In the early Nineties, before Tragic Kingdom turned No Doubt into global stars, Adrian Young was just another broke drummer flipping through classifieds and hunting for gear he could afford when, unexpectedly, a small Orange County drum shop reached out with an offer that would change his trajectory: a custom snare, built just for him.
“I was like, ‘Fuck, someone wants to give me something because of my band?’” Young says with a laugh.
That shop, Orange County Drum & Percussion, better known as OCDP, would go on to define the look and sound of a generation of alternative rock drummers. Young became not just an early endorsee, but a partner, helping shape the brand as it grew alongside bands like Blink-182, 311, and the Foo Fighters.
Now, 35 years after its founding, OCDP is back, this time with a nationwide relaunch through Guitar Center, bringing its once-boutique builds to a mass audience for the first time.
The revival arrives at a moment when Young hasn’t exactly slowed down. In the past 10 years, he’s kept busy with film scoring (including the thriller Misdirection), and studio production work with artists like Steel Pulse. He’s getting his chops back in order, too: No Doubt are currently getting ready for their first shows since Coachella 2024, an 18-date run starting May 6 at Sphere, the most technologically ambitious venue on the planet.
For Young, the projects are intertwined, with his past and future colliding in a swirl of acrylic shells, nostalgia, and high-definition spectacle. He spoke with Rolling Stone about the OCDP relaunch, the band’s immersive Sphere shows, and why this next chapter feels bigger than a typical reunion.
Young’s new drum line includes a raw copper snare, a black lacquer birch snare with spectrum hardware, a bubblegum frosted acrylic snare with die cast hoops, and a four-piece acrylic shell pack in nightglow fade
Courtesy of Guitar Center
How far back does your relationship with OCDP go?
About 35 years. It started as a drum shop in Orange County, and I got involved as an endorsee when I was still broke, just trying to get gear however I could. [Store founder] Daniel Jensen reached out and said, “I’d love to make you a snare,” and I was all in. Within a couple years, I became a partner. And what was cool is, for such a tiny company, there were all these up-and-coming players using the drums — Chad Sexton, Taylor Hawkins. It was a unique moment.
What makes this relaunch different from those early days?
Back then, it was super boutique — word of mouth, people coming to the warehouse to order drums. Now, every Guitar Center is going to have OCDP. You can walk in, touch them, play them. That’s a huge shift.
There’s often skepticism when a boutique brand scales up. Did you have concerns?
Totally fair question. In the past, mass-produced drums sometimes missed. But the technology has come a long way. The stuff coming out now is really, really good — I can stand behind it.
Tell me about that orange sparkle snare you’re releasing.
It’s a throwback to 1997, when we were touring Tragic Kingdom. I had this orange sparkle kit, and that look stuck with people. The new snare kind of splits the difference — it can get that high, cutting sound I used back then, but you can also tune it down for something more rock & roll. … And that original orange sparkle kit [I toured with] is actually going to be at the pop-up store at the Venetian [Resort Las Vegas] during the Sphere run. People can come in, see it, sit at it, take photos — it’s pretty wild.
No Doubt in 1997: Gwen Stefani, Adrian Young, and Tony Kanal.
Margaret Norton/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images
What’s the idea behind the pop-up?
It’s more than merch — it’s really immersive. There’s going to be a ton of memorabilia, including drums, and it ties into the whole experience of the Sphere shows. I’ve seen the ones they’ve done for other artists, and ours is definitely going to lean into themes and storytelling.
Does that mindset carry into the actual show?
Yeah, completely. The Sphere lets you take that kind of thinking and go way further with it. It’s just a different animal. There’s nothing like it in the world in terms of sound and visuals. And it gives you the ability to really lean into themes — and we’re going to go there.
Does that mean you’re leaning into Tragic Kingdom for the show?
Both the music and the aesthetic, yeah. There’s definitely more of that in the set than we’ve done in recent years. I won’t give too much away, but there’s a nostalgic feel.
How deep are you into prep?
Tom [Dumont], Tony [Kanal], and I have been jamming at my house once a week just to shake off the rust. Now we’re getting into full production rehearsals. We’ve already seen some of the visual development at the smaller Sphere facility in Burbank, and I came home like, “Oh, my God, I’m so fucking pumped.” I haven’t felt that level of excitement in a while.
What makes playing the Sphere different from something like Coachella?
The Sphere is on steroids. There’s nothing like it in terms of sound and visuals. And it lets you really lean into themes, and we’re going to go there. I don’t usually hype things up like that, but this is going to be very different. And yeah, it’s going to be kick-ass.
The four-piece acrylic shell pack in nightglow fade
Courtesy of Guitar Center
I’ve heard the sound system there is totally unique for artists to get used to.
That’s what I hear, too. The PA is actually in the screen behind the stage, so it creates challenges for performers. I’ve been told, “Be ready for that.”
I know Gwen [Stefani] has done some private events there — are you using her production as a foundation?
No, this is a completely built-from-the-ground-up No Doubt show at the Sphere.
Beyond your signature snare, what stands out in the new drum lineup?
There’s this acrylic kit with a blue-and-purple fade that I saw and immediately thought, “That looks insane. I hope it sounds good.” Then I played it, and it did. Daniel and I were consulting on everything, but that one just jumped out. I’d love to play it live at some point.
You mentioned going to Guitar Center when you were growing up. What’s your earliest memory?
I went to the Santa Ana store in the late Eighties. I was in a metal band, and someone told me my drum kit wasn’t cool enough. So I went and bought this cheap white Tama kit that was on sale. I used that kit to audition for No Doubt, and for our first record.
Do you still have it?
No, I gave it to my brother 25 years ago. I should probably call him and ask where it is.
