1971 - THE WARFIELD FOXES FORMED IN BERKELEY, CA.
The band members are: Martha Davis (vocals, guitar), Dean
Chamberlain (guitar), Lisa Brenneis (bass), and Chuck Wada (rhythm guitar).
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31 OCT 1971 - PERFORM FIRST GIG IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
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1974/5 - RECORD FIRST DEMO
Demo includes: "Every Day Star."
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1975 - MOVE TO LOS ANGELES. CA.
The band shops around for a record deal.
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SUMMER 1975 - BAND CHANGES NAME TO "Angels of Mercy" AND THEN TO "THE MOTELS"
Martha complained about the name "Angels of Mercy." While driving on Santa Monica Blvd.
to a gig in L.A., Dean suggested "The Motels" after seeing so many motels on the way to
the gig. Lisa Brenneis leaves; Richard D'Andrea (bass} and Robert Newman (drums) join the band.
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24 AUG 1976 - RADIO FREE HOLLYWOOD
THE MOTELS help organize and perform at "Radio Free Hollywood" at Trouper' Hall in Los
Angeles. Rock critic and pop culture authority Gene Sculatti conceptualized the
event.
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1976 - SECOND DEMO RECORDED / SUBMITTED TO WARNER BROS. RECORDS
Demo is rejected. Demo includes: "Counting."
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SPRING 1977 - CAPITOL RECORDS BEGINS NEGOTIATIONS TO SIGN THE BAND
(This info is from an article from the independent newspaper Radio Free Hollywood,
June 1977)
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JUNE 1977 - THE MOTELS DISSOLVE
ROBERT NEWMAN announces he is leaving the band. MARTHA decides to quit the band as well.
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AUG 1978 - THE MOTELS REORGANIZE
Martha and Jeff Jourard reorganize the band. The Motels's new
line-up features Martha Davis (vocals guitar), Jeff Jourard (lead
guitar), Jeff's brother Marty Jourard (keyboards and saxophone),
Brian Glascock (drums), and Michael Goodroe (bass).
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25 AUG 1978 - THE "NEW" MOTELS PLAY FIRST GIG IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA.
Marty's keyboard blew a fuse so he sits in the audience and watches
the show.
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SEPT 1978- REHEARSAL AT THE MASQUE
The band rent a room at The Masque, a converted basement located
underneath the Pussycat Theatre (an adult movie theatre house).
They split the rehearsal space with the Go-Go's, who were just starting out. X
rehearses in a room across the hall.
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EARLY 1979 - MADAME WONG'S
The band practically becomes the house band at Madam Wong's. They played other
gigs around the L.A. area.
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12 MAY 1979 - SIGNED TO CAPITOL RECORDS
The band signs with Capitol Records on Mother's Day.
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14 MAY 1979 - BAND BEGINS RECORDING FOR DEBUT ALBUM
Recording sessions produced by John Carter.
Songs recorded:
Route 66
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17 MAY 1979 - RECORDING SESSIONS FOR ALBUM ONE
Songs recorded:
People, Places, and Things
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SUMMER 1979 - WARM-UP GIGS
The band plays in San Diego to warm-up for national tour.
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24 AUG 1979 - OAKLAND, CA
The band plays a gig with The Tubes, and Pearl Harbor and the Explosions.
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13 SEP 1979 - NATIONAL TOUR BEGINS
The national tour begins in Amityville, NY.
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17 SEP 1979 - MOTELS ALBUM RELEASED
The Motels' self-titled debut album is released. The first single from the debut
album,"Closets and Bullets," b/w "Kix" is released.
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10-31 OCTOBER 1979 - EUROPEAN TOUR
Band appears on Musikland.
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DEC 1979 - "TOTAL CONTROL" RELEASED
The second single from the debut album, "Total Control," b/w "Love Don't Help" is
released. The songs peaks at #109 in the U.S.
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15 DEC 1979 - AMERICAN BANDSTAND APPEARANCE
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01 JAN 1980 - MARTHA FIRES JEFF FROM BAND
Jeff Jourard is no longer with the band. Tim McGovern takes over
as lead guitarist.
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JAN 1980 - THE MOTELS STRIKE GOLD IN AUSTRALIA
"Total Control" reaches the #7 position on the Austrailian charts;
both the single and the debut album go gold "down under."
