Settle Down Fan Sighting

Thank you to Wendy B. for the pictures and video. Also, thank you to our very own featured fan: Sandra for the timeline and info!

8:30pm
I arrive at the Downey Studios in Downey, California with my close friend Wendy. We walk along the studio lot to have a look around before deciding on the best place to see any action. We spot colorful bright lights in the lot. From our viewpoint, they appear to be some kind of neon lights like they would have in stores. Wendy sneaks in some pictures and we keep on walking. After about an hour of walking around the entire studio lot, we decide to set up shop in the parking lot of the shopping center right next door.

9:30pm
We get in the car and park behind the Old Navy Store. There, we come across 2 other No Doubt fans that are eagerly waiting to catch a glimpse of the band. We peer over the metal fence and all we can see are the same bright lights emanating from the middle of a plain dirt field. Trailers are beginning to pull up and the crew members are preparing lighting for what is sure to be an outdoor performance. Wendy snaps a couple of pictures and we began to examine them. What we thought were neon lights of a store were actually lights on a fire engine! They blink and change colors. At the very top of the fire truck is what we believe to be Adrian’s new rasta inspired drum set. We can’t believe our eyes. Yet there is still no confirmation that the band is here, but all of these things are pointing to a yes.

10:30pm
It has just been confirmed to us, by a crew member, that No Doubt is indeed here at Downey Studios filming their music video for Settle Down. I ask the crew member if No Doubt is there. He seems to have no clue who I am referring to. The minute I mention Gwen, he confirms that she is inside. He informs us that Gwen has been singing on stage, indoors, and is getting ready to perform outdoors but that they aren’t ready yet. We patiently wait for their arrival.

11:25pm
We wait anxiously, still hopeful that we will see the band or hear some new No Doubt music. All we are able to hear are crew members or a director call out “360” and we begin to see movement. Then we hear them call out for Adrian and again we see movement. Then the voice calls for Sophie. Sophie Muller is on set as well. This is unbelievable!

11:50pm
By this time, people at the nearby LA Fitness are beginning to wonder what is going on at the Downey Studio next door. They see us peering over, taking pictures, and looking through a pair of binoculars that the other 2 No Doubters have brought along. We can now finally make out with detail what we have been seeing from afar. Adrian’s amazing drum set is situated on top of a fire truck. It’s illuminating with bright colors as is the fire truck. Reds, yellows, greens, blues and pinks can be seen coming from the set. Many people are huddling around the fire engine. Others are to the left. Then one
of the No Doubters sees something sparkly walk across the set with her binoculars. It’s Gwen! Her hair is up and what sparkles is the back of her bum flap. We can’t seem to make out where exactly Tom and Tony are but we know they are there. We are elated!

12:00am
I come up with this plan to tweet the band about our whereabouts. Wendy and another No Doubter send out a swarm of tweets to the individual band members asking them to please come and see us, “We are under the Old Navy sign!” Five minutes later, Gwen’s bodyguard Curtis shows up. We think that the band must have read our tweets and sent him to see what was going on over here. He greets us and we let him know that we are just observing. He says, “Ok that’s cool,” and walks back to the set. Will the band come out next? We can only hope!

12:18am
By this time the other 2 No Doubters have held out as long as they possibly could and decide to go home. Wendy and I are still hopeful that we will either see the band or at least hear a snippet of new music. Before we know it, everyone has disappeared from the set but the fire engine and Adrian’s drum set are still as lively as ever. We see a car approaching the back of the lot. It’s coming straight towards us. Can the band really be inside of that car? Are they really going to come and say hi to us? We can’t make out anyone in it. The lights are too bright. It comes to a halt and out comes the same crew member as before. Dammit! We ask if the video is wrapped for the night and he says no, that they are on a lunch break for now. Hurry up and eat please! We want to see our favorite band!

12:45am
After waiting in the car for a while, Wendy and I come out to see if anything has changed. People are slowly making their way out on to the set. The giant crane with the flood light is making its way up high again. Crew members are scrambling around the fire engine. Without the binoculars it is hard to make anyone out anymore. We only see movement. No sound. It’s getting late but since we know the band pulled an all nighter the previous day, we struggle to keep optimistic about seeing them up close. Most of the LA Fitness members have gone home and the parking lot is empty. Only a tiny skunk in
the distance keeps us company. We are giving up hope.

1:05am
After much debate and hesitation we decide to head home. Our efforts to meet the band and hear some new music have failed. People are still moving around on set but we are too far to make anything or anyone out. We did however have this amazing wild goose chase and got to experience what it’s like to be near a live studio with the band. Can’t wait to see the video!!!


Author: Amy

I'm 32 years old and married to the best man on Earth! No Doubt is my favorite band, they inspire me everyday. I remember getting my first computer when I was 14 and wanting to make a website about them. Now, 18 years later, I'm a Computer Programmer/Web Designer and STILL making a website about them. I'd like to thank No Doubt for that!

9 thoughts on “Settle Down Fan Sighting

  1. Nick says:

    This post makes me feel kinda weird. Like when we used to climb the rope in gym class.

    Reply
  2. One of the other two fans says:

    Hey, I was one of the other two fans. You describe the experience to a T. It’s too bad you didn’t see anything else going on after my sister and I left.

    Reply
  3. Amy says:

    Nick, you make me feel weird, like when we used to climb the rope in gym class 😉 HAHA

    Reply
  4. Nxdchick714 says:

    I’m glad you liked my story. Thanks so much for letting us use your binoculars. Hopefully we see u guys at a show 🙂

    Reply
  5. No Doubt Me says:

    Thanks for the report! If the band were aware you were there, would love if they mention you in the making of video 😉

    Reply
  6. Nxdchick714 says:

    I really hope they do making the video episode for this. That would be awesome 🙂

    Reply

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