This post came to me last night whilst I was out with some friends at Fidel's for karioke. One of the many drunken stooges did "Just A Girl" by No Doubt and whilst sipping on my grey goose and tonic I was relaying the story that there were few bands in the 90's which sparked my interest!
The 90's seemed to be dominated by males - they all seemed to be part of that chaotic, teen angst syndrome which at some point in the late 90's wore me thin - I just got tired of that whole grunge scene which ruled rock radio.
Ta Ta to 90's grunge?
But then a breath of fresh air came in the likes of a cute, sexy fashionista female from Orange County - "Just A Girl" launched a new anthem for post punk feminism. Amidst all that male dominated alternative radio, No Doubt emerged and provided a song that was - yes - part post punk and ska but was also a new fashion identity to the personal stylings of Gwen Stefani!
Gwen - also of note is that Gwen is married to Gavin Rossdale from Bush (see link here) and whom I think is one of the sexiest men in rock (see link here)!
I was glad to see the behind of grunge fashion...... with guys who seemed to look like they just rolled out of bed and put on last week's boxers with a pair of jeans that seemed two inches bigger than their waist size!
Gwen and No Doubt were really a breath of fresh air in the 90's for me - maybe it was their laid back alternative sound that reminded me of the 80's new wave sound to the likes of Blondie? or maybe it was the cool stylings of Gwen which reminded me of Madonna?....or maybe it was their fun lyrics, and the energy they put on stage to the likes of "The B-52's"?....whatever it was it brought back the great feel of music that is reminiscent of a time which was fun and fun-loving!
Anyways peeps - TTYL!
Ha ha ha, Stephen--I literally never heard this song before I saw Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion. I didn't even know about this songs' importance in the zeitgeist, but everytime I've heard it lately, I've always kept it on the car radio!
ReplyDeleteQuestion for you: have you ever read Scar Tissue by Anthony of The Red Hot Chili Peppers? At one point,he talks about rehearsing with the band in some garage somewhere, thinking they were'nt being noticed, and Gwen (who lived across the way)had warm, friendly words of encouragement for all of them--pretty good reading!
I always enjoyed listening to grunge much more than looking at it. I still love listening to Stone Temple Pilots as much as I can.
ReplyDeleteHello Rob - the song has a place in the 90's - it was a turning point when all that grunge just became monotonous and boring and you couldn't tell if you were listening to Stone Temple Pilots or Seven Mary Three!
ReplyDeleteI know the memoir of Anthony Kedis - my good friend has it - he said there was to much talk about Anthony's sexual exploits - something I really am not interested in - but that does sound like Gwen - totally positive!
LarryO - STP is a band I still listen too - well at least their old stuff. I find their new stuff a bit flat!