BLOG BATTLE: The Go-Go's vs. the Bangles

After a suggestion from loyal blogger Sparky, Steve Spears at the Stuck in the '80s blog and I have decided to wage an ol'-fashioned BLOG BATTLE:

HIS lame-ass Bangles vs. MY incandescent Go-Go's

Herewith, FIVE reasons why the Go-Go's are easily the far better band:

1.) BELINDA CARLISLE MAKES ME FEEL FUNNY INSIDE: Chunky but funky. That's my style. Plus Carlisle's delectable combo platter of her little-girl coo vocal + her curvaceous stage shimmy is enough to make her the greatest girl-group frontwoman of all time. The Bangles' Susanna Hoffs was too thin. Plus with the exception of that weird eye thing in the Walk Like an Egyptian video, she had zero stage presence.

2.) FEMALE EMPOWERMENT THRU SNAPSHOTS OF MALE NAUGHTY BITS: During their rise to superstardom in the early and mid-'80s, the Go-Go's had a notorious hobby of seducing their male groupies into post-show parties and taking pictures of the boys' genitalia. They were turning the tables on male-dominated backstage practices one schwantz at a time. The Bangles, on the other hand, were either good girls and/or vaguely Sasquatchian.

3.) BAD GIRLS: When they weren't Polaroiding peni, several of the Go-Go's were partying themselves into rehab. I like that in a rock star. Hoffs, on the other hand, hung out with her mom a lot.

4.) IN JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS, THE GO-GO'S CHARTED WITH: Our Lips Are Sealed, We Got the Beat, Head Over Heels, Get Up and Go, Vacation and Turn to You...

5.) BUT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR: Eternal Flame, one of most ear-bleedingly-awful hits in pop history. Come to think of it, Walk Like an Egyptian hasn't aged too well, either.

To read Spears' weak rebuttal, go here.

Comments

[sparky]

First, glad I can be of some sort of assistance.

Secondly, I think I'd have to go Go-go's. Although Hoff's always had a soft spot with me, or was it a hard spot. That damn "Walk Like a Eqyptian" just makes me want to take a baseball bat to my radio everytime it is played. Plus I think it would be neat to be a mantoy for a female Rock Band and the Go-Go's weren't hard to look at. Plus they did have some pretty good tunes.

[Guy]

Maybe you should have Spears' gig, Daly. Clearly his '80s affections are mis-guided (Oingo Boingo? I rest my case).

Go-Gos all the way. Vacation and Head over Heels are classic examples of '80s ear candy. Bonus points to Belinda Carlisle for her appearance in the gentlemen's magazine that appears monthly in your mailbox. Gotta give a shout-out to the dude in charge of the airbrushing as well.

[David P]

Sean, I'm with you on this one. But you left out the Go-Go's ace in the hole: Jane Wiedlin. She's got girl-next-door looks, a cute singing voice, and acting chops (wasn't she Joan of Arc in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure"?). What's not to love?

[Spiky Sandy]

While I disagree with your Eternal Flame comment (we had it sung at our wedding & it still makes me teary when I hear it), I'm loving the Go-Go's more because they just had more and better songs in the 1980's. I gave one point to Spears, but Daly, you win!

[Greg Williams]

What I posted on Steve's board:

I vote the Go-Gos, because I could never STAND the Bangles.

- Never liked Manic Monday
- Never wanted to Walk Like an Egyptian
- Always wanted to blow out the Eternal Flame
- ALWAYS had the hots for Gina Schock
- Go-go's had a much better drummer in Gina (I remember Debbi trying to do a drumroll on Letterman for a Top 10 list way back in the NBC days...Middle School marching bands did better)
- Belinda Carlisle and Jane Wiedlin had successful solo careers and Jane even appeared in "Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure"
- I can't stand Suzanna Hoff's nasal-like vocals (reminds me of the Nanny chick - I can't stand, same reason)
- The Bangles were founded based on the SUCCESS of the Go-Gos
- The Go-Gos have more memorable music you can hear on the local 80's station. The Bangles? One.

I think the Go-Gos set the standard for other all-girl bands to follow.

I side with Sean on this one.

[Morris]

I agree with you Sean, I loved the Go-Go's. The Bangles were ok but I always Loved Belinda Carlisle's voice. As a band I thought that they had a better sound and I was brokenhearted when they broke up.

Also, I have to agree with Sean again, Belinda was HOT and Suzanna Hoff needs a sandwich.

[Dennis]

who is Susanna Hoffs when there is Jane Wiedlin waiting around the corner...