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07 JAN 1980 - BAND BEGINS REHEARSALS FOR NEXT ALBUM CAREFUL
The band rehearses at Capitol Records Studio C.
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12 JAN 1980 - AMERICAN BANDSTAND APPEARANCE
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04 FEB 1980 - SECOND ALBUM RECORDINGS BEGIN
Songs recorded:
Whose Problem?
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05 FEB 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Party Professionals
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06 FEB 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Whose Problem? (recut)
Danger
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14 FEB 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Amigo (recut)
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15 FEB 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Bonjour Baby (recut)
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19 FEB 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Danger (recut)
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18 MAR 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Cry Baby
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19 MAR 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Days Are O.K.
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20 MAR 1980 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Slow Town
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09 JUN 1980 - SOPHMORE ALBUM RELEASED
Album two, entitled Careful, is released along with the first single from
the album, "Danger." Careful makes it to the #45 position on the U.S.
album charts; album eventually goes gold in Australia. "Danger" reaches
to the #30 position in New Zealand.
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OCT 1980 - WHOSE PROBLEM? SINGLE RELEASED
The second single from the Careful album, "Whose Problem?," is
released; reaches the #42 position in England and #43 in Australia.
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JAN 1981 - THIRD SINGLE FROM CAREFUL RELEASED
The third single from the Careful album,
"Days Are O.K.," is released; reaches the #42
position in England.
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20 JAN 1981 - MOTELS APPEAR ON THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL
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01 APR 1981 - BAND BEGINS TO RECORD ALBUM THREE ENTITLED APOCALYPSO
The album is produced by Val Garay.
Songs recorded:
Only the Lonely
Tragic Surf
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02 APR 1981 - RECORDING SESSION CON'T.
Songs recorded:
Only the Lonely (recut)
Tragic Surf (recut)
Art Fails
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8 AUG 1981 - BAND FINISHES RECORDING APOCALYPSO
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AUG 1981 - CAPITOL REJECTS APOCALYPSO
According to most sources, Capitol Records executives did not feel the album was commercial
enough to release.
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10 NOV 1981 - TIM McGOVERN IS FIRED FROM THE BAND
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07 DEC 1981 - BAND BEGINS RE-RECORDING ALBUM THREE
Studio guitar musicians take McGovern's place for guitar tracks. Other studio musicians are
added to "enhance" album four's sound.
Songs recorded:
Take the L
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JAN - MAR 1982 - ALBUM THREE BECOMES ALBUM FOUR ALL FOUR ONE
New songs are added, old ones dropped as the band renames their
album three turned into album four All Four One.
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MAR 1982 - NEW GUITARIST
Guy Perry joins the band as the new lead guitarist. He is able to provide guitar tracks
for "He Hit Me."
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24 APR 1982 - ALL FOUR ONE RELEASED
Album four, entitled All Four One, is released; the first single from the album,
"Only the Lonely" is also released. The album eventually reaches the #16 position
on the U.S. album charts and becomes certified gold. "Only the Lonely"
reaches the #9 position (#6 on the US FM Radio charts) and also becomes certified
gold.
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SEP 1982 - TAKE THE L
The second single from the All Four One album, "Take the L," is released; it reaches to the
#21 position in Australia and #52 in the U.S (#36 on the US FM Radio charts).
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OCT 1982 - MISSION OF MERCY
"Mission of Mercy," reaches the #33 position on the US FM Radio charts.
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OCT 1982 - SCOTT THURSTON
Scott Thurston is added to the band as a second keyboardist and
guitarist.
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NOV 1982 - FOREVER MINE
The third single from the All Four One album, "Forever Mine," is
released; it reaches to the #60 position in the U.S.
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14 FEB 1983 - THE BAND BEGINS RECORDING FOR ALBUM FIVE
Val Garay produces the sessons.
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15 AUG 1983 - THE BAND FINISHES RECORDING ALBUM FIVE ENTITLED
LITTLE ROBBERS
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18 AUG 1983 - DAVID PLATSHON
David Platshon is added as the new drummer for the band.
BRIAN GLASSCOCK is moved to play percussion.
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23 AUG 1983 - THE BAND PLAYS ON SOLID GOLD
The band plays "Suddenly Last Summer."
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AUG 1983 - SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER
The first single off the Little Robbers album is released before the album.
The single reaches the #9 position on the U.S. Top 40 charts; #1 on the Album Cuts chart.
