311 singer/guitarist Nick Hexum hasn’t had a problem emoting. But after his solo club tour, that resonance grew — in ways he didn’t expect.
“I learned deeper storytelling and to get out of my comfort zone,” Hexum said. That vulnerability unveiled demons from the “dark caves.” The experience was trying, but beneficial
“You’ve got to go into the dark caves to find the gold,” he said. “When band members do side projects, it’s a good thing because you expand your bag of tricks.”
Hexum and the rest of 311 will play the Arizona Financial Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 5. The Omaha, Nebraska-based musician said it’s flattering that fans relate to the lyrics and its “mixed up” genres.
“There’s so much history with our fans,” he said. “When I meet fans, they tell me about the first time they saw us, and how it changed their lives, changed their concept of what music can be.
“I know that when I go to a show, I like to hear stuff I’ve been living with for decades, like when I saw Paul Simon at the Hollywood Bowl. He played ‘50 Ways to Leave Your Lover’ and Simon and Garfunkel’s ‘Rhythm of the Saints,’ which I loved for so long. There’s just something about it when it’s really deep in your core.”
MORE NEWS: Honeywell is building new $500 million manufacturing facility in Tempe
DEEPER DIVE: 10 Arizona restaurants make Yelp’s Top 100 Mexican food spots
Hexum added that the 311 tour covers the entire catalog as well as newer songs “because our hardcore fans want that variety.
“There’s just something that comes over the crowd when we play ‘Amber’ that’s unmistakable.”
311 — which also includes bassist Aaron “P-Nut” Wills, drummer Chad Sexto, guitarist Tim Mahoney, and vocalist/turntablist Doug “SA” Martinez — takes pride in its songwriting, as the entire band contributes.
“Tim is a jam band enthusiast with his guitar stylings” he said. “SA was always the hip-hop guy and P-Nut has the funk bass. Chad likes heavy and more progressive rock styles. I’m more of the pop guy. It just all blends together.”
Hexum grew up on pop. As a youngster, he loved ’50s music; his first concert was Sha Na Na.
“I had been watching the TV show,” he said with a laugh. “When they came out, and I was a little kid, it was like seeing Elvis,” he said.
“After that, I got into much cooler concerts. I saw the Clash in 1984 when I was 14, and they were my absolute favorite band of all time. I was very lucky that my folks took me to a lot of cool shows.”
Hexum loved the rebelliousness of punk rock and the Clash had that, he said. He loved their ’50s look and musicality.
“There were punk bands that were too sloppy,” he explained. “I think there are a lot of parallels to what we do.”
Personal exploration
At his solo tours, Hexum was able to take a deep breath and share personal events with audiences.
“I lost my young brother to an overdose, and people just feel that authenticity when it’s something that had a lot of emotional weight.
“It’s a never-ending journey. The only way a musician can lose their curiosity is to feel like they’ve done it before. You have to keep breaking out of the box. I don’t know why I haven’t done this before. It’s terrifying. There’s personal growth in that. I keep finding new things to follow my curiosity, too.”
He’s enjoyed bluegrass music and “old-timey” instruments like pedal steel, mandolin and fiddle, as well as “retro recording techniques of using tape and getting away from the computers.”
Hexum said he’s mortified by the AI “slop” out there, which has led to a craving for authenticity.
His curiosity isn’t just related to music. He harvests honey from his beehive.
“I’ve been beekeeping for three years,” he said. “Then, all of a sudden, this fall, I have 12 jars of honey. I keep ducks and I garden. I find myself acting like my dad more and more.”
The family has the chance to bond during the 311 Caribbean Cruise from March 10 to March 15.
“We take our three daughters on that,” he said. “It’s the perfect family vacation. We let the kids just have the run of the boat and eat as much soft serve [treats] as they want for a few days.”
