One thing that sets 311 apart from many other bands is the way they approach the business of making music.

The two most important things these five guys from Omaha, Neb., try to stress is positivity and staying true to themselves and the fans.

Now touring for their fifth major label release, “Sound System,” 311 isn’t doing things any different.

With their first single “Come Original” gaining recognition on MTV’s “TRL,” some would expect the guys to try to jump on their MTV success.

“We weren’t really focusing on that specifically for this album,” frontman Nick Hexum says of their MTV success. “But it was cool that the fans voted us on to ‘TRL’ for awhile.”

Even though they sell out almost every arena they play, last year 311 embarked on a small club tour across the country.

“We played a special club tour to just get back in direct contact with our fans,” Hexum says. “Our last tour was in arenas and amphitheaters, so we wanted to get back to the grassroots vibe and feel the sweat of packed clubs. It was a great experience — but now we’re stepping it up into bigger venues.”

Though 311 will tell you they have enjoyed success since the release of their first album, “Music,” in 1993, the band’s first mainstream breakthrough didn’t come until 1996 when the song “Down” exploded all over TV and radio.

The self-titled album which spawned “Down” ended up at No. 12 on the Billboard charts and sold over 3 million copies worldwide.

With such success comes the pressure for a solid follow up record, and 1997’s “Transistor” did not live up to expectations, with a more experimental sound and less in-your-face rock.

But the “Transistor” tour was the group’s biggest yet and pulled in more fans than ever across the country and the world.

Along with a 1998 live album and a 1996 home video called “Enlarged to Show Detail,” 311 has constantly been touring, recording and working diligently. Every year for the past seven years, 311 has released something. What’s to come in 2000 for 311?

“We’re working on a new home video that will include concert footage and behind-the-scenes stuff … ‘Enlarged to Show Detail Part 2,'” Hexum says.

When 311 finally allowed themselves some time off, Hexum, drummer Chad Sexton, bassist P-Nut, guitarist Tim Mahoney and rapper S.A. Martinez decided to build their own studio in their new hometown, Los Angeles.

Hive studios, the new birth place for all 311 music, is also used for other small projects members find themselves involved with.

“I work on remixes and stuff for other bands (No Doubt, Lenny Kravitz, etc.),” Hexum says. “And Chad [Sexton] and I produced a few songs for a band called Grasshopper Takeover, but we really just stay focused on 311 stuff.”

Following up the so-called flop that was “Transistor” was 311’s next big task. “Soundsystem” was the answer, and a good one at that.

“The response from our hardcore fans has been really positive,” Hexum says of their latest release. “From what I’ve read on our Web site bulletin board — I think they’re really into the record. The new songs are getting a good response live too, which is always a good sign.”

The average 311 set list still includes songs from older albums, including “Music” and 1994’s “Grassroots.”

“The crowd still goes off to the old songs, so we keep playing them. We’re really not burnt on them,” Hexum says. “Deciding set lists is tough because we want to mix it up a bit every night and we want to play stuff from all of our albums.”

“Soundsystem,” much like the other 311 albums, has its own distinct sound, something the group strives for every time they approach writing new material.

“I think we’ll keep challenging ourselves and pushing it on each new record,” Hexum says. “But I think our songwriting is still based on the 311 fundamentals of combining hard rock, reggae and hip hop.”

311 has been together now for over ten years. They’ve been through everything as a band from a massive car accident which destroyed all of their equipment, to a rumor that accused the name 311 as a reference to the Klu Klux Klan (K is the 11th letter of the alphabet).

After going through so much, and playing thousands of shows together, is 311 still as close as they once were?

“Definitely, I think we are getting along better than ever and we are playing better than ever,” Hexum says sincerely.

When you add up all of 311’s accomplishments, it would definitely equal success. But like any other job, Hexum and company are still driving for more, working harder and most importantly, staying positive.

“We’re all satisfied with what we’ve achieved as a band, but we’re definitely still hungry,” Hexum says. “I think we all have different goals that we’d still like to accomplish.”

311’s latest adventure, a larger-venue tour along with partners Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, has found the group embellishing the success they have already earned.

“We’ve really just started this tour, but so far it is going great,” Hexum says. “Lots of sold-out shows and great energy.”

With no signs of slowing down in the future, one thing is as evident as the group’s talent: They’ll be staying original for years to come.

But when it does come time to call it quits, Hexum is confident that it’ll be the right time.

“You just know when you know.”