  In 2018, I traveled to France, Switzerland and Germany.  While in those countries I was able to connect with educators and share experiences.  In 2020 I was awarded “Educator of Excellence” from Sourcewell and earned my Specialist in Educational Leadership degree from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.”

Dave met his lovely wife April and his stepson Sterling in 1999. “They enjoy 311 as well. When Sterling was younger we really enjoyed being his biggest sports fans watching him play basketball, baseball, and run cross country and track. Sterling is an electrical line-worker who travels throughout the country. April is a nurse and likes to go kayaking.  We have been truly blessed to have enjoyed many travels and live in a proud small town community.  I am so lucky to have such a great family!” 

Interesting fact about Dave, he was fortunate to be able to record in Prince’s Paisley Park studio! Something unique about him, he just recently learned how to play “Happy Birthday” on the accordion. Guilty pleasure for him is that he is really into outdoor sports, especially fishing. 

Dave likes a wide variety of music genres. Lately he’s been getting back into listening to Rush. “For jazz I’ve been listening to some Buddy Rich and Louis Armstrong, Mozart’s Requiem and Niccolo Paganini’s 24 Caprices for classical, Jay-Z, Dirty Heads, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Primus, Dream Theater, Led Zeppelin, Korn, Pantera, Foo Fighters, Beyonce, Metallica, No Doubt, Johnny Cash, Motley Crue, some John Philip Sousa marches, and the list goes on.”

Dave’s words to 311 are as follows: “Thank you 311, 311 crew, and 311 management for creating and sharing your music over the past 30 years and appreciating your fans as much as we appreciate you!” 

Dave’s words to all his fellow fans:

“I am honored to connect with the 311 community to celebrate 311’s music and 30th anniversary.  It is so great to see people from all different places and backgrounds unite because of 311’s music.  The world needs our positive vibes more than ever!”

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Thanks Dave for sharing your story! As always, thank you to all of the readers as well! I hope you are all safe, healthy, and staying positive. We need the positive vibes to continue now more than ever! 

Much Love – The Runt

Hey there 311 nation! Yes I know, it’s been a hot minute since there has been a new fan spotlight. But here we are, back at it! So let’s not delay the introduction any longer – meet fan spotlight #296 – Vincenzo Basile! 

It was the summer of 1995 and Vincenzo was taking a trip to Italy to meet some of his father’s  family that lived there. It was a long flight, so his dad allowed him to pick out a couple of CD’s to keep him occupied. He chose Beastie Boys “Ill Communication” and the 311 blue album. “Now I was only going into 6th grade that summer so I was still very young and impressionable and 311 was the first band that was my own as opposed to enjoying all the classic rock my parents would play in the car or at home. They were the catalyst to develop my own sense in music.  Nick’s voice was hypnotic and SA’s added harmonies had me hooked immediately. Their funk, grooves and punk elements had me in an excited Mindspin!”

As far as number of shows attended, his count may not be 100% accurate because he didn’t start collecting his ticket stubs until he was in college. His first show was during his freshman year of high school in 1999. “ I had just got out of the hospital and still in my wheelchair so my buddies had to wheel me around. Once they planted me in the handicapped section they all went out to do their thing.  They ended up running into Adam Raspler after recognizing him from Enlarged to Show Detail and told him about my situation and asked if I could go backstage. Tall order right?  Adam compromised and agreed to meet them back at that spot after the show and he ended up bringing a signed piece of paper by all five of our guys.  How can you not fall more in love with this band after something like that?” 

Vincenzo believes his show count is somewhere between 30-35. “The good  thing about living in New England is that 311 will play Providence, RI, Boston, MA, Portland, ME and Gilford, NH and Hartford, CT in one shot.  If not all at once, at least three locations where you tack on your experiences not to mention NY and NJ aren’t that far off either if you had any money left.” As for his favorite show, he believes he has seen the bands two best shows. “Watching 311 perform Transistor in its entirety at Pow Wow is everyone’s white whale if you weren’t there.  It was special and one of a kind.  I was blessed to partake in that and will wear that badge proudly forever.  The second show that comes to mind was cruise 2.  To witness 311 rock out on a tropical island was mind blowing!  I’m sure anyone who was there would agree.  What an incredible experience that was even though I suffered the worst sunburn of all time. My face looked as if an entire nest of bees stung my face and could hardly see which brought me to the boat’s infirmary.  I’d do it again in a second!”

