311’s music is a consistent creative process

311 has pumped out eight studio albums since its inception in 1991.

“We’re never at a loss to have things to say and songs to write,” bassist P-Nut said from Davis, Calif. “We’re always interested in continuing the relationship.”

Toeing the lines among rap-rock, punk, surf and rap, the Omaha, Neb., band isn’t known for taking year-long breaks to return to its roots in south France; the five members’ love interests don’t get any airtime; and their mug shots haven’t become fodder for late-night TV hosts.

When 311 is mentioned, the conversation is about music, something Nick Hexum, Tim Mahoney, Chad Sexton, P-Nut and SA Martinez have made their day job, night job and hobby in front of legions of fans since breaking into the MTV fan base with its 1995 self-titled release.

The helplessly catchy “Down” became the album’s flagship hit, which coupled with “All Mixed Up” propelled the album to triple-platinum status.

311’s hip-hop tinged soft-core metal was progressive for the time and made way for blockbuster acts such as Linkin Park. But the band’s reggae influence and elements of Jamaican dance hall has never been equally duplicated.

The band plays an 8 p.m. show Tuesday at the Big Easy Concert House. Tickets are available for $29.50 through TicketsWest, www.ticketswest.com or (800) 325-SEAT.

311 is a band that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.

The players went to high school together and developed the 311 sound in their hometown Omaha, before heading west to make it in Los Angeles.

The band eventually captured the ears of suits at Capricorn Records, landed a deal and had major-label resources to cater to the fast-growing loyalists the band picked up in the early ‘90s.

“It was seemingly just a matter of time until people really grasped what we were doing,” P-Nut said. “You’ll never be able to beat a trusted opinion from a dear friend. Those are the things that have fueled our success.”

In the years following the self-titled release’s success, the band’s music hasn’t stretched far from its bankable formula.

“Even though we’re consistent, it’s never boring. It’s kind of hard to look at it and say if we did break new ground on this one,” P-Nut said of the band’s August release, “Don’t Tread on Me.” “If anything, we continued our consistent creative process.”