The Bangles

[Bob]

Susanna Hoffs joined sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson to form a band in Los Angeles in December, 1980. The trio briefly christened itself The Colours, then renamed itself The Supersonic Bangs, and shortly afterwards The Bangs. The band was part of the Los Angeles Paisley Underground scene, which featured groups that played a mixture of 1960s-influenced folk-rock and jangle pop with a more modern punk–ish/garage band undertone.[1] In 1981, the threesome recorded and released a single ("Getting Out Of Hand" b/w "Call on Me") on DownKiddie Records (their own label). In 1981 Susanna Hoffs asked her friend, Patrick Hirtz, to manage the band. Patrick Hirtz later left the band to pursue the culinary arts. In 1982, the trio was signed to Faulty Products, a label formed by Miles Copeland.

The early Bangles line-up of Susanna Hoffs (vocals/guitars), Vicki Peterson (guitars/vocals), Debbi Peterson (vocals/drums) and Annette Zilinskas (vocals/bass) recorded an EP in 1982, and released the single "The Real World". A legal issue forced the band to change their name at the last minute so they dropped "The" and added the letters "les" to the end to become Bangles. Their first EP was retitled Bangles and released. In 1983, Faulty Products issued a 12 inch "remix" single of "The Real World" to radio and media, but another setback came as the label folded. I.R.S. Records picked up distribution and re-issued the EP. After Zilinskas left the band to focus on her own project Blood on the Saddle, she was replaced by Michael Steele, formerly of the all-girl band The Runaways, Toni & The Movers, Slow Children and Elton Duck.

The Bangles discography

All Over the Place (1984)
Different Light (1986)
Everything (1988)
Greatest Hits (1990)
September Gurls (1995)
Doll Revolution (2003)
The Bangles: Trilogy (2011)

[ComaDivine]

Hot chicks with guitars. God done good.

"Hoffs, hot then, hot now"

[binnie]

Who doesn't like this band?

Goodtime music to my ears.

[Blackflag]

I thought the blonde guitarist was the best looking.

[Blondie]

I remember seeing the Bangles perform their just released Single "The Real World" on MV3 (anyone remember that show?), before they hit it big. They were like the second version of the GoGos back then.

[Blackflag]

They were no GoGo's.

[Diamondjimi]

Hot chicks with guitars. God done good.

"Hoffs, hot then, hot now"

Always thought she was the hot one...

[Bob]

I head over heels love this song!

[cookie]

January 1982

Changing their names to The Bangles, the band continues to play gigs in the Los Angeles area. DJ Rodney Bingenheimer includes their song "Bitchin' Summer" on his Rodney on the ROQ compilation album. Miles Copeland signs on as their manager and they open for the Beats.

June 1982

The Bangles, a five-track mini-album, is released on Copeland's Faulty Product label, a subsidiary of I.R.S. Records. During the following 18 months, the band will sign a record deal with CBS/Columbia Records. Zilinkas will be replaced by
Michael Steele (b. 6.2.54) on bass.

August 1984

All Over The Place begins its 30-week stay on the US album chart, eventually peaking at # 80. In March of 1985 it will peak at UK# 86.

June 1985

Having wrapped up its first UK tour, the band begins to record its second album at the Sunset Sound Factory in Los Angeles.

January 1986

The Bangles launch a world tour.

March 1986

Written by Prince (using a pseudonym), the single "Manic Monday" soars to UK# 2. The album Different Light is released and begins a long chart climb to its eventual high mark of US# 2 and UK# 3.

April 1986

"Manic Monday" peaks at US# 2; ironically, it's author retains the # 1 spot with "Kiss".

May 1986

"If She Knew What She Wants" climbs to UK# 31; in July it will reach US# 29. "Going Down To Liverpool," originally done by Katrina & the Waves, is released; its promo video features Leonard Nimoy.

September 1986

Hoffs makes her acting debut in the film The Allnighter.

November 1986

"Walk Like An Egyptian" makes it to UK# 3. In a month's time it will be topping the US chart, where it will remain for four weeks.

January 1987

"Walking Down Your Street" reaches UK# 16. In April it will peak at US# 11.

February 1987

The RIAA certifies that Different Light has sold two million copies. (It will reach the three million mark in 1994.) The Bangles are named Best International Group at the 6th Annual BRIT Awards.

September 1987

The Bangles earn three MTV Video Music Award nominations and perform at the 4th Annual ceremony.

February 1988

The band's remake of Simon & Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade Of Winter", featured on the soundtrack for Less Than Zero and released on the Def Jam label, hits US# 2. In March it will peak at UK# 11.

December 1988

Everything reaches # 15 on the US album chart.

January 1989

"In Your Room" peaks at US# 5.

April 1989

"Eternal Flame," penned by Susannah Hoff, Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly, becomes the band's second # 1 hit in the US. It is certified gold by the RIAA, which also certifies Everything has gone platinum.

May 1989

Everything climbs to UK# 5; the 14-track compilation Bangles' Greatest Hits reaches UK# 4, but stalls at US# 97. It will be certified gold in August.

July 1989

"Be With You" goes to UK# 23 and US# 30.

September 1989

A press release confirms that The Bangles are splitting up.

[Mark]

Heard 'Manic Monday' on the radio today. Excellent tune. Love it as well.

[JerseyGirl]

I saw this recent picture of Susanna. She looks better now than she did then! Very beautiful!



I always liked this song too.

If You Knew What She Wants