PHOTO GALLERY: 311 and Full Service Rock in Houston

Under normal circumstances, a fan shouting “I Wanna Go Home” during an opening band’s set is crushing. But thankfully, the remark being made on Wednesday, July 30, wasn’t a bash at Full Service, the show-starter of the evening. The calling out was simply a request for the band to play their single of that title.

The Austin-based band returned to Houston, the city that hosted its very first tour, and was welcomed with roaring cheers. Their 45-minute set included songs like “Circus Freak,” the theme song for the group’s Full Service Circus (an event held in their hometown), and “Trumpets” with added vocal instrumentation from the crowd. The group even tried out some new material, performing a track titled “Tube Socks” to positive reception. The song is expected to be on the band’s upcoming hip-hop record.

To think that this whole tour collaboration with 311 started with Full Service’s “Takeover Tour,” a string of unsanctioned parking lot shows. Full Service would desperately follow 311 and Snoop Dogg’s summer tour across the United States and play outside at the venues. Now, the band has been invited inside and onstage.

“Houston, let me hear you!” 311 vocalist/guitarist Nick Hexum requested. And the crowd responded with a resounding holler. The rockers hadn’t been to town since the 2012 ‘Unity Tour’ when the band rocked Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and fans were thrilled to have them back.

Hexum uttered the words “See the question is…who’s got the herb?” to introduce the iconic 311 track and everyone in Bayou Music Center was jumping. The band was wrapping up a nearly 2-hour performance that featured a tasty menu of hits, including “All Mixed Up” and “Unity,” selects from the legendary group’s self-titled success. That particular record resulted in the band’s mainstream breakthrough in 95’, and has since been certified triple platinum with over three million albums sold.