The single goes certified gold.
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16 SEP 1983 - LITTLE ROBBERS ALBUM RELEASED
The album reaches the #22 position on the U.S. album charts and goes certified gold.
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NOV 1983 - REMEMBER THE NIGHTS
The second single from the Little Robbers album and is released; it reaches the
#36 position in the U.S.
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14 JAN 1984 - SATURDAY NIGHT
NEW YORK CITY, NY - THE MOTELS are the musical guests on "Saturday Night Live."
Songs performed:
Suddenly Last Summer
Remember the Nights
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16 JAN 1984 - LITTLE ROBBERS TOUR BEGINS
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04 FEB 1984 - THE BAND FIRES VAL GARAY AS MANAGER
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25 APRL 1984 - THE BAND PLAYS IN JAPAN
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04 JUL 1984 - THE BAND BEGINS RECORDING FOR ALBUM SIX
The band hires Ritchie Zito to produce the new album.
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27 SEP 1984 - "IN THE JUNGLE" RELEASED
The band's song from the movie Teachers is released. Although the single
does not chart, the song gets extensive airplay. The soundtrack becomes certified
gold.
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14-22 DEC 1984 - MORE RECORDINGS FOR ALBUM SIX
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06 JUL 1985 - BAND FINISHES ALBUM SIX ENTITLED SHOCK
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03 JUL 1985 - FIRST SINGLE FROM UPCOMING SHOCK ALBUM RELEASED
"Shame" b/w "Save the Last Dance for Love" released. It reaches to the #23 position
on the U.S. charts.
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06 JUL 1985 - "SHAME" VIDEO FILMED
Video directed by David Fincher.
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01 AUG 1985 - THE SHOCK TOUR
Tour begins in San Juan Puerto Rico.
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13 FEB 1986 - BAND BEGINS WORK ON ALBUM SEVEN
Richie Zito would produce the next album.
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SUMMER 1986 - SCOTT THURSTON LEAVES THE BAND
Scott goes on to play guitar and keyboards for Jackson Browne's band. Eventually he
began producing some of Browne's recordings.
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19 JAN 1987 - GUY PERRY LEAVES THE BAND
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13 FEB 1987 - THE MOTELS ARE NO MORE
On Friday the 13th, in February, MARTHA informed the remaining members of the band
that she was going solo. THE MOTELS disbanded.
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NOV 1987 - MOTELS ALBUM SEVEN ... NOW MARTHA DAVIS' DEBUT ALBUM POLICY IS RELEASED
The album does well in Australia. The single, "Don't Tell Me the Time" b/w "Lust"
makes it to the #8 position in Australia (#80 in the U.S.).
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JAN 1988 - SECOND SINGLE RELEASED FROM POLICY
"Tell It to the Moon" b/w "Bridge of Sighs" is released.
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MAR 1988 - THIRD SINGLE RELEASED FROM POLICY
"Just Like You" b/w "Don't Ask Out Loud" is released. "Don't Ask Out Loud" is the
A-Side in Australia and reaches to #90 on the Australian charts.
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APR 1988 - FOURTH SINGLE RELEASED FROM POLICY
"What Money Might Buy" released in Australia only.
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SPRING 1988 - MARTHA REQUESTS TO BE RELEASED FROM HER RECORDING CONTRACT
Discouraged by Policy's minimal success in the U.S., MARTHA requested to
be released from her recording contract with Capitol. MARTHA takes a sabbatical
from the music business, and opened a used furniture store in Ventura.
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1990-1992 - SONGS RECORDED FOR MOVIES / DEMOS
MARTHA is asked to record the title tune to the movie Madhouse in 1990.
Shortly afterwards, in 1991, MARTHA recorded a track for the movie Miracle
Beach; the song recorded was "I Can't Believe." During this time, MARTHA
recorded several demos that included rock-pop tunes as well as songs written
and performed in a bluesy-jazz genre. MARTHA even makes a few appearances at
a few nite clubs in the local Los Angeles area under the name "Martha Davis Jr.,"
an obvious play on having her namesake the same as Sammy Davis Jr.
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SPRING 1997 - MARTHA RECORDS MORE DEMOS
Hoping for a recording contract, MARTHA begins recording several demos. A sample
demo EP is sent out to prospective recording companies. The songs include: "Teeth,"
"Sally," and "Miss Lonely Hearts."
