THE VERY BEGINNING
Anaheim, California. Little Eric Stefani writes his first song, "Stick It In The Hole," about a pencil sharpener, forcing sister Gwen to sing along. Gwen was more interested in The Sound of Music.
Born and raised in England, relocated to SoCal at age 11, Tony Kanal joins his high-school jazz band in 10th grade as the bass player,
although he had previously played the saxophone.
Ninth grader Adrian Young attempts to drum to "Bend Over" by O.C. band Doggy Style at a school talent contest; several years later, when he was 18, his parents bought him a kit for Christmas and he learned "Wild Flower" by the Cult.
Tom Dumont's life changed when he realized what the phrases "dressed to kill' and "hotter than hell" really mean: Rock 'n' Roll; a wee lad with a prized KISS record living in Irvine (California), he dreamed of being a rock star. When he became a teenager, Tom picked up a guitar and started practicing.
SETTING THE FOUNDATION
December 1986
Back-flipping singer John Spence forms the Orange County-based 2 Tone ska group No Doubt named after his favorite expression with keyboardist Eric, who forces Gwen to sing backing vocals. Gwen cites Madness, Kermit the Frog, Julie Andrews and Fishbone's Angelo Moore as her heroes.
March 12, 1987
After several raucous party performances, No Doubt play their first "official" gig at Fender's Ballroom in Long Beach, California; the band was second on a bill of fourteen with The Untouchables headlining. Tony was one of several hundred people watching.
Shortly after, Tony, a high-school junior, shows up to try out wearing baggy pants and Mexican sandals. Band accepts him even though this is his first band; still a high-school senior, Gwen eagerly accepts
him.
Summer 1987
Gwen kisses Tony at an Orange County party. They hide their relationship from the band. An organized perfectionist, Tony becomes the band manager (now he's just the bass player).
Dec. 21, 1987
Tragically, John Spence shoots himself at an Anaheim park. A few days later, No Doubt plays big industry gig at the Roxy in Hollywood; but devastated over John's suicide, they call it quits. Days later, they reform knowing that's what John would want.
STILL FORMING
Spring 1988
Heavy-metal guitarist Tom, a college music student, leaves his sister's heavy-metal band, Rising, because the metal scene in O.C. sucks; after peering in the window while No Doubt rehearsed, Tom pulls his long hair into a ponytail and joins the ska-heavy No Doubt, adding a heavier edge.
1987-1988
Part of the then-underground-ska-scene, No Doubt built a huge following of loyal "rude boys" and "rude girls" after numerous gigs opening for The Untouchables and Fishbone, as well as their own all-ages shows. Through this following, they were able to avoid the "pay-to-play" crap many young bands acquiesced to. A three-song and a five-song demo are sold at shows.
Summer 1989
Drummer, huge No Doubt fan and fibber, Adrian joins No Doubt after calling a number from the back of a demo tape; he tells No Doubt he has years of experience, but later admits he only has one. His love of 70's rock and ska made the choice obvious. No Doubt plays their first out-of-state show in Arizona in front of about a hundred people.
1989-1990
No Doubt evolved into a solid five-piece unit, expanding their sound to include the styles of each member. The natural evolution caused a few "rude kids" to fall away, but with shows opening for the Red Hot Chili
Peppers, Ziggy Marley and Mano Negra, their fan base broadened to the college crowd. Pizza mailing list parties became the modus operandi as the list, which was started in 1987, grows from a few hundred names to a couple thousand. (In 1993, when the list reaches approximately 7,000 names, Tony decides to have just pizza parties).
UNDERGROUND BAND STRIKES IT BIG, SORT OF
August 1991
No Doubt signs a "big" recording contract with Interscope Records; they continue driving around O.C. in their old cars and work day jobs (Gwen and Tony were sales people at the same department store, Adrian waited tables at a steak house, and Tom ran a small music equipment rental business). Interscope head honcho Jimmy Lovine predicts Gwen will be a star in five years. The band really wants to be played on local radio station KROQ.
Oct.-Dec. 1991
Between working and going to school (Tom's a music major, Gwen's an art major, Tony and Adrian are psychology majors it's a smart band), band drives to a Los Angeles studio as often as possible to record their debut album, a 14-song collection of older material (1987) as well as recently penned tracks; on a budget, they spend less than $13,000.
