Riff Lords: Nick Hexum of 311

[@gibsonguitar]

What's the "best" 311 song in your oinion? ▶Shop Gibson ES Guitars like Nick is using HERE: bit.ly/4bmiAu0 ▶Nick is playing a MESA/Boogie Badlander amplifier: bit.ly/3VMT4bx

[@EdwinRiveraBajistaElOcio]

I like "Loco" and "Come Original"

[@mjordan8432]

Daisy cutter or maybe Hive🐝🐝

[@nozrep]

My favorite is Evolution and Salsa probably but dunno about best per se, haha. I am not a musician. And it is subjective to each fan’s opinion which is a good thing. But I have a bit of musical technique knowledge from a long time ago. I think It would be super interesting to find out which song of their catalog is the most technically difficult from the guitar stand point. Maybe there’s an interview of Mahoney out there somewhere explaining a complicated riff or solo he did? Maybe Gibson TV could get Mahoney in here too? That’d be cool! Also what might be the most complicated drum sequence Chad ever came up with? Might be different songs.

[@lauroonetoo]

Let the cards fall is really technical

[@joey3118]

Way too hard to answer. So many great songs. But IMO the 1st 2 albums (Music and Grassroots) are off the charts.

[@daltonhola2897]

311 is THE GREATEST BAND still around in my opinion! Grew up listening to their jams thanks to my late sister Lesley and now that she's gone there's a whole lotta love and sadness when listening to them... I'll find myself trying to hold it all together when singing along. This past weekend I got to see 311 live for the first time and I was so nervous to sing along during the show in case I'd just breakdown but it was THE BEST concert experience I have ever had! I felt like my sister was there headbanging with me the entire time. I love and miss you Les! Also, Happy Birthday!! ❤️

[@roscoep.soultrain5775]

Anyone saying the Nix Hex isnt a riff lord must not have been alive in the 90's. Dude is still a class act.

[@captainshiner42]

Facts.

[@chortleboy]

Saw 311 at Red Rocks on 96 been a fan ever since

[@InebriHATED]

Nix Hex is a boss. 311 an amazing band as well. Been a fan ever since the mid 90s. Visit was on a snowboard vid I was watchin🤘🏻

[@Jmilillo]

Dude knows a ton of music theory too.

[@TheUlesifah701]

Total freakin stud, the From Chaos album saved my mentality when I was in my 20’s

[@Horaknophobia]

I appreciate how articulate Nick is when explaining the origin of each riff as well as the theory and rhythm associated with the performance. Righteous!

[@limasenar7522]

I love when Nick (and pretty much all the other boys) go into "geek mode" with gears and whatever they're passionate about. Makes me realize how far they've gone and yet many of their characters remain the same. Love 'em for life.

[@magicman12b]

311 is such an amazing band. They are even better live, full of energy and outstanding performers. They will not disappoint

[@taylorfarr6]

This is true. I just saw them!

[@BroDude0]

SA attempting to shake his rump ruins the entire act.

[@rogueprince1341]

I've seen them like 5 times. I've only seen Tool more 7 times.

[@2Bornot2C]

Saw them in Dallas 2007 with Ziggy Marley. Great show!

[@drewg3087]

Dude is so underrated and amazing style and feel. Has definitely wrote some bangers.

[@WesAndersonMusic]

311 is the reason I started playing guitar at 10 years old in 1996. I've always stuck with it, and now I have the same artist rep at PRS as their other guitarist Tim and even collaborated with their bassist P-Nut on a song of mine!

[@enjoyesk8978]

Nice!

[@enjoyesk8978]

Subbed bro! Good stuff!!!

[@WesAndersonMusic]

@@enjoyesk8978 thank you 🙌

[@tylermrhandon]

That’s awesome man, I’ve found 311 through my guitar teacher and they’ve been a huge influence on me the past few years

[@WesAndersonMusic]

@@tylermrhandon right on! keep jamming

[@Wilrizen48]

73, here and I’ve been a huge fan of 311 for many years. My three stepsons turned me on to these guys. Love all their music. This video was absolutely amazing. Nick is such a great writer and guitarist. Stay positive and love your life. Peace

[@gibsonguitar]

thanks for watching Tim!

