Despite losing everything - the band members escaped the blaze with minor burns and injuries. The fire destroyed all their equipment, clothes, money and personal possessions. The band hit the road in support of the record and was temporarily sidelined when their touring RV caught on fire and exploded on the shoulder of the highway. Just before disintegrating into total poverty, they were signed to Capricorn Records.ģ11's first cd 'Music', was released with little fanfare in February of '93 (now Gold). They rented a small house in Van Nuys, California and all moved in together. The records were called 'Dammit,' 'Hydroponic,' and 'Unity.' 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. In 1990 & 1991 the band released three independent records on their own label (What Have You Records). 311 was complete (Nick, Chad, Tim, P-Nut and SA). At that time, SA Martinez began to make guest appearances with the band - and was eventually added as a full member. In 1991, they parted ways with Jim Watson and added Tim Mahoney as lead guitarist. They played their first gig opening for Fugazi on June 10th 1990. Months later, Chad persuaded Nick to move back to Omaha and join them. scene, Chad soon moved back to Omaha and began jamming with P-Nut and a guitarist named Jim Watson. In late '88, Nick, Chad and Ward moved to LA and made an unsuccessful stab at getting a recording contract.ĭisillusioned with the L.A. They soon added a keyboardist named Ward Bones and called themselves 'Unity'. When Nick returned to Omaha for Chad and Tim's high school graduation - the three of them jammed and realized they had a special musical chemistry. Nick was also in the high school concert jazz band with Chad.Īt seventeen, Nick graduated early from high school and moved to downtown Los Angeles in pursuit of a music career. P-Nut and SA Martinez lived on the south side of town and went to Bryan High School together.ĭuring high school, Nick and Tim played in a rock band together called 'The Ed's'. Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney and Chad Sexton lived on the west side of town and went to Westside High School together. All five members of 311 grew up in the 1970's in Omaha, Nebraska.

311 transistor full album song list