Favorite song for Vincenzo is “Do You Right.” “This song was chosen to be “our song” for my girlfriend at the time, now wife. Every time we hear that song at a show we just look at each other, hold hands and smile knowing how sentimental it has become over the years.  It was also the song playing when being announced man and wife at our wedding reception.  It encompasses everything we love about each other.” 

As far as favorite lyric, Vincenzo said if you asked his 17 year old self, he would have said, “ I love it when the only sound I hear is your infectious laughter.” It was his senior quote! “311 had clearly made a profound effect on me and it was important to me at that time to represent them to help represent me.  As I got older I really gravitated to Freak Out’s lyric, “The earth has not swallowed me yet!”  These words speak volumes to me.  I have had some scary health issues growing up that makes this lyric really meaningful and I’ll go into more detail in a later question. My All-Star jersey says Freak Out on the back for my love of this song.”

Vincenzo was born and raised just outside of Hartford, Connecticut, in a little town called Hebron. He stayed there until 2002 when he moved to Framingham, Massachusetts, to attend college. “I went to Framingham State College as a visual arts major where I met my now wife my junior year.  After 3 semesters, I transferred to the New England Institute of Art with a graphic design major and I lived in Brookline MA before moving to West Roxbury for my last few semesters.  After that, I was hired at a newspaper printer/distributor  to join their graphics team in Gypsum, CO.  This was 2008-2009 when people stopped reading the paper and smartphones began to replace them.  I was laid off and moved back to Ashland, MA.  I soon moved out to Framingham, MA where I worked in the restaurant business for a while and now in Marlborough, MA ever since.  311 is a priority so se every year, it’s like a holiday you want to be with  your family but it’s our 311 community and fans that make it that significant.  I’ll always stash some money away to be there at the Unity Tours.”

Something most people don’t know about Vincenzo, he has a fear of heights! “I don’t know when it kicked in because as a kid I’d go on all the rides at Six Flags, beg my parents to let me go skydiving or bungee jumping and now I won’t even get on a ferris wheel. I was on a cruise years ago and wouldn’t even go to the top deck of the ship. It’s probably why God made me 5’3″, I’m meant to be close to the ground.”

A truly amazing thing that makes Vincenzo unique, he is a 3 time brain/spinal cancer survivor! “First diagnosed in April 1997 in middle school, relapsed in high school in 1999 then again in college in 2003.  I had to learn how to walk again in my mid teens.  Things were rough. I’ve lost 90% of my hearing as a result and when I first got my hearing aids, I posted about 5 years ago in the Familia page about how 311 will be even better for me now and got a very warm reception from a lot of amazing people out there.I choose to stay positive due to all of the support so thanks guys!”

As far as other musicians that Vinnie loves, he said his next favorite band is Deftones. “‘I’ve been listening to them almost as long as I have been listening to 311. They are an unbelievable band that gives me similar feelings 311 does just through a heavier sound and genre that makes me feel alive in a much different way.  Probably another reason Pow Wow was so amazing to me.” Some other musicians he loves include Phish, Glassjaw, Weezer, Rage Against the Machine, Silverchair, Mastodon, The Sword, Slightly Stoopid, Stick Figure, Pepper, and Rebelution. As for guilty pleasure, Vincenzo said it’s reaction videos on YouTube. “ It’s a pretty new thing for me. What I enjoy most is getting to see people connect with music and see candid reactions.  At the same time, I get to enjoy more music myself whether it’s the nostalgic songs from when I was a kid or new stuff I never heard before.  Each reactor has their own personalities which makes it fun.”

Vincenzo would like to say these words to 311: “A tremendous, heartfelt thank you. For the joy, happiness and SA moves I reenact behind closed doors.  You’ve put so many smiles, hugs and love in all of us and have made such a positive influence for not just me but for so many. I hope you’ re all so proud of yourselves.”

