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Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Moving Pictures No Doubt's 'Just a Girl' Live in Nashville

Posted by Steve Haruch on Tue, Jan 6, 2009 at 6:06 AM

There's not a whole heck of a lot going on tonight, so instead, let's talk about the future by way of the past. Now, there is talk of a new music commission here in Nashville, and whatever a music commission does, I think their first order of business should be bringing back Dancin' in the District. Or at least something of the sort, a big free music event, for the people. (Maybe don't call it "Dancin' in the District," though, since that sort of conjures up Lionel Richie, or at least baggy turquoise sweaters.) Now, this video is actually going to seem like an argument against that sort of thing, since it features Nashville as the pan in which No Doubt is flashing with their brief, newfound (at the time) fame. That band was never very interesting to me, but there was no denying Gwen Stefani's charisma. At least that's what I thought until I saw this tape of the band's local performance, circa 1996 or so. Stefani, in addition to thinking that watching her do push-ups is entertaining, seems to have no idea how to work a crowd other than to ask rhetorical questions and lead awkward chants of "I'm just a girl." (Adding the usual name-of-the-town-I'm-in shout-out for maximum pandering effect.) During the most anti-climactic speaker-climbing stunt ever, all she can come up with is, Look at me, I climbed up here. Let me ask you a question. I'm going to ask you again. And again. OK, I'm going to climb back down now. And to think, this woman has gone on to riches prancing around with an entourage of mute Japanese girls and is more famous today than Gavin Rossdale, who at least plays guitar. Actually, I don't care that he plays guitar. Anyway. Big free public shows in the middle of the street. Bring 'em back.

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Comments (19)

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Argument for: Wilco, The Polyphonic Spree @ Uptown Mix...those were great shows.

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Posted by Andrew J. on 01/06/2009 at 10:52 AM

I think that No Doubt performance was in 2001, but perhaps they played here before that as well. Man, they stink.
Also, the Wilco show at the Uptown Mix was their chance to impress me and they failed spectacularly. What a boring and meandering waste of time, damn. They could learn a lot from X, that's for sure.
I do miss the big free shows every week though-- that was a big selling point for me moving here so somebody needs to pick up the gauntlet and bring those back!

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Posted by Mark P. on 01/06/2009 at 11:01 AM

Don't forget Robert Randolph, North Mississippi All-Stars, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, John Mayer, Gov't Mule, Etc.

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Posted by Anonymous on 01/06/2009 at 11:03 AM

There are no words to describe how much I've always related to this song.

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Posted by Gold on 01/06/2009 at 11:10 AM

This is from 2002.

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Posted by Jenny on 01/06/2009 at 11:18 AM

If I had seen this when I was a highly impressionable high school kid, the 2 minute intro would have ruined it for me.
But I am all for free shows. Any night that I don't have to pay to get into a show, it's a good one.

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Posted by Jenny [different from the one above] on 01/06/2009 at 11:46 AM

I want Summer Lights back. But I'd settle for Uptown Mix.

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Posted by Darrin on 01/06/2009 at 12:03 PM

definitely fall of 2002.
skipped Audio for Media 2 Go..
adrian young is a good drummer
suckit.

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Posted by MTSU drop out on 01/06/2009 at 12:07 PM

LOL at repeating that guitar riff for 2 and a half minutes for the intro.

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Posted by BP on 01/06/2009 at 12:49 PM

hell even that village vibes thing at Jackson's was nice to have around. at one point, we had so many free or very cheap outside music options during the summer>early fall and now nothing. not even cannery row revival happened in 2008. super lame.

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Posted by Anon on 01/06/2009 at 1:19 PM

X at Uptown Mix was one of the most fun shows I've ever been to. Bring that back without the corny name.

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Posted by familiar sideman on 01/06/2009 at 1:49 PM

This actually wasn't part of Uptown Mix or Riverstages or Dancin' in the District. It was a completely random free show in the middle of the day on 2nd Avenue.
I remember being a sophomore at Hume Fogg when it happened. The administration looked the other way about a bunch of us sneaking out to go see No Doubt play. Say what you will about their cheesy bubblegum ska pop, that was a fun and memorable show. I also remember being late to my 7th period English class and the teacher letting it slide because I brought her chocolate cake from one of the Broadway restaurants.
Nashville does need something like Dancin' in the District again though. And not half-assed like the Downtown River Jam two years ago.

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Posted by Lance on 01/06/2009 at 2:05 PM

Wilco.

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Posted by Kevin on 01/06/2009 at 2:18 PM

I will defer to y'all on this video being from 2002. Reasons I thought it was 1996: 1) It seemed to me that only in the early days of their success would the band have tried to milk that riff for so long; 2) Gwen Stefani's pants.

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Posted by Steve H. on 01/06/2009 at 3:05 PM

I remember when Wilco called the Nashville crowd "drowsy" at Uptown Mix. That was a turning point in my life...the moment I stopped listening to Wilco. Life has been good ever since.

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Posted by Anonymous on 01/06/2009 at 4:56 PM

I was there. I wasn't a fan, but the show was pretty good. Plus, the No Doubt songs that just came out for Rock Band 2 are fun as hell.

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Posted by ??? on 01/06/2009 at 6:33 PM

I dug the Guided By Voices show in lieu of Cheap Trick at Uptown Mix. They totally cracked on the fact that they were not the band that was "supposed" to be there - and then rocked our faces off. Oh and the Big Star/Posies combo at UM was a good show as well.

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Posted by Whitness on 01/07/2009 at 8:14 AM

I LOVE GWEN!!! Wish I could have been there.

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Posted by MDB on 01/07/2009 at 4:49 PM

This performance was not in 1996, most likely 2002.
Stefani maintains her charisma despite the shitty stage and sound. Is this filmed on a 2002 camera phone? Why would you even pick this video to review anyways? This article was a waste of time.

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Posted by Lex on 01/08/2009 at 10:01 AM
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