311 – "Down" (1995)

Electrified by the sound

It comes from the down

I’ve always wanted to have a cool nickname – like “P-Nut,” which is the nickname of 311’s Aaron Wills.

In 2011, Paste.com ranked Wills #16 on its list of the 20 most underrated rock bass players, citing his “jaw-dropping technical proficiency,” his “blistering slap technique,” “proficiency with melodic hammer-on riffs,” and his “real ear for tasteful grooves.”  (I’m a keyboard player, so I don’t really understand what any of that means – but it sounds like he’s a pretty sweet bassist.)

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In 2000, 311 created an unofficial holiday called “311 Day.”  Since then, the band has performed an extended concert for their fans every March 11. (Some years, the band hosted “311 Day” on a cruise ship.)

Aboard a “311 Day” cruise

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Click here to watch the official music video for “Down,” which was the first track on their eponymous 1995 album.  It went triple platinum – that means it sold at least 3,000,000 copies.  Among the bands that 311’s members have cited as influences are the Clash, the Cure, the Descendents, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Cypress Hill, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Fishbone, Jane’s Addiction, Faith No More, De La Soul, Public Enemy, and A Tribe Called Quest.  (Not bad!)

Click here to buy “Down” from Amazon.