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Martha Davis , the lead Singer , reformed a version of the band called ''The Motels featuring Martha Davis'', in 1998; As Of 2007 she continues to appear under that name with various line-ups. FIRST INCARNATION The first incarnation of The Motels formed in they made a move to Los Angeles in 1975. While in L.A., Lisa Brennis left and the band changed its name to "Angels of Mercy" and then later to "The Motels", with both Davis and Wada contributing original Song s to the repertoire.Anthologyland CD, liner notes. EMI Music, 2000, isbn 7-9005-81607-2 The band acquired two new members around this time to fill vital slots; Richard D'Andrea on Bass and Robert Numan on Drums .Excusive Magazine. Interview by Russell Trunk in 'Lonely No More' article, January 2007 edition., The Motels and two other local bands, ''The Pop'' and ''The Dogs'', kicked off the local band scene with a 2007 . The band guested on Rodney Bingenheimer 's popular Radio show and, after recording a demo for Warner Brothers , 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. Chamberlain was heard again in his band ''Code Blue'' which signed to Warner Brothers Records. Richard d'Andrea joined ''The Pits'' and later enjoyed almost three years with ''The Know''. Robert Newman is a successful art director and designer. Chuck Wada still writes and performs and is a financial advisor.Management Consulting Services Company, Woodland Hills, CA. SECOND, MOST SUCCESSFUL INCARNATION In March 1978, Davis and future lead guitarist Jeff Jourard (formerly of 2007 . The Motels began to draw a faithful crowd around the L.A. music scene and on Mother's Day 1979 the group signed with Capitol and released their debut album ''The Motels'' 4 months later. Their first Single , "Closets and Bullets," made no impact on the Charts , but their second single, "Total Control," found its way to the Top 20 in France and the Top 10 in Australia . In 1980 Jourard was replaced as lead guitarist by Davis' boyfriend Tim McGovernLos Angeles Times, "Martha Davis: Rock Singer On The Rise", by Robert Hilburn, June 17, 1980. and the band went back into the Recording Studio to Record their second Album , entitled ''Careful''. Released in June 1980, the album climbed to the #45 spot on the U.S. album charts. In Europe and the UK, the songs "Days Are OK" and "Whose Problem?" were Top 50 hits; "Whose Problem?" was also a top hit in AustraliaGuest, Thomas J. "Thirty Years Of Hits." 1991. Carter & Ormsby Books and "Danger" was a Top 20 hit in France.Music Week trade paper. August 1980 The band hired Record Producer Val Garay for album number three, ''Apocalypso''. It was scheduled to be released in November 1981, but after Capitol Records heard the final product, they rejected it for being "not commercial enough" and "too weird.".''No Vacancy''. Liner notes from album insert, 1990. The band attempted to go back and re-record the entire album but in the process, Davis and McGovern's relationship dissolved and by December 1981 McGovern was no longer in the band. The rest of the members forged on to finish recording the new album while using Studio Musicians to fill in for the vacant guitar spot. The album, now titled ''All Four One'', was released April 5, 1982. Before any singles were released from ''All Four One'', the song "Mission of Mercy" had enough airplay to reach #23 on the Billboard Rock Album Cuts chart.Essential Collection. Liner notes from album insert, 2005. isbn 724386370624. The first single from the album, "Only the Lonely," found its way to #6 on the U.S. rock charts by June, while two other releases, "Take the L" and "Forever Mine," made the Billboard Hot 100. Their first successful U.S. album coincided with the emergence of 2007 . For the 1982 tour the band added keyboardist/guitarist Scott Thurston and lead guitarist Guy Perry. Val Garay was now firmly in control of album and video production and, upon the firing of Fritz Turner Management, became the band's new Manager . The Motels returned to the recording studio in February 1983 and released the album ''Little Robbers'' in the fall. The first single from the album, " Suddenly Last Summer ," was a Top 10 hit in the United States, and the album went Gold in the U.S., Canada, and several other countries. In January the band appeared on ''Saturday Night Live'' . The first leg of the ''Little Robbers'' tour started in January 1984 but ended apruptly in February with the firing of Garay as manager for personal reasons. The band continued performing under new management with stops in Japan and Hawaii, and they recorded songs for two '' and "In the Jungle" was recorded for the movie '' Teachers ''. By mid-summer they were back in the recording studio to work on new material. In late 