Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre

July 20, 2007

The Deal: Original rap-rockers show they've still got it.

The Good: The band sounded as tight as they did when I saw them in their hey day 10 years ago. It was a good mix of songs from all albums. They broke out "Hostile Apostle" for the first time in three years. I was also surprised to hear "Hydroponic." A packed crowd sang along for the hits and the not-so-hits - "All Mixed Up," "Come Original," "Homebrew," "Feels So Good," "Hive," "Amber." All five band members also participated in an off-the-wall, off-the-hook drum solo that got the fans going nuts. It's rare that you see drum solos these days, let alone one that all members participate in a la Jane's Addiction's "Chip Away."

The Bad: Like I said, it's been about 10 years since I last saw them. P-Nut didn't dance around the stage or spin in circles like he used to and the encore wasn't "Fuck the Bullshit." Back in the day, that was their encore - every time - and it always got the crowd up.

The Verdict: It makes me want to dig out those old 311 albums and think back to the college days. Great to see that they mix up the set every night and that the crowd was really into it.