[@Wilrizen48]

@@gibsonguitar thanks for the great video.

[@rebeccaurban4203]

❤❤

[@DirtleTilbury]

"Stay positive and love your life." Love it.

[@nckhed]

As sweet of a sentiment as that sounds, loving one's life is about the most vain and narcissistic thing any human can do.

[@Unity1975]

@@nckhed Ummmm...huh?

[@OrangeChrome]

@@nckhed I can think of something more vain and narcissistic. Kappa

[@cuteasxtreme]

@@nckhed I suppose it’s more practical and better off for everyone if we all hate our lives then????

[@brockterry5840]

311 was such a breath of fresh air at the end of my high school days as grunge started to sadly fade.

[@jakedixon9615]

Class of 96

[@SpartanPridePod]

Nick could easily do about three more episodes of this

[@Justin_311]

I would listen to all 300 plus riffs! Go 311!

[@erichan6985]

A whole series we need

[@nocturnalferalguitarist]

Nick is a master at creating good vibes with his music. I really enjoyed this

[@savalisadkins4709]

When he was playing "Down" how many of y'all shuted "Chill!" at the end of the riff?

[@jlooper09]

Yes! And of course, on Creatures, waiting for that exact moment to shout "Watch it now!"

[@savalisadkins4709]

@@jlooper09 hells yeah, My 311 Fam thinks alike.

[@sym9266]

LOL

[@hipsterdoofas329]

And then lit up a joint...

[@A.J.1656]

I was waiting for my chance to yell "HEY!" during Freeze Time. Lol

[@upgrayedd9732]

I know I'm in the minority but Soundsystem is my favorite 311 album and "Freeze Time" is a helluva an opener.

[@gottabtru1]

Underrated comment. I second this!

[@Okla_Soft]

SoundSystem is one of the best 311 albums there is, it’s a banger from start to finish.

[@1TYSL]

Can’t nobody do it like 311. They put the work in and earned the right to say it on this album.

[@RYXPfan]

I'm a big fan of Soundsystem as well. Definitely a solid album.

[@dangeerraaron]

Great Album!!!

[@jlongi9742]

The evolution of 311 has been a blessing.

[@wonicles]

Totally out of left field for me. 311 was pretty huge for me in the 1990's, and this video left me with a huge smile.

[@enjoyesk8978]

Have you check out their latest efforts? If not I highly recommend it bro

[@H1LTO]

They're still killin it man. Check out Stereolithic, Mosaic, and Voyager if you haven't heard their newer albums

[@ZeroFourTwentyFive]

Love me some 311! Some of the best riffs and grooves ever. 311 fan for 26 years now. Enjoyed seeing the break down of the riffs 👊🏼

[@Secopsco]

I feel Tim should at least be sitting on a beanbag in the background...

[@Jllyrol311]

I guess Nick did write most of the riffs, whether or not Tim played them on the album (or plays them live). I'm sure the fact that Nick plays Gibson's didn't factor into the decision in any way/shape/form.

[@0826man]

Prs artist

[@michaelsnydermusic]

Tim writes a lot of the guitar riffs. But he’s a Paul Reed Smith Artist. So no way he’d be on here.

[@johnjonestheman]

@@michaelsnydermusic No he doesn't... he's a great guitarist, and I am one of his biggest fans, but- if you write riffs, you're co-writing the song, period- and he has empirically very few songwriting credits along the way in their 30+ year career... he's a great player, but not a riff-writer or songwriter, and that's okay!

[@michaelsnydermusic]

@@johnjonestheman dude, I didn’t say he wasn’t. I love Hex too.

[@gregchapdelaine4889]

What a delightful surprise! I’ve loved 311 since the early 90s but haven’t listened for a bit. Great to see this and what a nice guy and a great teacher.

