311. Concert Review with special guests AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth
Peoria Civic Center Theater
Peoria, Illinois
Wednesday, September 20th, 2023

 

311. was formed over 33 years ago. They formed in Omaha, Nebraska even though they have a SoCal sound.  Their sound has roots in Reggae, Punk, and Rock. The band consists of vocalist and guitarist Nick Hexum, bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Willis, drummer Chad Sexton, lead guitarist Tim Mahoney, and vocalist and turntablist Doug “SA” Martinez.  Named after the police code for indecent exposure in Omaha. The band has one of the longest running original lineups. They have taken over the date March 11th as their day with album releases occurring on that day as well as celebratory concerts. Their live show is one of the most dynamic and entertaining.

311. fans come from all over and travel to see them whenever and whereever they can. In July, they played Red Rocks. Ten of their albums have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Top 200 Sales Chart and nine of their singles have reached the Top 10 on Billboard’s Alternative Radio Chart – “Amber,” “All Mixed Up,” “Come Original,” “Creatures For Awhile,” “Hey You,” and “Sunset in July,” along with #1 singles “Down,” “Love Song,” and “Don’t Tread On Me.”

Special guests AWOLNATION and Blame My Youth joined 311. on tour. AWOLNATION is the project of Aaron Bruno who is the vocalist and composer. Their most notable song, “Sail” is from their 2010 album Megalithic Symphony. The song has been certified Diamond (excess of 10 million) by the RIAA in the United States and several times platinum all over the world.

Blame My Youth is the project of Sean Van Vleet who has written songs for alternative rockers, All Time Low, PVRIS, The Score, Fitz & The Tantrums. Blame My Youth‘s first single “Right Where You Belong” was released on the Bill & Ted Face The Music soundtrack that received a Grammy Nomination.

Blame My Youth‘s Sean Van Vleet was living up to the name. Throwing around middle fingers like glitter and being on the hunt for a good time. The songs in the set had great lyrics and sound like “Stupid Human”, “Prizefighter”, “Tentacles” and “They Only Love You When You’re Dead”.

The lyrics to “They Only Love You When You’re Dead”

They only love you if you’re 27
When you go to heaven
Cause you die on your back
With a bottle in your hand, yeah

The band definitely gained fans this evening. It is exciting to see them at their start of their career. Their website: Blame My Youth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AWOLNATION took the stage with lots of LED lights behind and to the sides of the band. Aaron Bruno wore a Hawaiian shirt and trousers, looking like a middle aged dad on vacation. The rest of the band looked almost like his kids who were on vacation with him (see pictures below). The songs are electronic, alternative rock and have a sing along and dance along beat. Aaron Bruno was running around the stage with so much energy and singing.

Their complete setlist:
1. People
2. Kill Your Heroes
3. Run
4. The Best
5. Radical
6. Handyman
7. Passion
8. Sound Witness System
9. Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)
10. Pacific Coast Highway in the Movies
11. Sail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

311. took the stage after a short break. Their stage had led panel behind the drum kit with two smaller led panels to each side. Fans who purchased the VIP seats got to go up onto the stage and watch the first 3 songs from the side stage. For a band where the members are in their fifties, they looked really good. Especially vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum. He was mesmerizing moving around the stage. He seemed especially fit. For a lot of fans, when 311. comes onto the stage, that is the time to light their joints or smoke their vapes. Highlights of the show were P-Nut’s bass solo with his lighted fret marker bass and then drummer, Chad Sexton’s solo. Chad Sexton’s drum kit utilized traditional drum kit along with electronic drums and lots of effects cymbals(cymbals with holes). The band thanked the crowd for over 30 years of allowing them to spread a positive message.

The full song list:
1. Beautiful Disaster
2. Freeze Time
3. Do You Right
4. Prisoner
5. Come Original
6. Taiyed
7. What The ?!
8. All Mixed Up
9. Bass Solo
10. What Was I Thinking?
11. Lovesong (The Cure cover)
12. Stainless
13. Don’t Stay Home
14. Applied Science
15. Random
16. Hydroponic
17. You Wouldn’t Believe
18. Amber
19. Down
Encore:
20. Feels So Good

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                

Sources: setlist.fm, wikipedia.org,bigpicturemedia