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There are a few select songs that encapsulate a precise moment in your life. Ones that, at the time you devotedly listened to them, defined you as a person. 311′s “All Mixed Up” is one of those songs for me.
I was an angsty 15-year-old when 311′s self-titled album was released. The album was, and still is, plump full of radio gems like “Down,” “Don’t Stay Home,” and the aforementioned, adolescently essential “All Mixed Up.”
Twelve years later, when 311 played “All Mixed Up” three songs into their June 24 set at the LC Pavilion, the song evoked in me an instant mega-dose of nostalgia. I couldn’t help but grin and join in with everybody else singing, “You’ve got to trust your instinct and let go of regret.”
It was quite clear at Thursday night’s show that 311 and its ever-faithful audience had zero regrets. A band known for mixing reggae beats with rock riffs (usually in the same 4-minute track) 311 was all business on stage. Opting for a setlist comprised of more rock than reggae, songs like “Sick Tight” and “Hostile Apostle” had the crowd jumping in unison.
But it was when 311 took its foot off the gas for “Amber” that the crowd, adrift in a sea of lighters and cell phones, showed its gratitude for a band that always “comes original.”
Twenty-two years of touring, songwriting, and growing as a band galvanized on stage with a 10-minute full-band drum interlude. All 5 members, each with his own floor tom and set of cymbals, joined together to display the incredible amount of talent and passion they have for music, even after all these years.
Songs are often like time machines that take you back to a specific moment in your life. And since 311 has been around for 22 years, the band has an entire catalog of “moment defining” songs for thousands of loyal fans. It’s nice to know that even though some things change, this band hasn’t.
This review was written by Josh Fitzwater and brought you by the Franklin University Plaza at the LC Pavilion. For more information about shows that Josh and the Franklin crew will be attending and for chances to win tickets to concerts all summer long, visit www.franklin.edu/concerts or like us on Facebook.
The photos I took of the show would have gone real well with this review.
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I’m confused as to why you refer to some of their lyrics as ‘adolescent’, in a condescending fashion, even referencing the song “All Mixed Up,” which, like most of their music, is precise and cleverly written with metaphors combined with in-your-face, bad-ass attitude. Kind of like another song popular with the original 311 supporters, “Guns Are For Pussies.” There is nothing adolescent about it–it is a bold statement. They are simply, blatantly honest.
“Fuck the nay-sayers, ’cause they don’t mean a thing,
‘Cause this is what style we bring”
I find it sad that you deem a song encouraging self-confidence and motivation for a generation of people that have been at best, labeled “slackers” (aka, Gen. X) “adolescently essential.” I have trouble even understanding adolescent as a word, transformed into an adverb. A thesaurus could be your best friend.
I’m glad they put on another fantastic show, and FYI: the drum circle interlude is a traditional part of the show, every year. Of course, it’s great every year because of the talent, but I thought you should know.