During the early 90's I don't think I could relate to the 311 very much tbh, as I was born in 1986, so until the late 90's, most of the lyrics would have went over my head anyway.
I couldn't truly appreciate the band for what they played and who they were until I was about 14, at which point, I started a new era of musical enjoyment... Not your typical "Rock" band is what I think I liked best, but a combination of MANY Genres.
My first Album I listened to was Grassroots in 2000/2001 after a friend introduced me to the band with their self titled album with, at the time the only song I knew at all (Down) right before From Chaos was released...
Grassroots was so unique and different from what little I heard from 311 - "311" which is what I liked instantly I think, never the "same song" it seemed on any album. A bit out of order, I listed to From Chaos, and instantly fell in love with the band. What an album! ... Don't get me wrong, still one of my personal favorites, but I have to say in all honestly Music/Grassroots/311/Sound System/Transistor/From Chaos/and Evolver are still IMO their best albums with the ability to to be played from 0:00 on the first track to the end of the album without ever "wanting to get to the next good song" and just enjoying every single track. Don't get me wrong I like some newer songs from Don't Tread on Me - present day, which I do add to my playlist, and not to say I don't have favorites either, but what a hell of a band!
Sadly, when I bring them up to someone that didn't listen to anything other than what was played on the radio in the 90's-00's, I feel like they missed out on some AMAZING concerts, and do not know who they are until I play "Champagne" or something of the likes. Fortunately, unless a person truly cannot appreciate Rock/Alternative/Reggae/(some) Hip-Hop, I always get a "who the hell is this" and are inspired.
I have been to concerts beginning in 2004 with the Roots, at the time unknown to me, impressed me with their talent, and now they are on TV every night with Jimmy Fallon. I still find that funny, like damn, the TV audience knows they are talented, but I have only seen a couple times where they REALLY were able to shine on TV like they did the first time I was blown away by their talent in concert.
Since, I have seen 311 more times than I can count,or remember, due to getting older and varying levels of inebriation, heh, ranging from sober to blackout drunk/stoned, I always had a good time and enjoyed the music thoroughly. Not to mention, being performed very well without "fake crap" or being offbeat... Truly musicians. I know I have seen them approximately 10 times though, based off memories/ friends/ and T-shirts... more than any other artist I have cared to see live.
Some of my favorites I remember well were 311 headlining, and the opening acts being The Roots, Snoop Dogg, KMK, Sublime w/ Rome, Pepper, The Offspring, Slightly Stoopid, and Cypress Hill to name my favorites/able to cognitively remember ;)
I STRONGLY recommend anyone check them out at least once. Lastly, I hope 311 continues to play on cruise liners occasionally, and I have yet been able to travel out of state for 311 Day (JEALOUS NEW ORLEANS! lol, and Vegas). Looking forward to seeing them again with The Offspring this 2018! Both are a couple of my favorite bands I grew up with, would prefer 311 to be headlining, but who really cares if it's a good show? F@#% The Bull$%^& it's time to throw down!!
Weezer
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