The Bangles weren't always the Bangles.

Early incarnations found them as the Colours, The Bangs, and The Supersonic Bangs. It wasn't until 1981 when they would first perform as the Bangles. They emerged from the L. A.'s new wave-y " Paisley Underground" scene. Only a few years later, the Bangles would find themselves as one of the best-selling bands of the '80s.

When they first broke, the Bangles played curvaceous surf/60s' guitar-rock. The Bangles were heavily influenced by earlier acts like Big Star, the Merry Go Round and Love. The band consists of sisters Debbi (drums) and Vicki Peterson (bass), and singer/guitarist Susanna Hoffs started the group when the Peterson's responded to a want ad placed by Hoffs; later they added Annette Zilinskas.

The Bangles first trumpeted their arrival with a self-produced/self-released the single titled "Getting Out of Hand." It jingled and jangled in a soft, yet classic California-rock vibe ala the Mamas and the Papas. Their sexy looks and laid back sound garnered attention and the Bangles then released a four-song EP on the IRS label. They were then signed to Columbia. All Over the Place, was their big debut and released in 1984. Produced by David Kahne, he put a pretty gloss on the already sultry quartet. and released in 1984, once the band had been given an all-over clean up. At this point, former Runaway Michael Steele replaced Zilinskas.

Stronger than ever, the Bangles burst back in 1985 with Different Light. The album included the Prince song "Manic Monday," and went to number two on the Billboard charts. That was followed up with the decade defining "Walk Like an Egyptian," which went to number one and sent the album to the top of the charts. Their next single was a cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "Hazy Shade of Winter," from the Less Than Zero soundtrack. The hot song reached number one in 1987. At the same time, Susanna Hoffs appeared in a now cult-classic movie called The Allnighter. Hoffs appearance undoubtedly kept the Bangles in the spotlight and the follow-up album, Everything, spawned another number one, "Eternal Flame," in 1988.

The Bangles called it quits "due to artistic differences" in 1989.

The Bangles officially reformed in the summer of 2000, announcing tour dates and plans for a new studio album.

Also in 2000, the Bangles were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.

The Bangles reunited to play their hit "Hazy Shade of Winter" in front of Times Square and later played "Eternal Flame" as part of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2006.

In 2008 the Bangles are touring with dates in Las Vegas, Louisiana, Austin, Glasgow and Ojai.