As weird as it seems, the recent uprising in Egypt brought the Bangles to some minds. The L.A.’s band’s breakout hit “Walk Like an Egyptian” became popular all over again.
“Interesting, isn’t it?,” says guitarist Vicki Peterson. “I was so impressed and excited for the Egyptian people. Especially the way it ultimately went down, that it was a peaceful demonstration of their desires and their needs. I started getting messages about the song and saw a couple of signs. It’s weird because it doesn’t really relate, and it doesn’t make any sense. But it was a nice thing to be part of that moment.”
This week the Bangles play SXSW for the first time – not so weird considering they broke up in 1989, just around the time the festival began. They’ve been reunited since 2000 and are currently in the studio working on a follow-up to the band’s 2003 reboot, Doll Revolution.
“We’ve actually been reunited for a longer period of time than we were together in the Eighties,” Peterson laughs. “We work on a whole different level now. Instead of it being 24/7, rock ’til you drop Bangling, it’s very much about fitting the Bangles into our very busy and scattered lives.”
Now a trio – Peterson, her sister Debbi on drums, and Susanna Hoffs – following the departure of bassist Michael Steele, the group was undoubtedly influential to countless other female musicians, yet Peterson seems surprised more bands didn’t followed in their footsteps.
“Why wouldn’t you make that choice to make music with other women?,” she asks. “It’s so fun and slightly less complicated than working with men. I love that there are a ton of women out there and we’re hearing new female voices all the time.”
This article appears in March 18 • 2011.