Tony Kanal
Encyclopedia
Tony Kanal is an English
musician
, record producer
and songwriter
. Kanal is the bassist
for the American rock
band No Doubt
. His musical work outside of the band includes producing and songwriting with artists such as reggae
singer Elan Atias
and No Doubt
bandmate Gwen Stefani
, among others.
. His parents emigrated
from India
to London
, England
, where Kanal was born. While most of his early years were spent in London, Kanal and his family also spent brief periods living in Toronto, Canada and Indiana before eventually returning to London. At age eleven, he and his family moved again to the United States and settled in Anaheim, California
. There, his parents opened a store named "Kanal's Gifts and Fashion".
since it was the former's favorite instrument, so he bought one for Kanal. Kanal later learned how to play the bass from his schoolmate Dave Carpenter. After seeing one of third wave ska band No Doubt
's early shows, he joined the band as its bassist. Kanal stated that his parents were ultimately supportive of his decision to pursue a career in music; however, they had wanted him "to go into a safe profession" and often reprimanded him for devoting so much time to music, sometimes at the expense of school.
Kanal enrolled at California State University, Fullerton
to major in psychology. In October 1991, No Doubt
hit the studio with help of producer Dito Godwin
. When Interscope Records began turning songs down, No Doubt did it on their own. Over two years they recorded ten songs and released it independently.
When No Doubt went on hiatus, Kanal began a career behind the mixing console
. In 2004, Kanal produced three songs for the soundtrack to 50 First Dates
. Also in 2004, Kanal produced and co-wrote three tracks on Gwen Stefani's first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
. Kanal then produced Elan Atias's debut album, Together as One, which was released in June 2006. Kanal again worked with Gwen Stefani for her follow-up solo album The Sweet Escape
, released in 2006. He has created several remixes, including ones of Stefani's "Hollaback Girl
" and Gang of Four
's "Ether". Kanal produced the song "Rent" for the ska punk
band Pepper
's 2006 album No Shame
.
In 2008, he collaborated on two songs titled "Sober
" and "Funhouse" with Pink
for her album Funhouse
and also sang back-up on "Crystal Ball". In late 2009, Kanal co-wrote and played bass for a song of former Pussycat Doll
Kimberly Wyatt
's debut solo album. Kanal also contributed on track seven of Weezer's 2010 album Hurley. He received co-writing credit for the song "Smart Girls".
was finished. In March 2008, the band started making posts concerning the progression of the album on their official fan forum. Stefani made a post on March 28, 2008 stating that songwriting had commenced but was slow on her end because she was, at the time, pregnant with her second child.
Manager Jim Guerinot said the yet-untitled album is being produced by Mark "Spike" Stent, who helped produce and mix Rock Steady. Between Stefani's pregnancy and recording, No Doubt did not tour in 2008, but Guerinot promised, they plan to hit the road hard in 2009 for their first full-fledged band tour in nearly five years.
No Doubt announced on their official website that they would tour in the summer of 2009 with Paramore
, The Sounds
, Janelle Monáe
, Bedouin Soundclash
, Katy Perry
, and Panic! at the Disco
. while finishing their upcoming album, which is set for release in 2010.
In 2009, No Doubt made an appearance on the television series Gossip Girl
, playing a fictional band called "Snowed Out" in the episode "Valley Girls
". They performed their cover version of the Adam and the Ants
song "Stand and Deliver
".
While the band was working on its third album Tragic Kingdom
, Kanal broke up with Stefani. She later explained that he was feeling "claustrophobic" in the relationship since he did not have any previous experience being in a relationship. She stated that the break-up "took ages" because the two were close friends and Kanal did not want to hurt her. After the break-up, he offered to leave the band, but Stefani replied that she wanted him to stay. Many of the songs on that album were written by Stefani about the breakup, most notably the hit "Don't Speak
" http://www.muchmusic.com/insidemuch/stuff/gwen_and_tony_still_cool.asp. Many years later, Stefani co-wrote her hit song "Cool" about their relationship as friends for her 2004 debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Kanal is dating the American actress Erin Lokitz. On September 15, 2010 they announced they were expecting their first child. On January 24, 2011, they welcomed their first daughter, Coco Reese Lakshmi Kanal.
basses which he runs through Gallien-Krueger
heads into Ampeg
cabinets.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, record producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. Kanal is the bassist
Bassist
A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...
for the American rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
. His musical work outside of the band includes producing and songwriting with artists such as reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
singer Elan Atias
Elan Atias
Elan Atias is an American Jewish, singer/songwriter, reggae singer. Atias performed with The Wailers, which had been the backing band for Bob Marley, on and off from 1997 to 2010. He was signed to London Records under the WMG umbrella in January 2000. He was featured on the Sex and the City...
and No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
bandmate Gwen Stefani
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
, among others.
