In 1980 Los Angeles-born-and-raised lead guitarist Vicki Peterson formed a power-pop girl band with her younger sister Debbi (who played drums) and rhythm guitarist Susanna Hoffs.  Initially they called themselves “the Colours” then the “Supersonic Bangs” and then settled on “The Bangs”.

By the time they’d committed their first single to vinyl in 1982, the group had begun to make a name for itself as part of LA’s “Paisley Underground” scene, incorporating Folk-Rock with Psychedelia and Garage/Punk.  Unfortunately (at least at the time) due to some inane legal wrangling they were forced to change their name just prior to the single’s release.   So they simply added an “les” to the end of the name and became known as “the Bangles.”

After releasing their 1984 debut album,“All Over the Place” the Bangles (which now included ex-Runaways bassist Michael Steel) began to serve as Cyndi Lauper’s opening act and caught the attention of Prince Rogers Nelson, aka Prince, aka the Artist Formerly Known as Prince, who a few years later (while allegedly “linked” with Susanna Hoffs) gave the group today’s selection under the pseudonym, “Christopher” (his film character in “Under the Cherry Moon”).

Featured on their second studio album “Different Light” the Bangles at long last had a hit with “Manic Monday” reaching the Number 2 spot on the U.S., the UK and the German charts in 1986.

 LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Monday 10 September

Manic Monday

 Six o’clock already

I was just in the middle of a dream

I was kissin’ Valentino

By a crystal blue Italian stream

But I can’t be late

‘Cause then I guess I just won’t get paid

These are the days

When you wish your bed was already made

 It’s just another manic Monday

I wish it was Sunday

‘Cause that’s my fun day

My I don’t have to run day

It’s just another manic Monday

Have to catch an early train

Got to be to work by nine

And if I had an airplane

I still couldn’t make it on time

‘Cause it takes me so long

Just to figure out what I’m gonna’ wear

Blame it on the train

But the boss is already there

 It’s just another manic Monday

I wish it was Sunday

‘Cause that’s my fun day

My I don’t have to run day

It’s just another manic Monday

 All of my nights

Why did my lover have to pick last night

To get down

Doesn’t it matter

That I have to feed the both of us

Employment’s down

He tells me in his bedroom voice

C’mon honey, let’s go make some noise

Time it goes so fast

When you’re having fun

It’s just another manic Monday

I wish it was Sunday

‘Cause that’s my fun day

My I don’t have to run day

It’s just another manic Monday