Live in the Tragic Kingdom

Last updated
Live in the Tragic Kingdom
No Doubt - Live in the Tragic Kingdom (VHS).png
Video by
ReleasedNovember 11, 1997 (1997-11-11)
RecordedMay 31 – June 1, 1997
Venue The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim
(Anaheim, California)
Genre
Length92 minutes
Label Interscope
Director Sophie Muller
Producer No Doubt
No Doubt chronology
Live in the Tragic Kingdom
(1997)
Rock Steady Live
(2003)

Live in the Tragic Kingdom is a video album by American rock band No Doubt. It was released on VHS on November 11, 1997, by Interscope Records, and consists of a filmed concert at The Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim in Anaheim, California, on May 31, and June 1, 1997, as part of the Tragic Kingdom World Tour. [1] It was later released on DVD on November 25, 2003, as part of No Doubt's box set album Boom Box , and as a stand-alone DVD on June 13, 2006. A LaserDisc version was also released in Hong Kong. [2]

Contents

Background

No Doubt released their eponymous debut studio album in 1992, one year after being signed to Interscope Records. The album was commercially unsuccessful, selling 30,000 copies. [3] [4] Interscope did not trust that the band would fund a second album, and paired them with producer Matthew Wilder. Keyboardist Eric Stefani was distressed by the band's lack of success, and the fact that he had to give up creative control to someone outside the band; he soon left the band in late 1994 to pursue an animation career on the animated sitcom The Simpsons . [5] No Doubt released and recorded their second studio album, The Beacon Street Collection , independently. [4] Despite its limited availability, it sold over 100,000 copies within a year of its release, [4] and convinced Interscope that they would fund a successful third album. [6]

No Doubt's third studio album, Tragic Kingdom , was released on October 10, 1995, and spawned seven singles, including "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs", "Excuse Me Mr.", "Sunday Morning", and "Don't Speak", the latter of which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay for 16 weeks, a record at the time [7] which was later broken by the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris". The album sold 16 million copies worldwide. [8] Because of the success of Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt decided to embark on a tour in support of the album.

Tour

No Doubt embarked on the Tragic Kingdom World Tour, beginning in 1997, two years after the release of Tragic Kingdom. They expected to tour for two months, but the tour ended up lasting two and a half years. [8]

The band chose Project X, headed by Luc Lafortune and Michael Keeling, to design the stage for the series of concerts. The band suggested decorating the stage like a clearing in a forest. Project X created three anthropomorphic trees with glowing oranges, as a reference to the music video of "Don't Speak". The show included clear and mylar confetti designed to look like rain. Lighting design was difficult because there were only four rehearsals, so the show was arranged to be flexible to allow for what Lafortune referred to as "a very kinetic performance." [9]

Bonus material

Several "extras" and easter eggs were included on the 2006 DVD release of Live in the Tragic Kingdom, including a three-song video clip of a concert in The Hague, the Netherlands, during the Tragic Kingdom World Tour, an alternative version of "Don't Speak", a photo gallery, and trailers for No Doubt's two previous DVD releases, The Videos 1992–2003 and Rock Steady Live .

Critical reception

Because Live in the Tragic Kingdom was not one of No Doubt's studio albums, it lacked much attention from critics. However, Tracie Cooper of AllMovie enjoyed the mix of songs between fan favorites, lesser-known songs, and covers. [1] A Rotten Tomatoes review noted lead singer Gwen Stefani's "danc[ing], bounc[ing], and sing[ing] ... to the infectious pop-punk-ska of her bandmates" and said "it's impossible not to feel like dancing (or smiling, at least)." [10]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Tragic Kingdom" 
2."Excuse Me Mr." 
3."Different People" 
4."Happy Now?" 
5."D.J.'s" (Sublime cover) 
6."End It on This" 
7."Just a Girl" 
8."The Climb" 
9."Total Hate" 
10."Hey You" 
11."The Imperial March" (from The Empire Strikes Back ) 
12."Move On / Ghost Town" (The Specials cover) 
13."Don't Speak" 
14."Sunday Morning" 
15."Spiderwebs" 
16."Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" (The Beatles cover) 

