Gabe Gonzalez left No Doubt behind in 1990 when he moved to the East Coast. The trumpet spot was filled by Don Hammerstedt. Don answered an
ad that was posted in a local record shop, Bionic Records in the city that both he and Adrian lived in, Cypress California. Don made the call, and after
his audition for the band, he was made the newest member of No Doubt on the spot. Don never really knew Gabe, but remember how he met him once
at the rehearsal studio when he came for a visit.
He stayed in the band for the next two years until he was faced
with the decision to quit his job, (and therefore lose his house), to tour with the band to promote the first album. Don was five years older than the
others in the band, and the only member who wasn't living at home at the time, the sacrifice of losing his house was just too much. After recording
on the 1st ND album. His favourite ND song to perform is "Move On" but his alltime favourite ND song is "Bouncing Shoes".
Don left to pursue a career as a studio musician. Don's horn can be heard on many TV commercials, but if you're curious
how he sounds in a rock setting today, pick up the album "Fundamental" by the band, Puya. That album made it to #2 on the CMJ charts in 1999.
It's on the MCA label and was released last year (1999). The L.A. Times named Puya one of the top ten groups to keep an eye on. Don played with Puya at the Hollywood Bowl and The House of
Blues last year, but rarely gigs these days in order to devote himself to the studio.
*Very special thanks to Don Hammerstedt for helping us by answering our questions to complete the bio, and also to
Michael McKeany for writing a part of the bio, with some additions by us.
