taken from: Just Jared
Gwen Stefani takes her two sons Kingston, 3, and Zuma, almost 1, to dinner at P.F. Chang’s China Bistro on Thursday night (August 6) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Gwen is in town with her band No Doubt for their current tour. They will be performing TONIGHT (August 7) at “The Joint” concert venue inside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Opening acts include Swedish new wave band The Sounds and rock band Panic At The Disco, who are form Vegas.
Tags: Candids, Gwen Stefani, Kingston Rossdale, Photos, Zuma Rossdale
No Doubt, it’s a full life
Gwen Stefani has hands full with reunion tour, two sons to raise — maybe even a new album?
By George Varga
POP MUSIC CRITIC
2:00 a.m. August 7, 2009The world might not be a better place if all rock stars were as candid as Gwen Stefani. But rock ‘n’ roll would be a lot less pretentious – which, come to think of it, probably would make the world a better place.
“I’m quite a lazy person. I love to sleep, eat, watch TV and not do too much,” said the lead singer of the recently reactivated ska-rock band No Doubt, which performs here tomorrow night at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre.
Of course, not doing too much can be a challenge when you’re in the middle of a summer concert tour, especially when you bring your two young sons (one born less than a year ago) along. Each undertaking, being a parent and performing in a different city each night, is a full-time job that doesn’t lend itself to being lazy.“It’s like I wish I could be lazy!” Stefani said, laughing, before her tone turned more serious.
“The whole thing is nearly impossible. Some days it just doesn’t work and some days it does. I have so much on my plate right now that at times I feel like I’m not good at any of it. Other days, you think to yourself: ‘Wow, how do I do all that?’ I have a great family, a great husband (former Bush singer Gavin Rossdale) and a great team that help me.”
The 39-year-old singer-songwriter is delighted to be back together with her three band mates in No Doubt, after devoting the past five years to her red-hot solo career. Having been the main songwriter of such No Doubt hits as “Don’t Speak,” “Just a Girl” and “Underneath It All,” Stefani turned toward hip-hop and dance-pop to craft such infectious solo hits as “Hollaback Girl” and “What You Waiting For?”
Her reunion with No Doubt marked a welcome return. The band’s last studio album of new material, “Rock Steady,” came out in 2001. But Stefani, 39, was determined not to leave her two boys, Kingston, 3, and Zuma, who turns a year old on Aug. 22, at home while she embarked on a tour with No Doubt that began back in early May.
“Children are the most important thing, and having them is the hardest and most challenging thing I’ve ever done,” she said.
“It’s crazy having them out on tour,” said Stefani, speaking by phone from a tour stop in Canada. “I’m in Calgary and I’ve already spent the whole day with them. I walked with them, took them to the park, to a Chinese cultural center and to get smoothies at the mall. I’ve already had a full day – and now they’re taking their nap and I’m getting ready to do a concert.
“It’s hard, but I feel really lucky. The hardest thing is trying to fit everything in.”
If things had worked out as scheduled, No Doubt’s current tour would be to promote a new album. Instead, she, bassist Tony Kanal, guitarist Tom Dumont and drummer Adrian Young are embarked on what is essentially a greatest hits tour. They hope that nightly performances will get the group’s creative juices flowing to write new songs for their postponed album.
Stefani sounded despondent when asked what new attributes she brought to the band after her most recent solo tour concluded in late 2007.
“Well, obviously, I didn’t bring back anything,” she replied. “Because I went into the (recording) studio for six months with those guys and couldn’t write one thing.
“I’m in a really weird spot right now as far as songwriting goes. You know, I never dreamed any of this (success) would happen, but it’s all part of the journey. So, if I write a new album with No Doubt, part of the journey is to get back on stage and center ourselves.”
Centered or not, Stefani acknowledged that a new album is not a given, no matter how much effort she and her band mates exert.
“This tour is like the time of our lives, and we realize it,” she said. “Hopefully we’ll write new music, but we know we’re not at the beginning of our career.”
Stefani, who turns 40 on Oct. 3, was barely 17 when she joined the fledgling No Doubt 23 years ago in Anaheim. She grew contemplative when asked if music now means more to her than it did in 1986, when No Doubt – which then included her older brother, future “The Simpsons” and Disney studio animator Eric – began its journey.
“I think it is two different things; it’s like you’re a fan of music and then there’s making music,” she said. “And I guess I do put them together. Because once a song is written and the demo (recording) is done, I’m a fan of it. But when you’re a kid and you discover music, at that age, it defines and represents who you are. And that’s a very powerful thing.
