It’s just another manic everyday

MUSIC. Some turn to the Bible, some to Dr. Phil. Bangles singer Susanna Hoffs, however, is finding considerable comfort in another sagely tome: “What Would Keith Richards Do? Daily Affirmations from a Rock and Roll Survivor.”

“It’s really got some great stuff in it. I want to find a quote from him,” says Hoffs as she struggles to locate the book in her home in Los Angeles. “I’m still working through some books that are piled up on my desk. I always have too many books and not enough time,” she says, her girlish voice hardening as a burdensome mental to-do list pops up, a sure sign of 21st century over-input. Eventually, Hoffs finds the book and opens it, randomly.

“There’s a section on mortality: ‘Brushes with death are always, I’ve found, quite innovating, in a way,’” she quotes. The phrase coconut tree comes to mind. Undaunted, Hoffs advises. “You can just pick it up like a little Bible and take a quote here and there.”

Perhaps it’s not wisdom but Richards’ uncomplicated singularity that’s comforting. Hoffs, the singer of such iconic ’80s pop hits as “Manic Monday” and the quirky “Walk Like An Egyptian,” is also a rock ’n’ roll survivor: She’s a self-described working mom.

“As a mom, it’s like this micromanaging moment-by-moment: Then they go there, then they have this class,” she says going into robotic list mode again. “Whatever. Playing, rehearsal, it’s just so complicated. Usually, I’m so stressed, but I don’t know what it is, I’m so excited.”

Besides this Bangles East Coast tour, Hoffs has a second covers disc, “Under the Covers Vol. 2,” from her Sid & Susie side project with pop genius Matthew Sweet, due in July. Sweet is also producing new Bangles songs for an album that Hoffs says will hopefully come out within the next 12 months. More than anything, working with Sweet has set Hoffs on a new tack.

“Matthew strongly believes you shouldn’t over-think this stuff,” she says, leafing through the bible of Keith, chuckling.

“Here’s a good one,” she laughs. “‘I’d rather make money than talk about it.’”
Easy for Keith to say, we conclude.