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 No Doubt, circa 2002. |
No Doubt about it -- Gwen Stefani and her old bandmates are ready to rock steady again.
California ska-punk combo No Doubt are reuniting this spring for their first tour in five years, and making half a dozen stops north of the border. But unlike most bands, they may not have a new album to promote.
"The whole reason for going on this tour was to have fun, try on all our favourite songs again and to get inspired to make new music," Stefani writes on the band's website. "It feels good to be all together again."
The foursome -- who are reportedly still working on the long-awaited followup to 2001's Rock Steady -- kick off their 2009 Summer Tour in New Jersey on May 3. Canadian stops include Toronto (June 16, Air Canada Centre), Montreal (June 17, Centre Bell), Winnipeg (July 13, MTS Centre), Calgary (July 15, Pengrowth Saddledome), Edmonton (July 16, Rexall Place) and Vancouver (July 18, GM Place).
Paramore will open the tour, though The Sounds, Janelle Monae and Bedouin Soundclash will also play some dates.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, March 7, but members of No Doubt's Tour Club can get in on 72-hour pre-sales that begin tomorrow at 4 p.m.
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Since the group's last studio album, Stefani has released two solo discs -- 2004's hit Love.Angel.Music.Baby, and the less-acclaimed 2006 follow-up The Sweet Escape -- and toured as a solo artist. No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal collaborated on her solo work, while guitarist Tom Dumont formed the band Invincible Overload and drummer Adrian Young played with several artists, including Scott Weiland.
During her time away from No Doubt, Stefani also started clothing and fragrance lines, married former Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale and gave birth to two sons: Kingston, born in May 2006, and Zuma, born last August.