AceShowbiz - In the early 1990s, before No Doubt became international stars with their breakthrough album Tragic Kingdom, drummer Adrian Young was struggling to find affordable gear, flipping through classifieds in search of drums he could afford. His fortunes changed when Orange County Drum & Percussion (OCDP), a small drum shop in Orange County, offered to build him a custom snare drum.

"I was like, 'Fuck, someone wants to give me something because of my band?'" Young recalls with a laugh. That initial connection with OCDP would not only support his sound but also define the look and tone of alternative rock drumming for years to come.

OCDP quickly evolved from a boutique drum shop into a brand synonymous with influential rock acts such as Blink-182, 311, and the Foo Fighters. Young became more than just an endorsee; he became a partner who helped shape the company's growth and identity alongside these bands.

Now, 35 years after OCDP's founding, the company is relaunching nationwide through Guitar Center, making its custom drum builds accessible to a broad audience for the first time. This revival comes as Young remains actively engaged in music, balancing film scoring projects—including the thriller Misdirection—and studio production work with artists like Steel Pulse.

Young is also preparing for a major live return with No Doubt, gearing up for their first shows since Coachella 2024. Their upcoming 18-date tour begins May 6 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, a venue lauded as the most technologically advanced in the world.

For Young, these endeavors are connected: his past, present, and future converge through his work with drums, nostalgic reflection, and the immersive spectacle of the Sphere shows. In a recent interview, he shared insights on the OCDP relaunch, the band's innovative Sphere residency, and why this next phase feels monumental.

The new OCDP drum line features diverse offerings, including a raw copper snare, a black lacquer birch snare equipped with spectrum hardware, a bubblegum frosted acrylic snare with die-cast hoops, and a four-piece acrylic shell kit finished in a nightglow fade.

Adrian Young traces his relationship with OCDP back roughly 35 years. "It started as a drum shop in Orange County," he explains. "I was broke, just trying to get gear however I could. Daniel Jensen, the founder, 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." He notes that during that era, notable drummers like Chad Sexton and Taylor Hawkins also gravitated toward OCDP, marking a unique moment in alternative rock history.

When asked how the current relaunch differs from OCDP's early boutique days, Young emphasizes the scale and accessibility. "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."

He acknowledges concerns about boutique brands scaling up but expresses confidence in modern manufacturing. "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."

Highlighting a standout piece, Young describes the orange sparkle snare being released: "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."

He also shares exciting news about a pop-up shop planned at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas during the Sphere residency, where the original orange sparkle kit from the 1997 tour will be on display. Fans can visit, sit at the drums, take photos, and immerse themselves in the band's history.

The pop-up aims to be more than a merchandise outlet. "It's really immersive," Young says. "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."

Regarding the Sphere shows themselves, Young emphasizes how the venue pushes creative boundaries. "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."

He confirms that elements of Tragic Kingdom will feature prominently in the setlist and overall aesthetic. "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."

Preparation for the shows is well underway. "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."

Comparing the Sphere to a festival like Coachella, Young says, "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."

Young also comments on the unique sound system at the Sphere. "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.'"

While Gwen Stefani has performed private events at the Sphere, Young clarifies that the upcoming No Doubt shows will be entirely original productions. "No, this is a completely built-from-the-ground-up No Doubt show at the Sphere."

Besides his signature snare, Young is particularly fond of an acrylic drum kit with a blue-and-purple fade in the new lineup. "I saw it 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."

As OCDP transitions from boutique brand to a widely available name in Guitar Center stores, and as No Doubt prepares to bring their music to life in the immersive Sphere environment, Adrian Young is clearly energized by the convergence of his musical past and future. For fans and musicians alike, this marks an exciting chapter in alternative rock history.