THE MOTELS IN CONCERT:
More than three decades after their breakout hit "Only the Lonely" made them global sensations, LA new wave pioneers The Motels remain the epitome of cool. Frontwoman Martha Davis is as iconic as ever in concert, commanding the stage with style and intensity as she casts her emotive voice over the band's angular guitars, icy synths, and skeletal rhythms. The group's restrained songs are minimal but full of nuance and sentiment, and Davis squeezes every last drop of emotion out of melancholy anthems like "Suddenly Last Summer". Fans looking for a taste of the '80s while hoping to catch some of the band's highly anticipated new material will relish The Motels as they continue to make new wave feel fresh.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
The Motels formed in Berkley, CA in 1971 under the name The Warfield Foxes. After changing their name and relocating to Los Angeles in 1975 they became a staple of the city's burgeoning new wave scene, playing shows at iconic venues like Madam Wong's and sharing rehearsal space with The Go-Go's. Capitol Records took note, and in 1979 the band released their self-titled debut album on the label. The record went gold on the strength of popular singles like "Total Control", and their 1980 sophomore album was equally successful thanks to favorites like "Danger". Things really took off with their 1982 album All Four One, which cracked the Top 20 thanks to the international hit "Only the Lonely". The band's chart run continued in 1983 with the song "Suddenly Last Summer", which peaked at No. 1 on the mainstream rock charts and went on to become one of the decade's most enduring tunes. Despite their success the band's classic lineup called it quits in 1987, but Davis began performing again with a new lineup in 1998. Since then several of the band's original members have rejoined the group, drumming up excitement among fans for The Motels' continued touring and return to the studio.
