If it wasn’t for No Doubt, we wouldn’t have epic tunes such as karaoke-favourite ‘Don’t Speak’ and the ultimate break-up track ‘Ex-Girlfriend.’ We have to say, that we are ridiculously excited/overjoyed that the band are back on our airwaves, but we have one question: why has it been so long?

According to Gwen Stefani, the reason why No Doubt have been missing in action for the past decade was down to the fact that they needed some time apart.

“We were just burned out – we had toured so, so much, and it takes so much of yourself. We really just wanted to take a break. I got married and decided I wanted to do a dance record,” she explained recently.

“I didn’t ever expect for it to be what it was or for the No Doubt thing to be such a long break, but it was one of those things where you just had to sort of follow your inspiration,” she added.

The band are currently gearing up for the release of their long-awaited new album ‘Push And Shove.’ This will be the band’s first release since 2001’s ‘Rock Steady.’

Gwen said that since ‘Rock Steady’ the band’s commitments had changed greatly. She herself ended up becoming a mother during that time, making it difficult for her to make music her priority.

“I don’t think it’s mellowed us out, but priorities have to change. Before it was unspoken that the band was the number one thing: there was not a girlfriend or someone else that could be before the band,” said Gwen.

“Now we’re at a stage where we don’t have to be like that anymore. We can kind of do this when we want to. Like today, I told them, ‘I cannot do 12-hour days any more, stop it!’ I just missed Kingston and Zuma [her sons] going to sleep,” she added.

Gwen admits that her priorities have changed over the past few years.

So No Doubt are back! Well, for as long as they want to be anyway. And we have to say, Gwen doesn’t look like she’s aged AT ALL since we saw her on our television screens last. What’s her secret to looking good?

“There is no secret: You just have to eat healthy, work out, and torture yourself!” she said.

Well, at least she’s honest…

No Doubt’s new album will be released on October 2nd. Are you dying to get your hands on a copy?