THE kids are dropped off at school and hubby is elsewhere in Los Angeles directing his latest movie.

It's time for Susanna Hoffs to turn back the clock to occasionally simpler days.

"It's an embarrassingly long time," says the mum-of-two singer/guitarist of her band's spell out of our lives.

The Bangles were eight years quiet while Susanna and other members enjoyed some 'real life' – after a decade as a global success story with iconic hits such as Eternal Flame, Manic Monday and the inimitable Walk Like An Egyptian.

"We met at the beginning of the '80s and at the end after living this crazy gypsy life of travelling around the world together we needed a normal life.

"By that time, because we all needed a break, everybody was definitely stressed out and worn out after always being stuck together.

"By the end everybody felt a bit unloved by the others. Our friendship had taken some abuse. We felt sensitive. No one really said things they should have said in that moment. It was communication breakdown – we went in our corners and sulked."

Behind the lip gloss and international success The Bangles endured the usual strains that being in demand can bring.

"We were on the road constantly and there was no room for anything else in our lives.

"In some ways that was the thing that took a toll on us and caused the split, because it was hard to envision doing it any other way. It was a kind of pressure cooker.

"Not having any autonomy, freedom of choice, that's a really hard way to live. We were on this treadmill and could not get off."

When the band did call time Susanna made solo records as well as settling down with hubby Jay Roach, director of the Austin Powers flicks and Borat and new US series Recount.

"I wanted to have a garden and have some flowers," says Susanna, who is hoping to take her sons, aged 13 and nine, on the European tour that has them at Sheffield's Carling Academy on July 4.

The original three – guitarist/singer Vicki Peterson, drummer/singer Debbi Peterson, also now a mum, and Susanna – reconvened 1999 with long-timer Michael Steele on bass. She's since retired, making way for Abby Travis.

"We've always had a bass player shift for some reason," says Susanna. "Spinal Tap is the most true of all movies."

So in order to avoid adding another chapter, they dodged the cheesy '80s group package tour route to become a viable act again.

With eight years between split and reformation they emerged with credible new album Doll Revolution in 2003, recalling their knack for garage rock, Byrds-style psychedelia and bittersweet hippie folk, as much in touch with their beginnings in LA's Paisley Underground scene as it was their smart-pop princess heyday.

"I will always love singing ballads and melodic songs but I love completely rocking out," says Susanna.

"We set out as a garage band.
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