“Now, I have this weird relationship with music. I’m scared of songwriting. To me, it’s something I have no control over. Compared to other artists who love to write songs every day, for me it’s like this fear: ‘Oh my God, I have to write and nothing’s coming out. Argh!’ I want to make a (new) record so bad, but it’s scary for me.”
Fear was not a factor in No Doubt’s early days. Nor was the notion of success.
“It’s really a miracle,” Stefani said. “There’s no way you have told me this would end up being my life. The band was more something we did as a form of procrastination from school and our real lives. It’s what we did for fun. We had no plans for this (fame and fortune) to happen.
“Sometimes, I think I’ll go crazy if I think about it too much, because it’s so overwhelming. Being in a band for 23 years, you just have this appreciation for everything and . . . hold on a second, one of my sons is walking in the room.”
Stefani was able to briefly answer one more question before an insistent wail began. Her youngest son wanted his mommy’s undivided attention, and he wanted it immediately.
“I’m sorry,” Stefani said, as Zuma’s crying grew even louder. “I’ve gotta go now.”
George Varga: (619) 293-2253; george.varga@uniontrib.com
Tags: Article, Gwen Stefani, Interview
taken from: Seattle Times
By Marian Liu
Seattle Times staff reporterGwen Stefani is no doubtedly back with No Doubt.
After taking a five-year break from the ska band, the 39-year-old singer has found success outside of No Doubt — with a fashion label (L.A.M.B.), two hit solo records and two kids in tow.
But this summer she’s back with the band that launched her, and in its 1990s and early-2000s heyday, sold more than 27 million records and won two Grammys.
No Doubt plays the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn on Sunday. Stefani talked to The Seattle Times over the phone from Calgary, Canada. And true to her onstage persona, she was funny, down-to-earth and fashionably dressed, wearing (as she reported) L.A.M.B. pants, Topshop socks, a Vivienne Westwood sweat shirt, a Hanes tank top and a hot-pink bra.
Q: What classic No Doubt songs will you play at the show?
A: We’re just trying to do the songs that make people really happy — the hits. … There’s no way you’re going to walk away and not have fun. We put everything we have into it — all of our love, all of our energy, everything.
Q: As a solo artist, you sold 8 million albums and won a Grammy. Why did you decide to get back together with No Doubt when you had such personal success?
A: Since we were 17, we had never taken any time for ourselves. It was always band band band band band, because we loved it. … It was an opportunity, a window in time to just do something different. … It was never intended to be so long.
Q: Are you going to do more solo work?
A: Not that I’m planning on. I feel like I’m in a time of my life where I can’t really make plans. … It’s really about living in the moment, because if you start to look ahead too far, you kind of miss where you’re at. Right now, I’m just so grateful that we’re out here. I can’t even think about writing. I mean, I think about it, and I get excited, because I listen to a lot of music when I put my makeup on. When you’re a mom, you don’t have a lot of spare time. … The whole point of going on tour was to fill myself back up, because I felt really empty after having that baby. It’s just like — wow, I don’t have anything to give, talk about or say. So now, when we go home, the idea is to just go and start writing and do No Doubt records.
Q: There was some criticism — from folks like Margaret Cho — about appropriating Asian-ness. How do you respond to that?
A: People catch bits of things, so they don’t see the whole picture. But if you go back and listen to the whole song — “Harajuku Girls” — the song is clearly a song about loving a culture and being inspired by a culture. That’s all it is. It’s just being a fan. So, if anybody takes offense, of me publicly saying this culture is amazing, then there’s something wrong with them. It was very positive.
Q: How do you describe yourself?
A: I just see myself as really busy and really passionate about all the opportunities that have come my way. … Now I have a family, that takes up obviously my No. 1 priority, and I try to make some good kids, you know. That’s the newest, hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Q: How do you balance family life now that you and your husband [Gavin Rossdale] are on separate tours?
A: He’s actually here right now — he just got in last night. … I think when you have the family involved, you take it to a different level. It’s such a very self-centered lifestyle out here. It’s about just doing everything you can to put on a great show and that takes a lot of energy, emotionally and physically, and so when you have two little humans … and you’re missing your husband, and you’re trying to work it out all the time, and you’re catching me on a day when you’re like, “How’s it going to work?” Some days it doesn’t work and most days, it just works itself out.
Q: Would you want your two kids to be rock stars?
A: Hell no, they’re not allowed.
No, I want them to be happy. I think the most important thing, the most blessed thing is I get to do what I feel passionate about. I love, love performing. I love being creative. I love designing. Being able to be passionate makes you able to work really hard and just do so many things and just enjoy life. My life is so rich and full because of that, so I hope they find something that they love.