Now his words to all the other fans:

“Oh the fans.  I’ve witnessed some of the coolest strangers you’ll ever meet.  Strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet and I’m looking forward to meeting you!  You’re the guy a row behind me at a show who taps me on the shoulder and shares a blunt and his buddy cracks the expected joke, ” I’m not  from Philly but some say I’m blunt.” and we all laugh.  You’re the stranger that drops off a bottle of water to the stranger puking in the bathroom.  Keep being who you are, I’m very proud of this fanbase, sure there are some naysayers but it’s important I thank the one’s who Fuck the Bullshit and know how to throw down.  The fans are a huge percentage to the 311 experience.” 

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That is the story of Vincenzo Basile! Thank you so much Vinnie for being a part of this. Much gratitude to all the readers as well of course! Thank you all for the continued support of this fun project. Until we meet again, stay strong, stay positive, and as always, love your life! 

Much Love – The Runt 

Hey everyone! Welcome to the latest edition of the fan spotlight. Let’s meet spotlight #295 – Linnea Geres! 

It was around the age of 12 that Linnea was introduced to 311 by her older brother. He lent her copies of Grassroots and the blue album and said, “Here listen to this, you’re gonna like it.” Linnea said she did like it, but it was more of a slow burn for her at first. “There were some songs that drew me in right away, but a lot of it went right over my head for a while.  That all changed for me in high school.  I bought Soundsystem and Evolver, absolutely loved those albums from start to finish, and then went back to the older albums with a whole new appreciation for the music.  Somewhere along the way it all just clicked for me: the message, the energy, the sound, and I got hooked.  When I finally saw them live for the first time, I was blown away by how much I enjoyed every minute of it, and I knew, without a doubt, that 311 was my favorite band.  It didn’t happen all at once, but over the course of several years.  As I grew into the music, suddenly, in that moment when I saw them live, I was home.”

First show for Linnea was March 1, 2010, at the Moore Theatre in Seattle. “At the time, I had been living out there for a year and was planning to move back to Connecticut at the end of the month.  I think I just happened to see an ad for the show in a local paper and decided to go check it out, like a fun last hurrah before moving back home.  I had no idea that night would turn out to be one of the best nights of my life!” Since then she’s attended just over 30 shows including Pow Wow, 3 of the cruises, and two 311 Day celebrations in New Orleans. “Basically, any money I’ve had to spend on fun and entertainment for the last decade, I’ve spent on 311-related adventures and concerts, and it’s been worth every penny!  Honestly, there is no place I would rather be than a 311 concert.”

Favorite show for Linnea is difficult to pick with all of the great experiences she’s had. She decided it would be a tie between Pow Wow and her first cruise which was in 2012. “The Pow Wow was my first experience at a large 311 event and also my first music festival, and while it was ridiculously hot, I had the best time I could have ever imagined.  I met so many amazing people, and Suwannee at night was out-of-this-world beautiful, not to mention having the opportunity to hear Transistor in its entirety.  Similarly, the cruise was just beyond words, and that’s where I really felt like I became a part of this incredible 311 community.  The show they played on the beach was a once in lifetime experience, and even just thinking about it gives me goosebumps!”

One of Linnea’s favorite songs, that means a lot to her, is “Speak Easy.” “Through many difficult times in my life, I have put this song on to remind me not to think too much or let my sadness, fear, or anger lead me down the wrong path.  I’ve battled with anxiety and depression for most of my life and this song has always given me the strength I need to slow down and allow the difficult thoughts and feelings to pass.” Another song she loves is “Get Down.” “When I saw them in Boston in 2016, just before the show someone asked me what one song I’d like to hear, and I said “Get Down.”  Sure enough, they played it, and it just hit me hard, unlocking all of this unspoken pain inside of me so I could finally let it out.  I was going through some difficult changes in my life, and it was like this crazy, beautiful moment just for me.  I’ll never forget that.”

For lyrics that Linnea loves, she chose the following:

“If there’s a shadow in your life, then there’s sunshine, things turning inside out all the time, just rewind, it’s all in your mind.”

