No Doubt sent out a message on their website and Twitter page a few nights ago when they heard their biggest fan, 30-year-old Amy Pepper passed away.

Pepper first met the band at a concert in 2000 and continued to support the band, even when they reunited in 2009. Oh No They Didn’t writes Amy passed away on January 3rd due to complications from Lymphoma.

The four-piece band from California made a collage, including a group photo with Amy, and posted it on their website.

The band has always been close with Amy, even during her toughest times. On new year’s day they sent her this heartwarming message:

But she sadly passed away two days later. The band will surely miss her and never forget what a loyal fan Amy was.

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Gwen Stefani, lead singer of No Doubt, revealed on ‘On Air with Ryan Seacrest’ Friday that a new No Doubt album is expected to be released sometime this year.

The singer phoned in on Friday to chat about styling the girls on ‘American Idol,’ which she did awesomely if I may say so myself, as well as revealed what’s in store with the upcoming No Doubt record. She revealed the album will be “definitely out this year.”

Although Stefani didn’t mention an exact date, the L.A.M.B. rocker revealed, “we’ve been going for awhile trying to make this record and it’s been super challenging but really fun, we’re trying to enjoy the moment of writing and…it’s just a really fun process and I think it’s going to be out this year,” adding, “it’s generally a really happy album…the main thing we were trying to do is write really catchy good songs.”

Gwen further revealed, “we got about 10 songs done and we want to do a few more just in case, but it’s a really good record, I really love this record.”

I’m so excited by this news! They have always been a favourite of mine. I was so sad when I missed their reunion tour a year ago or so, so this will be a good kickstart to their comeback. I’m glad their taking their time to write this album too, instead of rushing out a bunch of crap like many other bands do. Although I loved Stefani’s solo stuff and her different experimentation, there is nothing that can replace the No Doubt music – it’s just so unique and fresh. Can’t wait!

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In yet another case of The Music vs. Acitivision, No Doubt are filing a lawsuit against the makers of Band Hero.

The suit contends the game “transformed No Doubt band members into a virtual karaoke circus act,” and the use of the band members’ avatars far exceeded anything agreed upon in the contract, according to the Los Angeles Times. One aspect of the game allows players to manipulate their characters into singing songs by other artists, for example having lead singer Gwen Stefani sing “Honky Tonk Woman” by the Rolling Stones.

“While No Doubt are avid fans of the Rolling Stones and even have performed in concerts with the Rolling Stones, the Character Manipulation Feature results in an unauthorized performance by the Gwen Stefani avatar in a male voice boasting about having sex with prostitutes,” the complaint reads.

The complaint also claims Activision withheld information on the Character Manipulation Feature, and allegedly told the band after they had requested to the have the function disabled that it would be too expensive to do so.

Initially, No Doubt signed on to having their likenesses used for only three of their own songs in the game, but wound up appearing in more than 60 songs either as a band or solo. The lawsuit  asks for actual and punitive damages that are as yet unspecified, a temporary restraining order and a permanent injunction stopping the distribution of Band Hero, as well as a recall of any existing copies.

The complaint argues the songs No Doubt appear on “include lyrics, contained in iconic songs, which are not appropriate for No Doubt and have not been chosen by No Doubt for recordings or public performances.”

“The band [members] are bitterly disappointed that their name and likeness was taken and used without their permission,” band manager Jim Guerinot told the Los Angeles Times. “They agreed to play three No Doubt songs as a band. . . . Activision then went and put them in 62 other songs and broke the band up [and] never even asked.”

As for Activision, they must be getting used to this sort of thing after coming under fire from both Dave Grohl and Courtney Love on behalf of Kurt Cobain when his likeness was used with the same Character Manipulation Feature.

Activision is claiming No Doubt’s suit is “without merit” and the company is now exploring its own legal options with respect to No Doubt’s obligations under the agreement.”

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Former “American Idol” contestant Chris Daughtry is returning to the show that gave him his big break.

The singer announced Friday that his band Daughtry will perform their new single, “No Surprise,” for the reality competition series’ Rock Week on May 6.

The song is taken from Daughtry’s upcoming sophomore album, which is scheduled for release on July 14. The as-yet-untitled album is the follow-up to the band’s self-titled debut, which sold more than 4.4 million copies according to Nielsen SoundScan and was the top-selling album of 2007.

“‘American Idol’ fans have been so loyal to this band, we wanted to give them the first listen to our new single,” Daughtry said in a statement.

Rock Week will also feature a performance by No Doubt on Wednesday, while former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash will mentor the four remaining contestants for their performances on Tuesday’s show.

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Fans who purchase top-price tickets for No Doubt’s upcoming North American tour with Paramore will receive a digital copy of the band’s entire catalogue free, according to MTVNews.com.

The deal only applies to tickets of $42.50 or more, before extra fees. This excludes lower price levels and lawn seats. No Doubt fans who sign up online this Saturday (when tickets will be on sale) will receive every digital No Doubt song, starting with their 1992 debut to the 2003 release “The Singles.”

