ATO Records is proud to welcome 311 to its lineup!

UPDATE: New single “Sunset in July” is now streaming on youtube

Los Angeles, CA (6/3/11) ATO Records and 311 are set to release their highly anticipated new studio album, Universal Pulse on Tuesday, July 19th. Produced by Bob Rock (Aerosmith, Metallica) and mixed by 311 drummer Chad Sexton at the band’s own Hive Studio in North Hollywood, Universal Pulse is the band’s tenth studio album and the first to be released via their own imprint, 311 Records through an exclusive partnership with ATO Records.

311 will celebrate the album’s release—and their 21st year together as a band—with a headlining amphitheater tour set to kick off July 8th at the Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone in Bonner Springs, KS. The Unity Tour 2011 will run through August 26th, and includes Sublime with Rome and special guests DJ Soulman & DJ Trichrome. Visit 311.com for ticket information and details.

The album’s first single, “’Sunset In July’ is a song about what this band loves doing most: playing live and watching fans dancing in the aisles and having the time of their lives. There’s no bigger inspiration” says Nick Hexum.  About the album, Hexum says, “Everyone really stepped up during the making of this record. The tempos are faster, there are more guitars, and the whole thing feels like it has a certain swagger.” “It’s a musical journey with a burst of good energy,” adds drummer Chad Sexton. “It’s about making happiness available during tough times.”

Explaining the title Universal Pulse, Hexum says, “It’s a nod to the ideology of unity through music and its connective energy. Music’s ability to help people bond and communicate is really powerful. The fact that we’re still going strong 20-plus years later is proof positive.”

This year will also see the launch of the 311 Pow Wow Festival, a three-day, two-stage music extravaganza taking place August 4-6 at Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, FL. The 500-acre park and campground will be home to the band’s first-ever multi-day camping and music festival. Confirmed artists include Deftones, Sublime with Rome and The Dirty Heads with many more to come. Festival-goers can look forward to a four-set performance from 311, which will include 1997’s acclaimed album Transistor in its entirety.

UNITY TOUR 2011
JULY
8              Bonner Springs, KS            Capitol Federal Park at Sandstone
9              St. Louis, MO                       Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
10           Milwaukee, WI                     Summerfest (311 only)
12           Pittsburgh, PA                       Stage AE
13           Detroit, MI                             DTE Energy Music Theater
14           Chicago, IL                             Charter One Pavilion at Northerly Island
16           Cincinnati, OH                      Riverbend Music Center
17           Columbus, OH                       Lifestyles Community Pavilion
19           Omaha, NE                             Red Sky Festival, Ameritrade Park
21           Holmdel, NJ                           PNC Bank Art Center
22           Wantagh, NY                          Nikon at Jones Beach Amphitheatre
23           Boston, MA                             Comcast Center
25           Bethel, NY                               Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
26           Philadelphia, PA                    Penn’s Landing
28           Virginia Beach, VA                Farm Bureau Live at VA Beach
29           Washington, DC                    Jiffy Lube Live (Nissan Pavilion)
30           Atlanta, GA                             Aaron’s Amphitheatre at Lakewood
AUGUST
1              Charlotte, NC                         Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
2              Raleigh, NC                            Time Warner Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek
4              Live Oak, FL                           Pow Wow Festival / Suwannee Music Park
5              Live Oak, FL                           Pow Wow Festival / Suwannee Music Park
6              Live Oak, FL                           Pow Wow Festival / Suwannee Music Park
11           Lake Charles, LA                     L’Auberge Du Lac Casino
12           Houston, TX                            Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
13           Dallas, TX                                GEXA Energy Pavilion
14           Austin, TX                                The Backyard
16           Denver, CO                              Red Rocks Amphitheatre
17           Salt Lake City, UT                   Usana Amphitheatre
19           San Diego, CA                          Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
20           Irvine, CA                                 Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
21           Santa Barbara, CA                   Santa Barbara Bowl
23           San Francisco, CA                   Shoreline Amphitheatre at Mountain View
25           Eugene, OR                               Cuthbert Amphitheatre
26           Seattle, WA                                Marymoor Amphitheatre