“From chaos comes clarity.”

“Love is a stream that will find its own course.”

“Everything you do, it comes back to you, whatever it may be. If it isn’t one thing, rest assured that something will come back and pay you for your deed.”

Linnea was born and raised in central Connecticut right near Hartford. She attended University of Connecticut and graduated in 2008 with a degree in Film Studies and Psychology. After graduation, she moved to Seattle for about a year before returning to CT in 2010. “I found my way into a good restaurant job when I moved back and worked my way up into bartending for the last several years, but ultimately, I’m aiming for a career in video production/editing or something where I can flex my creative muscles in the communications field. The money bartending has been quite good for me, though, and has pretty much funded all of my 311 adventures!”

Aside from going to concerts, other hobbies Linnea has include playing guitar, writing poetry and short stories, photography, and hiking.  “I also love board games.  I have a whole bookcase dedicated to them!  I have two cats and a fish tank, and S.A. is the name of one of my fish!  I love stand-up comedy, and I like to think I’m pretty funny, but I don’t know… my cats can’t laugh, so my humor is pretty much wasted on them.  To sum it up, I’m just a fun-loving hippie chick, and the first thing anyone who knows me would probably say about me is that I’m the crazy cool girl who loves 311 (well, and cats… and pizza).”

Interesting fact about Linnea is that she experiences lucid dreaming. “I’m not sure exactly when it started, but at some point, I realized I was experiencing a dream while still conscious that I was dreaming, and from there I just started playing around with what I was able to do in my dreams.  It doesn’t always happen, but when it does, I just become highly aware that I’m dreaming and know that I can then actively make decisions and choices throughout my dream.  It’s definitely a weird experience, but now I just have fun and roll with it.” 

Something that makes Linnea unique is her ability to work with space in a purposefully creative way. “Whether it be how I design my living room to how I frame the subject 

of a photograph.  I think that affinity for spatial awareness is what first drew me to video production, and subsequently, to photography and graphic design.  I love playing with the use of space and framing in an image, and I mirror that aesthetic in all of my creative endeavors.  I would love nothing more working on the cinematography and editing of a 311 video project… a girl can dream… lol.” 

Linnea said, “If I was a pie chart, music would probably make up half of that chart.” Needless to say, she loves music and there are many, many artists that she loves. Some of her favorites are The Smashing Pumpkins, Silverchair, Queen, Collective Soul, Less Than Jake, Atmosphere, Halsey, Incubus, Modest Mouse, Porcupine Tree, Slightly Stoopid, Deep Banana Blackout, Paramore, and Sublime. She also has a musical guilty pleasure – Avril Lavigne! “I’ve always said that my guilty pleasure was Avril Lavigne, but, honestly, I don’t even see it that way anymore.  I love her, and I’m not afraid to say it!  She kicks ass!!”

To 311, Linnea has these words: “. Music is a journey of the heart and soul; thank you for shining a light on the path that speaks to mine.”

To all the other fans out there:

“To all of my amazing 311 friends and family, thank you for welcoming me into this incredible community with open arms.  I have grown so much as a person through all the crazy experiences and wonderful friendships, and I wouldn’t change any of it for a minute!  It’s definitely a strange time to be alive, but I’m glad to know that there’s so many other people just like me because we have an energy that can change the world 🙂 Keep Livin and Rockin!”

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What a great story Linnea! Thank you so much for sharing it and of course, many thanks to all the readers! Take a moment today to remember that we are all on this crazy ride together, and for that we should be truly grateful. Have an amazing week! 

Much Love – The Runt

Hello again my excitable friends! I hope you are all staying well and enjoying your summer the best that you can. Let’s get to it and meet the next fan spotlight – the lovely Jessica O’Neal! 

At the age of 15 in the year 2004 is when Jessica was introduced to 311. It was her sons father that told her about them. “Their lyrics are nothing but positivity and hope, the beats impossible to not dance to. I was instantly hooked.”

For show count, Jessica believes she is up to 34 but she isn’t 100% sure. Her favorite show so far? “I took my son to his first show July 7, 2018, and watching his face light up, watching him sing every song, dancing with him to the tunes we’ve heard for years….nothing could ever compare to that.”

