About Me
THE STORY OF THE BANGLES begins on December 9, 1980.
Reeling from the assasination of John Lennon, guitarist Susanna Hoffs answered an ad placed by the garage-rocking Peterson sisters, Vicki and Debbi - and so it began. With Debbi on drums, Vicki on bass, and Susanna on guitar, the gurls began to delevop their signature sound - heavily harmonized 60's inspired rock.
Bassist Annette Zalinskas joined the group, Vicki moved to lead guitar, and they began to play gigs - appearing first as "The Supersonic Bangs," soon shortened to "The Bangs." With LA-based New Wavers including The Dream Syndicate, Rain Parade, and The Hoodoo Gurus, The Bangs shared the spotlight of a rock revival critics dubbed "the Paisely Underground."
The Bangs released the single "Getting Out Of Hand," garnering radio airplay thanks to the band's longtime patron, Rodney Bingenheimer . Fame also brought the gurls unwanted attention from a New Jersey group also called The Bangs, forcing a name change to the now-famous " Bangles ."
In 1982 the Bangles were discovered by IRS President - and Sting's brother - Miles Copeland. As their star began to rise, the band hit their first real hurdles - their label, Faulty Products, closed, forcing a move to Columbia Records, and Zalinkas left the group, resulting in the addition of former Runaways lead singer Michael Steele on bass - cementing the lineup that would catapult the Bangles to the top of the charts.
In 1984, The Bangles' released their first full-length album, All Over The Place . The singles "Hero Takes A Fall" and "Going Down To Liverpool," got extensive airplay on college radio, and opening for Cyndi Lauper's '84 tour exposed the Bangles to an ever-widening audience.
Released in 1985, Different Light , featured Prince's "Manic Monday," "If She Knew What She Wants," and the hit dance track "Walk Like An Egyptian"- rocketing the band into overnight superstardom. "WLAE" charted at Billboard's 1 for four weeks in a row - a feat no other all-female band had ever achieved. A smash national tour, and awards including Single of The Year, Best MTV Video Performance, and a BMA helped solidify the band's status.
In 1987, the Bangles recorded and co-produced a hard rocking cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade Of Winter" for the Less Than Zero soundtrack. "HSOW" rocketed to 2 on the charts, and that summer found the band at the peak of their popularity and back on the road for their 'Bitchen Summer' tour.
In early 1988, the Bangles released Everything - featuring two more chart hits; the rocking "In Your Room," and the ballad "Eternal Flame," which went to Billboard's 1 and became the fifth biggest selling hit single for 1989.
Despite their success, tensions in the band were high, and in 1989 they decided to take a hiatus - cancelling the rest of their world tour, a 4th album, and a concert film. Although intended only as a short break, within a month the group formally dissolved.
In 1990 Greatest Hits broke sales records in Britain, charting in the UK Top 10 for an incredible 97 weeks, and peaking as the 4 album in the country.
The band members stayed in touch throughout the decade, but serious talk about reforming the Bangles didn't begin until the late 90's, when Susanna's husband, director Jay Roach, suggested that the gurls write a song for his new film, Austin Powers : The Spy Who Shagged Me.'
In 1999, Vicki, Susanna, Michael, and Debbi headed back into the studio, recording their original song "Get The Girl" for the Austin Powers soundtrack. Delighted to be reunited, in 2000 the Bangles formally announced their re-formation, and began writing and performing again. A popular VH1 'Behind The Music Special' in 2000 and guest spot on 'The Gilmore Girls' in 2001 brought them additional exposure and support. In July 2003, the Bangles proudly released the power-pop driven Doll Revolution , their first studio album in over a decade.
A fan and critical favorite, Doll Revolution went to 23 on Billboard's Top 100 Independent Albums for 2003.
In 2005, longtime bassist Michael Steele elected to retire from the band, but the Bangles continue to tour and perform with guest bassist Abby Travis . In 2007 they released a brand new concert DVD "Return To Bangleonia," and plans for another album are underway.
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