Nick Hexum Of 311 17 September 2003 example essay topic

It was aural sensory overload as I collapsed on the floor of my best friend's living room. My eyes were completely useless in the pitch black of the room, but my ears were alert. I could imagine the sound swirling around my head. It was beautiful; like sirens calling to a restless voyager. I had found the music that I had unknowingly been searching for. I had landed on its shores and planted my flag.

The sound I was hearing was exciting me to the point that sleep was impossible. It was the first time I had experienced the music of 311, and it was a sleep over that I would never forget. There are very few bands that have survived the eclectic and turbulent music scene of the nineties. 311 just so happens to be one of those bands. They are survivors.

311 is an amazing band for the following reasons, their longevity, their positive message and their amazing live show. They have worked for every success they have achieved, receiving little love from the media and radio alike. They have acquired a huge underground following, sold millions of albums, and have toured all over the world, often selling out many of the venues they play. 311 have acquired the success that every underground musician or band dreams of, and they did it their way, without compromising their values or their music. They are a band for the ages, but their drive remains ageless. 311 is unique for their longevity.

They have been together for the past twelve years, and that is highly unusual in a world of passing fads and one-hit wonders. 311 formed in 1991 when self-proclaimed "best friends for life" Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney, Chad Sexton, Doug Martinez (a. k. a. S.A.) and Aaron Wills (a. k. a. P-Nut), decided that they would do what came naturally to them; make music. The members of 311 met while growing up in Omaha, Nebraska and realized that they had a special musical chemistry.

They decided that they would form a band and soon began playing shows at local venues, quickly building a solid fan-base. After high school, 311 moved out of Omaha to Los Angeles, California in hopes of getting signed to a major record label. Months of hard work paid off when they were signed to Capricorn records. After being signed in 1993,311 immediately recorded their first album entitled "Music" and set out on tour. The band has continued to move forward, evolving from a small, unknown band into a monolith of the music world, and in the process have released seven studio albums, one live album, and two long form home videos.

311 have proven that they are here to stay, as Nick Hexum states, "we don't see any end in sight". In a world where musicians often use their music as a negative medium to complain about their lives, 311 does not. 311's music spreads a positive message to the people that need to hear the message the most; the young and the adolescent, as well as others. Young kids and adolescents are very impressionable and music is a large part of their lives. 311's positive message allows for kids and adolescents to listen to something inspiring and not something that will fuel depression. In the song "Jupiter" on 311's fourth studio album "Transistor" Nick sings, "Stay positive and love your life".

This type of positive message is something that is lacking in music today, and this is what 311 embodies. It is all too often that a band can create magical moments in a studio setting but cannot come close to re-creating that energy live. This is not true in the case of 311. The live concert show has always been a staple of 311 since the bands origin. After their second album "Grassroots" was released, 311 toured nonstop, putting all of their energy into their live show. This was entirely necessary due to the fact that 311 got little airplay on the radio and could not be seen on MTV.

311 realized that in order to grow and increase their fan base they had to do it on the stage. They had to perform a live show that would leave a lasting impression, and that is just what they did. 311 now has the ability to headline their own tours and play an average of about 24 songs per night. Most bands would not even consider playing for that long at every show, but for 311 that kind of dedication to their fans is a must. People are confident when they go to see 311 that they are in for a good experience.

A strong live show is vital for a band if they want to be successful in the competitive music world. Nick says it best in the song "Jack-o-lanterns Weather" from "311 Self-titled", "you need a live show, like a ball player needs a dunk". On July 22, 2003 311 released their seventh studio album fittingly entitled "E volver". A main idea behind the theory of evolution is that of natural selection, also commonly referred to as "survival of the fittest".

This basically means that the strongest, fastest or most adept species will survive, while others, less equipped, will, over a period of time, become extinct. This title could not better describe 311. They have survived as a band for the past twelve years through a decade that has seen more artists and genres fade than in any other period in history. The closing song, "I'll be Here Awhile", on 311's sixth studio album, "From Chaos", sums up 311's determination to persevere. Nick Hexum sings, "I'll be here awhile, ain't going nowhere...

I will survive". They are truly an amazing band and will continue to amaze in the future. "311 History". 311: Official Website.

July 2003.18 October 2003. Hexum, Nicholas, et al. Interview. Di Martino, Dave. "The 411 on 311". Yahoo!

LAUNCH - Feature: The 411 on 311.10 October 1997. Yahoo. 18 October 2003 Hexum, Nicholas. Interview. Zulaica, Don. "LiveDaily Interview: Nick Hexum of 311" LiveDaily Interview: Nick Hexum of 311.17 September 2003.

LiveDaily. 18 October 2003. "What is Evolution? Partly Based on a Report by the National Association of Biology Teachers". Religious Tolerance. org. 6 September 2000.

About: Alternate Religions. 22 October 2003..