<p><strong>311</strong> (pronounced "three-eleven") is an American rock band from Omaha, Nebraska. The band was formed in 1988 by vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum, lead guitarist Jim Watson (who would later be replaced by Tim Mahoney), bassist Aaron "P-Nut" Wills and drummer Chad Sexton. In 1992, Doug "SA" Martinez joined to sing and provide turntables for 311's later albums, rounding out the current line-up. The band's name originates from the police code for indecent exposure in Omaha, Nebraska, after the original guitarist for the band was arrested for streaking.</p>
<p>To date, 311 has released eleven studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, four EPs and four DVDs. After a series of independent releases, 311 was signed to Capricorn Records in 1992 and released the albums <em>Music</em> (1993) and <em>Grassroots</em> (1994) to moderate success. They achieved greater success with their 1995 triple platinum self-titled album, which reached No. 12 on the <em>Billboard</em> 200 on the strength of the singles"Down" and "All Mixed Up", the former of which topped the <em>Billboard</em> Hot Modern Rock Tracks in 1996. The band's next three albums, <em>Transistor</em> (1997), <em>Soundsystem</em> (1999) and <em>From Chaos</em> (2001), did not achieve the massive success of the self-titled album, though they were still successful, with the first going platinum and the last two going gold. Their 2004 compilation album <em>Greatest Hits '93–'03</em> was also certified gold. The band's most recent studio album is 2014's <em>Stereolithic</em>. As of 2011, 311 has sold over 8.5 million records in the US.</p>
close