To pick a favorite song Jessica said is a tough one, but she went with “Getting Through To Her” because she said it just melts her heart. For favorite lyrics, she went with the following:

“You’ve got to bet on yourself now, star, because that’s your best bet.”

“Some people live for the rules, I live for exceptions.”

“You gotta keep on climbin’ the hill, cuz if you think you’ll make it you will.”

“The river cuts its way through stone, not through shear force but persistence. At the end of the day the relentless always win.”

Jessica grew up in a small farm town with just her dad and her brother for awhile. At 15, she met her sons father who was from the city. Not only did he introduce her to 311, but she said also about 99% of the other bands she loves. After high school she moved to Columbus, Ohio, and that’s when she had her awesome son Cread. “While the relationship didn’t work, we co-parent really well, we actually took Cread to his first 311 show together in 2018. I work full time, as many of you know, for the Ohio Army National Guard as a Recruiter. I am actually right now in the process of coming home from my first deployment to Kuwait, which has been a wild experience but I think helped me grow. 311 has introduced me to my favorite people, helped me through the best and worst times, and the community’s love and support was vital to my success while overseas.  That active duty pay certainly helps fund my annual show with my sisters, and now my son, which has easily become one of my favorite family traditions!”

Interesting fact about Jessica that you may not know, she showed pigs and sheep in the county fair! “I was quite the little country bumpkin as a kiddo.” What makes Jessica unique? “I think the thing most ‘unique’ thing about me is my ability to help push people to be their best versions of themselves. It’s part of what helps me as a recruiter, and why I adore the band as much as I do. I love meeting people, learning their hopes and dreams, and helping them find the tools to accomplish anything. Nothing good comes easily, sometimes you have to fight! I take so much pride in being the person who is able to really help people accomplish things.”

Guilty pleasure for Jessica is the show “Fixer Upper” with Chip & JoAnna Gains! “I love their relationship dynamic, the way they put in some TLC to help people’s dreams come true, and I’ve taken many of the things they’ve done in the show and applied it to my house.” 

When not listening to 311, Jessica loves music from artists such as Tropidelic (whom she adores), Taylor Swift, Coheed and Cambria, and Chris Stapleton. “Basically I listen to everything I can get my hands on!”

To 311, Jessica would simply like to say: “Thank you. Thank you for being a positive role model in a world where the norm seems to be the opposite. Thank you for being the good, being a role model and for giving my life such a rad soundtrack.”

Now here are Jessica’s words to all her fellow excitables:

“You guys are the most amazing people I have ever met. I love our Familia. I am honored to know and love you guys, you have become such a huge part of my life. The love and support I got from you guys overseas, as well as the love and support that we all give and receive at all times, is so beautiful. We truly are the luckiest excitable crew, and I am SO ready to be home and (once COVID is a thing of the past) HUG EACH AND EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! Thank you for being amazing, stay positive and love your excitable lives, I love you all! <3”

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Thank you SO much Jessica for sharing your story and for your service to our country! You rock girl! Of course, thank you to all the readers out there! Go have an amazing week and keep smiling! 

Much Love – The Runt

Hello again my beautiful excitable readers! Hope you are all enjoying your summer. Let’s meet the latest edition of the fan spotlight – Matt Evans! 

Like many, MTV was the reason Matt found 311 because they were playing their videos off the blue album. He doesn’t remember them getting much radio airplay where he was in New York City in 1995. Then his family moved from northern New Jersey to Atlanta that same year. “Many of the friends that I met were into the band from older siblings. I was introduced to Music (still my favorite) and Grassroots.” 

46 is the magic number for seeing 311 live for Matt. “I was bored at work a few years back and made a google sheet to keep track of my adventures and shenanigans with the band. I have seen them in 3 countries, International Waters, and 11 states in the gold old USA. My first show was in 1997 in Atlanta, GA.” 

Favorite event for Matt was 311 Day 2006 in Memphis. “It was my first 311 Day Experience and the three sets were bangers. I always think about the stilt dancers every time I hear Light Years. I was part of a crew of 20 that drove out from Atlanta, GA.”

