Today’s installment of our No Doubt 25th anniversary retrospective looks back at The Beacon Street Collection era. After the disappointment of the lack of commercial success of the self-titled album,and lack of support from Interscope,No Doubt returned to playing their hugely popular local live shows-and to writing,rehearsing and recording songs in the bandhouse on Beacon Avenue in Anaheim. These sessions resulted in the independent release of the band’s second album,The Beacon Street Collection,and,later,Tragic Kingdom. (The band also released two vinyl singles in 1994,”Squeal” and ”Doghouse”,which today are considered ultimate collectors’ items.)
Released in March of 1995,and only available at Orange County record stores and at No Doubt shows, The Beacon Street Collection soon sold a thousand copies,leading to Interscope’s renewed interest in the band,which was joined by multi-talented musicians Gabrial McNair in 1993 and Stephen Bradley in 1995 following a procession of horn players. It was during this time events that would forever change the outlook of the band took place: in 1994,Eric Stefani,frustrated with touring and the outside influence of producers the record company hired to work with the band,left the group,leaving the bulk of the songwriting to the rest of the band,particularly Gwen. It was also during this period that Gwen and Tony’s seven year relationship came to an end,causing Gwen to channel her heartache into finding her voice as a songwriter. Laying the groundwork for the Tragic Kingdom album,No Doubt played the main stage on the first Warped Tour in the summer of 1995. What are favorite songs and performances from The Beacon Street Collection era?