March 1992
Self-titled "No Doubt" released. Only 30,000 sold; grunge is in; they don't get played on KROQ. Adrian remembers the program director saying, "It would take an act of God for this band to get on the radio." Enough said.
In support of "No Doubt", the band embarks on their first two-week 13-show Western-state headlining tour in two vans (five members, a three-piece horn section, a roadie, tour manager/soundman and equipment).
Summer 1992
Band makes video for "Trapped In A Box" for a mere $5,000; MTV never played it, but M2 does now. No Doubt once again make a two-week Western run.
Fall 1992
Hitting the big time, the band undertakes a two-and-a-half month national-tour still in a van. Although, predominately headlining
small clubs, the band plays a couple shows with Public Enemy, Pato Banton, and The Special Beat, a reunited Specials and The English Beat.
FROM TRAGIC TIMES COMES MAGIC
March 1993
No Doubt begins the first sessions for what would be called "Tragic Kingdom." The album was recorded in eleven different studios over two and a half years. Tony refers to it as a "battleground" and there were casualties.
1994
Eric departs before the completion of "Tragic Kingdom," and continues as an animator for The Simpsons.
After a seven-year relationship, Tony gets claustrophobic and dumps Gwen; the singer has plenty to sing about and "Don't Speak" evolved from a love song into a broken heart song.
Early 1995
Knowing it had been three years since they had any music out and local fans were wanting something new, No Doubt self-releases the 10-song "The Beacon Street Collection," named after the house on Beacon Street in Anaheim where several members lived and the garage studio where most of the tracks were recorded. They sold out of the first thousand CD's within two weeks, selling them at shows and local record stores (To date, they've sold approximately 100,000 copies.).
Fall 1995
Wanting to learn how to read music and grasp the rudiments, Adrian takes a basic drumming class at Fullerton Junior College (California); not a morning person, Adrian still makes the 8 a.m. classes.
Aug.-Sept. 1995
Laying the groundwork for "Tragic Kingdom," No Doubt plays the main stage on the first Warped Tour.
October 1995
"Tragic
Kingdom," a mixture of ska, new wave, pop, punk and rock, is released. Of the lyrics, Gwen says: "We went through some really bad times in the past couple years personally and bandwise and our whole way of dealing with that is humor and I think that's really apparent in the record."
Album doesn't make the charts and KROQ, slow to catch on, doesn't pay attention.
No Doubt plays the Virgin Megastore in Costa Mesa, California; since relatives will be attending, and also, Gwen believes, because she's a girl, her mother asks her not to swear when she sings "Just A Girl"; Gwen swears; her mom won't speak to her for a week.
Winter 1995
KROQ pays attention; band smiles. New wave-ish "Just A Girl," about being a girl, gets massive requests.
Band swears it's not their friends calling.
In support of "Tragic Kingdom," No Doubt tours a week with 311, then several weeks on their own, followed by holiday radio shows.
A GIRL IS A QUEEN, NO DOUBT IS FLY
January 1996
Several months after its release, "Tragic Kingdom" debuts on Billboard's Top 200 at No. 175, and the single "Just A Girl" reaches No. 10. "That single surprised the hell out of me," Tom, who created the music, told Guitar World. "I always thought the song was cool, but I never expected it to fly like it has." Video, which features band in one room and Gwen in another, is all over MTV; media ignores band and focuses on Gwen's midriff and bindi.
No Doubt makes late night debut performing "Just A Girl" on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien."
March 28, 1996
David Letterman is seen tapping his foot while No Doubt performs "Just A
Girl" on The Late Show.
May 1996
On the road opening for Bush, Gwen breaks her foot while performing; the show must go on this time with plenty of Band-Aids.
After Dominic Griffin interviews No Doubt for the syndicated radio show, "Live From The Pit," Dom follows Gwen, repeatedly saying: "Yeah, I know I was the drunk Irishman from the Real World, but I'm just a boy and you're just a girl." A restraining order is issued. (If you believe this, you believe Dominic is a journalist.)
June 1996
The catchy "Spiderwebs," with music by Tony and Gwen-penned lyrics NOT about their relationship, reaches No. 5 in Billboard.