[@goldenjav2954]

311 is one of my favorite bands and always has been ever since I heard "Down" for the 1st time when I was in high school as a freshman back in 1996. After I heard "Down", I went out and bought all of their albums on CD. Later on in life, 7 concerts total. Their live show is one of the best in the world, and I was blessed enough to see them play at Red Rocks 3 times. Love you guys, and never stop making music 311!

[@mcclane8812]

Between him and Mahoney, they’re the most overlooked guitar players of the past 3 decades. Complete masters of their crafts ever changing their sounds yet sticking to their roots. Incredible talents

[@briansuniqueguitars]

Such a good choice Gibson. I’ve been a huge 311 fan my entire life and I was excited to think others would learn about 311 from this, however I didn’t think I would learn so much myself.

[@ZachGood]

One of my favorite things to do on Friday afternoons in college was plug in my amp and play along to a 311 playlist while drinking brews. Some of the best times of my life.

[@paulyskudder8071]

This is life telling you to listen to their track (311) Friday Afternoon and get back into it homie! Best band ever. Still. New stuff is some of their greatest.

[@SillyGoose2024]

And nowadays?

[@laurisaarinen1126]

Friday afternoons... 😄

[@ZachGood]

@@SillyGoose2024 Nowadays my Friday evenings are vegan ice cream and college basketball. Haven't drank in 7 years and haven't played my guitar for even longer than that. I'm okay with that, though. Time changes and requires evolution.

[@spencerb311]

This video alone will probably get me back into learning guitars. 311 is my favorite band ever

[@whendoweeat]

What a trip. This was an incredible video if nothing else than capturing a keeper of the faith in Nick Hexum. Like so many others in the chat, I grew up with 311 and still listen to them. I almost broke an ankle at one of their shows in the pit. They are as much a part of me as they are a part of you. Thank you, Gibson, for bringing in Nick to just BS about these riffs and his thoughts behind him. This was a very welcome surprise.

[@dinetteset]

Nick Hexum can still get it 🥰🔥💙

[@luciferjones8103]

The first 311 album is a must for any guitar player. Play along with it and you'll be on beat for the rest of your life.

[@nickheadlee1027]

This is so true lol learning 311 songs adds so much groove to your developing play style. Sexton plays a roll in that as well!

[@mytwoscents1311]

My heart sings when I hear 311...great video!!

[@mfbm83]

Nick 🔥🔥🔥🎸🎶🎵you are the best. Thanks you 👏👏👏311 = good vibes and amazing music. God bless U xoxo 💋💋💋from Argentina 🇦🇷

[@DrewSki12115]

This is an excellent video! Thank you for bringing 311 on! 3,11, 3, 3, 11!

[@ryanpattison2099]

No idea who the bloke is nor have I listened to his band... super nice guy and a hell of a player.. going to check out 311 now thanks for sharing!

[@brendanrobinson9395]

Nick & Tim are a great guitar duo, still going after all these years, still positive and Nick still rocking the Gibson! ✌🏼

[@rlbigfish]

Came for the off-beats. Stayed for the syncopation.

[@prism_sight5982]

Yes, absolutely. 🙌

[@markwrenn5965]

I also came

[@paulleo0420]

You made a funny.

[@naypalm311]

Off beat bare ass

[@lovemo_dee]

I love hearing these kinds of breakdowns from the artists. Gives us fans a peek inside the process. I've always wondered what makes some of my favorite 311 songs so damn good 🔥.

[@9StickNate]

I’ve resparked my interest in 311. I haven’t listened to them in a while. I started to learn the guitar about 2 months ago and wanted to learn “Down”. I underestimated the song. Their guitar work is such an interesting mix of funk/jazz/metal/blues.

[@zacharyforeal]

I was a preteen when I picked up guitar.. I used 311 to teach myself. This was a time before everyone having internet. You have so many tools to help you along your way. Use them. Try to learn something new about playing or your instrument each day. keep rocking on and best of luck.

