Disney Adventures USA × August 01, 1997

No doubt about it

It’s taken No Doubt and Gwen Stefani eight years to make it big – and in that time they’ve proven they’re more than “Just a Girl”. By Jodi Bryson

When No Doubt started playing music, shy lead singer Gwen Stefani didn’t want to pick up a microphone. Now you can’t get her to put one down. Hit songs like “Just a Girl”, “Spiderwebs” and “Don’t Speak” have propelled this spunky southern California girl and her bandmates to the top of the charts. But Gwen, 27, and the guys – bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young – aren’t taking their “overnight ” success for granted.

Before No Doubt recorded the hottest-selling CD in the country, Tragic Kingdom, they played ska (music influenced by traditional Caribbean rhythms and jazz) at tiny clubs, garages and the occasional big skateboarding show in Orange County, California. Gwen’s older brother Eric started No Doubt in 1987 and convinced his baby sister to join. “He was the one with all the talent,” remembers Gwen. “I was the lazy girl watching ‘The Brady Bunch.’ I was like Eric’s little toy. He forced me to sing.” Eric figured if Gwen had enough guts to sneak into Disneyland – on many occasions – then she was brave enough to front a band.

There were a lot of doubts about No Doubt early on. The band’s self-titled 1992 debut album kinda flopped. Then Eric quit the group to become an animator on “The Simpsons.”

But in October 1995, a new record company took a chance and released the band’s second album, Tragic Kingdom, then sent them on tour with Bush. (Yes, that’s when Gwen hooked up with boyfriend Gavin Rossdale, Bush’s lead singer.) Like a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy, Tragic Kingdom sold tons of copies (more than 7 million to date), making No Doubt – and Gwen Stefani – big stars.

Now is seems like the whole world has jumped on the Gwen bandwagon, focusing on the funky starlet and treating the boys in the band like stage props. Tony, Tom and Adrian say they understand all the attention. “I think we’ve gotten used to it,” says Tony who dated Gwen for seven years.

No Doubt is getting even more attention as they continue touring. Then it’s eventually back to the studio for a third album. There’s no doubt the third album will be worth the wait!

Bits ‘Bout the Band:

Think you know everything about the band? We doubt it!

• Gwen’s favorite movies: The sound of music and The Muppet Movie.
• Gwen never had any formal voice lessons.
• While the song “Don’t Speak” tells the story of Gwen and Tony’s breakup, the “Don’t Speak” video is about the band almost breaking up – right before the album Tragic Kingdom became a hit.
• No Doubt was offered a gig on a “Beverly Hills, 90210″ episode, but passed. “The show is too cheesy,” Gwen says. “I’m putting the fax of the offer in my scrapbook, though.”
• Gwen still lives at home with mom and dad.
• No Doubt’s current show begins with the theme from Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade.

Gwen’s undeniably cool fashion smarts sets the tone for young “Gwenabees” everywhere.

• Platinum hair: Gwen’s hair has been dyed lots of colors. At her tours opening show she had pink tips!
• The bindi: Gwen thinks this traditional jewel worn by women in India is extremely cool. It stays on with special glue made just for skin and has become a Gwen Stefani trademark.
• Ruby red lips: Gwen loves the classic Hollywood starlet look.
• Mehndi painted hands: Gwen loves the mehndi designs women from India paint on their hands with semi-permanent dye. It starts out dark, then fades to nothing in about six weeks.
• Big, chunky belt: She has a bunch, but likes the studded and leopard ones best.
• Funky fingernail polish: Sometimes the nails are red, sometimes they’re black. No biggie!
• Homemade pants: She and a friend make the punk pants in vibrant colors and fabrics with lots of zippers and pockets.
• Exposed midriff: a major work-out queen, Gwen has abs of steel, though she thinks they’re “abs of Jell-O!”

Transcribed by Jamie Tibbetts for NoDoubt.com