Band begins their first European tour, followed by dates in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Japan.
July 1996
"Tragic
Kingdom" goes Platinum.
Gwen changes her hair; Mabel's Salon in Austin reports big business in platinum color treatments.
August 1996
"Tragic
Kingdom" certified Double-Platinum. Although No Doubt had been headlining in clubs for seven years, the band embarks on their first sold-out theater-size headlining tour.
Salons across the country complain that every teenage girl wants to get their hair cut and colored like "that No Doubt girl." "Gwennabees" are hatched.
Meanwhile, Tony goes from blond to brown, and Adrian, who had sculpted his hair into two red horns, and Tom check the theory that
blondes have more fun by dipping into the bleach bottle; barber shops don't report an increase in coloring.
Sept. 5, 1996
Mutual admiration established, No Doubt returns to Letterman to perform "Spiderwebs."
Sometime 1996
Some leading news magazine reports that those other two blonde singers are out and "that No Doubt girl" is paving the way for a new style; she
changes her hair again. The band gets cropped out of photos. No Doubt
stipulates they are a BAND, not just a girl. Gwen feels guilty, but
becomes the reigning queen of pop and idol to teenage girls.
October 1996
November issue of SPIN hits the stands with No Doubt cover story
only
they forgot there were three guys in the band too. Gwen's pretty face
and belly button get top billing while the boys are relegated to the
Table of Contents page. SPIN says: "No Doubt is the Last American New
Wave Group."
November 1996
After performing nearly every night for a year, Gwen's vocal chords are
strained; the band cancels its second European tour; the dates are made
up in February and March 1997.
Quintessential power ballad "Don't Speak," about Tony and Gwen's
break up, reaches No. 2 on the Modern Rock chart and No. 1 on Hot 100
airplay chart in Billboard. Video portrays a different story, the story
of three forgotten guys pitted against the adored singer; it was
therapeutic. "Has it got to the point where we mean nothing?" Tom
queries a Rolling Stone writer. "If Gwen doesn't speak, we mean
nothing?"
Dec. 7, 1996
No Doubt perform "Don't Speak" and "Excuse Me Mr." on Saturday Night
Live. The following week "Tragic
Kingdom" reaches No. 1 in Billboard
14 months after its release, selling 229,000 copies the first week at the
top spot, more than 500,000 Christmas week, and 6 million total. The
album will spend nine weeks at No. 1, and 36 weeks in the Top 10.
DECADE OF NO DOUBT
Winter 1997
No Doubt begins their third headlining tour, this time at enormadome
venues. It was either stripped-down clubs or Spinal Tap, jests Tom. They
went with the classic comedy and the Cirque de Soliel sets.
"Tragic
Kingdom" reaches No. 1 on Billboard's International Album Eurochart, and was a Top 5 album in the U.K., Canada, Germany,
Australia, Norway, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Denmark and Finland.
January 1997
No Doubt attends American Music Awards after being nominated for
Favorite New Artist Pop/Rock. Band's super excited even if they don't
win. "Not bad, Best New Artist and we've been around for 10 years,"
marvels Gwen.
February 1997
No Doubt attends Grammy Awards after being nominated for Best Rock Album
and Best New Artist.
Band's super excited even if they don't win. They perform "Spiderwebs"
live.
All-time touring highlight, No Doubt plays a sold-out 3,000-capacity
show in Israel including members of the two opposing religious
groups. On their day off, they tour Jerusalem and swim in the Dead Sea.
March 1997
No Doubt celebrates Tenth Anniversary!!!
April 11, 1997
No Doubt perform the reggae-tinged "Sunday Morning" on The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno; although the lyrics are once again about their break up,
it's Tony's favorite No Doubt song.
May 1997
Rolling Stone finally puts No Doubt on the cover the ENTIRE band in
white surgical garb. The writer announces "everything (Gwen) says is
true" and that their pop music is "rousing and potent."
July 1997
Tony's life takes on new meaning after meeting his all-time music hero
Prince, or as he is now called, The Artist formerly known as Prince.
After the Purple One checked out No Doubt's Minneapolis show, he invited
the band back to Paisley Park to jam. How cool is that?
