311 Music

311: More than a Decade of Musical Success

All five members of the band 311 (pronounced as three eleven)—Tim Mahoney, Nick Hexum, P-Nut, SA Martinez, and Chad Sexton—hailed from Omaha, Nebraska.

Their music careers started back in their high school days in the 70s. Hexum and Mahoney were both in a rock band called “The Ed’s.” After graduating from high school, Hexum decided he wants to be serious about his music career so he moved to Los Angeles in hopes of fulfilling his dreams. When he went back to Omaha to attend his friends’ graduation, he jammed with Mahoney and another friend, Sexton. It was then they realized that they sounded good together. They then added a keyboardist named Ward Bones and formed “The Unity.”

By the end of 1988, Hexum, Sexton, and Bones went to LA and tried their luck in the music scene. Their attempt, however, proved unsuccessful.

Disappointed with what happened, Sexton went back to Omaha and started jamming with P-Nut and a guitarist named Jim Watson. After a few months and some persuading from Sexton, Hexum returned to Omaha and jammed with the three. Their first gig was on June 10, 1990.

A year later, Watson was replaced by Mahoney, who became the group’s lead vocalist. They then added a frequent guest, Martinez.

Between 1990 and 1991, the group released three records under their own music label named What Have You Records: Dammit, Hydroponic, and Unity.

They changed their name to 311, which was suggested by P-Nut, after their former member was caught by the police for indecent exposure. He was handcuffed and sent home with a ticket bearing the police code “311.” They decided to use it as their band’s name because of its ambiguity. Thus 311 music was born!

The group was able to establish their reputation and build a solid fan base in the Midwest. Having done that, the group then set their eyes for the West Coast.

The guys decided to move to California to chase their dream of penetrating the music scene but they encountered some harsh challenges. They moved in together in a small house in Van Nuys and were on the brink of destitution when they were signed up by Capricorn Records.

In February 1993, the group released their first CD called Music but was not very well received. But the band was not to be discouraged. They hit the road to promote the album but got another blow when their RV caught fire and destroyed everything they had. Despite the serious roadblock, the group’s determination was not easily broken. After cancelling just one show, they hit the stage using equipment donated by friends and fans after hearing the unfortunate news.

By 1994, 311 was touring the United Stated non-stop. They released their second CD Grassroots and started to amass hordes of followers due also to their extensive touring. Their self-titled CD was released in July 1995. They continued to go on tour.

By 1996, their fans have grown in numbers as well as the number of shows they were having. They also started to get the attention of the media. After more than a year of the release of 311, the track Down hit the airwaves and became a hit. It landed at the number 1 spot on the Billboard Modern Rock Chart. Its follow-up single All Mixed Up reached number 2.

By the year 2000, the band was able to purchase their own recording studio which they named “The Hive.” By 2003, the band has already released 7 albums and embarked on several tours. They contributed an 80s cover song for an Adam Sandler movie in 2004—Fifty First Dates. Love Song reached the top spot in the Billboard Modern Rock Chart.

311 had a historic 5-hour set in New Orleans in March 11, 2004 (3-11-04) and played a total of 68 songs. The performance was eventually released as a DVD set. As of now, the release has been certified Platinum.

Their ninth album will be released sometime in 2009.