The Motels
The new name was inspired on the way to the band’s first show at Barney’s Beanery. Guitarist Dean Chamberlain noted the motor inns as they drove down Santa Monica Boulevard and suggested “What about The Motels?”
The band broke up then reformed in 1978 with guitarist Jeff Jourard who brought in his brother Marty on keyboards and saxophone. Michael Goodroe on bass and Brian Glascock on drums rounded out the quintet. This lineup played around L.A. for six months before signing with Capitol Records on May 13, 1979—Mother’s Day.
The Motels released five albums on Capitol Records between 1979 and 1985, two of them earning gold record status and generating two Top Ten singles, “Only the Lonely” and “Suddenly Last Summer.” When the band broke up in 1987 Martha released Policy, a solo album that charted in Australia.
After leaving Capitol Davis spent years working in different musical genres with multitudes of players. Recently it became apparent that one particular configuration generated the same feeling as the original band concept.
The new lineup includes guitarist Clint Walsh, drummer Eric Gardner, bassist Nic Johns and as of 2011, original member Marty Jourard. Apocalypso, a previously unreleased version of 1982’s All Four One was released in 2011 on Omnivore Records, thirty years to the day after the intended original date.
In Spring of 2018 the Motels will release their new record The Last Few Beautiful Days.
Motels Discography
The Motels 1979
Careful 1980
All Four One 1982
Little Robbers 1984
Shock 1985
Apocalypso 2011
The Last Few Beautiful Days 2018
Formed in the city of Orange in Orange County CA, in 1999, The Relatives have released three CDs - two on Delirium Records, and their latest - "Tilted World" - on Slipped Disc Records. They have contributed to four compilation CDs, have had four of their songs appear on the Warner Home Video release, "The Utopian Society," which featured actress Malin Ackerman, and have shared the stage with such bands as The Smithereens, Dramarama, Missing Persons, Stroke 9, Alien Crime Syndicate, Stan Ridgway, Tommy Tutone, Animotion, Peter Case, Flock of Seagulls, Berlin, Gene Loves Jezebel, Soul Asylum, and Gin Blossoms. They were also featured as an up and coming band on an OC Weekly compilation CD.
The band started in the late 90's when Jason Arthur answered an ad in The Recycler for "Bass Guitarist Wanted". Chris Cyga joined the band shortly thereafter and for several years, The Relatives rocked Orange, Riverside and Los Angeles Counties as a three piece.
The group decided to augment their sound by bringing in another guitarist,so they recruited David Ramirez. David's soaring guitar leads and incredible tone have lifted The Relatives' sound to new heights.
Today, The Relatives continue to write strong original material, and have just released (in January 2015) their new album, "Tilted World" on Slipped Disc Records.
In September 2015, Dennis LeBlanc left the band to pursue other musical ventures,and the Relatives welcomed new member Jeff "JJ" Olds on guitar and vocals. Jeff is also the songwriter / vocalist / bassist / guitarist of Chino, California based band The Renovators.
Chris Cyga - Drums
Jason Arthur - Bass Guitar / Lead Vocals
Jeff "JJ" Olds - Guitar / Lead Vocals
David Ramirez - Lead Guitar / Vocals