Early life
Kanal's father Gulab and his mother Lajju are from IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. His parents emigrated
Emigration
Emigration is the act of leaving one's country or region to settle in another. It is the same as immigration but from the perspective of the country of origin. Human movement before the establishment of political boundaries or within one state is termed migration. There are many reasons why people...
from India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where Kanal was born. While most of his early years were spent in London, Kanal and his family also spent brief periods living in Toronto, Canada and Indiana before eventually returning to London. At age eleven, he and his family moved again to the United States and settled in Anaheim, California
Anaheim, California
Anaheim is a city in Orange County, California. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was about 365,463, making it the most populated city in Orange County, the 10th most-populated city in California, and ranked 54th in the United States...
. There, his parents opened a store named "Kanal's Gifts and Fashion".
Music career
Kanal's father suggested that Kanal learn to play the saxophoneSaxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
since it was the former's favorite instrument, so he bought one for Kanal. Kanal later learned how to play the bass from his schoolmate Dave Carpenter. After seeing one of third wave ska band No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
's early shows, he joined the band as its bassist. Kanal stated that his parents were ultimately supportive of his decision to pursue a career in music; however, they had wanted him "to go into a safe profession" and often reprimanded him for devoting so much time to music, sometimes at the expense of school.
Kanal enrolled at California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Fullerton is a public university located in Fullerton, California. It is the largest institution in the CSU System by enrollment, it offers long-distance education and adult-degree programs...
to major in psychology. In October 1991, No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
hit the studio with help of producer Dito Godwin
Dito Godwin
Dito Godwin is an American multi-platinum award winning Record Producer, Executive and Musician, best known for his production works with Motley Crue, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley of Kiss, Great White, and more recently No Doubt, Kevin Carlberg, and Kristy Lee Cook of American Idol.Godwin started...
. When Interscope Records began turning songs down, No Doubt did it on their own. Over two years they recorded ten songs and released it independently.
When No Doubt went on hiatus, Kanal began a career behind the mixing console
Mixing console
In professional audio, a mixing console, or audio mixer, also called a sound board, mixing desk, or mixer is an electronic device for combining , routing, and changing the level, timbre and/or dynamics of audio signals. A mixer can mix analog or digital signals, depending on the type of mixer...
. In 2004, Kanal produced three songs for the soundtrack to 50 First Dates
50 First Dates
50 First Dates is a 2004 American romantic comedy film directed by Peter Segal and written by George Wing. The film stars Adam Sandler as a woman-chasing veterinarian and Drew Barrymore as an amnesiac, along with Rob Schneider, Sean Astin, Lusia Strus, Blake Clark, and Dan Aykroyd.Most of the film...
. Also in 2004, Kanal produced and co-wrote three tracks on Gwen Stefani's first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Love. Angel. Music. Baby. is the debut solo studio album by American recording artist Gwen Stefani, released in the United States on November 23, 2004 by Interscope Records...
. Kanal then produced Elan Atias's debut album, Together as One, which was released in June 2006. Kanal again worked with Gwen Stefani for her follow-up solo album The Sweet Escape
The Sweet Escape
The Sweet Escape is the second and final solo studio album by American recording artist Gwen Stefani, released in the United States on December 5, 2006 by Interscope Records. Having originally intended to return to No Doubt after her 2004 solo album Love. Angel. Music...
, released in 2006. He has created several remixes, including ones of Stefani's "Hollaback Girl
Hollaback Girl
"Hollaback Girl" is a song by American recording artist Gwen Stefani from her debut solo album, Love. Angel. Music. Baby. . As part of Stefani's vision of creating "a silly dance record", the song is influenced by 1980s dance and pop music...
" and Gang of Four
Gang of Four (band)
Gang of Four are an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill...
's "Ether". Kanal produced the song "Rent" for the ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band Pepper
Pepper (band)
Pepper is a rock band originally from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. The band's music is often classified as a combination of reggae, dub and rock. The band consists of vocalist/guitarist Kaleo Wassman, vocalist/bassist Bret Bollinger, and drummer Yesod Williams...
's 2006 album No Shame
No Shame
No Shame is the fourth album by Hawaiian band Pepper. Released on October 3, 2006, it features production from Nick Hexum of 311, Tony Kanal of No Doubt, and Sublime producer Paul Leary....
.
In 2008, he collaborated on two songs titled "Sober
Sober (Pink song)
"Sober" is a song by American pop rock singer Pink, and the second single taken from her fifth studio album, Funhouse. It was written by Nate "Danja" Hills, Kara DioGuardi, Marcella Araica and Pink herself. The track was produced by Danja, Tony Kanal, and Jimmy Harry...
