Ready to rock again? No Doubt!

Source: Rolling Stone

It's been eleven years since they released Rock Steady.  Eleven years, marriages, and eight children between the band members make it seem even longer.


"That's pretty complicated stuff when you start to really look at it," 42-year-old lead singer and lyricist Gwen Stefani says. "You're playing this role your whole life — the singer of No Doubt — totally committed to this in the greatest kind of way, and then all of a sudden, you're saying, 'Actually, you guys cannot be No. 1 anymore or else this is not going to work.'"

It did work, however,  "Push and Shove," their first studio album in over a decade, blends their special mix of ska and British New Wave with lyrics that reveal some challenges of  their new lives.

"Here we go again/Are you insane?" Stefani sings in first single "Settle Down." ''Don't get me started/I'm trying to get a hold on this/Get in line and settle down."
 
The band show few outward signs that it's been 26 years since No Doubt began. They all still wear eyeliner, have their hair bleached or in a mohawk, maybe both, and are stick-figure thin. Stefani herself seems to have defied time and can rock a belly-baring top better than ever. It's hard to believe they are all in their forties.

During the No Doubt's extended break, they all explored their own personal art forms. 

Gwen, who is married to former Bush lead singer Gavin Rossdale, put out two solo CDs, toured and designed clothes under her label L.A.M.B.

Guitarist Tom Dumont produced two CDs for Matt Costa, including "Songs We Sing." Young worked with Scott Weiland and performed with several acts including Colt Ford.

Kanal collaborated on two songs — "Sober" and "Funhouse" — with Pink and helped write songs with an array of artists, including Weezer, Shontelle and former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt.

Back together again, they insist their chemistry is better than ever and that the time away recharged their batteries. Now this onetime garage band that endured rifts, long tours, writing block and mega-fame are now happy that their music is no longer their first love.

Check out the new album "Push and Shove" which goes on this week.   I can't wait!

Source:Business Week