Vicki Peterson and hubby John Cowsill kicked off our weekend with a show at the Cutting Room that was entertaining and, at times, deeply moving. Although they performed fun arrangements of Bangles classics "Manic Monday" and "Walk Like an Egyptian" as well as the Cowsills' groovy cover of "Hair," it was songs from their new collaborative LP -- featuring covers written by two of John's uber-talented late brothers, about whom speaking brought him to tears -- that proved to be the highlight of the night.
Check out "A Thousand Times" or "Come to Me" to see what I mean and catch them on tour if you get the chance. Tour info HERE.
After an acrimonious breakup in 1989, the Femme Fab Four reunited in 1999 -- going on to tour over the next two decades and record two more acclaimed albums.
Mysteriously, however, the Bangles have gone quiet since 2019. What would have been an obvious next move -- reuniting to perform their signature cover of "Hazy Shade of Winter" for the televised Paul Simon tribute in 2022 -- shockingly saw Susanna Hoffs go it alone.
So why an "authorized" book now? Perhaps they have decided it's truly over, and this is their chance to document their history once and for all. (If the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is listening, please refer to my first paragraph.)
But if, as reviewer Bob Ruggiero says, the book can't answer the most confounding question -- why they were all so miserable in their heyday -- might I hazard a guess? It could be the same reason they're not together now. (If Fleetwood Mac has taught us nothing else it's that bandmates can hold grudges for a lifetime!)
What we've been told is that tension over Susanna Hoffs (rhythm guitar/vocals) being singled out as the lead singer is what led to the breakup. Indeed, of their eight hit singles, Hoffs was the primary vocalist on five and co-lead on two others, "Walk Like an Egyptian" and "Hazy Shade," which the label was undoubtedly behind. Still, it's hard to put the notion entirely on outside forces when the Bangles (as the Bangs) self-releasedtheir first single and opted to feature Susanna as the lead on the A and B sides, which suggests to me that even the Petersons saw her as their best bet for success.
But I've long theorized (with scant evidence) that Vicki Peterson (lead guitar/vocals) was relatively sanguine being wildly successful even with the Susanna situation so long as the group's round-robin lead vocals and shared songwriting remained intact -- but that her little sis, Debbi Peterson (drums/vocals), was having none of it, furious that they were being pushed into the background of "their own" band.
This, I surmise, then made Vicki -- peacemaker in chief -- miserable as well, ginning up her own Sue envy (now penning hits with outside songwriters) while at the same time forcing her to constantly run interference, protectively calming and comforting her angry kid sister. (I’d be miffed too!) Add to the disgruntledness the fact that Michael Steele (bass/vocals) -- the "serious Bangle" whom to nobody's surprise did not participate in this new book -- was bound to feel like the odd one out as the sole non-founding member, likely leaving Vicki to reassure Steele that she was a full member and that her songs would eventually be used. (Steele had zero writing credits or lead vocals on the debut album and just one writing credit on the second.)
That the band's two non-Susanna-lead singles both featured Debbi on lead vocals ("Going Down to Liverpool" and "Be With You") rather than Vicki -- arguably the leader of the pack and its best songwriter -- has appeasement written all over it. (They're both great songs; but it definitely raised my eyebrows at the time.)
(Another tea leaf: Vicki wrote the sublime "James" and "He's Got a Secret" and co-wrote "Dover Beach" -- the standout track on their debut "All Over the Place" LP -- yet allowed Susanna to sing lead on all three … what I see as further proof that Vicki just wanted more rocking and less drama.)
Debbi is also known for having had dustups with Gina Schock (of the Go-Go's), producer David Kahne -- not saying she was at fault in either case, but perhaps a pattern? -- and her social media seems to go out its way to avoid photos that feature Susanna. Debbi has also openly mocked what she saw as Sue's "little sex kitten" persona back in the day: "I personally wanted the Bangles to be seen more as musicians and a band and not just little sex poodles up there."
Whatever the case, I'd like nothing more than for the women to reunite once again. That former bassist Annette Zilinskas had been playing live with them in recent years and was on their last recordings makes me even more sad that they've vanished.
Until then, if anyone knows what the truth is, please set me free. I love Debbi and all of them, but love gossip even more!
P.S. I ran my theory by Jennifer Otter Bickerdike, author of "Eternal Flame: The Authorized Biography of the Bangles," and she replied: "Being in a band is difficult. Hope you enjoy the book and thank you for reaching out."
Sounds like someone missed her calling in diplomacy!
The Fans: Debbie [sic] Peterson, Lynn Elkind, Amanda Hills and Vicki Peterson
UPDATE: I hadn't seen the band's "Behind the Music" since it first aired in 2000 so I just re-watched it. It confirmed much of what I wrote -- it undoubtedly informed some of my thoughts even if I'd forgotten -- and made me realize that Susanna had tired of the finger-pointing ("Eternal Flame? More like eternal blame!), so I have a feeling that if any of that began resurfacing she'd have had a much easier time walking away this time around. I'm guessing she and the Peterson sisters as well are at the age where they're thinking: "Who needs this, again?"... but what a loss for us fans.
