No Doubt to Perform in Seoul

No Doubt languished for years on the Orange County, California, ska scene. When they broke into the American mainstream they took the public by storm, then bewitched the rest of the world, including the difficult British audience.

They're poised to breach the Korean market with a concert--their first in Seoul, according to concert organizers Oh & Partners--at Ulchiro Triport Hall on Oct. 25.

No Doubt is reputed to put on a spectacular live show with Gwen Stefani as the superstar lead vocalist, Prince-influenced Tony Kanal on bass, metal-influenced Tom Dumon on guitar and rock, ska, new wave and punk proponent Adrian Young on drums.

No Doubt draws on its diverse musical background to weave a rhythmically intricate sound. Their history is equally convoluted.

Back in 1987, when No Doubt first formed, John Spence was the lead singer, Gwen Stefani's brother, Eric, was on the accordion and keyboard/accordion player Gwen Stefani was secondary vocalist. A year later, Spence committed suicide. Although Gwen Stefani stepped up as lead singer--ska bands led by a female singers are rare--No Doubt then had to weather a breakupbetween Stefani and Kanal and conflicts with Interscope Records, their recording company. Eric Stefani eventually left the limlight for a job with "The Simpsons," an American television animation series.

The timing of the concert, part of a world-wide tour, puts it after the April 2000 release of "Return of Saturn," the band's first album release in five years.

Beneath the upbeat and polished surface of "Return of Saturn," the lyrics are a bittersweet contradiction. "Return of Saturn" opens with a slamming single, "Ex-Girlfriend," then mellows out with songs such as "Marry Me." This departure from the edginess of "Tragic Kingdom" has split fans into two camps--those who claim No Doubt has matured and those who deplore Stefani's new-found domestication.

Tickets for the Seoul concert can be purchased online at www.ticketlink.co.kr or by calling 02)1588-7890.

by Yonghee Joe