::: Welcome to the Bangles :::

Q: Last Year in London you and your bandmates seemed to be very touched by the fans excited response, how were your feelings when you returned to Europe?

Debbi's Dish: We were excited by the reaction we got, because it's been a while since we were in London. However, we didn't miss the jet lag and sleep deprivation!
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Q: With the new cd ready to drop in the not-too-distant future, how do you and the other Bangles feel? Nervous? Excited? What's it like to be a part of the calm before the storm, so to speak?

DD: We CAN'T WAIT to get our CD out there! We're excited and proud and are looking forward to the fans' responses!

Q: Just how tough is balancing a career in the music industry with family life?

DD: It's pretty tough. There's a lot of organizing involved, but it's worth it.

Ms. Debbie demonstrates that life on the road is a real balancing act...

Q: I'd be curious to know about how the Bangles go about practicing: Once the hiatus and the first mini-tour was over, how often did you all get together to work on material for the album and keep your chops up?

DD: When we do get together (which can be difficult, as most of us live in different states, now) it's usually in batches. We wrote together and separately for the new album. Sometimes I wish we could get together more often to keep the ol' chops up.

Planes, trains, automobiles...and even boats...

Q: Once the setlist is more or less decided, does it form the structure of the typical practice or do you concentrate primarily on the new songs and let the older ones mostly take care of themselves?

DD: We have to concentrate more on newer material, because we haven't played it live before, or if we have, not that often. We've also enjoyed giving new life to the old material.

Q: How many songs does the band know/play that will never, ever be played on stage?

DD: There's a few.

The only thing glamorous about THIS dressing room is Debbi herself!

Q: Is there any chance that the band would play "What I Meant To Say" live on this tour? The vocal interplay between you and Vicki is outstanding!! (Mary Street would be cool too!)

DD: There's always a chance that we'll throw some of the older songs into the set.

Q: Any chance of Some Dreams Come True being played from the stage again?

DD: A good chance.

Q: Once the band's on the road, do you rely on the shows to keep you sharp or do you have long soundchecks?

DD: The longer we're on the road, the more settled in we get with our sound and crew. Therefore, the soundchecks get shorter.

How to board a plane Banglestyle

Q: Maybe this is a question you can answer. What EXACTLY was Michael doing off-stage during the live performances of You Were on My Mind? Can anyone train their bladders so well to have relief always during a particular song in a set, night after night?

DD: Never you mind!!!

Q: What do you as a band do to relieve the monotony of touring?

DD: We laugh a lot, listen to music, talk about many things. (sex being a favorite topic!!..)

Q: How do you warm up for a concert? Do you do anything special before a show (I read that some drummers will soak their arms in warm water before and after a concert)?

DD: I used to do what I called "bum drumming", but now I just jump around and do vocal warm ups.

Q: What is the greatest compliment you received from a fellow musician regarding the Bangles' music?

DD: I think that getting respect from your musical peers is the greatest compliment. We've had quite a few respected musicians compliment our playing and singing.