One of the biggest pop bands of the ’80s, The Bangles, visit Dublin in July for a date at Vicar St., where they will be giving an airing to such hits as ‘Manic Monday’, ‘Walk Like An Egyptian’ and ‘Eternal Flame’. Interestingly, the group’s drummer, Debbi Peterson, cites the group’s support slot with Queen at Slane Castle in 1986 as the most memorable gig from their heyday.

“It was pissing down with rain,” recalls Debbi. “But the crowd were great and there was a brilliant vibe. I think Def Leppard were on the bill as well, and Queen themselves were incredible. We got to watch from the side of the stage and Freddie Mercury was just outrageous. I didn’t actually meet them on the day, although I did subsequently meet Brian May. I went to a screening in LA of a film that he’d written the soundtrack for and I got talking to him. He was a really lovely guy.”
A sterling rhythmatist, Debbi’s skills behind the kit have allowed her to enjoy some remarkable experiences, including collaborating with Dave Grohl and performing the drum roll for the Top Ten List on Late Night with David Letterman (although she does describe dropping one of the drum-sticks during the finale as her most embarrassing ever moment). But perhaps Debbi’s most noteworthy work outside of the The Bangles was performing with Spinal Tap.
“Around 1990 or ’91, Gina Shock from the Go Gos and I were asked to audition to be Spinal Tap’s drummer,” she remembers. “I think Mick Fleetwood was also there. So Gina Shock and myself got up together and played drums on ‘Big Bottom’, which was amazing. Then I found out later that we’d both won, because Gina and I were actually working together on a project at the time, but it fell through.
“They couldn’t get a hold of Gina, so they asked me to come and play with them at the Universal Amphitheatre. I performed on ‘Big Bottom’ and a couple of other songs, and it was awesome. We’ve also had Spinal Tap jam with us onstage. In fact, I just recently took out my souvenir t-shirt from the first gig, which says ‘I survived Spinal Tap’ on the back!”

The Bangles play Vicar St., Dublin on July 2