The Grammy Award-winning rock band No Doubt has captivated fans for decades with their unique blend of ska punk, alternative rock, and pop rock. They had a rocky start at the beginning of their career but got their breakthrough with the release of Tragic Kingdom.
This California-based band has inspired countless artists across various genres. They’ve gone through ups and downs but scored several hits, such as “Hey Baby” and “Underneath It All.”
But if you love their music and want to find some other similar bands, where should you look? In this post, we’ve put together a list of 13 amazing bands like No Doubt that will reignite your passion for music and help expand your playlist along the way. Enjoy reading!
1. Garbage
As a band that shares similarities with No Doubt, Garbage is well-known for its alternative rock sound and captivating live performances.
One of the more notable connections between these two groups came in 2002 when No Doubt and Garbage expanded their fall tour together. This reflects not only a professional collaboration but also a mutual respect for each other’s artistry.
Some of Garbage’s successful singles include “Stupid Girl,” “The World is Not Enough,” and “Only Happy When It Rains.” They released seven albums, many of which were critical and commercial successes. Throughout their career, Garbage sold 17 million albums worldwide.
2. Sublime
Like No Doubt, Sublime is a ska punk band that emerged in the late 1980s in California. They quickly made a name for themselves with their unique blend of ska music and Southern California vibes.
With a consistent band lineup throughout its duration, the group paid homage to various genres such as punk, reggae, and stoner anthems.
One aspect that set Sublime apart from other bands was their prominent musical influences. They drew inspiration from groups like No Doubt and The Expendables. At the same time, they managed to create a style all their own while still paying tribute to these bands.
During their prime years, Sublime toured extensively with other bands, including Firehouse, the Ramones, and the Melvins—a testament to their widespread appeal and versatility.
3. The Cardigans
Like No Doubt, The Cardigans is a band that has achieved great success in the alternative rock music scene. They hailed from Sweden and captivated audiences with their catchy melodies and thoughtful songwriting throughout the 1990s.
Their debut album gave the band moderate success. But it was their hit single “Lovefool” that gave The Cardigans significant popularity. “Lovefool” is a soundtrack to the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet.
One similarity between No Doubt and The Cardigans is their female vocalists. No Doubt is fronted by Gwen Stefani, known for her alto and unique voice. The Cardigans, meanwhile, is fronted by Nina Persson, who possesses a sweet and melodic voice.
4. The Cranberries
Another female-fronted rock band to grace our list is The Cranberries. They were formed in Limerick, Ireland, in 1989. The band quickly rose to fame with its unique sound that blended post-punk influences with alternative rock music.
Guitarist Noel Hogan drew inspiration from Johnny Marr’s guitar style and other bands such as The Cure, New Order, and The Smiths. It resulted in a distinctive sound that made them stand out among their contemporaries.
If there’s one thing that’s similar between The Cranberries and No Doubt is the presence of female vocalists who are also songwriters. No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani and The Cranberries’ Dolores O’Riordan wrote many of their bands’ songs.
O’Riordan, in particular, wrote her first song at 12. What she liked about being a songwriter was the creative aspect. One of the songs she co-wrote for the band was “Linger,” which became their first big hit.
5. The Donnas
The only all-female band to appear on this list is The Donnas. They rose to fame in the early 2000s and onward with their blend of punk, metal, and classic rock sounds.
Both fronted by female vocalists, No Doubt and The Donnas rose above a male-dominated rock scene. Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and Brett Anderson of The Donnas performed with enthusiasm and charisma that captivated audiences worldwide.
The Donnas’ album, Spend the Night brought the band mainstream success. It produced their hit single “Take It Off,” which secured them appearances in major late-night talk shows.
From their formation to disbandment, The Donnas were able to release seven albums. Some of their songs appeared on video game soundtracks, such as “You’ve Got a Crush On Me.” Or in movies, such as “Play My Game” for What’s New, Scooby-Doo?
6. Blondie
The punk rock and new wave band Blondie emerged out of New York’s legendary CBGB scene in the late 1970s. The core of the group consists of Debbie Harry on vocals and Chris Stein on guitar.
Blondie rose to fame with hits like “Heart of Glass,” “Call Me,” and “The Tide is High.” They are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands of their time.
Despite being in different eras, both No Doubt and Blondie used elements of pop and rock in their music. Specifically, they came up with unforgettable melodies and guitar-driven compositions.
No Dount blended elements of ska, reggae, and punk, while Blondie incorporated punk, disco, and even rap elements. This fusion helped them achieve mainstream success.
7. Rancid
If you’re a fan of No Doubt and looking for similar bands, Rancid is one of the top contenders. Hailing from California, they were part of the same music scene that spawned No Doubt and Sublime.
