Anaheim (Summer 2004)
Anaheim’s Own No Doubt
Get your friends together. Find a cool place to hang out. Practice and play your music… all the time. Make a record. It becomes a hit. And you become superstars. Just another way to spend summers in Anaheim.
They started as a bunch of suburban teenagers in Anaheim, and all they wanted to do was make music. Like most things worthwhile, it took years of hard work, but with a little luck, good timing and a whole lotta talent, No Doubt has become a mainstay of the MTV generation. Through their music, they’ve traveled the world ... but they’ve never forgotten their Anaheim roots.
Lead singer Gwen Stefani, bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young recently chatted about their early days and what it was like spending time in Anaheim.
When you lived in the area, where were some of the places you liked to go?
Tom: I lived in Anaheim for about three years from 1991 to 1994. During that time the band did a lot of rehearsing in the garage on Beacon Avenue. We often went to concerts that local bands would play in the hotel ballrooms, and loved to hang out at great Anaheim restaurants like Mexi-casa on Lincoln and also the various taquerias around town.
Adrian: Living and making music at the Beacon Street house were some of the best times I have ever had. Making music, having parties, and just hanging out. It was a great way to spend our early twenties.
How would you describe your high school years in Anaheim? How much did you music influence your identity during those years? Did you have any local musical mentors?
Tony: I have awesome memories of Anaheim High School. I had a great time, especially playing in the school band and being on the school newspaper. I owe a world of thanks to my band director Mr. Mike Stopher and the school newspaper advisor Dr. Ed Reicks. Both of these teachers inspired and motivated me to be everything I could be. I always remember being really busy during high school. No Doubt started when I was a junior. I had been playing bass guitar in the AHS jazz band for one year at that point. I remember playing with No Doubt at Fenders in Long Beach or the Whiskey in Hollywood and then having to wake up for zero period for marching band practice on the football field. It was a crazy schedule but somehow I made it through.
Tell us about the importance of the house on Beacon Street in Anaheim. What kind of memories do you have of that period?
Gwen: The Beacon Street house was where my dad grew up since he was 11 years old. When my grandparents passed away, my brother moved into the house. It was a really big deal for us because it was a place where we could all go hang out... all of our friends. It became the “band house” when Adrian and Tom moved in with Eric. My parents let us turn the garage into the studio. It was the first studio we ever had as a band. We built it ourselves and made it our creative haven. We spent three years there writing all the songs for Tragic Kingdom and every night hearing the Disneyland fireworks.
What was it like to come back home and headline at The Pond for the first time?
Gwen: I can remember driving down the 57 Freeway with Tony and watching the Pond being built. We would always joke and say “we’ll play there one day.” Never in a million years did we think we actually would. When it came true, it was beyond a magical moment and put in perspective how incredible our lives had become.
A little over a year ago, the city awarded you with keys to the city, one of the few times in the city’s history that has happened. After all the industry accolades and commercial success of the past decade, how big of a deal was that for the band?
Tony: That was pretty much the ultimate way for us to celebrate our Anaheim roots. As important as it was for us, I think it was an even bigger deal for our parents. There are certain types of recognition that hold the same weight for our parent’s generation as they do for ours, for example, getting a Grammy Award. Getting the Key to the City of Anaheim was one of those moments where we could all celebrate together.
With your busy schedules, do you ever get to come back and spend time with friends and family in Anaheim? Where are some of the places you like to go now when you’re in town?
Adrian: I still like to go to Disneyland. I really enjoy going with my wife and son. I get to relive my youth at Disney through him. Also, my favorite Mexican place to eat is Mexi-casa on Lincoln Ave. I still get over there to eat about two times a year.