The 411 on Snoop and 311

The new Sandstone has gone "green" this year. Snoop Dogg has promoted something green his entire career. Above, he warms up a big crowd in Bonner Springs for the headliner, 311. Photos by Bill Brownlee/Special to The Star

Snoop Dogg is one of the biggest stars in popular music -- and Amercian pop culture, really. Eight of his nine solo albums have gone platinum or multi-platinum, and the ninth ("Ego Trippin'," released in March) is on its way. He has also forged himself a lucrative career in films, television and commercials.

The Nebraska band 311 has released eight albums since 1993. Two have gone platinum; four have gone gold. So how is it that 311 headlined the "Summer Unity Tour" Thursday night at Sandstone Amphitheater?

A haze of second-hand smoke arises from the general admission area in front of the stage at Sandstone.

A quick glance at the massive crowd provided an answer. Most concertgoers were virtually indistinguishable from O.A.R. fans or a particularly young Dave Matthews Band audience.

The vast majority of the approximately 13,000 in attendance were there for 311. They must have considered the opportunity to catch Snoop Dogg a most excellent bonus. The rap star provided them with over an hour of thrills.

The cultural icon owns many personas. He eschewed the images of lovable reality show celebrity and astute businessman for the roles of pothead partyer and thuggish rapper on Thursday.

His set concentrated on the G-funk sound he developed in the early '90s with Dr. Dre. Classics like "Gin and Juice" and "Nuthin' But a 'G' Thang" were balanced by recent hits "That's That," "Drop It Like It's Hot" and "Sensual Seduction."

Although he was backed by a live band, Snoop Dogg unaccountably leaned heavily on his DJ. Playing segments of Rick James' "Mary Jane," House of Pain's "Jump Around" and the Tom Tom Club's "Genius of Love" without adding any meaningful freestyling component seemed lazy.

Still, Snoop Dogg can be forgiven for relying on cliches- after all, the 36-year-old invented many of them.

And he provided a handful of memorable moments, none more astonishing that his screamed prelude to "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)." The genre-jumping star might have a credible metal album in his future.

Only a few hundred people headed for the exits after Snoop Doog's set. Many of their fans maintain that 311 is the best band in the world. I sure don't think so.

Although they're never less than likable, 311's stoner-friendly mix of funk, punk, reggae and hip hop is losing its luster. "Down" still sounds fresh and ferocious, but opening song "Beautiful Disaster," as with much of the 311 catalog, is perilously close to its sell-by date.

Encouraging signs included guitarist Tim Mahoney's interesting, jazz-inspired solos on slower numbers like the lovely "Amber." And the massive make out session inspired by their hit cover version of the Cure's "Love Song" was awfully sweet.

Even after several years of slugging it out in clubs and concert halls, Fiction Plane is still best known for the bloodline of one of its three members. Vocalist and bassist Joe Sumner sounds eerily like his pop, the vocalist and bassist of a slightly better known trio called the Police. Fiction Plane's opening set was perfectly pleasant but deadeningly derivative.

The 311 hit "Come Original" implores musicians to be more inventive. Fiction Plane would do well to heed that advice.

| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star

Comments

[Casey]

I admit I had to rub my eyes to make sure that really was Snoop screaming during that intro. After hearing him do that I was a little disappointed that he didn't come back out with 311 and do a couple songs together. If Jay-Z and Linkin Park can pull it off, 311 & Snoop Dogg definitely could have mixed together a couple of their songs. 311, no matter how old or close to their "sell-by date" you think you are, still put on a great show in my opinion. This show jumps into my top 5 live events of the year. I think I might have caught a contact high from the fog of second hand pot smoke though, which might help that opinion.

[Josh]

Was it a 'co-headlining' arrangement wher they alternated who played last at each show perhaps?

[Tim Finn]

I'm pretty sure this is all 311's tour. I saw Snoop out there a few years ago and he was third to Korn and Linkin Park.

[Chris]

Are you serious? I would guess that it's pretty hard to write a decent review about any band that you openly admit that you don't like. These guys have been drawing new fans since the early 90's and after seeing them over 20 times now I have to say that this was one of the better shows. They mixed things up both old and new, they opened with a different song than they usually do. The crowd was into the show and going crazy the whole time. The other thing that is great about 311 is that they actually still sing the music unlike most of the garbage that is churned out on the radio these days. I thought Snoop was good, but when you can't hit the notes and they use a computer to make your voice slide it ends up sounding like C3PO on crack. The bottom line is that 311 is one of the best live bands in the world. They still put on an amazing show even close to 15 years after they topped the charts witn the Blue Album in '95.

[Stephanie]

I have to agree with Chris. After seeing them (I lost count after awhile) and traveling to New Orleans and Memphis for the past two 3-11 day shows, this had to be one of the best shows I've seen. It is hard for you, Bill, to write a decent review when you obviously can't stand 311 Yes, they haven't put out a "hit" record in god knows how long, but its the fans and the concerts they put on that make them all worth it and to forget the "naysayers" and just jam out to good music!

[ChrisH]

I've got to say, I don't care about what you say about 311. I've heard the same drivel attacking them and their style so long that I've just come to say f the critics, I like it.

I will, however, have to disagree with your take on Snoop Dogg. The set wasn't bad, but about 5 minutes in I found myself laughing uncontrollably at how ridiculous, trite, and corny he is/was. And this is coming from someone who listened to "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle" almost exclusively through my younger years.

I've got to say, I've seen 311 in the 15 to 20 times range, I've seen Brian Wilson, Bob Dylan, Rush, Robert Plant and many other great acts. I've also seen some bands I hate admitting having seen or paid to see including Sprung Monkey, Kottonmouth Kings and Mannheim Steamroller. I think Snoop Dogg puts on quite possibly the worst show I've ever seen.

Different strokes for different folks.

[pellboy]

I like 311 (seen them 5 times) myself but give Brownlee a break. Just because he's obviously seen enough concerts in his day to not completely fawn over a 311 gig doesn't mean he hates them. He was pretty much spot on about the fanbase and if "never less than likeable" equals bashing a group, than I guess Brownlee is guilty of being the ultimate panner.

[pellboy]

I like 311 (seen them 5 times) myself but give Brownlee a break. Just because he's obviously seen enough concerts in his day to not completely fawn over a 311 gig doesn't mean he hates them. He was pretty much spot on about the fanbase and if "never less than likeable" equals bashing a group, than I guess Brownlee is guilty of being the ultimate panner.

[Joel Garcia]

311 Fuckin Rocked Fuck The Nay Sayers Greatest concert ive ever been to cant wait for next year