u/RDLH311

Lot's of discussion in this thread right now about how lackluster the setlist is for this current tour. They could easily fix this by copying what Weezer did in 2010-2011 hear me out:

From 2010 - 2011 Weezer did a "Memories" tour.

Two night residencies in most cities. Night one featured The Blue Album, and night two featured Pinkerton.

Each concert began with a set of modern hits and b-sides, followed by a short intermission, and concluded with the full album set.

It was a massive success. It was them embracing what fans want to see out of a live show.

Do you think if 311 copied this format, their tour would have more sales and support from fans?

Should they call it the "Use of Time" tour or do you have a better idea?

After seeing loads of hate in this sub about a year ago, I decided to get one anyways.

I paid $20 so that Allstate will replace it for any reason until 2030.

Since it is not an emulator like the Retron 5, it plays:

• My nes, genesis, and snes collection (I use og controllers with extension cords from Retro-Bit)
• Game Genies for each system (for NES, I bought a 3D printed hand soldered top loader adapter from ebay)
• Multi-carts for each system
• ROM hack cartridges (shout out to the TMNT: Shredder's Re-Revenge Genesis cart)

That is a lot of content for $100 ($80 system + $20 protection plan).

Everything plays great. The 4:3 aspect ratio is crucial on my Samsung Frame TV. For the life of me, I don't understand the hate and I'm glad I pulled the trigger. What gives?

For those who don't know, in 2014 311 got an amazing opportunity out of the blue. Jeff Rosenstock (who has gone on to make some of the best rock and ska records of the past decade) wrote a sincere letter asking them to let him be a part of their cruise.

This would have been the change this thread has been asking for, 311 needs to associate themselves with the new, exciting, and vital bands that they have influenced. Jeff even made an actual petition that needed 400 signatures (it received 625) and gained some media attention when VICE penned an article entitled Dear 311: Please Let This Man Play Your Boat Cruise.

Today it was announced that Jeff will accompany them on the 2027 cruise, fulfilling a prophecy that began 12 years ago.

In case it is hard to read. Here is what Jeff's 2014 letter says:

Dear 311 & Co,

Hello! It's me, Jeff Rosenstock writing in. How the hell are ya? I recently saw that you released a live 311 Day album recorded with an orchestra (which, by the way, is fuckin' sick) and thought this would be as good a time as any to ask if my band can play the 311 cruise.

For the past decade or so, I played in a band called Bomb The Music Industry who did a lot of international touring all off the simple idea that our music will be free and our shows will be accessible to all. I am releasing a solo album next year just in time for this cruise. I asked the label, "HEY LABEL, HOW CAN I GET ON THE 311 CRUISE?" They told me to write a fact sheet but I thought I'd write this letter instead.

Although we don't play the same style of music necessarily, I think we share the same vibe which is having a great time rocking out with your friends and sharing that love and positivity with the fans! Since I was a kid, 311 was the band everyone in my school could get down with and as a touring musician, it brings a smile to everyone in the van's face when we're blasting 311 with the windows down. We've even listened to long 311 Day bootlegs on long drives.

In closing, I think we'd be a great fit for the 311 cruise. We will play as many times per day as needed. I can't draw very well, but below is a picture of me in the future playing the cruise.

Peace, love & unity,
Jeff Rosenstock

https://preview.redd.it/w12jdjhlpnid1.jpg?width=1632&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5de2fd9aa5aeeca7da94f6b2dcc113506f37dde3

I’m new to LC, digging the new album. I’ve been a fan of SMTB ever since Dog Whistle came out in 2019.

I've been revisiting 311's "Solar Flare" lately, and it's hard not to notice how openly critical the song is of war, political leadership, fearmongering, and the military industrial complex.

"How can so many sit silent. Numb to the violence?"

The lyrics reference children suffering the consequences of war, the idea of leaders who "add oil, then bomb." The song even asks, "Does anyone care?" while lamenting people becoming numb to violence. Does 311 even care?

The song was described by Nick as a "scathing political rap" before release, and it's not the only time the band has let us know about their anti-war stance.

This brings me to my question:

If 311 felt strongly enough to write and release a song like that (and others), why have they chosen to keep their catalog on Spotify all this time?

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into defense technology through his investment firm, including companies involved in military AI and defense systems. They are directly tied to the development of war-related technology and people giving their money to Spotify directly leads to this kind of thing being able to happen.

This exact issue lead bands like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Deerhoof, Massive Attack, etc removing their music from the platform in protest.

There's a big contradiction here. If a band writes a song criticizing war profiteering, militarism, and leaders who perpetuate conflict, then continuing to generate revenue for a platform whose CEO is heavily involved in defense tech investment undermine's the bands entire message. It seems extremely hypocritical to me.

I haven't even touched on how Spotify famously pays bands, like, pennies cut in half.

What do you think? Does 311 just have no moral compass?

How can they sit silent?