Banglemania Comes to the Santa Monica Pier

By Lookout Staff

July 14, 2011 -- Get ready to rock the Pier – 80’s style. The Twilight Dance Series continues tonight with L.A.’s favorite female power pop trio, the Bangles, joined by Canadian singer-songwriter Caracol.

Kickoff time for the bands is 7 p.m. As always, the concert is free.

Considered by many to be the best all-girl rock band ever, the Bangles are known for setting folk-rock melodies to a driving beat with occasional outbursts of Jimmy Page style guitar shredding.

Their string of 80’s hits – including Manic Monday (which was written for them by Prince) and Walk Like an Egyptian – place them firmly in the realm of rock royalty as perhaps the most influential group to come out the L.A.’s Paisley Underground scene.

With their first new album in eight years – Sweetheart of the Sun -- set to be released this fall, it’s a good bet the girls will have some cool new stuff to show off as well as their standards.

Like so many bands, the Bangles started out as three friends banging out tunes in a garage – this one in Brentwood, California, 30 years ago.

United by a common love of 60’s and 70’s classic rock – the music they grew up on -- guitarists Susanna Hoffs and Vicki Peterson and drummer Debbie Peterson knew what direction they wanted their music to take.

Their tight vocal harmonies have been compared to such iconic singing groups as the Beatles, the Byrds and the Beach Boys. The moods of their songs range from silly-happy to ironic and bittersweet, but always life-affirming.

Also on the evening’s bill is Canadian singer-songwriter Caracol, whose lush alto voice and French lyrics (with some English too) combine with a variety of retro music styles – including American folk, Hawaiian ballroom and Jamaican rock steady – to produce a sound that is sensual, romantic and, at times, darkly mysterious.

Based in Montreal, Carocol’s debut album -- L’arbre Aux Parfum – received honors in French speaking Canada and established the young artist as someone to take seriously.

Caracol says her next album will be released soon and will feature vocal harmony accompanied by acoustic instruments including autoharp and ukulele.

Now in its 27th year, the Twilight Dance Series showcases an eclectic array of some of the musical acts from throughout the world. Downbeat for the 2011 series is 7 p.m. every Thursday between July 7 and September 8.

Sponsored by One West Bank, upcoming shows include Aussie rockers Missy Higgins and Kim Churchill, July 21, and a special show by Cirque Du Soleil, August 4. The series concludes with a New Orleans funk and blues night, September 8.

With this year’s lineup promising to draw large crowds, pier officials encourage concert goers to walk, bike or ride the Big Blue Bus.

Parking will be available at the beach lot located north of the pier at 1550 Pacific Coast Highway, but the pier itself will be closed to traffic. A bike valet will be available on the bike path on the south side of the pier.

Cosponsors of the 2011 series include Pacific Park, Bloomingdales, StarLine Tours, the Australian Consulate, Cotton On and the City of Santa Monica. The series is produced by the Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation and Ron & Humble.