Born and raised in Los Angeles, sisters Vicki (guitar) and Debbie (drums) Peterson spent their teens played in a string of late-'70s local bands, including The Colours and The Fans. After seeing an ad soliciting a band in a local paper, the pair hooked up with recent University of California, Berkeley graduate/vocalist Susanna Hoffs . With the addition of bassist Annette Zalinskas the quartet began playing local clubs as The Supersonic Bangs; the name quickly shortened to the ill-advised The Bangs. Playing local clubs won the quartet a local following, but efforts to interest a major label in their demos proved fruitless. Frustrated, they formed their own Downkiddie label, releasing a one-off 1981 single "Getting Out of Hand" b/w "Call On Me" (Downkiddie catalog number 001). 

Threatened with legal action from a New Jersey group claiming rights to the name The Bangs, the group adopted the name The Bangles. Initially garnering attention as part of L.A.'s early-'80s "paisley revival" the band's first break came when they attracted the attention of L.A. DJ Rodney Bingenheimer. Bingenheimer included one of their efforts ("Bitchin' Summer") for one of his "Rodney on the ROQ" compilation albums. The resulting attention attracted the attention of Miles Copeland who promptly signed them to a management contract and recording deal on his Faulty label. The group was promptly thrown on the road as the opening act for the English Beat and Cyndi Lauper. 

Produced by Craig Leon, the band made their label debut with 1981's cleverly titled "The Bangles". Interestingly, while the EP was recorded within a matter of days, it languished on the shelf for almost half a year. Finally released, it quickly sold over 40,000 copies largely in Southern California. A five track EP, the collection aptly showcased the group's affection for 60's styled rock (a dash of new wave energy thrown in for good measure). Exemplified by original material such as "The Real World", "I'm In Line" (with it's "Taxman" guitar pattern), and "Want You", the entire EP shined with strong melodies, ringing guitars and impressive group harmonies. Although lacking a knock-'em-dead track, their obvious enthusiasm (to say nothing of stunning good looks), made for one of the year's more impressive debuts. Personal favorite, their cover of "How Is the Air Up There?". Unfortunately, shortly after the collection's release, original bass player Zalinskas left to join Blood On the Saddle. Adding to their problems, Copeland decided to close down his Faulty subsidiary.