ARCHIVE: 1990 – 1992

6/10/1990

Sokol Hall in Omaha

Billed as ‘Fish Hippos’, the band announced
from stage that their name would be 311.
This date is considered to be the band’s anniversary.
Fugazi headlined with 311, Sideshow, Hangman supporting.

1990

311’s first release

311 release their first EP titled Dammit!
Note: Jim Watson was playing guitar in 311 at this time

For more details on Dammit, click here

1990 / 1991

Guitarist Switch

At some point, within the first year, the guitarist was changed from Jim Watson to Tim Mahoney. This solidified the 311 line-up. Side note: SA Martinez was there from the beginning, but was a guest vocalist at this point.

??/??/1991

Nebraska State Penitentary

Nick says, “In 1991, we played a show at the Nebraska State Penitentiary, outside of Lincoln. After the show, we loaded our gear back into our cars and then jumped-up on the wall of the State Penitentiary to take a band photo. We were later stopped on the freeway by the police, who asked about the photos. At first the police tried to confiscate the photos, but then realized that we weren’t using it for intel and let us go on our way!”

4/5/1991

Howard Street Tavern in Omaha

w/ The Kents

4/5/1991

Power Landing in Omaha

311, Cellophane Ceiling, Pioneer Disaster,
Writer’s Conference

4/22/1991

71st & Mercy Street in Omaha

Earth Day Festival 1991
Other acts include Acorn, Pioneer Disaster,
Enviornmental Workshop, Shy Gypsy
Grainy footage of the full set 311 performed
Earliest known footage at this time

5/17/1991

Shady Lanes Ranch in Omaha

311, Cellophane Ceiling, Pioneer Disaster,
Writer’s Conference

6/10/1991

Ranch Bowl in Omaha

Anniversary Show
New Music Monday
w/ The Grooveyards

6/15/1991

Ranch Bowl in Omaha

311 opened for The Smashing Pumpkins before being signed to a label!

7/1 & 7/8/1991

Ranch Bowl in Omaha

New Music Mondays at the Ranch Bowl
Back-to-back w/ Pioneer Disaster

7/26/1991

Shady Lane Ranch in Omaha

Naked Bald Boy In Boots and Live DJ’s supporting

Summer 1991

Peony Park in Omaha NE

Believed to be sometime in July / August 1991.
311 perform in Peony Park in Omaha NE

8/12/1991

Howard St Tavern in Omaha

No known opener

9/28/1991

Howard St Tavern in Omaha

New Music Festival
Line-up consisted of Fevertree, Confidentials, New Johnny Bravo, Corner Boys, World, For Against – Chameleon, Eathouse, Jumpin’ Kate, Cool Riddum and more

9/16/1991

Ranch Bowl in Omaha

New Music Monday
w/ Cellophane Ceiling

10/24/1991

M’Rage Lounge in Lincoln, NE

Benefit Concert for UN Enviornmental Resource Center
The Precautionz and The Demogogue supporting

10/31/1991

Sokol Auditorium in Omaha

311’s first Halloween show.
Chad says “One Halloween we dressed up with some skirts. This pic is from 1991. Around Halloween at my mom’s house in Nebraska. At this point we didn’t have a record deal or even live in California!”

12/29/1991

Ranch Bowl in Omaha

Special insight into what the band was like in the early days from Casey Kinnan of Yard Apes (who opened for them). Concert starts at the 4:57 mark. Full show filmed.

1991

Unity

311 release their first full-length album
independently titled Unity

For more details on Unity, visit here

1992

Hydroponic

311 release their third independent
release titled Hydroponic

For more details on Hydroponic, visit here

1/25/1992

Ranch Bowl in Omaha

Yard Apes supporting

1992

SA Enters

SA Martinez officially joins 311 as a permanant member

2/1/1992

Peony Park Ballroom in Omaha

Farewell to Omaha
311 say goodbye to Omaha the best way they know how
Supporting acts included March Hares, Fever Tree,
Yard Apes, Cellophane Ceiling, Nightmare