And while I'm imagining Vicki took the latest split the hardest, it's nice to see that she and hubby John Cowsill have recorded an album together. New single above! Read more HERE.
And if you don't now about John's family history, I highly recommend watching "Family Band: The Cowsills Story." It's a fascinating story -- they were the inspiration for "The Partridge Family" -- although I might warn that it should probably have every trigger warning known to man on it.
I'm pretty lazy about "going out" these days, between Covid and decrepitude. But when I heard Go-Go's bassist Kathy Valentine was bringing her Austin band to town -- and that Bangles guitarist Vicki Peterson was going to be their special guest -- you'd better believe I got my ass over to Arlene's Grocery right on time! (Note to self: That bar plays great music and the boys are super cute.) The Bonnets were on fire, dazzling the crowd with a selection from their three studio LPs -- and cribbing a few from the Delphines, Kathy and singer/bassist Dominique Davalos's previous band. Then Vicki joined them, which prompted a singalong version of the Faces' "Ooh La La" before launching into today's song of the day, a Vicki Peterson classic from the Bangles eponymous 1982 EP.
After the show, I asked Vicki where they’d came up with that unexpected gem and she said it was Kathy's idea -- and that the Bonnets learned it during the soundcheck, which might explain why I ended up providing many of the backing vocals!
Today's Song of the Day that allows you to give back.
Vicki Peterson of the Bangles writes:
Girls in Kabul, Afghanistan, have limited options -- but thanks to guitarist Lanny Cordola, the girls in Miraculous Love Kids are finding some joy, singing and learning to play guitar. I was so happy to be invited to record with the group and many incredible American artists, including Wayne Kramer, Kathy Valentine, Tom Morello and Cherie Curie.
Check out the full story HERE -- and enjoy the video below:
Here's a timely one from the upcoming Action Skulls LP -- a special collection of songs written by Bill Mumy for this unique time in history. Mumy -- perhaps best known as Will Robinson on the 1960s sci-fi series "Lost in Space" -- has teamed with Vicki Peterson of the Bangles and her hubby, John Cowsill (of the Cowsills and sister of Vicki's Continental Drifters bandmate Susan Cowsill), for a years-in-the-making album of what Vicki calls “Canyon Rock” -- partially because they all live in the canyons of Los Angeles but also because the songs reflect influences of the classic ’70s Laurel Canyon scene. Learn more including the death of the band's fourth member HERE.
P.S.
Here's a look at the trio performing live a few years ago.
So it turns out obsessively (re)reading Wikipedia entries can actually pay off -- like discovering the Bangles covered "Good Day Sunshine" on a 2008 kids' album! Just imagine how thrilled Bea Arthur Michael Steele, Vicki Peterson, Susanna Hoffs and Debbi Peterson must have been in when they met legendary Fab Four producer George Martin at the Hollywood Bowl back in 1999, shortly after reforming! I was just thinking how it seemed like the gals were broken up forEVER, yet the time they were apart (nine years) is a fraction of the time they've been back together ... or were even together in the first place. Getting older is funny that way.
P.S.
And because the gals can't get enough of Paul, John, George and Ringo, here's a 2012 radio appearance I'm also just discovering, posted in 2018.
This one is filled with emotions. First, I didn't realize the Bangles had actually "replaced" the great Micki Steele on bass -- with an actual man, no less! And that the replacement, Derrick Anderson, ended up releasing a solo album that featured the Peterson sisters plus Kim Shattuck of the Muffs, who we just lost ALS at just 56.
Order "Ladies and Gentlemen ... the Bangles!" HERE.
Great interview with the Bangles -- Susanna Hoffs, Vicki Peterson and Debbi Peterson -- about their upcoming three-night stand at the Whisky A Go Go HERE.
You know how every time you go to see one of your favorite bands they're promoting a new album? And even if you sincerely like it, you still feel a little resentful of the fact that six to 10 songs, depending on how charitable they're feeling, were taken up on the setlist for the new stuff? Well that was certainly the case the last two times I saw my beloved Bangles, in 2011 on the "Sweetheart of the Sun" tour and at the House of Blues in West Hollywood in the early oughts for "Doll Revolution." But when I bought tickets for their recent stop in New York City, I had a feeling I was in for a treat. Not only were they not promoting a new LP, I had heard rumblings about an upcoming release that was a compilation of their more obscure -- pre-compact disc -- recordings, a CD that my Greg and I had already produced a decade ago. Cut to Monday night, where my VIP ticket included a wine and cheese mixer with the gals, followed by a raucous -- rock-ass? -- evening that was even more thrilling than I could have anticipated.
