311 (band)
American rock band blending reggae, hip hop, and funk.
311, pronounced "three eleven," is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska, formed in 1988. They have fourteen studio albums and sold over 10 million records in the U.S. by 2022. Their 1995 self-titled album, which went triple platinum, brought them mainstream success.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
- Genre
- Alternative rock
- rap rock
- reggae rock
- funk rock
- funk metal
- Years active
- 1988–present
- Label
- 311, ATO, Volcano, Capricorn, MapleMusic, BMG, Cleopatra
- Past members
- Jim Watson
- Current members
- Nick Hexum
- Aaron "P-Nut" Wills
- Chad Sexton
- Tim Mahoney
- Doug "SA" Martinez
Facts from the source article.
History
311's first independent release was the Downstairs EP, recorded in 1989 in Nick Hexum's basement; it had no cover art and included the song "Feels So Good," later recreated on the album Music. In 1990, the band produced 300 cassettes of their second independent release, Dammit!, recorded at IEV Studios in Papillion, Nebraska. The following year, Tim Mahoney replaced Jim Watson on guitar, and 311 released their third independent release, Unity, recorded at Rainbow Recording Studios in Omaha; 1000 CDs and 500 cassettes were printed and sold at shows. In 1992, Doug "SA" Martinez, whose nickname stands for Spooky Apparition, officially joined the band. That year, 311 recorded a six-track demo called Hydroponic at Rainbow Recording Studios and moved to Los Angeles, where they were signed to Capricorn Records. Their first major album, Music (1993), produced by Eddy Offord, included the single "Do You Right," which reached No. 27 on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart. Financing their own tour, the band drove an RV borrowed from Sexton's father; after the RV caught fire en route to an Omaha show, the band escaped through flames, losing all equipment and possessions but continuing the tour with borrowed gear. Their second studio album, Grassroots, followed in 1994.
311 Day
On March 11, 2000, 311 began celebrating an unofficial holiday called 311 Day, chosen because March 11 is written as 3/11 in the United States. Every other year from 2000 to 2020, and every year since 2021, the band performs an extended concert. The 2021 event was a livestream due to COVID-19 restrictions, featuring only the Transistor album in full, while the 2023 event was their first held aboard a cruise.
Caribbean Festival Cruises and Pow Wow Festival
In March 2011, 311 began hosting a Festival Cruise, with an environment similar to an outdoor music festival involving camping. The 2011 Caribbean Festival Cruise departed March 3, 2011, from Miami, Florida, aboard the Carnival Destiny for Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos, featuring three shows over four days with guest bands including The Movement, Pepper, and The Expendables. The second cruise, on May 10, 2012, also on the Carnival Destiny, landed at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas and featured The Dirty Heads, Shwayze, and others. The 2013 cruise departed March 1, 2013, on the Norwegian Pearl to Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, with guests including Rebelution, Less Than Jake, and comedians Tom Green and Doug Benson. The 2015 cruise departed February 25, 2015, on the Norwegian Pearl to Jamaica, with 311 playing three sets alongside Dirty Heads, Pepper, and RX Bandits. The fifth cruise, in 2017, departed from Tampa to Cozumel on the Norwegian Jade, featuring Rebelution, Reel Big Fish, and Stick Figure; 311 debuted two new tracks, "Extension" and "Too Late," and covered Prince's "Let's Go Crazy."
Business collaborations
In 2015, 311 collaborated with Nebraska Brewing Company and Rock Brother Brewing on an amber ale called "311 Amber Ale," which was available in several states but discontinued as of 2026. In February 2023, the band launched "Come Original IPA" with El Segundo Brewing Company, a West Coast-style IPA distributed primarily in Southern California, followed in January 2024 by "Stealing Hoppy Hours," a non-alcoholic hazy IPA with DrinkSip. A cannabis vapor pen named "Grassroots Uplifter" was released in 2017, with a version 2 in 2018. 311 also serves as official media sponsors for BK Racing on the NASCAR Sprint Cup series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genre of music does 311 (band) play?
311's music is classified as alternative rock, rap rock, reggae rock, funk rock and funk metal.
Which record labels has 311 (band) released music on?
311 has released music on 311, ATO, Volcano, Capricorn, MapleMusic, BMG and others.
Who are the current members of 311 (band)?
The current members of 311 are listed as Nick Hexum, Aaron "P-Nut" Wills, Chad Sexton, Tim Mahoney and Doug "SA" Martinez.
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