Growing up to The Sound of Music, Muppet Movie, and Annie movie soundtracks, it is easy to sight lead singer Gwen Stefani's earliest influences within her live performances of today. Once she starts it is near impossible to slow her down and out of the question to try and stop her. Born October 3rd, 1969, at St. Jude's Hospital in Fullerton, California, Gwen has spent her entire life in Southern California. That is to say only if you exclude No Doubt's national and international tours, vacations, and her not-so-frequent-enough trips to England to visit her boyfriend. Gwen grew up in Orange County with her parents, brothers Eric and Todd, and sister Jill. A very close family, Gwen can recall her first live performances ever being puppet shows that she and Eric would create together and perform for their neighbors. Her first singing experiences came when she would dress up with her sister Jill and their cousins, and play "Musical House". While "playing house" might have been an ordinary activity for young American girls, it's not common to make it mandatory that all words be sung and not spoken. Gwen can first recall music having an influence on her life when she was in junior high and her brother Eric would bring home two-tone ska records by artists such as Madness and The Selecter. It was at this point that she became heavily involved in the ska scene. In addition to the aforementioned bands, Gwen also got really into L.A. bands like The Untouchables and Fishbone. In early 1987 Gwen's brother Eric and John Spence founded what is now No Doubt. In the beginning Eric asked Gwen to share vocal duties with John. Sadly, not long after No Doubt's incarnation, John Spence committed suicide which left Gwen to rock the mic. Over the course of the next couple of years No Doubt played primarily to a ska crowd at clubs and parties. As each band member grew and accepted influences outside of the ska scene, more and more venues became available as places to showcase their ever-growing personal style. Now, going into the studio to work on their fourth album, Gwen seems fascinated by all of the musical possibilites available and hopes to grow stronger as a lyricist. "It's incredible," sights Gwen, "When I was growing up my parents were folk musicians and I would have never listened to Bob Dylan by choice, but now I can honestly respect so many different ways of playing music and expressing what you're trying to say." One non-musical aspect of Gwen that is just as much a part of her as anything else is her interest in clothes and fashion. Admittedly a thrift store junkie, Gwen has been making her own clothes ever since her mom first made her a replica of Maria's dress from The Sound of Music to wear during a high school talent show. Sift through the stories laid out by the sensational media and you will find the core of Gwen Stefani who is, and has always been, someone not much different than you. -- Written by Matt Sharkey

His own bandmates describe him as "strong" and "a man of true integrity." An incredible bass player and lively act on stage, you might be surprised to find out how humble and generous a person he truly is off stage. Tony Kanal was born on August 27, 1970, in Kingsbury, a suburb of London, England. At the age of eleven his family relocated to the Orange County region of Southern California. Tony's earliest memories of music are old compilations of nursery rhymes and the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soundtrack. As Tony grew older his father served as a great musical influence by purchasing various contemporary recordings for him. In 1982 the Men at Work album "Business As Usual" became the first record that Tony bought with his own money. Soon to follow would be the same music that the rest of American youth were listening to; from Motley Crue to Duran Duran and everything in between. In 1985 Tony was fortunate enough to catch Prince on his Purple Rain Tour. This was Tony's first live concert experience, helping to change the way he views music to this very day. Prince, or the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, remains one of Tony's greatest musical influences. In high school Tony really got into the Red Hot Chili Peppers and can remember cutting school to see them play live. All of these different musical interests would help to shape the musician that Tony is and the musician he continues to become. Tony began playing bass in his high school jazz band. He sites his bass teacher Dave Carpenter, The Specials' bassist Horace Gentleman, and Fishbone bassist Norwood Fisher as his first major influences. Tony's introduction to, and ultimately inclusion with No Doubt would soon follow his beginnings in the high school jazz band. After having played only one official gig at Fender's Ballroom in Long Beach, No Doubt needed to replace their bass player. Tony, who had been in attendance at the first show, was chosen as the new bassist and joined the band before their second club show. Many of No Doubt's earliest influences came from England's two-tone ska scene. Thus, this is primarily the music that the band was playing when Tony joined them. However, as time passed and the band grew, the many different influences of each band member would contribute to the sound that has become entirely No Doubt's own. Outside of music, Tony has always kept a sharp eye on good business people and has observed their tactics as how to and how not to conduct himself within his own business affairs. It should then be no surprise to find out that Tony handled many aspects of No Doubt's business during their formative years and that he continues to be involved in these matters even today. As of late, most of Tony's time has been devoted to the pre-production and recording of No Doubt's new album which is due out sometime next year. On top of this process, which can take up to 70 hours a week, Tony has been renovating his new home in Los Angeles. -- Written by Matt Sharkey