Summer 1997
Rarely seeing a Sunday morning at home, No Doubt continue to see the
world from a stage. "Tragic
Kingdom," still in the Top 50 at 80-plus weeks
on the charts, sells seven million in the U.S. and eleven million
worldwide. "No Doubt," their first record, has now sold around 250,000
copies.
Sept. 4, 1997
They finally win. "Don't Speak" gives No Doubt the opportunity to speak
as they enthusiastically accept the Best Group Video statue at the MTV
Video Music Awards.
Fall 1997
No Doubt plays across Europe, India, Singapore and South America.
"Tragic
Kingdom" continues to sell big, reaching eight million in the U.S. and
fourteen million worldwide.
Oct. 21, 1997
Interscope re-releases 10-song "The
Beacon Street Collection" as part of the
back catalog.
November 1997
No Doubt releases "Live In The Tragic Kingdom," a 92-minute,
live-performance video shot at The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, the arena
owned by Magic Kingdom heads Disneyland. Plenty of rock poses, good
cheer and sweat.
More good tidings, No Doubt's version of the Vandals joyful carol "Oi
To The World" recorded in one day while on tour appears on the
album "A Very Special Christmas III"; proceeds benefiting the Special
Olympics.
September 1998
The band attends the MTV Video Music Awards purely for fun. Gwen looks
smashing in her blue Smurfs fuzzy bra top and matching blue-dyed hair
October 1998
Straying for a brief afternoon, Gwen records a duet with
Brian Setzer
for his new album, "Dirty Boogie." The track, made famous by Ann Margaret
and Elvis Presley is called "You're the Boss."
October 31, 1998
Boo! Trick or treats were courtesy of Offspring's Dexter Holland. Gwen
was a vampire, Tony was a bag of French fries (he loves those things),
Adrian was a nun, Tom was something politically incorrect (we're not
saying), and No Doubt horn player Gabe McNair was a skeleton. It was a
hoot!
November 1998
No Doubt celebrates their childhood in song for the Rugrats soundtrack.
In the fall, the band records "I Throw My Toys Around" with musical hero
Elvis Costello, who also wrote (with his wife) and produced the song for
the movie. The band continues writing songs for their forthcoming CD and
searches for the right producer.
Dec. 31, 1998
The band throws a HUGE New Year's Eve bash at Gwen's house for their
friends, friends of friends, and musician-and-actor-friends of friends.
A star-studded affair with the likes of Tommy Lee, Ben Stiller, the
Red Hot Chili Peppers,
Beck, plus many more. It goes into the wee hours. Adrian,
once again, is plagued with ill feelings, but waits until the ride home.
After numerous attempts to find the right producer, the band finally
decides on Glen Ballard, with Jack Joseph Puig as the man with the right
mix and Alain Johannes (of Eleven fame) as the engineer. The magic (and
long process) occurs at two Los Angeles studios Ocean Way and Royaltone.
According to Gwen, the band has three goals: to grow as songwriters,
keep it simple and clean instrumentally with no tricks, and to be
spontaneous.
GETTIN' ON WITH IT
February 1999
After numerous attempts to find the right producer, the band finally
decides on Glen Ballard, with Jack Joseph Puig as the man with the right
mix and Alain Johannes (of Eleven fame) as the engineer. The magic (and
long process) occurs at two Los Angeles studios Ocean Way and Royaltone.
According to Gwen, the band has three goals: to grow as songwriters,
keep it simple and clean instrumentally with no tricks, and to be
spontaneous.
Feb. 22, 1999
Adrian's Schwing Magazine Charity Golf Tournament raises money for a
Hollywood charity. Out for a putt and a swing, members from the
Offspring, NOFX, Smash Mouth and
Cherry Poppin' Daddies. Earlier in '99,
Adrian and Vandals drummer Joe Escalante started Schwing, an alternative
golf publication through Thrasher. Lotsa musicians and girls in bikinis.
March 1999
RIAA creates a new sales status symbol: the Diamond Award for artists
who move more than 10 million copies of a given album in the U.S.
Forty-six artists were responsible for the 62 best-selling albums of all
time... and in the mix was No Doubt for "Tragic
Kingdom" (at 10 million!).
Band says "yes" to hip movie "Go" and delivers "New" for soundtrack.
