311
It's rare good friends make a successful group. Usually, there's a weak link and its either time to say goodbye or that person drags the show down. A group also puts pressure on relationships that make it all the
more difficult. But 311 is one of the few groups that's managed to maintain a stable line-up.
Forming in Nebraska's music capital, Omaha, in '90, 311 is a collection of "friends for life" according to singer/guitarist/spokesperson Nick Hexum. The other "friends" are Rapper/turntable wiz Doug "S.A." Martinez, bassist P-Nut (a.k.a. Aaron Willis), guitarist Timothy J. Mahoney and drummer Chad Sexton.
A year later the Alt./Rap/Rockers bounced to L.A. where they signed with Capricorn Records. Their debut "Music" rolled out in '92 with "Grassroots" showing up the following year. But it was their self-titled third release (a.k.a. "The Blue album, " due to the deep blue cover) that served as their breakthrough with the mid-tempo "All MIxed Up" and sonically denser and more Rockin' "Down."
Amid a frantic year of touring the group produced what was essentially a home movie of their life on the road. "Enlarged To Show Detail," filmed in Kansas City and Denver, sold over a million copies.
In '97, the double CD "Transistor" hit and 311 set off on a worldwide tour that resulted in the "Live" CD. '99 saw the release of "Soundsystem" with "Freeze Time" and "Eons."
311 confidently rolled through the early part of the new century with a quartet of releases. "From Chaos" was on the shelves in '01. It was followed two years later by "Evolver." '04 had "311 Day: Live In New Orleans." Then the group returned to the studio for their '05 effort "Don't Tread On Me."
311's "Don't Tread On Me" is a friendly, melodic Rock album with Reggae, Punk and Rap influences. It's accessible, catchy and fun with songs "Thank Your Lucky Stars," "Waiting" and the title track. Rap/Rocker "Solar Flare" is upbeat and edgy but hardly angst riddled.
The earlier "Evolver" has a tougher sound in "Creatures (For Awhile)," which has a Stevie Wonder type synth percolating through it, and the mainstream Rocker "Reconsider Everything."
Give it to "311" and "From Chaos" as the prime CDs. Interestingly, Ron St. Germain produced both albums. "311" has the early hits. From Chaos" features the Grunge-to-Rap title track, "You Wouldn't Believe" and "You Get Worked" which is in the same vein as "Down" (from "311"). CDs recorded between '95's "311" and "From Chaos, " six years later, chart the group's transition from Funk (though they still incorporate many of those elements) toward Metal. "Soundsystem" stands as the best from this era. The indulgent "Transistor" should be avoided. The twenty-one tracks jam styles and influences without much cohesion or effectiveness. Of 311's early '90s releases "Music" is the one to get.