From Bass in Bangles to Her Own Voice in Weather Bell

In the early 1980s, Annette Zilinskas went from Birmingham High School to the Bangles. But that was before anyone had heard of the Bangles, and Zilinskas was just a bass player who wanted to sing.

She left the Bangles after a year. “I would have just done harmonies, not lead,” she said. “I wouldn’t have been fulfilled now.”

Today, if not famous, she’s at least fulfilled. Zilinskas, 24, of Van Nuys has established a new rock ‘n’ roll band, Weather Bell, that will perform Wednesday night at Crayons Bar & Grille in West Los Angeles.

Zilinskas said the group plays more “aggressive” music than the Bangles, combining elements of folk, psychedelic pop and traditional rock. Playing original material, Weather Bell has toured the L.A. club circuit for almost 6 months, she said. It recently completed a demo tape of five songs, which will be sent to Los Angeles radio stations in the next few months.

Richard Bruland, owner of Bebop Records and Fine Art in Reseda, was host at Weather Bell’s first concert in July. Bruland said the band’s lack of a defined style is one of its charms.

“That makes me know that what they do is very personal,” Bruland said. “They have the potential to be a great band. I’d keep my eyes on them. Annette has a great voice.”

Zilinskas established Weather Bell after her last band, Blood in the Saddle, broke up last year when her romance with lead guitarist Greg Davis ended. (Under Davis and with some new members, Blood in the Saddle has started over.)

Zilinskas cherishes her new role as the boss of Weather Bell.

“There are a lot more responsibilities, but more freedom too,” she said. “And that’s what I wanted.”

Any regrets about not sticking with the Bangles?

“None at all,” she said. “I knew they’d be successful, but it wasn’t the right situation for me.”

Weather Bell will be playing at 9:30 p.m. Tickets, which will cost $3, are available at the door.

The new stage and lights at North Hollywood’s FM Station are finished, according to Jana Jonet, its booking agent. Jonet said the club is awaiting word from a television network to set up the pilot of “FM Station Live,” a syndicated show featuring live performances by Los Angeles bands.

Last month, Filthy McNasty, the club’s owner, indicated that one of the networks was likely to do a pilot of the proposed show sometime this year. Now it looks as though the pilot will take place early next year.

Ginger Baker, the founder and drummer of Cream, will perform Dec. 30 at Trancas in Malibu. Baker, who also played in Blind Faith and Air Force, recently moved from Italy to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. He has recently played various L.A. and San Fernando Valley clubs, including the Country Club in Reseda in October.

Baker will give two shows at Trancas, at 9:45 and 11 p.m. Tickets cost $10 and are available at the door.