The American new wave band The Motels formed in Berkeley in 1975. Their 1980 song "Total Control" reached a high position in the Australian charts. It's one of the songs from their 1979 debut album The Motels. On the album they're exploring the darker sides of living in Los Angeles. The atmospheric and artful compositions of the band can be heard in their rocking and artful songs. The vocalist Martha Davis brings some songs to life with her beautiful voice. "Celia" and "Kix" are two excellent crafted songs, but it's getting even better when you'll hear "Closets and Bullets". The album exudes the mood of excitement and danger of late Los Angeles at night.

Since the formation of The Motels they've been touring in different line-ups. The constant factor is the lead singer and front woman Martha Davis. Even 40 years after their formation she's still rocking the stage.