Personnel

Charts

Chart (1997)Peak
position
US Top Music Videos ( Billboard ) [11] 5

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Doubt</span> American rock band

No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California, formed in 1986. For most of their career, the band has consisted of vocalist Gwen Stefani, guitarist Tom Dumont, bassist Tony Kanal, and drummer Adrian Young. Since the mid-1990s, they were supported by trombonist and keyboardist Gabrial McNair and trumpeter and keyboardist Stephen Bradley in live performances.

<i>Tragic Kingdom</i> 1995 studio album by No Doubt

Tragic Kingdom is the third studio album by American rock band No Doubt, released on October 10, 1995, by Trauma Records and Interscope Records. It was the final album to feature original keyboardist Eric Stefani, who left the band in 1994. The album was produced by Matthew Wilder and recorded in 11 studios in the Greater Los Angeles area between March 1993 and October 1995. Between 1995 and 1998, seven singles were released from it, including "Just a Girl", which charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart; and "Don't Speak", which topped the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay and reached the top five of many international charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Speak</span> 1996 single by No Doubt

"Don't Speak" is a song by American rock band No Doubt from their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). It was released as the third single from Tragic Kingdom in the United States on April 15, 1996, by Interscope Records. Lead singer Gwen Stefani and her brother Eric Stefani, former No Doubt member, wrote the song originally as a love song. The song went through several rewrites and new versions. Gwen modified it into a breakup song about her bandmate and ex-boyfriend Tony Kanal, shortly after he ended their seven-year relationship.

<i>The Beacon Street Collection</i> 1995 studio album by No Doubt

The Beacon Street Collection is the second studio album by American rock band No Doubt. It was released on March 25, 1995, by Beacon Street Records. Produced by the band and recorded in a homemade studio in the garage of their house on Beacon Avenue in Anaheim, California, from which the album takes its name, The Beacon Street Collection was released during a period when the band was receiving little attention from their label Interscope Records, and were not getting a chance to record a second album, as the label was disillusioned with them after the commercial failure of their 1992 eponymous debut. No Doubt had written large numbers of songs and knew that they would not make it onto any Interscope album, so they built their own studio and recorded the album there. Two singles were released: "Squeal" and "Doghouse".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Kanal</span> British-American musician

Tony Ashwin Kanal is a British-American musician, songwriter, record producer and animal rights activist. Kanal is the bassist and co-writer for the American rock bands No Doubt and Dreamcar. His musical work outside of the band includes producing and songwriting for artists such as Pink, Weezer, Elan Atias and No Doubt bandmate Gwen Stefani.

<i>Return of Saturn</i> 2000 studio album by No Doubt

Return of Saturn is the fourth studio album by American rock band No Doubt, released on April 11, 2000, by Trauma Records and Interscope Records. It marked the band's first album as a quartet, following the departure of original keyboardist Eric Stefani in 1994. After touring for two and a half years to promote their breakthrough third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995), No Doubt wrote several dozen songs for its follow-up and eventually settled on working with producer Glen Ballard. Creating the album became a tumultuous process lasting two years, during which there was dissension among band members and between the band and its label. The album was completed after the band returned to the studio and recorded what became two of its singles.

<i>No Doubt</i> (No Doubt album) 1992 studio album by No Doubt

No Doubt is the debut studio album by American rock band No Doubt, released on March 17, 1992, by Interscope Records. It was originally recorded as an independent release, but was re-recorded after the band signed with Interscope. It was produced by Dito Godwin and recorded in Los Angeles.

