New Wave Outpost Forum

by **NuWaveRx** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:28 am

For some reason I've been listening a lot to both early Motels and to Rhyme and Reason by Missing Persons and thought this might be a good poll. No big connections (I'm aware of, anyway) except all led by female lead singers and were based in SoCal.

Opinions? Who did you like best and why?

by **WolverineSyr** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 9:00 am

I like all three, although the Motels win for me.

I thought Missing Persons were better musicians than the rest, and Dale had a cool thing going on.

I really liked most of Berlin's songs, but really, they were pretty typical of the time for me.

As for the Motels, Something about Martha Davis really attracted me. I liked her look, voice and the lyrics she wrote. I've never been to L.A. but the Motels songs typified what I thought it was like - kind of seedy, depressing under the flash, and full of beat-up people. I like that tragic thing.

I might like their albums much more today than back when when I was younger, although I was a pretty big fan back then. I think Careful is one of those rare albums without a bad track on it & I think they were truly underrated.

by **enzfan** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:00 am

Went with Berlin, Pleasure Victim is one of my alltime favorites. Although Spring Session M is another great album, plus Terry Bozzio really drummed his ass off.

by **oldnewwaver** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:34 am

good topic
all are LA based bands in the day
loved Berlin's Pleasure Victim and Love Life, the Motels All 4 One and Little Robbers and Missing Persons Spring Session M and Rhyme and Reason
those were there peak recordings and they faded out after that
I saw Missing Persons two times in the day and they put on a great show
musically better because of Terry, Warren, and the others but loved Dale
probably would not have liked Berlin if Terri Nunn was not in the band, great vocalist as well
Martha Davis was a new wave diva for the day with a unique voice and sound
hard to say which one is the best, prefer them all with equal parts

by **budaniel** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:38 am

I love all three, but I consider The Motels to be the least new wave, and Berlin to be the most. Missing Persons tended to be inconsistent, but Destination Unknown is one of my all time favorite new wave songs. Berlin always blended new wave guitar and new wave synths and electronic drums sounds the best with super strong melodies, and teri nunn's vocals were always so passionate. And they had the best producers and collaborators from the new wave genre--Jon St. James, Mike Shipley, Giorgio Moroder, Mike Howlett (I love Love Life from start to finish)...

by **plagiarism** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:06 am

None. I like a song or two from each of these bands, but not enough to buy any of their albums.

I would've voted for X, if that were an option.

by **bigwavedave** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:44 am

All three for me...following are a few examples of why I like each for different reasons:

Motels: Summertime fun("Suddenly Last Summer")

Missing Persons: Quirky and fun, with really good musicians ("Walking In LA")

Berlin: Night time, kind of moody ("The Metro")

by **tileboy** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:13 am

That first Motels lp is a classic for me.

by **glokstadt** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:04 pm

Went with Missing Persons, as I saw them back in the day a few times play around town, and always put n a high energy show. Saw Berlin bac in the day as well, was not as impressed. Motels, never saw live, I'm guessing my loss...

However, today I would choose Berlin over The Motels and Missing Persons because I saw Missing Persons and Berlin play this last summer for $10 each at Hollywood Park, a horse race track here in L.A., and Berlin put on a better show--Terri's voice is just so smooth and solid compaired to Dale B. and from what I heard how The Motels sounded at the Orange County Fair (they played with The Bangles and another new wave band I can't think of right now).

It's just sad that the bands Berlin and The Motels are just the original lead singers only, while M.P. is Dale and hubby Terry.[:(]

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by **tenohtwo** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:11 am

I went with Berlin. One of my favorites of theirs is "You Don't Know". The Motels would get the next vote.

1002

by **wormster** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:22 am

I liked all off them but missing person wins it for me..destination unknown is one of my all time fav...

by **club80** » Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:01 pm

I went with Berlin for two reasons.
I liked Pleasure Victim better than any albums that the others produced.
They were the only one of the three I saw live (early 1983, I believe. Hofstra University Rathskeller)

We didn't sell a lot of records, but somehow we left an impression.
-Johnny Ramone-

by **Jim2** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 3:24 am

I say all three.

Berlin was one of my favorite bands, but I subtract
major points for the Academy Award winning song
Take My Breath Away. It is Horrible.

Missing Persons I feel didn't have enough shelf life
as their EP was much better than their album Spring
Session M. I did enjoy their cameo in the early 80's
"T & A" movie Lunchwagon.

Martha Davis' wonderful voice was the Motels. She
never got the acclaim or success that Annie Lennox
of the Eurythmics did, but If I had to choose between
the two, I'd pick Martha.

If All three bands were not a choice, I'd have to
choose the Motels, with Berlin a close second.

Drive Around In Cars, Get Drunk In Local Bars, Dream Of Being Stars, Well I Lived All My Life On Planet Earth. -Devo circa early 1980's

by **club80** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 8:00 am

[quote][i]Originally posted by Jim2[/i]
<br>I say all three.

Berlin was one of my favorite bands, but I subtract
major points for the Academy Award winning song
Take My Breath Away. It is Horrible.

Missing Persons I feel didn't have enough shelf life
as their EP was much better than their album Spring
Session M. I did enjoy their cameo in the early 80's
"T & A" movie Lunchwagon.

Martha Davis' wonderful voice was the Motels. She
never got the acclaim or success that Annie Lennox
of the Eurythmics did, but If I had to choose between
the two, I'd pick Martha.

If All three bands were not a choice, I'd have to
choose the Motels, with Berlin a close second.

Drive Around In Cars, Get Drunk In Local Bars, Dream Of Being Stars, Well I Lived All My Life On Planet Earth. -Devo circa early 1980's
[/quote]

That's funny, only because I couldn't agree more with your points about Berlin and Missing Persons. Spot on!

I reserve judgment on The Motels. I just never could get into them at all.

We didn't sell a lot of records, but somehow we left an impression.
-Johnny Ramone-

by **Spectre General** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:05 am

I love all three but I would have to say Berlin and Missing Persons edge out The Motels just slightly.

I voted Berlin because some of their lesser-known songs are really awesome such as "When Love Goes to War" and "You Don't Know." Also the Information LP is pretty sweet.

-------------------------------------------------
What is love after all
but occasional steps
of a dance.........
.......In a trance?

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Motels, Berlin, or Missing Persons?

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