[@Detman101]

Oh my god...am I really alive right now? I never thought I'd be getting a guitar lesson from one of my lifetime all-time favorite musicians. This is a dream come true right after seeing them in concert back in 96-97.

[@CJTravismizzou]

Love hearing Nick's shout out to The Urge during the backstory of Beautiful Disaster. #PTMFUS

[@Justin_311]

Yes. Great band. Phunk Junkeez. Shootyz Groove. 2 Skinnee Js

[@captainshiner42]

As a St. Louisan, I'm with ya on that one.

[@rlong2555]

Two of my favorite bands to see live

[@DodgerBlueRobert]

This was fantastic to watch, thank you. I've been a fan of 311 since '95 or '96. Seen them 6 or 7 times live over the years, and hope they continue to make new music.

[@Slotsessions]

Love that band 311. I need to get to one of your shows !!!

[@arfslmnsyh]

Love how he customized almost all of his trussrod cover with 'Hexum'.

[@blazethewise12]

Love all the music 311 has put out over the years, especially cool to hear the inspiration and influences behind the riffs !

[@youcancallmeKIRK]

Amazing! 311 was the reason I picked up a guitar twenty-two years ago. Thank you.

[@jlooper09]

What a treat this is. I've been a fan of 311 for most of their 30+ years. Nick and all of them are such good, down-to-earth, humble dudes and the love for what they do comes through in all their music. This is such a perfect example of it. And of course, watching and listening to the master shows me I've been playing most of these wrong all these years! Longing for the day when I can see 311 live again. They were my last concert before COVID shut everything down. Some day... Be safe and well, everyone!

[@markwrenn5965]

I wish I could watch breakdowns for every song on every instrument.

[@mattashley3076]

if they had that as a feature in their new app i'd be down (no pun intended)

[@markwrenn5965]

@@mattashley3076 email them that idea STAT

[@Heyitsallgoodman]

The session with Christian James Hand. Change your life

[@bermaticadvancedfantasyfoo9257]

i have been having a renaissance with this band lately - just one of the most underrated bands ever - to think this guy is the #2 guitarist in the band just shows the level of talent in this band

[@petermcdougall1152]

This was awesome!! Love 311!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@AousZee]

Chills, hope to see 311 again in the future. Absolutely amazing live.

[@markgueren9633]

Always been a HUGE 311 fan and the writing style of these guys! Pnut always sparked my Bass enthusiasm and Nicks tasty ...swagger..Tims use of sound to fill the sonic landscape.. Chads solid beats and SA's approach to lyrics.... Always a home run and a happy place for me!! Thanks for this Gibson!!

[@JerseyToTheBone]

Sooooo glad you are still with us, here on God's green earth! We've lost many genuine talents and beautiful souls from substance addiction. Tell Chad thank you for the many years of inspiration; as a drummer myself, over the years, Chad has been an enormous influence on me. God bless, Brother!

[@Revoltmetal420]

I just love playing 311 riffs, my first complete song I ever learned was the riff Lord jam Brodels.🤘😁🤘🎸Thanks for this awesome guitar lesson Nick you rock dude🍺

[@MarshallGTV]

Saw 311 in either 95 or 96. Still one the best shows I’ve ever been to.. they opened with Down and when the beat dropped it didn’t matter if you wanted to stay on the ground or not. The ENTIRE room was bouncing. Fun times.

[@late4work418]

Love 311 and The Urge!! Yeah!!!

[@xXhdbngrXx]

PTMFUS

[@bonteet311]

This is awesome. Thanks for putting it out!! Bad ass work Nick!!

[@bryanlewis9575]

Awesome session with an incredible artist! Really enjoyed this. Thanks Nick and Gibson!

[@KipArmadillo]

1st 311 show - 1997 in Mansfield, MA. Most recent show - 2018 in Tempe, AZ. In all that time, they haven't lost a step or missed a beat.

[@adamspilsbury4536]

New Year’s Eve? Best way to bring in a new year ever!!!

[@KipArmadillo]

@@adamspilsbury4536 Yes sir! Drove out from L.A., solo, for the show.