" and "Funhouse" with Pink
Pink (singer)
Alecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
for her album Funhouse
Funhouse (Pink album)
Funhouse is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Pink, released by LaFace Records worldwide in October 2008. Upon its release, the album reached number one on the charts in 6 countries including Australia, New Zealand, Netherlands and United Kingdom, while debuting at number two in...
and also sang back-up on "Crystal Ball". In late 2009, Kanal co-wrote and played bass for a song of former Pussycat Doll
Pussycat Dolls
The Pussycat Dolls are an American pop girl group and dance ensemble based in Los Angeles; currently consisting of Lauren Bennett, Vanessa Curry, Kristal "Lyndriette" Smith, Tiffany "Taz" Zavala, Kia Hampton and Paula Van Oppen. The Pussycat Dolls were founded by choreographer Robin Antin in 1995...
Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Wyatt
Kimberly Kaye Wyatt is an American showgirl, singer-songwriter, dancer, model, actress and choreographer. She is best known as a former member of the American pop/R&B girl group and dance ensemble, the Pussycat Dolls. She joined the Pussycat Dolls in 2003...
's debut solo album. Kanal also contributed on track seven of Weezer's 2010 album Hurley. He received co-writing credit for the song "Smart Girls".
No Doubt reunion
With Stefani promoting her second solo album, No Doubt began initial work on a new album without her and planned to complete it after Stefani's tourThe Sweet Escape Tour
The Sweet Escape Tour is the second concert tour by American pop and rock singer Gwen Stefani. The tour began in April 2007 in support of her second solo album The Sweet Escape.-About the show:...
was finished. In March 2008, the band started making posts concerning the progression of the album on their official fan forum. Stefani made a post on March 28, 2008 stating that songwriting had commenced but was slow on her end because she was, at the time, pregnant with her second child.
Manager Jim Guerinot said the yet-untitled album is being produced by Mark "Spike" Stent, who helped produce and mix Rock Steady. Between Stefani's pregnancy and recording, No Doubt did not tour in 2008, but Guerinot promised, they plan to hit the road hard in 2009 for their first full-fledged band tour in nearly five years.
No Doubt announced on their official website that they would tour in the summer of 2009 with Paramore
Paramore
Paramore is an American rock band from Franklin, Tennessee, formed in 2004. The band consists of lead vocalist Hayley Williams, bassist Jeremy Davis, and guitarist Taylor York...
, The Sounds
The Sounds
The Sounds are a Swedish Indie Rock band. Formed in Helsingborg in 1999, the group's musical style has been compared to New Wave acts such as Blondie, The Cars, the Epoxies and Missing Persons....
, Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe
Janelle Monáe is an American R&B/soul musician signed to Bad Boy Records and Atlantic Records.Monáe debuted with a conceptual EP, Metropolis: Suite I ...
, Bedouin Soundclash
Bedouin Soundclash
Bedouin Soundclash is a Canadian band currently based in Toronto. Their sound can be described as reggae and ska.-History:The band's current lineup consists of vocalist and guitarist Jay Malinowski, and bassist Eon Sinclair with Sekou Lumumba on drums. Their debut album, Root Fire, released in 2001...
, Katy Perry
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is an American singer, songwriter and actress. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised by Christian pastor parents, Perry grew up listening to only gospel music and sang in her local church as a child. After earning a GED during her first year of high school, she began to pursue a...
, and Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco is an American alternative rock duo, formed in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Since its split, the band's line-up includes Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith . Former members Ryan Ross and Jon Walker left the group in 2009...
. while finishing their upcoming album, which is set for release in 2010.
In 2009, No Doubt made an appearance on the television series Gossip Girl
Gossip Girl (TV series)
Gossip Girl is an American teen drama television series based on the book series of the same name written by Cecily von Ziegesar. The series was created by Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and premiered on The CW on September 19, 2007...
, playing a fictional band called "Snowed Out" in the episode "Valley Girls
Valley Girls (Gossip Girl)
"Valley Girls" is the twenty-fourth episode of the second season of the The CW Television Network television series Gossip Girl. The episode served as a backdoor pilot for a potential Gossip Girl spin-off series set in the 1980s, entitled Valley Girls...
". They performed their cover version of the Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants
Adam and the Ants were a British rock band active during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The original group, which existed from 1977 to 1980, became notable as a cult band marking the transition from the late-1970s punk rock era to the post-punk and New Wave era...
song "Stand and Deliver
Stand and Deliver (song)
"Stand and Deliver" was Adam and the Ants' most successful single. It entered the UK Top 40 at Number One and stayed there for five weeks. It was featured on their Prince Charming album...
