Sooooo.....the next single?

[Alvarez311]

I feel like it's been a long ass time and it should be out and played for all to hear ASAP.

Did I miss something?

[bbshorts]

I will make a wager that it would be "Showdown" or "Make It Rough".

[logosteel]

Friday Afternoon. BOOK IT.

[bbshorts]

Friday Afternoon. BOOK IT.

Too long and epic for a single. Also too slow in the beginning. No hook within first 30 seconds.

[logosteel]

meh, I'm hoping they roll the dice and do it.

[FrixHex311]

Needs to be Make it rough. Or if they have balls they release made in the shade. But prob we will get Tranquility

[Smoke]

If they release tranquility as a single, it will be a huge mistake

[CSM]

Made in the Shade please...but they won't

[hexumjunkie]

Ebb and Flow, The great divide, or Existential Hero.....They need a rocker if they want radio airplay!

[Smoke]

People on average give a song seven seconds on the radio before they change the channel, and you got to hook them.

That being said Boom SHanka is still my pick!

I suppose they could radio edit the beginning of other songs to get that hook in the beginning.

[bcolephases]

You all still listen to radio?

[Smoke]

You all still listen to radio?

Nope

other than NPR

[JonnyG24]

So many terrible ideas...

[Smoke]

So many terrible ideas...

What's your pick, G?

[Mindspin]

You all still listen to radio?

Yeah really. Not to sound all elitist, but radio is a poor man's ipod. I'm so thankful that I am blessed with being able to afford to listen to what I want, when I want, with no lengthy commercial interruptions. Radio sucks.

[bcolephases]

You all still listen to radio?

Nope

other than NPR

You all still listen to radio?

Yeah really. Not to sound all elitist, but radio is a poor man's ipod. I'm so thankful that I am blessed with being able to afford to listen to what I want, when I want, with no lengthy commercial interruptions. Radio sucks.

I don't either. I'm not even sure the rock station here knows they released a new album.

[Freeze Time]

So is that it for Stereolithic? I really thought we'd have at least another video by now. It seems like 311 have even given up on new album sales these days. Flog the preorder and get all the hardcore fans on board and then tour. Doesn't seem like they're trying to grow the audience via album sales, videos or radio. Admittedly I think radio is dead and I can't think of a station here that would play them. I would've thought videos and online hits and the subsequent reposting on social networking would be the best way to promote stereolithic.

[Mindspin]

Maybe they are disappointed and have given up on Stereolithic album sales. Nick said they went independent because labels can't bring any value to the table (in other words, the band gets peanuts). They obviously were trying to make more money off album sales, and if it is isn't selling a lot then maybe they're just moving on. Unless you sell zillions of copies, you can't make very much money off of album sales anyway, even independent.

311's primary source of income always has been and still is touring. Will another single get a lot more people to the show? I doubt it. But fans loving a new album (which they all already have) may get them to go. I would think word of mouth would get more people than a single ("We get sooo baked - You should go with us dude!") Does anyone go to a concert for one song?

311 hasn't even had a Gold album since Greatest Hits. It's just a fact of life that illegal downloading and sharing music kills album sales, so 311 and many bands doesn't depend on selling music.

[FreeRayLiotta]

what world are you living in where 311 reaching a broader audience is a good thing? why would they release a single or have a video?

311 was lucky enough to make their money just before the record industry collapsed. 10 million records the old fashioned way.

They don't have anything left to prove. There is no competition left standing. The model has changed.

This summer is the first time they have toured without a major opening act in a very long time. They have been able to fill the amphitheater shows EVERY summer(no one tours every summer), because they brought Snoop, Matisyahu, Sublime, Cypress Hill etc.. It was a great summer party that the turnout wasn't 100% dependent on how popular or relevant 311 was anymore.

But I see this year as a deliberate break from that model. To see what the size of their audience is and what kind of experience is best for that audience.

Stereolithic is not about gaining more audience. It was not made in accordance with or in response to a trend. Between Stereolithic and the NHQ album, this has been a pretty prolific period and I think they are looking towards the long term with more experimentation and maybe a slightly smaller audience.

I for one would love to see them selling out club and theater shows with big demands on ticket sales rather than half full amphitheaters.

I don't think the end is near. They always talked about touring into infinity the grateful dead style - The core audience will always turn out. Its time the shows were back in dark dirty sweaty sold out venues for the people who really wanted to be there.