“Eons” is the song that means the most to Matt. “It is extremely powerful and beautiful. It has always been one of those songs that reminds me of the 11 years of nearly annual shows at the Lakewood Amphitheater in Atlanta, GA. We started going in the summer of 1997 (my first 311 show). In the early 2000s our crew was close to 30 folks between my high school and college friends. We would always exchange hugs during eons and really appreciate the love and our mutual friendship. It has always been a song that my brother Paul and I would get a few tears flowing. I remember getting him allowed by his wife, thanks Tracey, to go on the 2019 with me. We knew right away when the song started and found each other up on the upper deck to share the song.”

For lyrics though, Matt says he’s usually partial more to the bangers than the slower or more pop style songs. “I would have to quote unity especially ’It Runs In My Family’. I have put this quote on a few of my 311 All Star Jerseys. My crew in Georgia was dubbed The Family by many of our peers. We had a crew with multiple sets of brothers, cousins, and many of us were not from Georgia but merged quickly for our love of fellowship, music, and shenanigans. It reminds of me of my Mother telling my siblings growing up to make family, not friends. This is something that I endeavor in all of my familiar, social, and professional interactions.”

Matt is New Jersey “bred and born, loud and proud.” He was raised by his amazing family and they had weekly Sunday dinners at Grandma’s house with all of the aunts and cousins. “My parents, aunts, uncles, and their friends had a huge crew that did everything from weekend cookouts, to camping, beach, and ski trips. I loved playing Football, Skateboarding, biking, and especially music.”  His family moved to the Atlanta suburbs right before his freshman year of high school. He stayed in Atlanta through high school and college, then in 2006 he got an itch and moved back up to New Jersey, landing his first big sales job in 2007, which was in New York state. “The Hudson Valley Area of New York State is amazing. I love the people in Georgia but the weather is hot AF and the lack of seasonal snow was something that I longed for. It was great to be close to the Catskill and Adirondack mountain ranges and have easy access to snowboarding.”

Flash forward to 2009 and Matt moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, due to the company he was working for being sold. “I missed my brother greatly and was able to move down to his guest room. 2012, I moved back to the East Atlanta Burbs. I was there until Fourth of July weekend this year when I finally moved up to the Northern Atlanta Burbs. I should be above the snow line this winter which is exciting. I am far from sales and was able to ditch that career 5 years back and got into surface mining (Think Fred Flintstone at the Rock Quarry). I am in mining health and safety and I love my company and position. I still get to do a lot of new hire training and work on safety projects at my sites in North Georgia.” 

Matt has never been married and has no kids, something he is completely content with. “I do my best to live a life of balance and can do whatever I want. Which pre-covid was to travel the country to see concerts and sporting events. I have met so many great people through 311 and made so many lifelong friends from all over the country and some of the world travelers that show up for the special event shows.”

Fun fact about Matt, he was once the 26th caller on the radio station 99X in Atlanta, which won him a trip to Paris to spend a week and see the band The Offspring! “My brother Paul and I had an amazing time wandering the streets, legally drinking at 18 and 20 years old, finding party supplies, and getting to hang out backstage with The Offspring, Lit, and some of the members of Silver Chair.”

Unique trait for Matt is that he is an empath and he said that random strangers will approach him frequently for life advice. “I carry myself with a generally pleasant disposition and do my best to make eye contact and smile at everybody. I try my best to not be an asshole and appreciate the interactions that I have with family, friends, coworkers, and the general public at large.” 

Guilty pleasure for Matt, he said he gets some shit from people for being a Weezer fan. “ I would gladly tell them to fuck off ha ha. I love the Blue Album. It is such a great album and songs like In The Garage is a go to at karaoke for me. Only In Dreams is a Masterpiece, My Name is Jonas. Undone, The Sweater Song. The whole album rocks. The Pinkerton Album is also phenomenal. Plus they have plenty of other good ones. They always kick ass life and I sing my heart out.” 

