YM (April 2002)

What I Was Like In High School

From goody two-shoes to ska rocker chick

I grew up in a traditional Catholic family. My parents were very protective. Before we watched Flashdance, they lectured all of us about the female lead’s promiscuity. For graduation, I couldn’t go to the usual hotel parties. I had to go to Disneyland instead—and I had to be home by midnight. But I didn’t have a lot of friends. I basically hung out with the rockabilly, ska, and punk people in high school. We thought we were pretty cool, especially compared to the cheerleaders and jocks. It was mainly me and my best girlfriend. We did everything together. We didn’t drink or do drugs. We weren’t into that scene. I was always a really good girl. Then suddenly she started partying and doing things with guys. It was a shock. I felt abandoned, like she was moving ahead of me.

Then I went out with a really bad boy. I played piccolo in the marching band, and my bandleader didn’t like my boyfriend. He told me, “You’re walking a fine line.” I was like, “What are you talking about?” But after high school, that guy actually got really bad. Later on in high school, I was so in love with Tony [No Doubt’s bassist]. I’d drive across town just to look at him. What an idiot! I was so weird! I was just intense and in love.