In December 1986 John Spence and Eric Stefani form the Orange County-based ska group No Doubt, named after Johns favorite expression. Eric forces Gwen to sing the back-up vocals. No Doubt play their first "official" gig at Fender's Ballroom in Long Beach, California in March 1987. Shortly after, the high school senior Tony Kanal tries out and the band accepted him even though this is his first band. Gwen kisses Tony at an Orange County party. They hide their relationship from the band. Tony becomes the band manager, later becoming the bass player.
On December 21, 1987 John Spence tragically shoots himself in an Anaheim park. A few days later the band plays big industry gig at the Roxy in Hollywood. Devastated over John's suicide, they call it quits, but days later they decide to reform knowing that's what John would want.
Still forming the band, Tom Dumont peers his head in the window while No Doubt rehearsed one day and joined the band in Spring of 1988.
A growing group of No Doubt fans formed as they opened numerous shows for The Untouchables and Fishbone, as well as their own all-ages shows. Adrain Young, being a huge No Doubt fan, tried out for the band telling them he had years of experience as a drummer. Later admitting he only had one. In the summer of 1989, No Doubt plays their first out-of-state show in Arizona in front of about a hundred people. Through 1990, No Doubt had evolved into a solid five-piece unit, losing some of their followers as their sound progressed with each member of the band's style. With opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ziggy Marley theis fan base got larger from a couple hundred to a few thousand.
August 1991, No Doubt signs a recording contract with Interscope Records, still continuing to work their day jobs in O.C. Gwen and Tony were sales people at the same department store, Adrian waited tables at a steak house, and Tom ran a small music equipment rental business.
