This is Flashback, the place we’re reminiscing about a number of the most iconic and obscure moments in alt-rock historical past. This week, we’re when No Doubt lined Bad Brains on MTV Beach House in 1996.
During the early to mid-’90s, it felt as if the music business had no different route to look however towards grunge. The once-underground artwork type had elbowed its approach into the mainstream with fierce willpower, and succeeded with such drive that there was little room for a lot else. However, in that exact same period, behind an Anaheim Dairy Queen, 9 children discovered one another by way of a love for ska music — the Specials, Madness, Bad Brains — and fashioned a bunch.
Their dedication from the begin to emulating and venerating Bad Brains’ lead singer H.R. was so true that they named themselves after his trademark phrase, “No Doubt,” and wrote a tribute observe to the legendary frontman, recognized for his musical prowess as a lot as unruly stage antics. The band, which might shift in lineup over time, ultimately settled on Gwen Stefani as frontwoman, a configuration that will cause them to a brand new degree of success with their third album, Tragic Kingdom, which featured iconic hits “Just a Girl” and “Don’t Speak.” Though they gained awards for this album in “rock” and “pop” classes, their ska roots had been very a lot the muse of all they produced, and amid mentioned grunge pandemonium, No Doubt had been an influential energy in ska’s third wave — and arguably the twenty first century post-third wave, with their fifth album, Rock Steady, recorded in Jamaica, in addition to the latest resurgence of their hit tracks on TikTok.
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While not all different bands had been incorporating the ska aspect of Bad Brains in such an on-the-nose method as No Doubt, the record of legends who’ve cited H.R. and the band as inspiration goes on advert infinitum. From Foo Fighters and Pharrell to Rage Against the Machine and Green Day, the insightful mix of heavy steel, hip-hop, and soul has confirmed to be an unparalleled champion in music historical past. Whether it’s in the beating stage presence or a surprisingly jazzy nü-metal rhythm, if one listens or seems intently, the Bad Brains stamp will begin to present. And generally, it’s not so onerous to seek out. Many of those bands have achieved covers, and some collaborations, with the beloved D.C. band over time — from Henry Rollins to Ice Cube to Lamb of God.
However, there may be one cover efficiency that stands out in our reminiscence, and it goes again to Stefani. As the Anaheim group crossed over from enjoying in Stefani’s storage to profitable Grammys, all of the whereas fielding the fast distaste the mainstream viewers had for his or her distinctive ska-pop-punk sound, they made a pit cease at MTV’s seaside home to carry out a cover of Bad Brains’ traditional “Sailin’ On” from the M.O.M. compilation album. Though you’d be hard-pressed to discover a mosh pit like this one at a Gwen Stefani live performance as of late, in bondage pants and a white tank prime, leaning into Tony Kamal, in a crispy white tracksuit — this is how we like to recollect her.
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