“Since the band is heading back to the road, we wanted to find a cool way to get people listening to our music and stoke them with a great deal at the same time,” said Tom Dumont, No doubt’s guitarist, in a statement. “With this download, it’s easy for fans to get psyched up to hear our music live once again, and that rocks.”

Their upcoming tour will mark the first time the band hits the road in five years.

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No Doubt, returning from an extended hiatus, will appear on an upcoming episode of the popular TV series “Gossip Girl.”

Gwen Stefani and co. will perform the 1981 Adam and the Ants’ hit “Stand and Deliver” for the show’s finale on May 11, the band announced on its website Thursday.

Their appearance will mark the first time a major artist has performed on the show.

“Gossip Girl” airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW and ‘A’ in Canada.

No Doubt recently announced plans for its first tour in more than five years, a 45-city summer run that begins May 3 at the Bamboozle Festival in New Jersey and includes six Canadian stops.

The band has also spent some of the past year working on the followup to 2001′s “Rock Steady,” though no release date for the new album has been announced.

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No Doubt have announced dates for their 45-city summer tour, including six Canadians stops.

As previously reported, the Grammy-winning band hinted on its website in November that they would return to the road in 2009 while finishing their first studio album in seven years.

The tour will kick off with a May 3 performance at the Bamboozle Festival in East Rutherford, N.J., and will run through Aug. 1 in Irvine, Calif.

Paramore will serve as the supporting act, while the Sounds, Janelle Monae and Bedouin Soundclash will join them on select dates.

A fan club pre-sale began today (Wednesday) and runs through March 1; details are available at nodoubttourclub.musictoday.com.

Tickets go on sale to the public March 7 at LiveNation.com.

Here are No Doubt’s upcoming Canadian dates:

June 16: Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre)
June 17: Montreal, Quebec (Centre Bell)
July 13: Winnipeg, Manitoba (MTS Centre)
July 15: Calgary, Alberta (Pengrowth Saddledome)
July 16: Edmonton, Alberta (Rexall Place)
July 18: Vancouver, British Columbia (General Motors Place)

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Gwen Stefani and her No Doubt band-mates are planning a summer tour with Paramore.

“The whole reason for going on this tour was to have fun, try on all our favorite songs again and to get inspired to make new music,” Stefani said on the band’s website. “It feels good to be all together again.”

The excitement is mutual, “What a dream tour! We couldn’t be more excited to kick off 2009 by touring with a band like No Doubt,” said a statement by Paramore vocalist Hayley Williams, released on No Doubt’s website.

Joining the band as a third act are Janelle Monae, The Sounds and Bedouin Soundclash, who will share the slot according to the band’s website.

The tour will start in May, although exact dates have not been announced. No Doubt will also join Fall Out Boy in May for New Jersey’s Bamboozle Festival.

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No Doubt is confirming the end of its hiatus with the announcement it will join Fall Out Boy as co-headliners at next year’s Bamboozle festival.

The Gwen Stefani-fronted band will play the second day of the event on May 3 in East Rutherford, N.J., while Fall Out Boy are slated to play the previous day.

Bamboozle, which is marking its five-year anniversary, will feature more than 200 bands on 10 stages over two days.

Multi-day and VIP passes are on sale now, while single-day tickets go on sale Friday.

No Doubt revealed on its website last week that the four members are planning to go back on tour while they continue to work on their new album, the followup to 2001′s “Rock Steady.”

In a instant messenger transcript, guitarist Tom Dumont comments: “I have cabin fever. Maybe we should play some shows or something?”

Stefani adds: “I think that if we go out on tour it will inspire us to write. I need to see the fans out there.”

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Today, Activision added “No Doubt” to the ever growing list of artists such as The Rolling Stones, Beastie Boys, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam which can be found on Guitar Hero III.

The track pack includes such classics as “Don’t Speak,” “Excuse Me Mr.,” and “Sunday Morning” from their diamond selling album Tragic Kingdom.

The track pack is available to download now on Xbox LIVE and the PLAYSTATION Store.

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NO DOUBT are ending their extended hiatus to record their first album in six years.

Singer Gwen Stefani is currently touring her second album The Sweet Escape and will join her three bandmates in the studio afterwards.

Drummer Adrian Young tells RollingStone.com he will be joining guitarist Tom Dumont and bassist Tony Kanal to work on new material from next month.

“The three of us are going to lay down some songs with music only (without Gwen). When she gets done with the tour we’ll all be there to do it.

“We’ve probably got four albums worth of ideas demoed.”

He adds, “We’ve been together since 1987 and we never took a break until three summers ago. Now the break’s been pretty long, so I think we’re not burning anymore. It’s kind of nice to be hungry again.”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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GWEN STEFANI will reunite with her NO DOUBT bandmates next year to record a new album, according to guitarist TOM DUMONT.

The DON’T SPEAK chart-toppers have been on an extended hiatus since frontwoman Stefani successful reinvented herself as a solo pop star.

But Dumont tells MTV, “(Guitarist) TONY (KANAL) and (drummer) ADRIAN (YOUNG) and I have been writing music for the next No Doubt album, to be ready when we resume to record with Gwen (next year).”

(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.

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