The band’s sound is similar to No Doubt’s: punk rock mixed with ska music, creating an energetic and unique blend. Rancid’s punk roots are evident in songs like “Time Bomb,” which became a hit in the mid-’90s.
But Rancid isn’t just about having fun. Their lyrics often touch on social and political issues such as racism and income inequality.
Musical collaborations have also been a big part of Rancid’s career. They’ve worked with artists like Travis Barker from Blink-182 and Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day.
8. The Interrupters
Our next band, The Interrupters, is a fairly new band compared to the rest of our list. However, they are similar to No Doubt as both showcased ska influence in their repertoire. Their ska-inspired energy makes them stand out from other traditional punk rock bands.
The Interrupters came together in 2011 in California. The band is also fronted by a female named Aimee Interrupter. Like No Doubt’s Gwen Stefani, Interrupter is a prolific songwriter. One of the songs she penned for the band is “She’s Kerosene.”
As of this writing, the band has already released four studio albums, with the last one being in 2022. In the Wild featured the song “Raised by Wolves.”
9. Paramore
The American rock band Paramore has gained immense popularity over the years for their unique sound and style. They have been compared to No Doubt due to their dynamic frontwoman, who doubles as a media focal point.
Hayley Williams’ distinct voice and stage presence have drawn comparisons to Gwen Stefani. Both women have their distinct styles and commanding presence in their live performances.
Paramore had its first Grammy in 2015 when their single “Ain’t It Fun” won Best Rock Song. It was written by Williams and guitarist Taylor York and was their highest-charting single in the US.
Paramore’s music is multi-genre. It appeals to various music tastes, from pop lovers to those who prefer more alternative sounds.
10. The Offspring
Also hailing from California is the rock band The Offspring. The band was formed in 1984 and has been in the music industry for almost four decades.
The Offspring’s success can be attributed to its unique sound that combines elements of punk rock and alternative rock, which is similar to No Doubt.
The band has had numerous hits throughout their career. But their breakthrough came with the release of their third studio album Smash.
The album went on to become one of the best-selling independent albums of all time, selling over 11 million copies worldwide. It produced the band’s first major hit, “Come Out and Play.”
Throughout their career, The Offspring released ten albums. As of this writing, the band is recording their 11th album.
11. Red Hot Chili Peppers
The rock bands Red Hot Chili Peppers (RHCP) and No Doubt may seem to be on either end of the spectrum. But they have a lot of similarities than most realize.
First, both bands have been in the music industry for a long time. RHCP was formed in 1982 in Los Angeles and has since become a staple in the music industry.
Their success can be seen through their numerous Billboard chart-topping albums, such as Californication. It stayed at #1 for three weeks. As of 2022, they have released 13 albums and garnered critical acclaim.
Another point of similarity is their music—no Doubt incorporated elements of pop, alternative rock, and ska. RHCP, on the other hand, is known for the fusion of alternative rock, funk, and punk.
The band’s songwriting process, like that of No Doubt’s, is also noteworthy. Many songs were written in collaboration between members during jam sessions.
12. Blink 182
One of the most influential bands in the music industry is Blink-182. This popular American rock band rose to fame in the late 1990s. Their music is characterized as a fusion of pop-punk and alternative rock.
That said, both Blink-182 and No Doubt became known for their distinctive pop-punk sound. They incorporated elements of punk rock and pop, along with melodic songs featuring memorable hooks and choruses.
Throughout their career, Blink-182 has managed to maintain a dedicated fan base by consistently producing hit albums. Some of their most successful include Enema of the State (1999) and Take Off Your Pants and Jacket (2001). Songs that became synonymous with the band include “All the Small Things” and “I Miss You.”
13. Green Day
We are ending the list with Green Day, an American rock band that has been active since 1987. The band consists of Billie Joe Armstrong as lead vocalist and guitarist, Mike Dirnt as bassist, and Tré Cool as drummer.
Fans of No Doubt will like Green Day due to the two bands’ punk roots. Green Day is known for its punk rock and alternative rock sound that appeals to a diverse audience.
Both bands also enjoyed mainstream and commercial success. Green Day rose to popularity with their 1994 album Dookie and hit singles “Basket Case” and “When I Come Around.”
Additionally, both No Doubt and Green Day have albums that were certified Diamond for selling over ten million copies in the United States alone.
Green Day has continued to produce chart-topping hits such as “American Idiot” and “21 Guns.” They have won five Grammy Awards and sold over 75 million records worldwide.
Summing Up Our List Of Bands Like No Doubt
So there you have our list of bands to explore if you’re into No Doubt’s music. With the extensive repertoire of these bands, you’ll have plenty of songs to add to your playlist.
From the ska punk sounds of Sublime and Rancid to the alternative rock vibes of Paramore, your cravings for No Doubt will be satisfied.
That’s it for today, and we hope we have included your favorite ska or alternative rock bands. If not, then we’d love to hear from you!