He grew up on Disney compilation records, was turned on to The Beatles in gradeschool, his father played piano, he eventually discovered the soothing tones of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Kiss...and then he became the guitarist of No Doubt. Tom Dumont's path of musical discovery is by no means typical (then again whose is?) and that's exactly why he adds such a unique sound and style to the music he now plays for a living. Born on January 11, 1968, in Los Angeles, California, Tom has been a resident of Southern California for his entire life and currently resides in the nice coastal town of Long Beach. It was not long after moving to Long Beach that Tom began to fall victim to three new addictions that have interfered with his personal life and may soon affect his life with the band as well. At the age of 30, Tom Dumont has rediscovered a love for surfing. While this may seem harmless and enjoyable to most, it is an addiction that those closest to him see as potentially hazardous to his mental state. Each morning Tom finds his way to the ocean not long after sunrise, often to meet friend Donnie Spada, to indulge in several hours of water pleasure. This wouldn't be a problem, assuming he had the rest of the day free to redevelop lost social skills...but the truth is that he does not have the rest of the day free. After several hours meditating with Mother Ocean, Tom returns home for a quick shower then is off to meet the band to work on new material. This is a daily process that can easily last ten hours. On weekends, Tom's other addictions begin taking a hold of him. Lately he has been overcome by the obsessive compulsion of home decorating. This debilitating compulsion consists of taking a simplistic room in his new home that has been tastefully decorated and adding a thousand more items to it. While this may sound cluttering to you or me, it makes perfect sense to Tom. It is his representation of true Americana. His third and final addiction is not as controlling, and that is the collecting of old radios. Tom has been playing guitar for more than half of his life. Originally influenced by the likes of Rush's Alex Lifeson and Deep Purple's Ritchie Blackmore, it might seem unlikely for a man of his influences to be playing in a band that is rooted in the ska and pop genres. If you haven't already gathered, not much about Tom has ever followed the rhythms of "likely." In Early 1989 Tom was playing in a metal band at 21 and over clubs to crowds consisting of bartenders, bouncers, and personal friends. It just so happens that the rehearsal studio that his band practiced at in Anaheim was the same rehearsal studio that No Doubt was working out of. Growing weary of the music of his teenage years, Tom started listening to material by Oingo Boingo and Steel Pulse. At this same time he worked up the strength to quit playing in his metal band. It just so happens that one week later No Doubt would post flyers in search of a new guitarist. He responded to the flyer and received a call-back. He continued to jam with No Doubt and play to a whole new crowd of people. To this day, Tom has never officially been welcomed into the band, he just keeps playing with them. However, taking into consideration that he struggled through No Doubt's formative years and all that he has contributed musically, it's safe to say that his status isn't in question. -- Written by Matt Sharkey

Adrian joined No Doubt in 1989, shortly after the first drummer left. He was asked to join after battling another drummer in a head to head second try-out. Adrian won the battle after telling the rest of the band that he had been playing drums since 1983, when in actuality he had only been hitting the skins since Christmas day of 1987. Proof that bullshit can pay off if you have the skills to back it up. Born in Long Beach, California, on August 26th, 1969, Adrian has been a life-long resident of the area; currently living right down the street from No Doubt guitarist Tom Dumont. Being the child of hippies in their prime, Adrian was made well aware of the world of music during his most impressionable years. His early musical interests included The Doors, Hendrix, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Bob Marley. These bands were simply what laid the foundation for young Adrian. He would soon discover punk rock and ska and purchase his very first record with his own money..."Road to Ruin" by the Ramones. Prior to being selected as original drummer Chris Webb's replacement, Adrian had been with No Doubt almost every step of the way. However, his view had been from the pit and not from the stage...as a fan and not yet a member. Very much into the ska scene during his earliest years of high school, Adrian brought the sound to the band that they had been searching for. Luckily they found someone who was also willing to evolve beyond the rimshots of ska into other waters not yet tested. From his first days of playing Adrian can recall Deep Purple's Ian Paice, The Police's Stewart Copeland, and Rush's Neil Pert as his most identifiable influences. Only today to be inspired by his contemporaries; Chad Sexton, Chad Smith, and Josh Freese. Aside from spending each waking hour of his life with the band, working on their new album, Adrian has also just recovered from a two week European tour with The Vandals. In addition to being a musician and a great entertainer, Adrian is also a master of the greens and fairways. A navigator of the links, he makes time at least twice a week to dust off the clubs and hit the golf course. Keep your eyes peeled in the years to come for a celebrity golf match in which Adrian will be attempting to whoop Bill Murray's ass. As a Jack of All Trades, Adrian is also well known as a "professional socializer." If you are ever awarded the true privilege of witnessing Adrian in a group of people consuming beverages that make you feel funny, you will understand exactly what that title means and, moreso, why he deserves it. May the party never stop and may he keep us smiling. -- Written by Matt Sharkey