BAM USA
The continuing story of No Doubt… are they happy now?
In November 1995 when No Doubt’s Tragic Kingdom was just a few months old, BAM magazine chose the Orange County-based quartet to grace the cover of our semi-annual “Local Music” issue. Now, a year and a half later, No Doubt are back; not only on the cover of BAM but back in town for a two-night stint at their hometown arena, the Anaheim Pond. By Jennifer Schwartz
Needless to say, a lot has happened since the Fall of ‘95. From Details to Rolling Stone, the members of No Doubt have become fodder for a media frenzy for over a year. It’s been almost impossible to avoid stories about the cute little band from Orange County who plugged away for years and years in clubs throughout Southern California, until finally landing a record deal. And as the story goes, after signing with Interscope, they release a self-titled debut which dies on the vine and they are predictably released from their contract. No Doubt are labeless and nearly hopeless as they withstand drastic line-up changes, including the loss of main songwriter Eric Stefani, leadsinger Gwen’s brother. But the band perseveres and are subsequently picked up by Trauma Records (which, incidentally, has a distribution agreement with Interscope). After eight long years of existence No Doubt releases Tragic Kingdom with only humble expectations. It sells 10 million copies worldwide and hits No. 1 on the Billboard album charts for nine weeks. But you probably know this already. Read the rest of this article »
