INTERVIEW WITH ADRIAN BACKSTAGE AT THE X GAMES 2000

ESPN.com - 08/17/00

SAN FRANCISCO -- It was quite a scene backstage at the X Games 2K Kickoff Bash Thursday on Piers 30-32 in San Francisco. Action sports icons Tony Hawk and Mat Hoffman and scores of celebrities and athletes joined to celebrate some of the X Games' most memorable moments from the past five years. Headlining the show was California natives No Doubt, who performed several songs from their new album "Return to Saturn." After their set, drummer Adrian Young sat down to take some of ESPN.com/EXPN.com questions about the band and what lies ahead.

Jessica: Hey, guys, I went to your concert and absolutely loved it. It was the best night of my life. How does it feel to be back in the tour scene after your break?

Adrian Young: The first show on this last summer tour was probably the most exciting show that I have had since we started touring Return to Saturn. It was Dallas and it was just really exciting. We had a great time. It's hard to keep that high after 38 shows over the summer but we are taking a break now and I'm sure it will get exciting again when we start playing Asia and Australia.

Laura, from Sweden: Are you into extreme sports?

Adrian Young: Well, I played extreme golf. It's a combination of the lowest amount of strokes and the time finished. It's not that extreme but it is slightly, I guess.

Shmelly Josie Hoppus: When is the video for Bathwater going to be done?

Adrian Young: We are going to be shooting that video at the end of August.

Sally: You have a very unique style. Who were your musical influences?

Adrian Young: Oh boy. Well, in the '70s I was a rocker kid. I listened to Hendrix, The Doors, Van Halen, Deep Purple and Foreigner. In the '80s I got rid of all that, temporarily, and got into punk, new wave and ska. Then after high school I got all my rock roots back and now I listen to both.

.Lauryn: Hey you guys, my name is Lauryn! At the Storytellers taping, what was it like playing with Eric Stefani again? I cant wait to see that. You guys are the raddest band ever. *party no doubt!*

Adrian Young: It was really exciting, but it just took so long that it started to get boring near the end. I just feel luck to be considered in that echelon of bands that actually make it to Storytellers. That is quite an achievement. We were really proud to be considered for something like that.

Dustin Brooker: What is the best thing about being in a band?

Adrian Young
: The best thing about being in a band is free beer.

Briann Goin: Are there going to be more New B-sides to look forward to? Because I loved Big Distraction and Full Circle. Good luck on you tour over in Asia.

Adrian Young: We have about 10 or 12 extra songs from the last two years of recording we did during the making of Return to Saturn. We need to release a B-sides record probably.

Steven: Adrian - I love your drumming style. When did you start playing and who do you like to listen to?

Adrian Young: When I was a senior in high school, 18, I think, my parents got me a drum set for Christmas. I joined No Doubt a year and a half later.

Melissa: How did you guys get your big break? How did you get signed to Interscope? In the early days did you ever think of giving up?

Adrian Young: Before we had a record deal we were doing pretty well in Southern California. We could sell out small clubs, which is pretty good for an unsigned band. A few labels took interest but Interscope seemed most excited and would understand what we were about. We just went for it.

Tony: What are you guys working on right now? What are your tour plans?

Adrian Young: We are heading to Asia and Australia in September and October and then we are going to do smaller U.S. cities and college towns in November and December.

I'm sorry guys but I have to run. This has really been fun. Keep listening and we will talk to you soon.