This week on the Behind The Setlist podcast, singer Nick Hexum and drummer Chad Sexton of 311 join the program amid their six planned album live-stream events happening across the country between now and November, giving fans an inside look at how songs from their amazing catalog are chosen for their concerts.
LISTEN NOW: Behind The Setlist: Nick Hexum and Chad Sexton of 311
Although Hexum and Sexton helped form the Omaha, Nebraska-based 311 back in 1988. it was the group's 1995 self-titled third album, 311 (now known as their "blue album") that brought the band's mix of rock, metal, funk, and reggae into the mainstream, helped by the massive success of their breakout singles "Down" and "All Mixed Up." Over their three decades making music and touring the world together, 311 has become renowned for their energetic live shows drawing from thirteen studio albums, and an affinity for good cover songs.
First addressing the "rough time" the band had gone through in their recent past, Nick says a "fairly intense" touring schedule, "everything feels pretty well on track and we've had some really good talks and discussions lately, and we're excited about the next chapter... [bassist] P-Nut included."
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Following the pandemic, the band started up their touring schedule again in the summer of 2021, hitting major cities and then onto smaller markets which included their special 311 Day concert in 2022. "We do have a couple of what we call 'album shows' left," he explains, "and then a festival in Mexico to wrap up the year."
Although limited to the specific album tracklists and special additions with their current live-streams, Nick tells Behind the Setlist that the number of songs the band might play in a given year has crossed the 100 mark. As fans who have seen the band on consecutive nights can attest, the way they mix up their setlists usually ensures a completely different experience. Over the course of a year, Nick says, "if it's a year with a 311 Day in it, then we'll be getting up into like the triple digits of different songs that we're playing." Chad agrees, saying, "on a tour, sometimes it's been up to 93 or something like that. But I would say on-call, I bet we have about -- just guessing -- 30 to 35 songs that we could pull out really."
Weighing 311 set lists with new music and fan favorites, the guys say, is always at the top of their minds. "We try our best," nick admits, "I'm sure some people have their opinions about it, but we try our best to do it for everybody basically."
"There's new people here; there's people that have seen us 150 times here; there's people that are 60, there's people that are 8 years old," he adds. "So it's just kind of a balance to try and fulfill what everyone is expecting."
Don't miss 311 performing six classic albums in their entity on stage this year! The first two performances were the albums Music and Grassroots in New York City on October 1 and 2. In Chicago, on October 22 and 23 the band will play Blue andTransistor, and in Los Angeles on November 11 and 12, they will perform Sound System and From Chaos. Each show will be live-streamed for fans to enjoy from home.
Listen to the full Behind the Setlist episode with 311 -- now streaming on Audacy -- as hosts Glenn Peoples (Billboard) and Jay Gilbert (Label Logic) talk to artists to get the stories about the songs they play live. Most artists are known best for their recordings, but they love to be on stage. That's where the music feels at home. That's where they connect with the audience. How do they pick the songs to take the audience on a journey? Why do they cover other artists' songs? How many new songs can an artist fit into a 16-song set when people want to hear the classics? We find out.
Listen to more of your favorite music on Audacy's all-new Alt Now, Rockternative, Drivin' Alt, New Wave Mix Tape, '90s and Chill, Alterna 00s, and ALT Roots stations -- plus check out our talent-hosted Kevan Kenney's Music Discovery, Megan Holiday's My So Called '90s Playlist, and Scott Lowe on the Go's Post Modern Music Box!
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