Just when we thought Gwen Stefani had run away with the Harajuku Girls forever, Interscope has finally (what took you so long?) offered up a DVD version of No Doubt’s concert film Live in the Tragic Kingdom, reminding us that no matter how high L.A.M.B. was on our guilty pleasure lists, we want our home girl back in the band! Originally released on tape back in 1997 and shot before an adoring home town crowd (even if we don’t see them often, the screams and sing alongs are definitely audible) in Anaheim, CA, this freaky fun concert is worth the digital upgrade so toss out those old VHS’s!
No Doubt may have a whole collection full of glossy VH-1 Countdown videos in their catalogue and “yes” Gwen has her own clothing line, but there was a day when the band members were all scrappy little ska punks working hard for the money. This concert film captures the band at the brink. The hits were beginning to roll in (great versions of “Just A Girl” and “Don’t Speak” are showstoppers), but the future pop stars were still having fun with each other and their fans. The big time was shiny and new and they were all probably pinching themselves before they sauntered out onto the stages of arenas across the country. That giddy sort of ecstasy is well-captured by director Sophie Muller even if there are a few too many adoring close-ups of Stefani. Wisely, though the camera does back up enough to fully capture the encore, a goofy free-for-all cover of The Beatles “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”.
The true test of a DVD though is in the extras and the ones included here are priceless. There’s the usual photo gallery and an alternate edit of the “Don’t Speak” video, but you can browse those on a second viewing. Go directly to the Home Movies feature! No Doubt, as a band, started out and came of age during the days of the handy dandy camcorder – and they used it well. Everything a fan would like to see is here and more including early footage of the skasters working it in small dirty clubs, the band giving each other goofy Christmas gifts, recording in the studio. The personal videos follow No Doubt from 1992-1997 and it offers intriguing sneak peek at band on the rise. Gwen’s lipstick gets a little redder along the way, the instruments become more expensive, but the band never seems to lose their passion for their music whether they’re getting ready to play to a handful or hundreds. |