The meet 'n' greet started out like a clusterfuck, with everyone lining up to get into this back part of the place -- the venue is an actual winery in Lower Manhattan, and is deceptively huge -- and the so-called organizers having nothing planned. Susanna Hoffs -- stunning as ever -- immediately slipped into Mom Mode (she and "Meet the Parents" director Jay Roach have two sons), deciding the band's table needed to be moved to the back so there would be enough room for the fans to sidle up to them for a pic-with, and the line should go to the right, so the food and drinks table wasn't being obstructed. (It was adorable seeing her in action!) From there, the wine started flowing and the finger food started going around -- only I couldn't see waiting 30 years to meet the Bangles and having salami breath so passed.
When I got my moment with the gals, it dawned on me as I was approaching their cafe table that it was almost exactly 30 years since I had first seen them in concert, when they opened for the Psychedelic Furs on the "Mirror Moves" tour in 1984. "All Over the Place" had just come out, and I was even more in love with the band than I was after the previous EP.
The mere mention of the tour seemed to stir up a lot of memories, then they mentioned -- thinking I was a Native New Yorker -- that the Radio City Music Hall show was their first-ever gig in New York City and how nervous they had been. When I mentioned I'd actually seen them in Arizona, Vicki said, "Close enough!" and they all laughed. I had already gotten a chuckle out of them earlier when I offered to sign Michael Steele's signature for a female fan with no self-awareness who had brought (what seemed like) 50 things to be autographed.
When I got back to the table, I was so happy/relieved -- I had tried to track Sue down a half-dozen times at City Winery during her "Under the Covers" gigs and solo appearances to no avail -- then my friend Jacob arrived and the fun was just beginning. When the show kicked off with a rowdy rendition of "Hazy Shade of Winter," I had a good feeling about things. But when back-to-back "AOTP" places songs -- Vicki kicking ass and taking names on "He's Got a Secret" and Susanna's plaintive "James" -- were followed by their first-ever single, "Getting Out of Hand," then all five songs of the '83 EP plus more "AOTP" and all the hits (except "Walking Down Your Street"), I thought I'd pass out from excitement! Perhaps the highlight of the evening, as always with them, is when Debbi comes out front to sing lead on "Going Down to Liverpool." Although Susanna has a splendid voice, she -- like Stevie Nicks, another favorite -- harmonizes so beautifully that it's almost more enjoyable than having her on lead, as she takes the song to a whole new level.
While I've heard they did a second encore of "Dover Beach" in some cities, I really wasn't in a position to complain when they ended with their two biggest hits. In addition to having a nearly written-for-me setlist, I also ran into a dear friend I knew through my late pal Larry who I hadn't seen in ages, and my plus-one surprised me with a bottle of Bangles signature Zinfandel wine after the show.
Today's (abbreviated) Music Box post was inspired by Bangles drummer Debbi Peterson, who turns the big 5-0 today. (Happy Birthday, Deb!) Besides being a world-class instrumentalist (she's quite handy on the guitar too), Vicki's little sister also sang lead on two the group's singles, "Going Down to Liverpool" and "Be With You." (Check her out singing from behind her drum kit on David Letterman circa 1984 below!)
With the Bangles back together, you probably won't be seeing a UB40 in Debbi's hands
As it would happen, I found out just last week that the Bangles -- now a trio since the retirement of bassist Michael Steele in 2005 -- are doing a concise tour of the East Coast this fall supporting a new album, "Sweetheart of the Sun," due out Sept. 27. (Pre-order HERE.)
The forthcoming single, "Anna Lee (Sweetheart of the Sun)," is pure delight, much like "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)" was on the band's initial reunion album in 2003, only this one's penned by the group. (The sound is more EP than "Everything.") It was shame that the label -- or the band? -- relied on so many covers and outside writers and co-writers for the group's singles when the bulk of the albums were written by these incredibly talented women, including fan favorites "Hero Takes a Fall," "James," "Dover Beach," "Following" and "Bell Jar." ("Bell Jar" is Belinda Carlisle's favorite Bangles song, btw!) If the rest of the album is even half as interesting as the single -- and the recently released artwork -- we may have a winner.
(Read my full-length Music Box on the Bangles HERE.)
This week's rag 'n' mag roundup features Alex Espenshade, Belmont Cameli, Darren Criss, Lucas Oakley, Matt Damon, Fabien Frank...
Fake Jan Alert
My blog is featured in Susan Olsen's tell-all about the ill-fated "Brady Bunch Variety Hour"!
Little Kenny
Growing up in Madison Heights, Mich.
Back to the Old House
The Web leads to an unexpected return to a house I grew up in.
Oceans 11
Carlsbad, Calif. (2008)
1983
Go Behind the Music of my high-school band, A La Plage
A Death in the Family
Little Larry left us too soon.
Once I Had a Love
With Debbie Harry
'Jungle' Fever
With Robert Buckley
Roger & Me
With Roger Federer
Step Brother McMullen
With Ed Burns
Headline News
With Thomas Roberts
Disclaimer
The views expressed on this blog belong to me -- and me alone -- and are not a reflection of my employers past, present or future.
All photos are shared under the fair use doctrine (17 U.S.C. § 107). If you would like any image removed, please contact me and I will promptly comply.