".
Personal life
During a party where No Doubt performed in mid-1987, Stefani tried to kiss Kanal when the two went for a walk. Kanal initially rejected her, later commenting, "It was pretty much an unspoken rule that nobody dates Gwen...almost like a bunch of brothers and our sister." He gave in, and the two began dating secretly. The band was suspicious of them, warning Kanal against dating her, but he denied the relationship.While the band was working on its third album Tragic Kingdom
Tragic Kingdom
Tragic Kingdom is the third studio album by the American third wave ska band No Doubt. It was released on October 10, 1995, on Trauma Records, a division of Interscope Records. The album was produced by Matthew Wilder, mixed by Paul Palmer, and recorded in 11 studios in the Greater Los Angeles Area...
, Kanal broke up with Stefani. She later explained that he was feeling "claustrophobic" in the relationship since he did not have any previous experience being in a relationship. She stated that the break-up "took ages" because the two were close friends and Kanal did not want to hurt her. After the break-up, he offered to leave the band, but Stefani replied that she wanted him to stay. Many of the songs on that album were written by Stefani about the breakup, most notably the hit "Don't Speak
Don't Speak
"Don't Speak" is a song by the American rock band No Doubt. It was released in 1996 as the third single from the band's third studio album, Tragic Kingdom...
" http://www.muchmusic.com/insidemuch/stuff/gwen_and_tony_still_cool.asp. Many years later, Stefani co-wrote her hit song "Cool" about their relationship as friends for her 2004 debut solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Love. Angel. Music. Baby.
Love. Angel. Music. Baby. is the debut solo studio album by American recording artist Gwen Stefani, released in the United States on November 23, 2004 by Interscope Records...
Kanal is dating the American actress Erin Lokitz. On September 15, 2010 they announced they were expecting their first child. On January 24, 2011, they welcomed their first daughter, Coco Reese Lakshmi Kanal.
Musical equipment
Kanal endorsed YamahaYamaha
Yamaha may refer to:* Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services** Yamaha Motor Company, a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company...
basses which he runs through Gallien-Krueger
Gallien-Krueger
Gallien-Krueger, also referred to as 'GK' , is an instrument amplifier manufacturer. The company is based in Stockton, California, and was founded in 1968....
heads into Ampeg
Ampeg
Ampeg is primarily a musical instrument amplifier manufacturer headquartered in Woodinville, Washington, though they also manufacture guitars to a small extent...
cabinets.
Basses
- Yamaha BB1 600 used 1987 to 1996
- Yamaha BB3000 4 String Model
- Yamaha BB3000 5 String Model
- Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay
- Fender Standard Jazzbass
Other
- Samson Wireless Unit
- Korg DTR-1 Tuner
- Ernie Ball Strings on his musicman
- GHS boomers on his yamaha
Discography
No Doubt- 2004: Everything in TimeEverything in TimeEverything in Time is a compilation album comprising B-sides, remixes, and rare songs by the American third wave ska band No Doubt, first released on November 23, 2003 as disc three of No Doubt's box set, Boom Box, which also contained The Singles 1992–2003, The Videos 1992–2003 and Live in the...
(b-sides, rarities, remixes) (Interscope RecordsInterscope RecordsInterscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
) - 2003: The Singles 1992-2003The Singles 1992-2003The only single from The Singles 1992–2003 was a cover of the song "It's My Life", originally released in 1984 by the synthpop band Talk Talk. Because the band were taking a break while lead singer Gwen Stefani recorded her solo debut album Love. Angel. Music. Baby., they decided to do a cover...
(Interscope) - 2001: Rock Steady (Interscope)
- 2000: Return of SaturnReturn of SaturnReturn of Saturn is the fourth studio album by the American rock band No Doubt, released on April 11, 2000 by Interscope Records. After touring for two and a half years to promote their breakthrough third studio album, Tragic Kingdom, No Doubt wrote several dozen songs for its follow-up and...
(Interscope) - 1995: Tragic KingdomTragic KingdomTragic Kingdom is the third studio album by the American third wave ska band No Doubt. It was released on October 10, 1995, on Trauma Records, a division of Interscope Records. The album was produced by Matthew Wilder, mixed by Paul Palmer, and recorded in 11 studios in the Greater Los Angeles Area...
(Interscope) - 1995: The Beacon Street CollectionThe Beacon Street CollectionIn 1994, before recording of the album had even begun, No Doubt released two seven-inch singles for their fans. The first was "Squeal", a song written by Eric Stefani, detailing a criminal's reaction to her partner's betrayal to the police. They had agreed to be "in this together" but, after he...
(Interscope) - 1992: No Doubt (Interscope)