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311 Biography:
311 formed by Nick Hexum, Chad Sexton, and Tim Mahoney, all started in 1990. Sexton, Hexum, and Mahoney all went to the same High School in Omaha, Nebraska. At the same time SA Martinez and P- Nut (Aaron Willis) went to another High School on the Southside of Omaha. Before the band got started Hexum and Mahoney were in a band called "The Ed's," Nick was also in the High School Jazz band with Sexton. When High School Graduation came, Hexum was already on his way to California, in hopes of a music contract. In the next few years Hexum and Sexton, formed a band called Unity. They went to LA in hopes of recording contract but was unsuccessful.
The band's original band members were Nick, Chad, P-Nut, and guitarist Jim Watson. In 1991, their lineup was complete. They replaced Watson for Tim Mahoney. Soon after this addition of Mahoney, SA Martinez a local DJ started making guest appearances. They would soon add him to the band. They would release 3 Independent Records (Dammit, Hydroponic, and Unity) in between 1988-1991. With these records and their solid live show, the band quickly established a following in the Midwest and then set out for the West Coast. This time they would get what they wanted....a record deal.
In 1993 just coming off the celebration of their record deal, they released "Music" in February of that year. Music had very little fanfare. They hit the road in support of the record. During their tour they were sidelined when their RV caught on fire and exploded. The fire destroyed all their equipment, clothes, money and personal possessions. Despite losing everything the band members escaped the blaze with minor burns and injuries. They decided to persevere and they only canceled one show before returning to the stage with equipment donated by fans and friends who heard about the disaster on the television news. In 1994, "Grassroots" was released. They were by this time touring nonstop. Soon after the release they put everything into the show and gained a strong following.
In 1995, they released the self-titled album and continued to tour the US. By 1996, their following grew considerably. With this new fan base the media started paying attention. Over a year later the song entitled "Down" hit the radio and MTV. They would end up gaining so much success after the release of this hit. The song would go to the top of the charts, then their second single, "All Mixed Up" hit #2. They would also get a horrible review about the name. The reporters led to believe the band name stood for KKK (3xK). The band got their name from a local police code for Indecent Exposure. After the release of the "Blue Album," they went back into the recording studio.
In 1997 they released "Transistor." It would mark a turning point in the band's career. They went international. Touring not only in the US, but also in New Zealand, Japan, Europe, UK, and Australia. The following year they paid tribute to the early years, with the release of Omaha Sessions. The EP contains 9 songs from the bands 1989-1991 independent releases ("Dammit," "Hydroponic" and "Unity"). In November of 1998, they released 311 Live - a collection of live recordings from the 1997 US Tour.
After the releases of Omaha and Live, they released their fifth studio album,"Soundsystem." The album would debut at number 9. The tour would lead them back to Japan and they would continue to tour in the US. In 2000, they would buy their own recording studio. They would call it "The Hive," named after the official fanclub. They would also start work on their sixth CD "From Chaos." Released on June 19, 2001, "From Chaos" would debut at number 10. Just three days after the release they would headline the Vans Warped Tour. For August, 311 will head back to Europe to play festivals and club shows in the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland and Belgium.
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