Finally, new music from No Doubt, although it's not so new ("New" was
the first song the band wrote after "Tragic
Kingdom"). The song, produced
by Jerry Harrison, is received at radio stations with enthusiasm.
April 1999
Tom remarks: "This is our eighth week recording... and probably our 80th
week working on this record."
Unable to wait until Gwen finishes vocals for a track, Maggen, the
singer's 14-year-old dog, went poo-poo on the studio carpet. Gwen cleans
it with paper towels and disposed of the mess in the garbage bin next to
the studio, locking herself into the stinky gated structure in the
process. "There I am, standing on top of the garbage bin that smells
awful while everyone is inside a sound-proof studio."
May 1999
A whopping 17 songs are recorded the band is really excited. It's a new
sound for the band. One they have a hard time describing or pinpointing
into a style. Tony thinks there's a pervasive early '80s New Wave thing
reminiscent of what they grew up on, and a very organic rock '70s sparse
sound. The songs are somewhere between rock, pop and reggae. (Tony
admits that all reggae they've attempted in the past sucks; "We've
finally hit the right groove. Now we don't have to qualify what we've
done.") "Burning London" A Clash Tribute is released. It includes
No
Doubt's cover of "Hateful," which is produced by David Kahne and
includes guest vocals, growls and hand gestures by
Billy Idol. Proceeds
are donated to an L.A. youth shelter.
June 1999
Gwen adds vocals to Fishbone's cover of Sly and the Family Stone's
"Everybody is a Star" for the Fishbone and Familyhood Nextperience
tribute album (out March 2000).
July 1999
No Doubt completes mixing at Ocean Way with Jack Joseph Puig. Band is
really excited. Record company is really excited. If the fans knew, they
would be excited. Then the band decides to record two more songs; now
they are the only ones excited. Tour plans for fall are put on hold.
August 1999
Band enters the studio again to record new songs for the as-yet-untitled
new album on Interscope Records.
"Tragic
Kingdom" continues to sell big, reaching 15 million worldwide.
No Doubt hosts their second annual co-birthday bash for Tony and
Adrian (who sports a pink mohawk for the party) at Adrian's home in
Lakewood, California. Celebrating the dynamic duo's special day: members
from 311, Rage Against the Machine, and the Vandals, Perry Farrell,
actor Vince Vaughn, and... well, more rock and movie stars than the
neighbors liked. It was a long and festive night.
Sept. 30, 1999
No Doubt kicks off an eight-city West Coast club tour in San Diego in
full pop gear: Tony and Tom wear red JUMPsuits, the horn section in lime
green, Gwen in bubblegum pink (including her feathered hair), and Adrian
shirtless and in boxers. The jaunt was appropriately dubbed "Pop Smart"
and "Pop Start" by two fans who screamed in joy over the new pop songs
at the band's L.A. show.
Oct. 9, 1999
On the final night of No Doubt's club tour, in a tender moment at The
Fillmore in San Francisco, Adrian lures his girlfriend Nina to the
stage, and before the thousand-plus fans, gets down on one knee,
professes his love and then proposes. Nina shakes her head "yes" and the
two exit the stage in each other's arms. The band, moved to tears,
finishes the set with Vandals drummer Josh Freese covering for Adrian.
Winter 1999
Final touches are made to the as yet untitled new record. Even more
recording, mixing, and mastering to make it just right.
Dec. 5, 1999
No Doubt attends the VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards at New York's fashionable
26th Street Armory. The very fashionable band is nominated for Most
Stylish Video, and Gwen proudly displaying her multi-colored braces is
nominated for Most Fashionable Female Artist. The band walks away with
the statue for Most Stylish Video for "New." Orthodontically-challenged
teens everywhere proudly smile a toothy grin.
Dec. 31, 1999
Way to ring in the millennium!! No Doubt played at one of the biggest
parties in the world: Times Square. To be exact, the MTV New Year's Eve
celebration in Times Square. The first band to play MTV in the new
millennium, No Doubt took the stage a few minutes after midnight,
performing a festive rendition of "It's the End of the World (And I Feel
Fine)" by R.E.M., the new skool and new first single "Ex-Girlfriend" to
appease the millions of waiting fans, and the old skool "Spiderwebs."
