The Press-Enterprise (Sept. 17th 2015)
KAABOO 2015: No Doubt’s Tony Kanal talks future, ‘Tragic Kingdom’
Two decades ago, a band from Orange County was fighting with its record label to get more time in the recording studio. After nine years together, the Anaheim band No Doubt crisscrossed Los Angeles, working in 11 studios to perfect what would become the breakthrough album “Tragic Kingdom.”
Striking on a mix of alternative rock, pop and ska, the band released hit after hit from the record. Millions of young women sang along sweetly with singer Gwen Stefani on the verses of “Just a Girl” before unleashing a chorus of girl power. Breakup anthem “Don’t Speak” earned a coveted spot on countless mix tapes and the then-new technology of mix CDs.
“It was the record that changed our lives, honestly,” No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal said in a telephone interview earlier this week. “Literally, it was such an amazing thing to happen to us. It was a labor of love. It took three and a half years to make that record. There were so many peaks and valleys in making that record – the struggles with the record company at the time to keep getting more studio time and it all worked out.”
Within five years of its October 1995 release, “Tragic Kingdom” cemented its position as one of the most popular albums of all time, with more than 10 million copies sold, earning the mark as one of a relative few releases to reach diamond status.
“It’s one of those albums that resonated so well. The timing of it was perfect. It just struck a nerve, it struck a chord, it did something,” Kanal said. “You can’t really explain it. It’s one of those things that just happens occasionally and it just becomes a movement in itself. We were so fortunate and so, so lucky that it happened to us.”
The music of “Tragic Kingdom” has factored heavily into No Doubt’s handful of performances this year, Kanal said. The last show on the books for Stefani, Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young is an opening night headlining slot at the inaugural Kaaboo festival at Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds on Friday, Sept. 18.
Kanal described Kaaboo as “essentially a hometown show for us,” noting that the band hasn’t played San Diego since 2009.
“It’s overdue and it’s our last show this year and our last planned show for right now,” Kanal said. “We’re so excited about it. I think this festival is going to be incredible.”
Since it is so close to home, family members will be watching, including the dozen offspring of No Doubt’s core members and touring member Gabe McNair.
The band’s 2015 schedule of seven shows has been made up solely of festivals, including Rock in Rio USA in the spring and Riot Fest in Chicago last weekend.
“I just love getting out there. When things are hitting on all cylinders it really is the greatest thing in the world. These last few shows have been so high energy and so much fun,” Kanal said.
The festival set lists have leaned on the songs from “Tragic Kingdom,” but also tracks from the band’s subsequent albums, “Return of Saturn,” “Rock Steady” and its most recent release, 2012’s “Push and Shove.”
For now, Kaaboo is the last date on the books for the band. Stefani is gearing up for a new solo album (her first since 2006’s “The Sweet Escape”) and Kanal noted she would be busy again with reality singing competition “The Voice.”
Kanal has a few projects in the works, but in the immediate future, he plans to spend time with his two daughters, who are 4 and 1, including a trip to Disneyland next week.
Despite no firm post-Kaaboo plans, Kanal doesn’t think the festival is a last hurrah for No Doubt.
“The fact that our band has weathered so much and stayed together for so long and we still get on stage and have a good time together, that’s a big deal for us. We don’t take that for granted,” Kanal said. “We’ve had lots of breaks, especially over the last 10 years, so to still be getting together and to be able to get on stage and play together is a big deal.”