[Anonymous]

The Go-Gos? Sure, if you like dimwitted bleach blonds. If you like music that makes you think (try the albums, not just the singles), Bangles rule.

Come to think of it, Bangles rule, period. End of discussion.

[Gus]

I agree with you Sean. Mostly for the Go-Go's more rock-star "image", but as a pubescent teen of the 80's, I definitely have to side with Belinda. However, I've always had a soft spot for the Bangles "Manic Monday".

P.S. Guy, that is an old issue of that mag. Still in your bathroom??

[Bassnote]

I have to side with Sean here. The Go-Go's are the better band. I don't want to get into the whole 'who's hotter- Belinda or Suzanna' because I want no part of the backlash. Just based on music alone, it's the Go-Go's. Their songs have aged much better than the Bangles, Checking my i-pod, I have 5 songs by the Bangles (no Eternal Flame), to 10 by the Go-Go's. But, the deciding factor for me is that my five year old daughter loves the song 'Vacation', and will sing whenever given the chance.

[Steve Spears]

For the record, that doesn't look anything like Belinda Carlisle anymore than a photo of John Cusack looks like me.

[Sean Daly]

You know, Steve: With your heaving man bosoms, you actually look more like Belinda Carlisle than John Cusack. How's your curvaceous stage shimmy?

[Greg Williams]

I thought that was Cathy Wos myself...

/Just say no to the heaving man-bosoms...
//Thought Steve looked like an older Eddie Money anyways...
///Sean looks like Christopher "Shooter McGavin" McDonald himself...

[Spears]

Shooter McGaven! Classic.

I'm probably unfortunately more Tom Arnold than Eddie Money. In fact, there used to be someone at a local pizza place that was convinced I was Tom. I had to stop going there. It was getting ridiculous.

[Miki's Mama]

O.M.G. I just had to reply. That Sasquatch comment was probably the funniest thing I have ever heard. Brilliant.

[Sasquatch]

Daly use Sasquatch name in vain.

Awful Pennsylvania 80s trivia: do you remember the re-make of the "walk like an Egyptian" after Penn State won the national title in 80-something?

"Joe Paterno, Joe-o Patern-o,
Penn State is number one"

[Producer Dave]

Heck, after seeing that shot of Belinda, I'd have to vote for her and those gravity-defying "ta-ta's". What on Earth is holding those boys up, anyway?

[bluegrasswriter]

If anyone in either group can surpass the beauty and talent of Vicki Peterson, I don't know who it is. My vote goes to the Bangles, simply for her...

[B2b]

best site

[Flights]

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[night vision]

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[Flooring]

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[Health Insurance]

nice site

[freakshow]

No doubt the Go-Go's were the better musicians, and wrote better songs. But damn, Susanna Hoffs was such a babe!

[Valentine]

The Bangles wrote and played their own songs from the beginning contrary to popular belief, it was only because they had success with songs that they didn't write that they are pigeonholed for not writing their own songs. The EP had one cover, the first single were originals, and the first full-length album had two cover songs.

The Bangles also had more chart success than the Go-Go's ever did- with two #1 hits, two #2 hits, and a #5 hit as well as an additional three top 40 hits. Yes the Go-Go's had a #1 album, but their chart success was minimal as far as singles went.

The Bangles were NOT founded upon the success of the Go-Go's. Vicki Peterson had formed a band before the Go-Go's hit it big and though it wasn't yet the Bangles, the Bangles are just another incarnation of a band that Vicki formed in high school.

Just stating some facts since so many people have a preconception of the Bangles that is just wrong.

and I do like the Go-Go's...Jane was a sweetheart when I met her as were Vicki Peterson and Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles when I met them a while ago.

But the Bangles- tops in my book!

[CarloSP]

[QUOTE]The Bangles were NOT founded upon the success of the Go-Go's. Vicki Peterson had formed a band before the Go-Go's hit it big and though it wasn't yet the Bangles, the Bangles are just another incarnation of a band that Vicki formed in high school.[/QUOTE]

The Bangles were founded upon the success of The Go-Go's. Everyone knows that, you cannot deny it.
Also The Go-Go's were already famous before Vicky's HS band started. They belong to the early punk LA scene history. Cooler than The Bangles playing in Sue's mom garage.

While The Bangles had more success in Europe and Belinda Carlisle herself had more success than The Bangles in either Europe or worldwide, you gotta see who survived. There´s only one choice, The Go-Go's

The Go-Go's sold out concerts from 1990-2000 with no new album in 17yrs and that´s a hard thing to do. I don´t think Britney Spears can do that in 10yrs.