Jan. 5, 2000
No Doubt is shot but it's all good. The band is shot by photographer
David LaChappelle for their new album, drum roll please, "Return
of Saturn."
Jan. 16, 2000
The first No Doubt wedding: Adrian and Nina happily make the commitment
at Adrian's home in Southern California while family and close friends
(including members of the Vandals and Sugar Ray) watched and cried. A
true tight-knit group, Gwen serves as a bridesmaid while Tony and Tom
stand as groomsmen.
Jan. 24-26, 2000
The video for "Ex-Girlfriend," directed by Hype Williams, is shot.
SPRING AHEAD
Feb. 1, 2000
"Ex-Girlfriend," the first and extremely anticipated single
from "Return
of Saturn," will be released to radio. The band waits for the day when
all the planets aligned in the
you get the point. The accompanying
video will be seen on millions of TVs the following week.
March 2000
No Doubt set to pack their bags and get their feet wet. The band will
hit the road for an intimate three-week club tour in the States followed
by a European tour in April and May. At this point they plan to take a
couple deep breathes and begin a thorough tour of the U.S. and the rest
of the world. Who knows, maybe Saturn will follow.
April 2000
The very down-to-Earth, yet extremely out there, "Return
of Saturn" will be
released April 10 internationally and April 11 in the States. Produced
by Glen Ballard, mixed by Jack Joseph Puig and recorded by Alain
Johannes, the 14-song disc encompasses the band's eclectic tastes: New
Wave, reggae, pop and rock. Radio programmers across the country predict
a minimum of 14 hits.
The 5th Album
Jan. 2000 - Sept. 2001
In the studio making "Rock Steady."
The first single from
Rock Steady was "Hey Baby,", then "Hella Good,"
"Underneath It All" and then "Running."
2003
No Doubt is nominated for three Grammys, wins a Grammy for best Pop Single with "Hey Baby."
HALL OF FAME
In February 2003 Gwen introduces Sting and The Police into the Rock and
Roll Hall Of Fame and performs "Every Breath You Take."
THE MOVIE PROJECT
Gwen Stefani played in the Movie "The Aviator" with Leonardo Di Caprio
SOME QUOTES...
...On The New Stuff
"Lyrically, I felt really good expressing myself more than I have
before. It was therapeutic in a way. And I felt like I learned a lot
about writing lyrics through reading poetry, which influenced me. I
really thought about it. The last one just sort of fell into my lap. I
never kept journals or was arty in that way, but this time I did. I, for
the first time, wrote two songs on my own: 'Simple Kind of Life' and
'Suspension Without Suspense'." Gwen
"This record is for me I'm being selfish. I've been assessing my
life over the last couple years like what am I doing. There are a lot
of love songs on the album, but there are others that are about
questioning life. 'Six Feet Under' is all about the cycle of life for
instance. There is a lot admission on it; I don't really know who will
be able to relate. My dad?" Gwen
"There's one song on the record that really stands out to me as
different and the most No Doubt song and that's 'Bath Water.' It started
out spontaneously with Tony playing this really simple bass line with a
groove to it. Gwen started singing words to it and 40 minutes later we
had a song, a really fun song. It sounds like old No Doubt, but it
sounds like us at the age we are now. It's one of my favorites... and
it's somewhere between Duke
Ellington and reggae." Tom
"It's more mature, organic and natural because we were more
comfortable as a band. That, and the songs were essentially written with
acoustic guitar and vocals, which means that if they are boiled down to
their primary and bare roots, they sound great naked, natural and
great. In other words, it's No Doubt at its core." Tony
"Some people are gonna love it, and some people are gonna hate it,
but the one thing that I'm really proud of is that it definitely stands
out. We have an original sound unlike other groups out now. Whether it
sucks or it's good, it's definitely No Doubt." Adrian
"It's probably a lot easier to have sex to this record than the
last." Tom
...On Glen Ballard
"There were certain parts or sections of songs that were different for
us or unusual, and Glen Ballard gave us the confidence to go forward. He
made us each feel good about what we were doing and handled any
insecurities we may have felt." Adrian
"Glen was educated on our past songs and he could explain musically
why they excited him." Gwen
No Doubt members are -
Richard De La Font Agency,
Inc.
