REMEMBER WHEN - 311

I used to go to a lot of 311 shows. I've been to about 40 of them across the nation. But that's nothing compared to JIGSAW's first guest columnist, Julie Gonzalez. She is one of the band's biggest fans, so I couldn't have asked a better person to share a 311 REMEMBER WHEN.

Fans prepare for 311 to perform on the lido deck at the first cruise in 2011. (Julie Gonzalez)

311 Caribbean Cruise

March 3-7, 2011

By Julie Gonzalez

When I was first asked to write about one memorable 311 concert, I was really excited and flattered. Then I started thinking, 'what show would I write about?' I've seen 311 over 200 times in many different places, so it was quite hard for me to decide.

I've been following 311 for over 16 years and have traveled all over the world using up almost all of my vacation time every year. I've seen them in Japan, Canada, Half Moon Cay and in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean (en route to Turks and Caicos) during their two cruises. I was even lucky enough to witness them play their first show in Alaska, which was the last state that they had left to play.

After thinking back to all of the shows I've been to, it became really difficult to share just one show that was special to me. So, I'll talk about my most recent memorable show.

"311 played as Miami faded from view." (Julie Gonzalez)

In 2011, the band decided to embark on their first 311 Cruise. What's a 311 Cruise, you ask? Well, there's a company out of Georgia, Sixthman, that puts together Carnival cruises for bands. The music group is on the boat with 3,000 fans for four days/nights.

They perform a few sets, do a Q&A and take pictures with everyone on the boat. It's the most amazing experience. They also do other things to interact with fans, like play basketball or judge a karaoke show.

As we were leaving the Port of Miami, 311 played on the lido deck, and it was one of the greatest shows I've been to. This was the first cruise, and the thought of everyone chanting, "311-3-3-11" while anxiously waiting for them to come out and play still gives me goosebumps.

My friends and I watched from the top deck, as 311 played and Miami faded from view. Everyone was so excited to be there, and the band went off.

311 Cruise 2011 (Julie Gonzalez)

 It makes me smile just thinking about that set. They played my two favorite songs, "Do You RIght" and "8:16 a.m.," which made the evening even more special, along with other great tracks, such as "Jupiter," "Guns (Are For Pussies)" and "Summer of Love,"  which they hadn't played in a long time.

Although the shows are always an exceptional experience, one of the things I really enjoy is all the people you meet at their concerts and all of the great friends I've made over the years because of 311 and their music. After traveling and meeting a lot of their fans around the globe, I can truly say that they have the best fans. A lot of the friends I've made because of 311 are like family.

You probably think I'm crazy because I go to so many shows, but if you are passionate about anything, you will understand. I encourage anyone to go to a 311 show. You will not be disappointed!

REMEMBER WHEN - Billy Idol/Faith No More

Billy Idol (billyidol.net)

Billy Idol and Faith No More

Oct. 27, 1990 @ Pacific Amphitheatre (Costa Mesa)

I was pretty lucky growing up. Both of my parents loved going to concerts. From Diana Ross, Kool and the Gang and Tito Puente to Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson (Yes, my dad was an Asian cowboy.), my sisters and I got dragged to a lot of really eclectic shows.

I chose this concert as my first "Remember When" column because it was the first show that I actually begged my parents to buy tickets for. I was only 13, so of course they had to tag along with my 7-year-old sister. But they let me bring two friends, so I was excited. They purchased lawn seats, so that my sister could just lie down if she got tired. Looking back on it now, I'm not sure what they were thinking.

The combination of artists on the bill might seem a little weird now, but at the time, both Faith No More and Billy Idol were fixtures on MTV. FNM were riding high on the success of their "Epic" single. Everyone knew of the song's video with the exploding piano and fish flailing around on the ground. It was also the world's introduction to the awesome craziness that is Mike Patton.

Everything started out fine, Patton even managed to lull my sister and dad to sleep with his cover of the Hershey's white chocolate ad jingle. Although, most of the audience knew he wasn't really referring to white chocolate when he was extolling the virtues of his "creamy white, dreamy white."
But then the band ripped into their heavier stuff, jumping around the stage and whipping the crowd into a frenzy. People on the lawn began to mosh and … set fire to bits of trash. It was so fantastic: my first taste of rock 'n' roll mayhem! My mom started yelling at my dad to wake up, but somehow we managed to calm her down so we could stay for at least some of Idol's set.

As Idol's crew set up, a huge fist with "Rude Dude" painted on its fingers was unveiled to be hovering over center stage. The singer had just been in a near-fatal motorcycle accident eight months previous, but it didn't matter, he still managed to slither his way around the stage to "White Wedding," "Dancing With Myself" and his latest hit, "Cradle of Love."

Meanwhile, the ruffians around us were containing their fires to the metal trash cans randomly dotting the field and emanating an odor that definitely wasn't from cigarettes. Then the Rude Dude fist started to rotate, and its middle finger began to rise. ACK! This was the final straw for my mom, who promptly gathered us up and hurried us towards the exit.

As we made our way to the parking lot, strains of "Eyes Without a Face" wafted down to us, and I was in a kind of dream state. My inner Catholic school girl rebel had fallen in love. I wanted more of the adrenaline rush that surrounded me all evening – from the performers on stage and the crowd's screaming, slamdancing bodies. This was definitely the beginning to a beautiful addiction.