The Go-Go's in 2001 released God Bless The Go-Go's, critically well acclaimed but a flop commercially speaking. So it was Doll Revolution.

After 25yrs The Go-Go's still play music, record albums and they do it because they can and they want. $$$$$ also helps!

You may think I don't like The Bangles. In fact I like them. I discovered them before knowing anything about The Go-Go´s (I was a Belinda fan). I like them and also like Walk Like An Egiptian, it brings me a lot of
wonderful memories.

This reminds me of "Who's first, the chicken or the egg?".

BTW, I bet both groups would laught if they would see another The Go-Go's Vs The Bangles battle. All these women are not enemies, some of them are friends and they collaborate with each other: Vicky replaced Charlotte when she was pregnant, Susanna has done background vocals for Belinda, etc..

[Tom McAnn]

I can't believe people are even having this discussion. The Go-Go's are BY FAR, the better band. They are much better songwritters and musicians. Gina Schock (arthritis and all) can blow away Debbi Sasquatch any day of the week. Kathy Valentine is a lead guitar and bass goddess; the can play circles around all of the Bangles.

Has anyone seen any live shows lately? The Go-Go's kick major ass where the Bangles shows are a complete snoozefest. Most of the music you hear during Bangles shows comes from that guy keyboard player. Lame!
The Go-Go's are still selling out places like the Greek Theater in LA and the Nokia Theater in New York. The Bangles are playing gay pride festivals! It's no wonder Michael Sasquatch left the band!

True, the Bangles had more hits, but most were written by other people. And with the exception of Hazy Shade, all of them are completely forgettable.

The Go-Go's had less hits but their music stands the test of time. Their stage presence stands the test of time. Their musicianship stands the test of time. NO CONTEST!!!

[Rich Segal]

I am a chubby chaser, so my vote is for the Go-Go's.

[Jonathan]

Well, if we go to the basics and statistics, well the Go-Go´s win by far, 2 covers on the Rolling Stone Magazine 1982 and 1984, any of the Bangles?.

In the VH1 countdowns, as the most influent women in Rock and Roll, the Go-Go's reach place 76th, the Bangles did not reach the list. In other countdown on the most important pop songs "Our Lips are sealed" is in the list, none song of the Bangles.

Which group had more reunions and still making tours: the Go-Go's, any recent tour of the Bangles?.

The Go-Go´s were the first in all.

But let's face it both band members cooperate with each other and help in tours when Charlotte Caffey of teh Go-Go´s left a reunion tour because she was pregnant, one of the Bangles replaced her, but let's go to the numbers and recognition, the Go-Go's win by far

[Ben]

I know this is late for this blog butt.
Have to go with the Go Go's
The BANGles music makes me want to take a baseball bat to the offending radio and or CD player. Plus Jane Wiedlin is still rock, and is cute to boot after all these years.

[HoffsFan]

[Quote]Also The Go-Go's were already famous before Vicky's HS band started.[/Quote]

The Go-Go's weren't famous until 1981. Vicki was forming bands in the mid 70's. Check your facts. And the original formation of the Bangles (Hoffs, Peterson, and Peterson) formed December 9th, 1980. Again, before most of the world had heard of the Go-Go's.

[Quote]2 covers on the Rolling Stone Magazine 1982 and 1984, any of the Bangles?.[/Quote]

Um, actually yes. But they didn't look stoned or fat in theirs.

[Quote]The Go-Go's in 2001 released God Bless The Go-Go's, critically well acclaimed but a flop commercially speaking. So it was Doll Revolution.[/Quote]

"Doll Revolution" sold over 250 thousand copies. "God bless the Go-Go-s" sold less than 75. Plus, Valentine even admits on her own official site that the band still hasn't even gotten paid for that cd yet.

[Quote]For the record, that doesn't look anything like Belinda Carlisle anymore than a photo of John Cusack looks like me. [/Quote]

That's for sure. Showing a photo of someone in their mid 20s as your defense of who's hotter is kinda unfair. Didn't we all look better as 20 somethings? Why not show Belinda as she is today? The botox queen of rock n roll. Hoffs today, with her more NATURAL beauty, could blow Carlisle out of the water.

[Quote]When they (the Go-Go's) weren't Polaroiding peni, several of the Go-Go's were partying themselves into rehab. [/Quote]

Yeah, and coke heads are SO endearing...not.

[Juliane]

The BAngles are international!! I´m from Brazil and here the girls are loved!!
The songs are eternal...they sing very nice, play like no one ! they are the best female band ever!!!

THE BANGLES ARE THE COMPLETE BAND!!! THEY HAVE ALL THE BEST THAT ONE BAND HAVE TO BE..