[@JayKlizzy]

Yoooo that 97 Mansfield was my first show too! Many good times there throughout the years.

[@KipArmadillo]

@@JayKlizzy Believe the venue was still called Great Woods at that time. And De La Soul opened. First of too many incredible shows to count!

[@H1LTO]

@@KipArmadillo I've done plenty of shows solo 👊

[@quag311]

I love the crunchy guitar and the harmonies. Chad individually is the most talented member of the band. He gets his own solo in every set. 311 is the band that got me into music in my youth and I still rock out to them in the car.

[@H1LTO]

You may be right about Sexton :)

[@goldenjav2954]

Me too. I'll crank 311 in my car until the day I die.

[@vonicrimson3619]

I’m glad he talked about the urge, 311 and Transplants are 3 of my favorite bands that are outside of the normal stuff i listen to

[@sym9266]

Nick's lookin like a ripped Abe Lincoln these days! ❤️311🎵

[@A.J.1656]

Lol

[@ComradeStiv]

Pardon?

[@MikeBikesForMS]

You assume Abe was frail?

[@BEEFTEEF4]

The whole band is very in shape. A breath of fresh air in a world of land whales. Love 311.

[@justwondering1967]

Dude’s always been a specimen.

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

I’ve never really heard 311, but I really like this gentleman’s playing. Really tasteful.

[@jasonriette7438]

You should check out their song “lose” if you like his playing

[@adamabels2419]

Super cool video. Last show I went to before the pandemic was 311 day in Vegas and by the time I got home, the world had shut down. Hell of a gear shift. Can’t wait to see them again and live music in general.

[@MacGyver_Lamb]

311, the band that started my musical journey. Loved them so much in high school.

[@nickjackson6375]

Love these guys. Can’t wait for show #21 in 2021 hopefully.

[@krissym7651]

This is such an awesome vid! Cool to see the songs we love from this perspective!

[@Okla_Soft]

This was an unexpected surprise. Awesome! Down was the very first song I ever learned on guitar. 311 for life!

[@amccann99]

Grew up listening to 311, one of the first concerts I went to back in the early 90's, first of many. Sound never gets old.

[@michaelsnydermusic]

That 1961 ES 330 (the one with the single coil pickup in the middle) when he plays “My Heart Sings” has THE clean tone I’ve been looking for. Wow. Anyone who knows of a less expensive guitar with a similar sound please reply! Thanks

[@springer90]

Hexum has definitely gotten better on the guitar over the years!

[@enjoyesk8978]

Definitely! He continues to learn and take lessons.

[@chrisgentry9255]

311 shaped my musical interests from 1993 to the present. From the classic 311 vibe sounds all the way to very heavy metal and hardcore sounds- and everything in between. Seeing these guys live was life changing. Gibson, this mighy be a tough one to lock down, but what are the odds of getting buckethead on? Rock n roll!

[@lordbeebus9842]

Good to see this. 311 is so overlooked. They have some really good stuff and nick is a good dude.

[@hydetannen2923]

311 is a sick ass band! Always has been, always will be! Thanks, Nick!

[@Patinhiselement198]

Such a great band with lots of dynamics.

[@SuperJiggawhat]

I grew up listening to 311.

[@rogerwaters413]

Transistor is the first album I ever listened to from start to finish and really enjoyed the experience. That changed things for me.

[@aaronfrazier524]

As a bass player that plays LOTS of 311 songs, it was very interesting to see how the guitar riffs are broken down. My favorite band ever!

[@gibsonguitar]

Thanks for watching!

[@SaiyanPoy]

I wanna see more of these! Love 311 riffs. They’re fun to play

[@dutube3128]

Very entertaining, thanks 311, Nick Hexum, and Gibson. Made me think of the “name that 311 tune” competitions on a couple of the cruises.

[@trevorsmith7507]

Love this band

[@GringoLoco1980]

I'm a drummer and don't play guitar. However, I really enjoyed watching him break these tunes down. I would like to see another one like this.