Weezer isn’t the only other band that Matt loves. He grew up on Pink Floyd and classic rock and says that Floyd is still his favorite band. “As a kid my folks had Columbia House music and would give all the 80s hair metal to my brother and I. Bands like Bon Jovi, Poison, Warrant, and Def Leppard. They fucked up one day and gave us Appetite For Destruction by Guns and Roses and that was a life changer. We soon got into Metallica which is my favorite metal band. I got into Pantera, Danzig, Megadeth, Corrosion of Conformity, Tool, Type O Negative, Slayer, and Sepultura (Seen all of them play). But I was also a huge fan of Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Nine Inch Nails, Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, Radiohead, The Offspring and Weezer.” In high school he got into Sublime, plus progressive trance like Paul Van Dyk, Paul Oakenfold, and Sasha. Then in college he added Deftones and System of a Down to his list. He later realized that like 311, all of his favorite bands are unique. The ones that mean the most to him are Pink Floyd, Metallica, Alice In Chains, Deftones, Radiohead, Muse, Baroness, Opeth, Soulfly, 311, Weezer, Tropidelic (Thanks Tony G from Buffalo), and Bumpin Uglies. 

Matt has been lucky enough to say his words to 311 in person. “Thank you. I do not get into the details as I don’t want to tie the guys up in forced conversations. They are just people and I would never want to get to the skinny of the thank you unless in a genuine conversation with them. But for you Chrissy, I will elaborate…

Thank you for being the background music to so many of the best moments of my life. The live show. The energy. The fellowship with family and friends that I made and grew up with. I would love to have the whole crew back together and on the lawn at Lakewood once again. 311 is not my favorite band. I do not love all of the songs and some albums are way better than others. But I do respect the show. And they are fucking magical on stage. And their longevity, friendship, love, and unity with each other. And then there is us, dancing and having the time of our lives. Thank you for that 311. Also, they should always close with Fat Chance into Fuck The Bullshit.”

Now Matt’s message to the other fans out there:

“RIP Chris the Fish. Love you Paulie and Tido, Dwadd, Cari, Aragorn, Kimmy, Bozwald Stormin Norman, Christy Doc Martins, Johno, Adam, Dave and Jen, Brad, Gary and Amanda, Sam and Margarita, Mutt and Nikki, Dip and Jen, Dirty, Flipper, Cam and Grace, Drew Rubbers (Jammin Soundsystem), Hannah H Tata, LeBron, Skeet, Glenn, Jean Girl and Tara, Jack, Dirty Jim, Dave Corless, Kathleen Corless…My Favorite Jamie Norton in the world, Terri and Erica the Pandas, Nate and Lindsey Bigg Daddys.. The whole ATL crew, the Smiths, the Waldmans, the Wilsons, the Scales, the Hoglunds, Amanda H, Julia, Beth, Terri, Elicia K my E, BB, Benee¦ My girl Ashley Tucker from Texas and Her Bestie Karen from Jersey (South Jersey HaHa) Dave and Gabe… The Buffalo New York crew Tony G, Jami, Eric and Angela¦ The Chicago Crew like the Belmonts, the Campabellos, the Kokos, The Ambergs, Mark, and Doncat… Julie 311 Shows her husband David and her California Crew¦ Sam Fuckin Conner¦ Jem from Canada…The Lessors of Geer (formerly Wisconsin)… Marino and Company from Charlotte…Kmac from Maine¦ The Dominican Republic Crew like Ismar, Jaun Carlos, and Luijo¦ Tayler from the Tropidelic Freak Drop New Year 2020¦ Adam West  Ham Fan (Glad you made it through that recent health scare mate)… Erik W the original All Star¦ The Unity Allstars (Kevin you are the man)… And of course Cristina DO from Charlotte I know I missed a bunch here… Much love and many blessing to you all¦ #ItRunsInMyFamily #GeniusRunsTheWorld”

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Great story Matt! Thanks for sharing it with us all! To all my readers, thank you thank you thank you! Go have an amazing week. Stay positive & love your life! 

Much Love – The Runt

Hello again my excitable friends!  Hope you are all staying well. Shall we get to the next fan spotlight? Let’s meet Danielle Woods! 

