"Ladies and Gentlemen... The Bangles!" is a compilation album that showcases the early material of American rock band The Bangles. Released by the band themselves on Thanksgiving Day in 2014, this collection compiles demos and other material from the band's pre-Columbia Records era, spanning from 1981 to 1984. The album was initially made available digitally on the band's own Down Kiddie! label, before being reissued in physical formats (CD and LP) in 2016 by Omnivore Recordings, with further vinyl repressings in 2021 and 2022.
The compilation includes material from the band's first years, before they were signed to Columbia in 1984. It features early versions of songs such as "Getting Out of Hand" and "Call on Me" (from their debut single as The Bangs in 1981), and the full five tracks from their self-titled 1982 EP produced by Craig Leon. Both of these early releases, which were vinyl-only and long out of print, have been remastered for this compilation.
Notably, the album includes four previously unreleased tracks from a 1981 demo tape, recorded by the original trio of The Bangs (later known as The Bangles), including early versions of "The Real World" and "Call on Me," plus covers of The Turtles' "Outside Chance" (co-written by Warren Zevon) and Paul Revere & The Raiders' "Steppin' Out," all recorded in Susanna Hoffs' Brentwood garage apartment.
Two live tracks from 1984 feature bassist-singer Michael Steele—"7 and 7 Is" (a cover of Love's song) and the original track "Tell Me," which would later appear on the Bangles' debut album All Over The Place. Also included are several tracks recorded in the early '80s with original bassist Annette Zilinskas, including the surf instrumental "Bitchen Summer/Speedway" (from Rodney On The ROQ Vol. III), a radio spot called "No Mag Commercial," and the theme song for the syndicated radio program Rock And Roll Alternative.
The title of the compilation comes from a spoken intro by Susanna Hoffs on the track "Bitchen Summer/Speedway," recorded specifically for the 1983 Rodney On The ROQ compilation.
The album reflects the band's early sound and influences, offering a glimpse into the music and ethos that shaped their rise to fame. Susanna Hoffs reflected on the album, calling these early recordings a "musical manifesto," reflecting the youthful energy, influences, and ambition that shaped the band's distinctive sound.