[@Hammersmashed68]

Underrated band with some incredible guitar work

[@josephkaminski5273]

I’ve been trying to learn the my heart sings duet from 311 day 2020 by ear ever since it was out on KZbin. Don’t know much about theory (I learn from tabs) and didn’t even know a major 9th existed. This little lesson was a game changer. Shocked my heart sings made it into this video but man I’m glad it did. Also, watching Tim Mahoney play All Mixed Up live changed my playing forever. That progression was the hardest progression I knew of at the time, and I had no idea how he fingered it so fast and smooth. Saw him using his pointer finger as a capo and that was it. Never thought of doing that. Made complex chords so much easier to finger and made my playing smoother. It’s amazing what you can learn just from listening or watching the original artist play it their way. This video is awesome.

[@joshuaadammagic54]

Today seems like a good day to watch this ! 🎶

[@BrandonMobley614]

I love hearing 311 on the radio, but they're a live band for sure. Their live album from 1997 is a masterpiece top to bottom. Would have been an incredible show to attend, although at that time, I was a toddler.

[@vonicrimson3619]

Never was expecting to see him on here today

[@marshallok5794]

311st

[@JohnB-nq4js]

Great band, great riffs and licks. Still awesome live too!

[@SuperWave86]

Amazing guitar tutorial! 🎸 ur an amazing musician! Thx for all this

[@jimywho1original]

This is my favourite thing ever posted to KZbin.com

[@mczensun8610]

311 changed my life thanks Nick and guys... 311 was to me like the Clash was to you ... bout to record my first album and just got this video on my feed and able to get in on the 70th comment... synchronicity

[@mczensun8610]

Thank you thank you thank you so studying this thanks fir changing so many lives for the better love you

[@mczensun8610]

Still have yet to see y’all live one day until then there in Spirit 🐉🌈🌱🦋

[@ia5662]

I always looked up to Nick as a great songwriter - 311 is one of the best guitar riff bands of the 90s and 2000s and they are still putting out great albums in their later years. I remember practicing "Freeze Time" constantly in my bedroom - practicing 311 accurately will seriously improve your rhythmic feel and timing as a guitar player. Criminally underrated band by the mass media, but the true brodels and excitable ones already know! Good job Gibson on featuring a really cool artist that always defies the mainstream. Thanks for all the classic riffage, Nick! (and miT!)

[@dasthewitchboy]

All mixed up still gets me to this day

[@huntoonjmsc]

So cool, this is the content I'm here for 100%

[@agatone20]

This is great, thank you so much Nick! Great to see him after so many years! And his guitars are fantastic, wonderful pieces! 🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@aaronphx420]

Nick made me love alternative rock music. He is a very technical guitar player which makes him one of a kind just like Eddie Van Halen was. Absolutely beautiful music.

[@jcrm05]

311 is the definition of good energy. Love this and l've always admired Nick Hexum, such a simple, creative and effective musician.

[@erick6102]

Creating music is completely beyond anything my mind could ever come up with. This is amazing to me. And his band has over 13 albums over the last 30 years. Unreal.

[@EV1LDE4D]

One of the best Detroit shows I've ever been to - From Chaos Tour (early 200s). Amazing set!

[@kristinabosse3154]

I am a huge 311 and Nick Hexum fan, and I am so glad he did this! Now I can show this to my 11 year old son who is obsessed with his guitar so he can learn some 311 riffs for me! 🥰 3! 11! 3! 3! 11! Stay positive and love your life! ✌️♥️👽

[@Justin-rj5pq]

Amazing. Happy 311 Day all!

[@michaelshearer3559]

That '61 es-330 sounds beautiful. Also digging the mini walnut. Very nice guitars!

[@gottabtru1]

As a beautiful cohesive body of work, the Transistor album (hidden track and all) is a masterpiece of vibes, sounds, and realy shows the creativity of 311. Big fan here, and I appreciate Gibson and Nick for doing this video.

[@michaelmallory6265]

Cool guys make great music which made an AWESOME band!!! Thank you 311!!! 👍🔥👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