<i>Boom Box</i> (No Doubt album) 2003 box set by No Doubt

Boom Box is a limited-edition box set album by the American rock band No Doubt, released on November 25, 2003 through Interscope Records. It compiled The Singles 1992–2003, The Videos 1992–2003, Everything in Time, and Live in the Tragic Kingdom. The Singles 1992–2003 was also released on a separate CD on the same date. Everything in Time was released as a separate CD later on October 12, 2004. The Videos 1992–2003 was released as a separate DVD on May 4, 2004. At the time of Boom Box's release, Live in the Tragic Kingdom had already been released on VHS and it was re-released on DVD on June 13, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiderwebs (song)</span> 1995 single by No Doubt

"Spiderwebs" is a song by American band No Doubt for their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). It was written by Gwen Stefani and Tony Kanal, produced by Matthew Wilder, and released as the album's second single on November 19, 1995. "Spiderwebs" appears on their 2003 greatest hits album, The Singles 1992–2003. Stefani was inspired to write the song after an admirer recited bad poetry to her. "Spiderwebs" is a ska punk song with angsty lyrics responding to Stefani's potential suitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Just a Girl</span> 1995 single by No Doubt

"Just a Girl" is a song by American band No Doubt from their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). Released as the record's lead single in the United States on September 21, 1995, it was written by Gwen Stefani and Tom Dumont, and produced by Matthew Wilder. It has also made an appearance on their 2003 greatest hits album, The Singles 1992–2003. Lyrically, "Just a Girl" is about Stefani's perspective of life as a woman and her struggles with having strict parents. "Just a Girl" was the first song Stefani wrote without the assistance of her brother Eric.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabrial McNair</span> American musician

Gabrial McNair is a musician and composer, most famous for his work in No Doubt since 1993 as a trombonist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist. He recorded and toured with Green Day during the Nimrod and Warning tours, playing trombone and tenor saxophone. In 2003, he was one of the co-founders the California-based rock band Oslo where he plays the guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunday Morning (No Doubt song)</span> 1997 single by No Doubt

"Sunday Morning" is a song by American band No Doubt for their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). It was written by Gwen Stefani, Eric Stefani, and Tony Kanal, produced by Matthew Wilder, and released as the record's fifth single on May 27, 1997. The song has also been included on their 2003 greatest hits album, The Singles 1992–2003. Its lyrics describe a romantic relationship that ended in a breakup and was inspired by a discussion that Gwen Stefani had with Kanal. The song has been described as a ska and ska punk recording with elements of reggae and Motown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harajuku Lovers Tour</span> 2005 concert tour by Gwen Stefani

The Harajuku Lovers Tour was the first solo concert tour of American recording artist Gwen Stefani. The tour began through October to December 2005, to support of her debut studio album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (2004). Although Stefani embarked on multiple tours with her band No Doubt, she initially opted not to participate in a tour to promote her album, an attitude that the singer eventually abandoned due to the commercial success of Love. Angel. Music. Baby.

<i>Rock Steady Live</i> 2003 video by No Doubt

Rock Steady Live is a video album by American ska punk band No Doubt, released on DVD on November 25, 2003 under the Interscope records label. The DVD was directed by Sophie Muller. It is a recording of two of No Doubt's concerts during their Rock Steady Tour in 2002 to promote their fifth studio album, Rock Steady, which was released in December 2001. The material was recorded in November 2002 in Long Beach Arena, California. The concert features performances of seventeen songs from the band's previous three albums: Tragic Kingdom, Return of Saturn and Rock Steady; extras include performances of four extra songs, interviews with the band members, and backstage footage of the tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Excuse Me Mr.</span> 1996 single by No Doubt

"Excuse Me Mr." is a song by American band No Doubt for their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). The song was written by Gwen Stefani and Tom Dumont, while produced by Matthew Wilder. It was released as the fourth single from the album on August 21, 1996. The song has also been included on the band's 2003 greatest hits album, The Singles 1992–2003. Musically, the former is a rock-influenced ska track with lyrics describing a woman trying to get the attention of a man. A country version of the song was also created but never released. The single received positive reviews from music critics who labelled it a successful breakup song and as one of the best tracks on Tragic Kingdom.

