Throwback Thursday: Tony Kanal Rocks His Yamaha BB on No Doubt’s 1996 TV Debut

Before No Doubt was filling stadiums, they made their first television appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien in 1996. The band performed “Just a Girl,” and Tony Kanal was right at the center of it, holding down the low end with his Yamaha BB bass.

The performance captured the raw energy of a band on the rise. Kanal’s bass tone was tight and melodic, running through a Gallien-Krueger head into an Ampeg cabinet. The setup gave him clarity and punch, a perfect match for the song’s syncopated drive.

While most eyes were on Gwen Stefani’s breakout moment, bassists noticed the foundation. Kanal played with restraint and taste, giving the track its movement without stepping on it.

The clip still resonates today. The tone still cuts. And Kanal’s pocket is as solid as ever.