Exclusive interview with The Bangles' Debbi Peterson

The Bangles have been a part of American culture for almost three decades, with hits such as "Walk Like an Egyptian," "Eternal Flame," and "Manic Monday." For the first time in eight years, the band is releasing an all-new album made up of the songs that capture the true essence of The Bangles.

TheCelebrityCafe.com talked to The Bangles' drummer, Debbi Peterson, on the band, the tours, and the album, Sweetheart of the Sun, which debuts September 13.

When telling us about the album, Peterson said, "We finally have our new record out, for our fans that have been waiting patiently for years and years. I’m sorry it's taken this long, but I can’t wait for them to hear it."

TheCelebrityCafe.com: There aren’t many talented drummers that are women out there and you are one of them. What made you want to become a drummer?

Debbi Peterson: Well actually, originally I wanted to be a bass player or a guitar player many years ago. Then, there happened to be a space in my sister Vicki’s band that she had in high school with her friends, and they suddenly had a vacant space for a drummer. So the bass player Amanda suggested me to my sister and my sister said ‘Oh I never thought of that!’ so I sat down and did a little audition and I nailed the audition!

TheCelebrityCafe.com: So you never had any formal lessons or anything to learn to drum?

Debbi Peterson: No. When I got in the band, I took one drum lesson and I didn’t like the way the teacher was telling me to hold my drumsticks. I said, ‘Okay I don’t want to do this.’ I literally just watched a lot of drummers and did a lot of air drumming, a lot of visual and not really training. It took me a while to get it down, but to me, that’s the way to do it, because I do everything by ear so it worked better.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: You started experimenting with music when you were really young… was there anyone that kind of inspired you along the way?

Debbi Peterson: As far as drummers go, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, Charlie Watts, and Bruce Gary from the The Knack, because we used to see The Knack a lot when we were younger. He was an awesome drummer and influenced me a lot. Again, just listening and watching guys like Stuart Copeland that I could see and watch.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Your new album called Sweetheart of the Sun is The Bangles' first album in over eight years. How was it to get back into the recording process?

Debbi Peterson: We actually did it a little different this time. Last time for [our album] Doll Revolution, we rented a house and did it all there. But this time we started at Matthew Sweet’s house and did the tracks there. But then it wasn’t quite working out, so [guitarist/singer] Susanna has a Pro Tools Rig at her house and [my sister] Vicki got one too, so we were kind of bouncing between three different places. It was kind of interesting and kind of a learning curve for us to do it that way, because we’ve never done it that way before. Usually we just did everything in one spot. It took a little while to get things together, but it all came together in the end quite well I think.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Sweetheart of the Sun. The name itself just kind of just makes you want to be driving around in a convertible in California, and the sound of the album matches that idea. Was there a theme that followed you all throughout the making of the new album?

Debbi Peterson: Actually yes, it kind of ended up becoming that way. A lot of the songs were written in different eras—some in the early '90s, some in the mid-'90s, and some very recently, so it is interesting how we made it all work out. A lot of the songs are kind of sunny and 'Southern California in the 70s.' I think [our song] "Annalee (Sweetheart of the Sun)" is very much about the '60s and '70s and the sexual freedom that was going on. It all started coming together and we thought ‘this could be a theme.’ So we took pictures [for the album] that would reflect that theme.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: The Bangles took a break for a while back in the '90s, but you’re back together making music. Are there any differences from working together now than it was before you took that break?

Debbi Peterson: We actually communicate better. We're all parents, so we all have kids, and we learned perspective on things. So instead of freaking out and not knowing how to deal with a situation, we'll talk it out. If someone feels uncomfortable, we'll work it out so we don’t have to do that, unless its something we really have to do. Whereas in the '80s, we'd never communicate. It was such a crazy time -- there was so much touring and so much press, it was non-stop. We just kind of got sick of each other, like any band would do. It’s a very normal thing. We needed that break, and after that break and working with other people, we realized that we really liked to work together, and let's just do it because we really like to do it, and that’s why we're here.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: You guys did a few shows in California in July, how was it to be back on stage?

Debbi Peterson: We have been doing shows for a while in different places and different parts of the country, and we went to Australia a few years ago. We have been on and off doing shows. Because we have kids, it’s hard to take that much time away. But it’s still great and it’s such a good time. In fact, we did this show at the Santa Monica Pier and the place was packed. It was amazing. It was a beautiful night and everything came together really nicely. I think we're enjoying it more and more because we're better musicians now, and we're enjoying just getting on the stage and rockin’ out.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: The Bangles have been touring since the 1980s… was there any one particular tour that you loved or band that you loved to play with?

Debbi Peterson: I think the first time we went to Australia, that was really fun. There were a couple of European tours that were great in the mid-'80s. What I really enjoyed was when things started really happening and there was so much excitement around us -- that was probably in '84 and '85. A lot of times we got thrown in with bands that we weren’t sure worked musically for us, but we did play with R.E.M. in the early days, which was awesome.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Do The Bangles have any performances or tours coming up?

Debbi Peterson: Yes we do. In the beginning of October we’ll be going to the East Coast, a little bit of the Midwest, and well be coming back to the West Coast in November.

TheCelebrityCafe.com: Where can our readers find more information about the album and tour dates?

Debbi Peterson: You can go to our website TheBangles.com for more information.