<i>Harajuku Lovers Live</i> 2006 video by Gwen Stefani

Harajuku Lovers Live is the first live long-form video by American recording artist Gwen Stefani. It was released on DVD on December 4, 2006, by Interscope Records. The DVD was directed by Sophie Muller and produced by Oil Factory Productions. It is a recording of one of Stefani's concerts during her Harajuku Lovers Tour 2005 in late 2005 to promote her first album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby., released in November 2004. The performance was recorded in November 2005, in Anaheim, California. The concert features performances of all twelve songs from Love. Angel. Music. Baby. and two new songs from her second studio album, The Sweet Escape, as well as interviews with the musicians and dancers and a documentary of tour preparation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey You!</span> 1998 single by No Doubt

"Hey You!" is a song recorded by American rock band No Doubt. It was released as the seventh and final single from their third studio album Tragic Kingdom (1995). The single was released as a CD single in the Netherlands on February 23, 1998. It is the final single to feature content from original keyboardist Eric Stefani, who left the group in 1995 due to creative issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Happy Now? (No Doubt song)</span> 1997 single by No Doubt

"Happy Now?" is a song by American band No Doubt for their third studio album, Tragic Kingdom (1995). It was written by Gwen Stefani, Tom Dumont, and Tony Kanal, produced by Matthew Wilder, and released as the record's sixth single overall on September 23, 1997. The commercial CD singles were distributed exclusively in Australia and Europe. However, the song was still released to radio stations in the United States. Musically, "Happy Now?" is a ska and rock song with and lyrics detailing a painful breakup, specifically the former relationship between Stefani and Kanal. Despite not receiving a formal release in the United States nor filming a proper music video, "Happy Now?" received heavy rotation on Californian radio stations, such as KROQ.

<i>Push and Shove</i> (album) 2012 studio album by No Doubt

Push and Shove is the sixth studio album by American rock band No Doubt. It was released on September 21, 2012, by Interscope Records. The album serves as a comeback album for the band, as their last album, Rock Steady, was released 11 years prior. A deluxe edition of Push and Shove features acoustic versions and remixes of several tracks, as well as "Stand and Deliver", a song No Doubt had covered in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Push and Shove (song)</span> 2012 song by No Doubt

"Push and Shove" is a song by American rock band No Doubt, released as a promotional single from their sixth studio album of the same name. The song was written by Gwen Stefani, Tony Kanal, Tom Dumont, Reanno Gordon, Thomas Pentz, David Taylor, Ariel Rechtshaid and was produced by Major Lazer and Spike Stent. It features additional production from Major Lazer as well as vocals from Jamaican dancehall artist Busy Signal. The song blends ska, dub, reggae and dubstep.

References

  1. 1 2 Cooper, Tracie. "No Doubt: Live in the Tragic Kingdom (1997)". AllMovie . Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  2. Live in the Tragic Kingdom (Hong Kong LaserDisc). No Doubt. Interscope Records. 1997. INTLD-90165.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. Vineyard, Jennifer (February 26, 1998). "Tunes and 'Toons". OC Weekly . Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Timeline". NoDoubt.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  5. "No Doubt". Behind the Music. April 9, 2000. VH1. Archived from the original on September 25, 2008. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  6. Hermanson, Wendy (November 17, 1995). "Just a Girl". BAM . San Francisco. ISSN   0194-5793. OCLC   4855429. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved October 21, 2008.
  7. "No Doubt". Rock on the Net. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
  8. 1 2 Van Meter, Jonathan (April 2004). "The First Lady of Rock". Vogue . Vol. 194, no. 4. New York. ISSN   0042-8000. OCLC   1769261.
  9. McHugh, Catherine (August–September 1997). "Keys to the Kingdom". Theatre Crafts International. Vol. 31, no. 7. New York. ISSN   1063-9497. OCLC   26180112.
  10. "No Doubt – Live In The Tragic Kingdom (1997)". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved November 6, 2008.
  11. "Search results: No Doubt – Music Video Sales". Billboard . Retrieved July 28, 2018.