Tags: Gwen Stefani
taken from: Celebrity Diet Doctor
I had to post this one too because they used my clip from Milwaukee of “Underneath It All” ;o)
Check out the abs on this hot mama! The mother-of-two has been showing off her post-baby figure across America as her band, No Doubt, tour the US. Even though Gwen gave birth to her second son, Zuma, 10 months ago, she hits the gym four days a week with her personal trainer and mixes up her routine with lightweight resistance and a little bit of cardio.
But with the start of their nationwide Summer Tour 2009 in May, the band has been forced to take their personal trainers with them on tour – because they attract too much attention at the gym.
“I have to wear make-up to the gym because I get some dude doing sit-ups next to me and surreptitiously taking pictures,” she told ContactMusic.com.
Gwen has been working intermittently with personal trainer, Mike Heatlie, since 1997. Even though Heatlie isn’t a big advocate of cardio training, he gets his clients to focus on interval training, resistance exercises and a good diet instead.
Watch this video of Gwen rocking her rock-hard abs in Milwaukee.
Tags: Gwen Stefani, Milwaukee
taken from: Post Chronicle
No Doubt take their personal trainers on tour.
The ‘Don’t Speak’ rockers – who have recently reunited following a four-year hiatus – admit they are no longer able to cope with the rigours of being on the road unless they are fully fit.
Bassist Tony Kanal said: “We travel with two personal trainers. We’re getting older and we can’t party like we used to.”
The group have to rely on professional fitness experts because they attract too much attention if they go to a gym.
Singer Gwen Stefani said: “I have to wear make-up to the gym because I get some dude doing sit-ups next to me and surreptitiously taking pictures.”
Gwen – who has two sons Kingston, three, and 10-month-old Zuma, with husband Gavin Rossdale – also revealed the group are touring without any new material because she was too busy eating to write any songs.
She added to the Chicago Sun-Times newspaper: “Honestly, it’s procrastination. My plan was to get pregnant and write a record, but instead of writing, I just ate all the time.
“Writing is always really hard for me – I hate it and hate it, and then I do it and I’m happy it’s done. I was blocked and I needed to get inspired, and I thought playing live would get the creative juices flowing again.”
Tags: Gwen Stefani, No Doubt, Tom Dumont, Tony Kanal
On the fabulous life aquatic of peers Beyonce and Gwen Stefani:
“They’re the ones who I like to say are on the perfect cruise. Those people who always get it right. I’ve had a few more scandals.”
Tags: Fergie, Gwen Stefani
I thought we had these up already!! I added them real quick. Remember to right click and save target as!
Luxurious Dirty Diana:
http://eit-downloads.com/audio/gwen/remixes/Luxurious Dirty Diana (Michael Jacks.mp3
Hollaback Thriller Girl:
http://eit-downloads.com/audio/gwen/remixes/Gwen Stefani MJ – Hollaback Thriller Girl.mp3
Other Gwen remixes can be found here.
Tags: Audio, Gwen Stefani, Michael Jackson
taken from: Faded Youth
The title is pretty stupid, but some people gotta be mean – it makes them feel better about themselves.
Gwen Stefani Disappoints her fans.
Gwen Stefani was seen arriving back at her New York City hotel in the early dawn hours last night (June 26) after performing in concert in New Jersey with No Doubt.
The 39-year-old lead singer was rushed into her hotel telling her awaiting fans that she would return shortly. However, shortly after, a tour manager was sent down to apologize for not being able to stop and sign autographs and not returning.Meanwhile, Gwen is dismissing rumours No Doubt’s reunion has been marred by tension between bandmates, insisting they’ve overcome that “air bubble.”
Reports suggested Gwen struggled to fit back into the band, but she insists any tension has disappeared since a “heated conversation” with bassist and ex-boyfriend Tony Kanal over the band’s cover of Adam and the Ants‘ Stand and Deliver.
She tells Elle magazine, “Everybody’s making it like there’s all this tension, you know, like I stepped away from the band and now they’re jealous of me, and look, maybe there is a little bit of that… but some fights aren’t really what they seem. I think it was a little about the song, and a little about our coming back together. There was this air bubble that needed to pop, you know?”
Tags: Candids, Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont
taken from: Elle
Click on the photo below to be redirected:
http://www.elle.com/Beauty/Hair/Gwen-Stefani-s-Hair-Transformation
Tags: Elle, Gwen Stefani, Hair, Poll
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