In honor of Gwen’s 42nd birthday today,The Orange County Register compiled a list of the Top 10 Best O.C Bands,and,not surprisingly,No Doubt came in high at #2-of course,we think they should have been #1!
Happy 42nd birthday, Gwen Stefani! It’s a perfect opportunity to go back through our mental set lists and argue about which are the greatest bands in Orange County history. You may not agree with our choices, and if so, take out your fury in the comments section.
Man, Gwen Stefani is 42 on Monday. Does this make you feel old or young?
Her band, No Doubt, and several other of Orange County’s greatest groups have that power to make you feel youthful. Whether it’s latter-day ska you prefer or the ageless surf guitar of Dick Dale and the Del-Tones, there’s an energy in the best O.C. music that sets it apart.
What are the best bands to ever form in O.C.? We have our little list of 10 here – woefully slender, we’d agree. What bands are missing? Give me a riff, a radio hit, a concert that moved you.
2. No Doubt. Here’s Gwen Stefani and the crew performing at the Hyundai Pavilion in San Bernardino on June 26, 2004. It took No Doubt years to become an overnight success with their third album, “Tragic Kingdom,” in 1995. After a disappointing follow-up, “Return of Saturn,” the band roared back with “Rock Steady,” in 2001. In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked “Tragic” No. 441 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, and “Rock Steady” No. 316