The Bangles and Vintage Trouble House of Blues Chicago, IL October 10, 2011

The show started at 7:30 pm, with the amazing opening act – Vintage Trouble. Hailing from the U.K. but residing in Los Angeles, the band would set the tone for the rest of the night. With their mixture of 60s funk music fused with pop rock, the crowd was treated to a wonderful opening. Lead singer Ty Taylor, drummer Ricard Danielson, guitarist Nalle Colt and bass player Rick Barrio had the audience captivated with their off the wall comments and energy. Vintage Trouble not only uses their tremendous vocal range, but made the audience dance with each and every song of their far too short set. The crowd was treated to the kind of music that makes you want to dance like no one is watching.

It was almost like being at an updated version of a sock hop with a millennial funky edge. Their song “Run of You” stole the show. Their song “Nobody Told Me” had this writer and everyone else dancing along. With its soulful lyrics, the tune reminded me that of the late Amy Winehouse. Their energy gave the crowd a reason to enjoy the night.

At one part of the evening, The Bangles themselves joined the band on stage, to not only support the band, but to join in on the fun. This rarely happens for an opening act and says a lot about the band and The Bangles themselves. Vintage Trouble has not only won the Bangles over with their electrifying vocals and charming personalities, but has done the same for the city of Chicago as well.

After their musical set, Vintage Trouble had a brief meet and greet with their new fans. I had the pleasure of meeting drummer Richard Danielson and he couldn't have been more gracious. Most of all he was happy that this crowd accepted them for the first time playing in Chicago. He was amazed about the energy he felt while playing at the HOB. Remember their name, Vintage Trouble is a band to keep an eye out for in the near future.

Around 9:45 pm, the crowd was still reeling from Vintage Trouble’s performance and spirits were high. While fans waited patiently, a private seminar that had been upstairs in the venue, broke up and the attendees filtered into the crowd. Although there was a new a mix, the mood was nothing but joyous. Young couples were dancing as much as they could on the dance floor, new friends were exchanging names and stories, while old friends caught up with each other. At one point, a small group of women began loudly singing “Walk Like an Egyptian,” just to get the show going. The place was filled with excitement and anticipation for The Bangles to hit the stage.

Soon the lights dimmed and the curtains fell, the crowd’s anticipation was through the roof. The band opened with the classic “Manic Monday,” a song that could not be more appropriate. The band’s energy was intense and not surprising since they just celebrated their 30th anniversary. Let’s be honest, that is longer than any celebrity marriages in the last couple decades.

The band not only performed songs from their latest album “Sweetheart of the Sun,” which was a mixture of pop rock and all American folk music, but many of their notable classics as well. The crowd knew just about every word to all the songs both past and present. It felt like a huge karaoke fest.

These days the band has slimmed down to only three original members. But THE original three members that started it all back in December of 1980. Singer Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson back then went by the name The Colours and later The Bangs. Although their second and more well known bassist Michael Steele (whom was also in the original all-girl band The Runaways) is no longer officially a member of the band and will be missed, Hoffs and the Peterson sisters easily won over the crowd.

Overall both Vintage Trouble and Bangles delivered powerful rock house performances that not only please the crowd but left them wanting more. As for me, Columbus may have discovered America but Columbus Day reintroduced me to the Bangles as a powerful all American girl band. Even today, these girls are still a force to be reckoned with. Plus as a bonus, introduced many to a new band that I have no doubt the world will be hearing from for a long time to come.

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