“This is a short Bio I’ve been working on. I think this sums it up nicely and without errors such as on wikipedia.
I was born Jan 11, 1968 in Los Angeles, California and mostly grew up in the city of Irvine, about 40 miles just south of L.A. in Orange County. I remember having an early fondness for music, my first musical memories coming from my Disney 45’s and my Dad playing classical and pop standards on the piano at home.

Around age eight I got my first hi-fi system and quickly became an avid rock aficionado, listening endlessly to my Kiss, Rush, Pink Floyd, UFO, Black Sabbath, and Barry Manilow records. Around age twelve my Dad hooked up some private guitar lessons at the local music store, and I quickly started learning songs of the Beatles, James Taylor and Neil Young on the acoustic guitar. An electric guitar ( a black Les Paul copy) followed as a Christmas gift, and from then on I spent hours locked in my bedroom jamming along to my growing record collection. My older sister Gina was already a skilled rock guitarist, and she taught me scales and chords which helped me advance quickly.

I started a band called “Northeast” in 7th grade (age 13 I think) with a couple of friends and we ambitiously covered songs by Rush, Judas Priest, and Scorpions. After that around age 15 I joined my older sister’s original Heavy Metal band “Rising”, forming a rather unique brother and sister dual lead guitar team.
I was a distracted student in High School- preferring music, fiction, boogie-boarding and D&D over my homework. After High School I studied music theory and composition at Orange Coast College and at Cal State University Fullerton for 4+ years.

During my college years my musical tastes began to broaden to new wave and reggae music, and in 1988 I answered a flyer to play guitar for local OC band called “No Doubt”. I helped to add a rock edge to No Doubt’s ska sound, and after a number of excellent years playing club shows all around California, the band signed with Interscope Records in 1991. We released our “self-titled” debut CD in 1992, and toured clubs in the United States in vans that summer. After which founding member and primary songwriter Eric Stefani began the process of splitting from the band. This left more of the songwriting efforts to myself, bassist Tony Kanal and singer Gwen Stefani, and in the following years we all co-wrote, recorded and finally released our 1995 commercial breakthrough album entitled “Tragic Kingdom”. The album gave birth to a number of international hit singles and went on to sell over 15 million copies worldwide. We toured the North America, Europe and Asia repeatedly for a whirlwind two years before taking a break in late 1997 to write and record the follow up.

“Return of Saturn” was released in 2000 followed by more world touring. The next album was “Rock Steady”, released in 2001, and produced more hit songs, two Grammy awards and more world touring. In 2003 we performed alongside Sting at the 2003 Superbowl halftime show and released a greatest hits CD entitled “The Singles Collection”. About that time we began a well deserved multi-year break from No Doubt’s primary activities of recording and touring.

During the break, I produced two albums by singer-songwriter Matt Costa and also toured the United States in 2005 as his bass player, enjoying the opening slot on Jack Johnson’s sold-out summer amphitheater tour. I also worked with Ted Matson to score a feature documentary film; “The Providence Effect” released in 2009 . When not doing music I also spent my free time traveling and surfing, hanging in Australia, Indonesia, Mexico and New England with my girlfriend Mieke. We were married in 2004 and started a family right away becoming parents to two incredible boys; Ace born in 2006 and Rio born in 2008.

In 2009 No Doubt returned from hiatus for our biggest concert tour ever in the United States. Presently in 2010, Tony, Gwen, Adrian and I are working together to write and record songs for a forthcoming No Doubt album.

There’s been alot of baby news lately, Tony posted on the band twitter yesterday:

“Congratulations to our longtime friend and musical collaborator Gabrial Mcnair and his wife Lene on the birth of their new baby girl!!”  -Tony

Also when looking at some recent candids of Gwen, it appears that she’s pregnant with her third child, how exciting! Stay tuned.

Check out what’s left for sale, be quick before it’s all gone for good  :(

Writing in the rain - Tony
January 21, 2010

Tony and Gwen are rocking the synth. Our little studio is warm and candlelit, above the glowing city - Tom
January 27, 2010

We’re back at the writing studio this afternoon. Its sunny and clear, we can see all the way to the ocean! Hoping to catch one today - Tom
Writing songs in hollywood please send me vibes - Gwen
Stop procrastinating, write a song now - Gwen
January 28th, 2010

West Bloomfield’s own Samantha Bankle Schefman recently made history in the world of costume jewelry, becoming the youngest designer at the legendary Miriam Haskell company. Her first assignment? Creating singer Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers line, set to hit Macy’s in March.

Now corporate-owned, Miriam Haskell has ventured into creating jewelry for celebrities, designers and department stores including Betsey Johnson, J. Lo, Calvin Klein, Vera Wang and Old Navy. The company recently signed an exclusive license agreement with Gwen Stefani, who already has successful clothing, handbag and fragrance lines.

MUSIC INSPIRED
Schefman said she grew up listening to Stefani’s band No Doubt, and now analyzes the singer’s solo work.
“I study it for the line I’m working on,” Schefman said. “It’s definitely a reference and everything she sings about is translating into our designs. I’ve taken myself away from being a fan and more of working for her.”

The jewelry, like Stefani’s other fashion ventures, is inspired by the Tokyo street culture embodied by her Harajuku Girls back-up dancers.
“The line has ended up being pieces for the fans that are kind of based around the girls and Gwen,” she said. “A lot of it’s based on what’s trendy and what’s selling, but we’re experimenting with all different materials. The first set is very rock chic.”
“They’ll be very different looks. They’ll be cohesive but they’ll definitely transition for the seasons and our own inspirations,” Schefman said.

According to Schefman, Stefani caused a stir when she visited the Miriam Haskell offices in Manhattan to plan her line. “People wanted to meet her and be there because she’s gorgeous and perfectly put together, so we weren’t even allowed in the meeting,” Schefman said. “I haven’t met her yet, but I have a whole lot of respect for Gwen. She’s definitely driven and talented.”

ARTISTIC FAMILY
Schefman said she was excited to be assigned to the Harajuku Lovers collection and coincidentally, it wasn’t her first brush with Stefani. While at CCS, she interned at Stefani and Company in Keego Harbor, owned by Cary and Jesse Stefani, who are relatives of Gwen and designed the wedding ring for her marriage to musician Gavin Rossdale.

Nightime writing session with Gwen & Tony. This song is feeling really good… Wish i could tell u more. Patience! -Tom
sunsets, skyscrapers, silhouets and new songs. -Tom http://twitpic.com/pxl9k
Writing: writing? writing! sometimes such a challenge, sometimes too easy! -Tom
sometimes i listen to prince and i think - it is not possible ?? how can he be this good??? i worship him - gwen x
songwriting can be fun!! what a great day with tony and tom - writing new no doubt! one day down - back at it tomorrow gwen x
Sunset at the secret spot! http://twitpic.com/o6wj2
Our secret songwriting pad has the most amazing views of LA and Hollywood, all the way to the ocean. Plus a pink drumset! -Tom

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And in other exciting news, No Doubt’s management asked for a copy of one of my photos, which has now been added to No Doubt.com! Check it out here.

Here’s one of my favourite photos that I took:

I will also be uploading my other fan photos to the gallery at a later stage  :)