The band that was to become known as The Bangles formed in January 1981 when Debbi and Vicki Peterson met Susanna Hoffs through a classified ad placed in L.A. paper The Recycler.

Forming overnight as The Colours, the trio played all throughout Summer 1981 until changing their name in the following August to The Bangs.

The trio cut their first single as The Bangs on the self-released 45 Getting Out Of Hand in December 1981. With the demand for live shows increasing due to growing popularity, Annette Zilinskas was drafted in on bass.

In late October 1982, on the cusp of their first major tour, The Bangs were forced to change their name and evolved into The Bangles. The band's debut EP was finally released in January 1983.

Annette Zilinskas left the band in May 1983 and was soon replaced by L.A. musician Michael Steele, and the iconic lineup of The Bangles was set.