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29 NOV 1997 - MARTHA PLAYS THE VIPER ROOM
MARTHA was awesome and cast a spell on the entire audience with her ambiance. One
song in particular, "Spain," is perhaps the most awesome song she has ever written
or performed. Marty Jourard is in the audience and enjoys the show. Dave Paglia,
MARTHA's manager, was backstage and my friend Jim and I got hugs from Martha and
signed photos.
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MARCH 1998 - THE MOTELS ARE REBORN
MARTHA renames her back-up band as THE MOTELS and begins billing the band as
THE MOTELS featuring MARTHA DAVIS. The band goes on an extensive concert tour
up and down the Pacific coast, as well as playing at a few places in the
Midwest. More demos are recorded.
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OCTOBER 31, 1998 - FETISH AND FANTASY HALLOWEEN BALL
MARTHA plays in Las Vegas at this bizarre but cool event, then heads to New
York to play a gig on famous Bleecker Street.
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1999-2000 - GIGS & DEMOS
MARTHA plays at a dozen or so venues over the next two years while continually
writting new songs.
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FEB 2001 - ANTHOLOGYLAND RELEASED
MARTHA'S first album in 14 years hits the stores. It includes many never
released older songs from gigs and movies plus a hidden gem. The rest of
the year THE MOTELS tour the U.S. from East to West with an October stopover
in Australia.
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2002-2003 - MORE GIGS MORE SONGS
MARTHA writes more songs and tours the Midwest and Pacific Coast. On New
Year's Eve 2003 she plays the Whiskey A Go-Go which my notes say she hasn't
played since June of 1980!... it seems like old times to me.
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MAY 2004 - VH1 BANDS REUNITED
The Motels are reunited for a one hour tv show. The few songs they do
together rock the small studio... it airs in September. MARTHA tours from
May to September.
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OCTOBER 2004 - SO THE STORY GOES RELEASED!
MARTHA'S first all new album in 17 years is released. Dave Paglia (Manager)
is an indispensable cog in getting this produced ...The new band members
Clint Walsh and Eric Gardner sound great.
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MARCH 2005 - MARTHA JOINS THE CIRCUS
The Seattle show "Teatro Zinzanni" welcomes MARTHA with a two month run. A
short tour ensues and then an NBC tv performance on "Hit Me Baby."
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March 2006 - The band plays at the South x Southwestfest. Martha becomes an
honorary member of the Texas Roller Derby. She is #19, Miss-Fortune
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June 1, 2006 - An unplugged Martha plays at the Viper Room along with: Men
at Work, Tommy Tutone, Naked Eyes and Jane Wiedlin to promote the CD
"80's Hits Stripped."
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June 9, 2006 - A show at the Coach House (San Juan Capistrano) is recorded
live for a CD to be released by SONY.
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Late 2006 - The Motels have 2 more albums completed but no contract with
a major label. They are put on the backburner until a method of delivery
is decided upon.
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March 2007 - "Standing Room Only" is released. A live version of songs
recorded at the Coach House in 2006.
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April 4, 2007 - A new US tour starts and another new album is in the works.
A new man (to be named at a later date) is brought into the fold to
jumpstart and polish the new album which will be released in the Summer.
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September 17, 2007 - Clean, Modern and Reasonable is released in Australia.
(April 7, 2008 in the US). These are modern acoustic renditions of the
Motels' songs.
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April 16, 2008 - In an incredible happenstance, 3 new albums are released
on the same day. Two with all new material, "This" and "Beautiful Life."
The third is filled with unreleased live versions of songs from the Motels'
first two albums.
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Late 2009 - Martha hires Gaye Ann Bruno to manage the band. This partnering
would last about two years.
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January 2010 - Martha davis releases an album for children entitled:
Red Frog Presents 16 Songs Fror Parents and Children.
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August 9 2011 - The long awaited release of the album "Apocalypso." This
was originally recorded in 1981 but rejected by Capitol Records. It wins
the 2012 "Independent Music Awards" best re-issue album.
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2012 - A jazz album collaboration with Marty Jourard is recorded but
not released.
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September 29, 2012 - The Motels play to a jam-packed Hollywood Bowl.
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February 2013 - Martha and the Motels sign with new manager Greg Sims
and Vesuvio Entertainment. Tours of Australia are planned for late in
the year.
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