Onstage USA
No Doubt
Geared up to Rock Steady. By Jon Weiderhorn
A touring rock band has to evolve and adapt to survive. Fans might embrace a group’s original style and image for a while, but if a look and sound remains constant for too long, a band can become stale, its music bordering on self-parody.
The members of No Doubt are keenly aware of that phenomenon, which is why the band’s live performance over the years has changed as much as its music. In 1987, No Doubt was a high-octane ska/punk band armed with simple staccato songs, delivered by musicians who pogoed as they performed. Not long after, the band added ’80s pop melodies to their music and began playing with a sharper stage focus. In 1993, they downplayed the pop elements and amped up the punk-rock anger, reflecting the alternative angst of the time. The band began turning heads with its powerful concerts and the onstage energy of its front woman, Gwen Stefani. Read the rest of this article »
Article from February 01, 2002
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Circus USA
No Doubt! Gwen Stefani tops the top
Gwen Stefani took top honors “Best Female Vocalist” - and No Doubt won “Best New Group” in the 1996 Circus Magazine Readers Poll. By Vinnie Penn
“Peek-a-boo!” is the first thing No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani utters when I answer my telephone, and from the way she says it - with a sunshine sweet little giggle - it is obvious from the outset that the native Californian is all girl, a “real girly-girl”, as she puts it. But one thing Gwen Stefani definitely is not, is JUST a girl. And “Just A Girl”, the firecracker first single off Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt’s third full-length record (and second official one for Trauma Records), is a sarcastic shoot ‘em up of that very fact.
Now, over a year after the release of the band’s breakthrough song and pretty much ten years together, No Doubt is a household name, a way of life…in other words: They’ve arrived. Read the rest of this article »
Article from February 01, 1997
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Bam USA
Just A Girl
Anaheim’s No Doubt sets the “Rock Feminist” label on its head
Being a woman in today’s pop music arena seems to immediately slap that feminist scarlet letter on the artist’s chest - a tag that most of the prominent females in modern rock heartily endorse with their attitudes. A gauge of this? What would be the assumptive grrrl reaction to being called “cute”? Madonna or Courtney Love would probably have some smartass retort. Chrissie Hynde would just smirk or totally ignore the comment. L7 would laugh. TLC or Salt-N-Pepa would give it right back, only spicier. And the members of Bikini Kill might hit you over the head with their guitar.
But Gwen Stefani of No Doubt would probably just say… “Thank you.” Read the rest of this article »
Article from November 17, 1995
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