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 14, 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.
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