The Motels

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 formed in Berkeley, California best known for "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, their song "Total Control" reached No. 4 on the Australian chart, and "Danger" reached No. 15 on the French chart.

Martha Davis (born January 19, 1951), the lead singer, reformed a version of the band called "The Motels featuring Martha Davis" in 1998 and toured as such 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) coaxed 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 they made a move to Los Angeles in 1975. While in L.A., Lisa Brenneis left and the band changed its name to "Angels of Mercy" and then to "The Motels", with both Davis and Wada contributing original songs to the repertoire. The band acquired two new members around this time to fill vital slots: Richard D'Andrea on bass guitar and Robert Newman on drums.

The Motels and two other local bands, The Pop and The Dogs, kicked off the local band scene with a concert at a self-produced show titled Radio Free Hollywood, held at the old theatre, Troupers Hall. Prior to this show, few if any unsigned bands played local high-profile clubs like the Whisky and The Roxy. The band guested on Rodney Bingenheimer's popular radio show and, after recording a demo for Warner Bros. Records, which was turned down, they were offered a contract with Capitol Records. The band declined Capitol's offer and disbanded in 1977, citing musical differences amongst themselves. 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.