Anyone remember the show on MTV “120 Minutes?” It was 1996 and Danielle used to stay up late to watch it. “I would have a VHS tape ready in the VCR to tape my favorite music videos, when 311 came on with Down, I immediately fell in love with them and their unique sound. I also had a teenage crush on all of them! When Transistor came out, I was blown away by the futuristic sound in their songs and I loved that they believed in aliens!”

Total show count for Danielle is somewhere between 50 and 60. First show was in St. Paul, Minnesota, at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium on November 15, 1997. “My best friend and I were waiting to get into the venue and it was 20 degrees out so it was COLD!!! We met some of the guys from Incubus who let us in early and gave us passes. I couldn’t believe I would soon meet everyone from 311, my dream come true!” 

Favorite show so far was the sail away show on cruise number 6. “Between sailing off into the sunset and them playing all my favorites (a lot of heavy ones), it was just an unbelievable experience!” Another one that is memorable for her is partying one last time with fellow fan Jake Smith at Red Rocks in April 2019, plus this years 311 Day. “The energy all 3 nights was something that will keep me smiling through all these unpredictable and scary times.”

Many songs brighten Danielle’s day when she hears them, but the ones that mean the most are the ones she listens to with her kids. “There’s nothing better than dancing around, holding my 4-year-old, listening to him say to me “My heart sings when I think of you” …UGGHHH, I couldn’t feel more loved than I do at that moment! My favorite song changes monthly but currently I would say I get most excited to play “Livin’ and Rockin.” Her most favorite lyric comes from the end of “Wildfire” – “And when the morning comes, you know I’ll still be here, one thing you should not fear, whatever things that come. Through the rain, and the sunshine and the pain, we’ll look back and smile, when all is said and been done, when the song is sung.” She said the lyrics are calming and help leave all anxieties behind. 

Danielle grew up in a small town called Wahpeton in southeast North Dakota, population 7500. “I was a complete nerd growing up, which I think shaped me into the caring person I am today. I always had 1 friend from each of the “groups” in high school so I got a nice perspective of how to mesh with everyone’s unique personalities. Music helped me get through tough times like bullying and not feeling cool enough.” She was a cross country and track runner throughout high school and spent a lot of time training for her next big race. 

Twenty years ago Danielle moved to Fargo, North Dakota. “I HATE the winters but realized it’s a good place to raise kids and my family is close by. I’m pretty much a stay at home mom right now, trying to raise our 4, 6, and 8-year-old without a daycare bill. I squeeze in two days a week as an operating room nurse. My hubby funds our 311 obsession by staying busy selling various types of insurance. I’m shy when meeting new people, but find conversation flows effortlessly with other 311 fans. I’ve met some of the kindest, most non-judgmental friends at the shows. I look forward to seeing 311 at the shows, but even more, the friends I meet up with that I’ve met over the years. I think it’s so cool that if we travel to another state, I could call up a 311 friend to go have some drinks with.”

Fun fact about Danielle? All three of her kids birthdays land on the 18th of their birth month! Talent for her is that she can guess the artist of a song within the first 10 seconds of hearing their voice. “It’s won me a lot of prizes on music trivia nights!” Guilty pleasures, she said she has a lot. “Hobby-wise would be playing bingo and scrapbooking, movie-wise would be Labyrinth, TV show would be Vanderpump Rules, and band-wise would be late 80’s early 90’s rock ballads.” 

Other artists that Danielle loves include Deftones, Finch, Kottonmouth Kings, The Used, Breaking Benjamin, The Movement, Slipknot, Orgy, and anything 90’s alternative. “I like chill bands but also need a little heavy screaming music when I’m working out or on a long drive.”

To 311, Danielle would like to say: “Thank you for giving up so much of your personal and family life to keep entertaining us over all these years, and making us all feel like you truly care about us.”

Her final words to all her fellow 311 fans:

“I love meeting you all and I’m proud to be involved in a group with such positive people. I can’t wait until we can all see each other again at the shows!”

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That’s Danielle’s story my friends! Many thanks to her for sharing it and to all the readers each week! Go be well, stay safe, and keep being positive! 

Much Love – The Runt