No Doubt is an American rock band, led by the charming Gwen Stefani. They are known for their new wave/ska music, which broke the mould during the late 90s.
No Doubt Biography
No Doubt is a Grammy-awarded rock band formed in 1986, whose lead singer is Gwen Stefani.The band’s early years were heavily influenced by ska music, as proved by their first three albums. In 1995, their diamond-certified album Tragic Kingdom spawned the iconic single Don’t Speak. Furthermore, they added reggae and dancehall music to their sound. Their 2001 album Rock Steady produced two critically acclaimed singles, Hey Baby and Underneath It All.
Early Years & Tragic Kingdom
The group struggled for almost a decade between their formation and breakthrough. After the tragic death of former vocalist John Spence, Gwen Stefani took the lead role. Eventually, in 1991 they managed to sign with Interscope Records. Shortly, the group released their self-titled debut album, but it didn’t gain any recognition. No Doubt released their second album, The Beacon Street Collection, independently. This one did a little better commercially. However, the ska and funk-influenced record failed to impress during a period when grunge music dominated the industry.
In 1995, the group finally reached fame and glory with their third album Tragic Kingdom. The album topped countless charts, including the Billboard 200. Moreso, it spawned the timeless love song Don’t Speak and another popular single, Just a Girl. Furthermore, Stefani, often compared to Blondie’s Debbie Harry, began to attract the media’s attention.
Rock Steady & Later Years
In 2000, No Doubt released their next album, Return of Saturn. Though it peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200, the album failed to reach the success of its predecessor. It kept the ska and reggae vibes but came with a more tame sound. However, it spawned the successful rock single Ex-Girlfriend. Moreover, the band embraced dancehall and went to Jamaica to record Rock Steady, their fifth studio album. The album’s catchy lead single “Hey Baby” brought the band their first Grammy Award. Additionally, the record generated two more high-selling singles, Underneath It All and Hella Good.
After that, Gwen Stefani embarked on a successful solo career. However, she returned for the band’s 2012 reunition. The group released their latest album, Push and Shove. While the record didn’t get much recognition, one of the tracks from the Deluxe edition was included in the popular TV show Gossip Girl – Adam and the Ants’ Stand and Deliver.
Photo source: Discogs
