Martha Davis (rock singer)

The Motels
The Motels performing live in 2011
Background information
Origin	Berkeley, California, United States
Genres	New wave, alternative rock
Years active	1975–77, 1978-87, 1998–present
Labels	Capitol, EMI
Associated acts	Berlin, The Pop, The Dogs
Website	Official website
Members	Martha Davis Nick Johns Clint Walsh Brady Wills Eric Gardner Marty Jourard
Past members	Dean Chamberlain Chuck Wada Lisa Brenneis Richard D'Andrea Robert Newman Michael Goodroe Brian Glascock Jeff Jourard Tim McGovern Guy Perry Scott Thurston David Platshon Jason Loree Erik Lemaire Adrian Burke David Van Pattoen Mic Taras Angelo Barbera Kevin Bowen Michael Barbera Nick LeMieux Fritz Lewak David Sutton Eric Gardner Jon Siebels Felix Mercer Matthew Brown Matthew Morgan Matt Miller Tig Moore Johnny Marr

The Motels are an American new wave band from Berkeley, California that is best known for the singles "Only the Lonely" and "Suddenly Last Summer"---each of which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, in 1982 and 1983, respectively. In 1980, The Motels song "Total Control" reached No. 4 on the Australian chart, and their song "Danger" reached No. 15 on the French chart.

Martha Davis, the lead singer, reformed a version of the band called "The Motels featuring Martha Davis" in 1998 and toured under that name with various line-ups of musicians.

In 2013, the band was rebranded with a permanent name, Martha Davis and The Motels. That band is touring the world with a line-up of musicians that have been playing with Davis for over 10 years, longer than the original Motels.

The first incarnation of The Motels formed in Berkeley, California in 1971. Lisa Brenneis (bass) persuaded Dean Chamberlain (lead guitar), Chuck Wada (rhythm guitar) and Martha Davis (vocals, guitar) into forming a band (then called The Warfield Foxes). Hoping for better exposure and seeking a recording contract, the Warfield Foxes moved to Los Angeles in 1975. While in Los Angeles, Lisa Brenneis left and the band first changed its name to "Angels of Mercy", then to "The Motels". Both Davis and Wada contributing original songs to the band repertoire. Around this time, bass guitarist Richard D'Andrea and drummer Robert Newman joined The Motels.

The Motels and two other local bands, The Pop and The Dogs, participated in a self-produced show titled Radio Free Hollywood at Troupers Hall, a performance space at a home for retired actors. Before this show, few if any unsigned bands played local high-profile clubs like the Whisky a Go Go and The Roxy Theatre. The Motels then appeared on guested on Rodney Bingenheimer's popular radio show on KROQ. The Motels recorded a demo for Warner Bros. Records, but the record label turned it down. Capitol Records offer them a recording contract. At this point, The Motels rejected the Capitol offer and disbanded, citing musical differences among the band members. One song from their Warner Bros. demo, "Counting", was included on the Rhino Records compilation Saturday Night Pogo, released in 1978. Another demo from this line-up, "Every Day Star", was released on their compilation CD Anthologyland.