1984 Capitol Records brought in producer Richie Zito to help maintain the band's commercialism.Los Angeles Times, "Davis, Motels Recharge With Shock", by Dennis Hunt. October 6, 1985. It took well over a year but with the finishing touches done at Giorgio Moroder 's hi-tech studio in the San Fernando Valley, the group released their sixth album, ''Shock,'' in September of 1985. The first single, "Shame," reached #21 on the U.S. pop charts and #10 on the U.S. rock charts. Two other singles were released, "Shock," and "Icy Red." From early 1986 to Februray 1987 ''The Motels'' worked on songs for a 7th album. It was not to be. Citing that the group was broke, on February 13 , 1987 , Martha Davis took each member in turn to a local bar to say she had decided to dissolve the band and go Solo . All members of the 1983 version of the band reunited in 2004 for an appearance on VH1's '' Bands Reunited ''; rejoining Davis were Michael Goodroe, Marty Jourard, Brian Glasscock and Adrian Peritore (aka "Guy Perry.")VH1 Bands Reunited. " Bands Reunited Official Website " MARTHA DAVIS SOLO Davis released her first solo album entitled ''Policy'' in October of 1987. Musicians who worked with her included Clarence Clemons, Kenny G and Charlie Sexton. In November, she had a number 8 hit in Australia with "Don't Tell Me the Time", but in the U.S. the song only reached #80. While reviewers still loved her voice the album was panned as too lightweight and having no atmospheric punch.Los Angeles Times, "Davis Checks Out Of Motels With Policy", by Connie Johnson. October 18, 1987 Soon afterwards, Davis asked to be released from her contract with Capitol. After leaving Capitol Records, Davis focused on different music styles, and recorded songs for several movie soundtracks but it seemed her music career was coming to an end.Ventura Theatre Guide. June 1998 Then, in the early 1990s, she started getting occasional surprise gigs which found Davis experimenting with new songs she had written. In late 1994 she played at some old haunts in Ventura , Los Angeles, and San Juan Capistrano, California . In 2005, Martha Davis performed at Seattle, Washington 's Teatro ZinZanni .1 For which she collaborated with TZ Maestro Norm Durkee" to make the special CD "Omnium" which is avalible only thru their Gift Shop. In August 2007, she joined other 70s and 80s acts for the Australian concert series Countdown Spectacular 2. She sang 3 Motels songs solo. Her second solo album "So the Story Goes" was released in 2005, although being recorded with many of the new Motels members, it was released as a solo album, not until ''Standing Room Only'' was the band refereed to on the albums as the Motels. THIRD INCARNATION: THE MOTELS FEATURING MARTHA DAVIS In 1997 Martha Davis began appearing as ''The Motels featuring Martha Davis'', backed by a series of band members including: Mic Taras on lead guitar, Angelo Barbera on bass, Kevin Bowen on keyboards, Michael Barbera on keyboards and sax, and Jason Loree on drums.Rolling Stone Magazine. "The Motels Return With Their Version 2.0" by Blair Fischer. September 2, 1999. The gigs consisted almost entirely of new material. In 2001 the band changed to a compact, four piece ensemble with Davis, Taras, Fritz Lewak (drums), and David Sutton (bass).Chicago Sun-Times. "Out And About." November 15, 2002. By 2004 the band had performed more than 70 concerts and toured in the U.S. and Australia. As of 2006 the band included Davis on vocal and guitar, Nick Johns (bass/keyboard), Eric Gardner (drums), Clint Walsh (guitar), and Jon Siebels (guitar). In 2005 Davis and the new Motels released an independent CD titled "So the Story Goes." All copies sold out.CDBaby. " cdbaby.com " Sony Records has released a live album, recorded in 2006, titled ''Standing Room Only'', which was recorded live at the Coach House in Orange County. Martha Davis and the Motels still tour and record, and there are plans for another CD for release by mid 2007. ''The Motels featuring Martha Davis'' appeared on the U.S. version of '' Hit Me Baby One More Time '' and is touring the U.S. and Australia in 2007.Countdown Spectacular 2 Tour. " countdown.com.au " Due for release in early September 2007 is the album "Clean Modern and Reasonable" which will be the first release under the banner "the Motels" in 22 years. Making up this album will be acoustic versions of past hits, b sides and Martha Davis solo material including new takes on 'Take The L' , 'Only the Lonely' and 'Suddenly Last Summer'. Martha has also stated that another new album titled 'Beautiful Life' will be released either before the end of 2007 or early 2008. ALBUMS
MARTHA DAVIS CONGLOMERATIONS
SINGLES
MARTHA DAVIS SOLO SINGLES
REFERENCES
EXTERNAL LINKS
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