Out in Los Angeles, California, back in the mid ’70s, a band by the name of The Motels were making their way playing places like the legendary Whiskey a Go-Go on the Sunset Strip. Combining an edgy Rock sound with a Punk attitude, The Motels were led by the unmistakable voice of Martha Davis. Signing with Capitol Records in 1979, their debut self-titled album was a success over in Australia, but it was not until their third Capitol Records release, All Four One, in 1982, that the band would break big in the USA. Garnishing ample attention with their unique sound during the New Wave movement, The Motels became a fixture on the tube during the early days of MTV. Now, over three decades since, Davis has continued to dedicate her life to writing, performing, and keeping the story of The Motels alive. Re-branding the band name to Martha Davis and The Motels a few years back, the lineup consists of Davis on vocals/guitar, long-time saxist/pianist Marty Jourard, bass player Brady Wills, along with former Gnarls Barkley touring band members, drummer Eric Gardner and lead guitarist Clint Walsh. The band took to the road for a ten date tour across the East Coast with supporting act Ruby Rose Fox, and on Saturday April 25th, the run came to an end with their final show at YMCA Boulton Center for the Performing Arts down in the village of Bay Shore, New York. Having made a stop in New York City a little over a week prior, this gave Long Islanders a chance to sit back in an intimate setting and enjoy an evening with Davis and company.
Coming onto the stage first was New England based Ruby Rose Fox and her five-piece band of Mally Smith (backup vox) , John Bragg (guitar), Josh Friedman (keys), Matthew Girard (bass), and Chuck Ferreira (drums) . Mixing a variety of styles including Pop, Rock, New Wave, and Soul, Ruby Rose Fox brings a sound different than others on the scene. Beginning her solo career back in 2012, recently she was named one of The Boston Globe’s list of “10 Bands and Solo Artists to Watch in 2015,” and winner of the 2014 Boston Music Award for Best Female Vocalist in addition to her nomination for Singer-Songwriter of the Year. Walking out with her band, confident and relaxed, Fox crooned passionately through a list of her original songs including “Every Time I Tell,” “Die Pretty,” and “Blue Angel,” among others. With catchy melodies, smooth beats, and colorful backing vocals, Fox’s music projected imagery of a Jazz lounge. Be sure to check out her music on iTunes, and be prepared to want to get up and dance.
Following a brief intermission, Martha Davis and The Motels were ready to begin their final set of the tour in front of a group of dedicated fans. Inviting and personal, Davis immediately captured the audience with her emotional delivery while performing some of The Motels’ most classic tunes early on, including the Pop mega hit “Only the Lonely.” Davis has always been much more than a Pop singer though, and those who have dug deep into The Motels discography are aware of the rough and dark persona the vocalist can possess. Mixing up the set, covering all corners of the band’s history, songs like “Dressing Up,” “Total Control,” and “Lucky Stars” were just a few of the highlights. Matching Davis’ theatrical delivery, Wills and Walsh conjured their own forms of showmanship on reachreach side of the stage. Walsh, who was quiet and reserved for the most part, saved his energy for the magnificent solos that came his way, lighting up the fretboard, and filling the air with powerful melodies. Meanwhile, Wills appears to be the jokester of the bunch, cracking smiles at every turn, conversing with Davis, causing her to laugh into between songs, and overall having a fantastic time. Cool and collected behind his keyboard, Jourard shined bright as he provided textured synth, piano, and sax on songs like 1983 track “Little Robbers.”
As the set moved on, Davis continued to be open and sweet with the audience, expressing the amount of fun she had over the past few weeks. Although she was fighting an end of the tour cold, she was still saddened to see it coming to a close. Despite feeling under the weather, Davis’ voice sounded as strong and distinctive as ever as she sang on with the impassioned track “Criminal.” With an intense look in her eyes, Davis stared into the theater, and some may have thought she was singing solely to them and conveying her deepest thoughts through harmony. Offering up other favorites like “So L.A.,” the band continued to show tremendous chemistry musically as well as on a personally level. In many cases, it is easy to spot a band whose relationships does not extend beyond the stage, but Davis and all her band seemed as tight and friendly as any band could be.
With new material on the horizon from the band in the coming year, Davis invited her tourmate Ruby Rose Fox onto the stage to join The Motels as backing vocalist for the 2007 tune “Nobody.” Alluring, the song took on a Blues Rock vibe, all while Davis seduced the room with just the right inflection on each word sung. As the evening wound down with another ’80s radio fixture, “Suddenly Last Summer,” it was clear Davis has not lost a step and still has the intangibles of a fantastic performer. Igniting a sea of applause, Davis and the band provided one last waltz on the dreamy extended rendition of “Last Few Beautiful Days,” which gave each member a spotlight with Jourard’s sax playing, Walsh unloading on guitar, and Wills playfully dancing with Davis during the instrumental portions. A dramatic ending to a romantic soundtrack, the band sent the audience off into the night completely astounded by the performance.
While The Motels may be a band some had placed in the furthest corners of their mind, because of little national visibility in recent times, the fact is Davis never really ever went away. It certainly shows with The Motels back on tour around the States over past couple of years. With new music on the horizon and a fantastic supporting cast around her, Davis and The Motels are poised to make an epic return, reminding people of how special this pioneering New Wave band really is.
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