No Doubt Kicks off First Night at the Gibson Amphitheater

Vocalist Gwen Stefani performing, photo by Stephanie Mendez

After three years of being dormant in the concert circuit, No Doubt performed at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City on Saturday night.

The show was the first performance of a seven-night series taking place at the venue. Indie bands Grouplove and Nico Vega were the opening bands.

Monica Chen, a 27-year-old resident of Monterey Park, said she enjoyed the set.

“Their live performance sounds just as good live as their CDs,” she said.

Frisky Kaunang, a 30-year-old resident of Loma Linda, had many expectations.

“No Doubt was beyond amazing,” he said, “It's so surreal to see them so close. I was hoping they'd play ‘Easy,’ but overall I was satisfied.”

Bassist Tony Kanal performing "Hella Good," photo by Stephanie Mendez

Punk Band Doing it for the Kids and Music



H.I.B's Irvin Barbosa shopping for records, photo by Stephanie Mendez

Despite the competition in the Orange County punk scene, band H.I.B are determined to provide budget-friendly gigs and stentorian music.

H.I.B’s vocalist, 22-year-old Irvin Barbosa, is motivated by the kids in the scene.

“We’re out there trying to set up shows, make ‘em free,” he said, “we do as much as we can.”

H.I.B began as a family affair.

“My cousin Angel would always play acoustic guitar and I’d sing along to whatever he played,” he said, “I told him one day, ‘let’s just start a band.’”

Jasmine Rubio, a 19-year-old fan from Santa Ana, said she was impressed the first time she saw the band.

“Irvin was really funny and he made a lot of jokes. The crowd looked like they were really having fun,” she said.

H.I.B’s next show is Dec. 8 at 1235 Warner, Santa Ana. Supporting bands include CharliexSheen and ExD.

No Doubt Removes New Music Video Deemed Offensive

Pop band No Doubt pulled the new music video for their second single "Looking Hot" after debuting it yesterday afternoon.

The move comes from a controversy about the video's use of Native American imagery. E! Online reports that the "cowboys and Indians" theme caused an uproar from people offended by the concept.

Thomas Dorame, a 22-year-old music major at Goldenwest College, said he is a member of the Tongva tribe and did not find the video offensive.

"People like to sensationalize things," he said, "good art is controversial. I'm not offended by it. With art, anything's up for grabs."

Fred Lopez, a 20-year-old music major at Santa Ana College, said he was surprised by the public's reaction.

"I didn't expect people to get so offended by it, the video seemed harmless," he said.

No Doubt performing "Looking Hot" on the Ellen Degeneres Show, video by TheEllenShow

Mitch Lucker of Suicide Silence Dead After Motorcycle Accident

The vocalist of metalcore band Suicide Silence died yesterday morning after sustaining injuries from a motorcycle accident in Huntington Beach Wednesday night.

According to LAWeekly, 28-year-old Mitchell Adam Lucker was hospitalized shortly before 9 p.m. at UCI Medical Center in Orange. He was pronounced dead at 6:17 a.m.

Henry Ortiz Jr., a 21-year-old animal science major at Rio Hondo Community College, sympathizes for the band’s loss.

“The guy was young,” Ortiz said, “and they had a big impact on the metalcore scene, and had a bright future ahead of them.”

Cirilo Lara, a 23-year-old fan from Fountain Valley, recalls the band’s musical impact.

“Nothing compares in ‘Brutality to the Cleansing’ album,” he said, “I remember first hearing it and having not only my eardrums but also my mind blown.”

Lucker is survived by a wife and daughter.

Suicide Silence at the 2010 Vans Warped Tour, video by YouTube user joshualail02.