The Martinis came into being, in a way, around 1994, when Joey Santiago and Linda Mallari moved to the West Coast.
Joey's history we know about - he formed The Pixies with Charles Thompson in '86 and played guitar on a few tracks on Frank Black's albums for 4AD.
Linda minored in music at Emerson and sang show tunes, jazz standards and middle-of-the-road Top Forty at the likes of Holiday Inn.
She had learned to play guitar a mere six months before the first Martini's show!
Ex-Pixie David Lovering and Tad Wadhams completed the line-up and the songs Free and Sunshine appeaed on the soundtrack to Empire Records (A&M) and Nothing in Common (Casual Tonalities compilation) respectfully in 1995.
As they began to build up a following, favourable press and the attention of A&R men, the band broke up.
For the next few months Linda and Joey worked on a new set of songs and recruited Jeff McElroy and Ralph Blazer as bassist and drummer respectfully.
During 1997 and 1998, the rhythm section seemed to change on an almost monthly basis, before settling on Rachel Haden and Tony Maxwell (previously bass and drums with That Dog).
When Tony left to become an actor (well, it is Los Angeles after all!), he was replaced by Dawn Richardson (ex-4 Non Blondes).
They recorded and released a nine-track demo CD at the start of 1998.
My favourite tracks would be Flyer, Cry, People in the World and BBQ.
For the life of me I cannot describe how they sound - somethimes jangly, sometimes Kristin Hersh singing with The Breeders, sometime a bit like Sleeper.
I understand that live they play really loud... just like in the 'Eighties when they said, "punks not dead"!
Full Martinis' demo listing: Free / Paper Doll / It's Over Now / Flyer / Drip / Cry / BBQ / People in the World / Sunshine.
Buy their demo: $15USD in the US/ $18 Outside of the US
Send Checks to Butterfly Kiss Publishing, 10061 Riverside Drive #330, Toluca Lake, CA 91602
Also available in LA at Rhino Records in Westwood and Backside Records in Burbank.
| The Pixies | Biography
Discography
Black Francis Interview
Kim Deal Interview
Fort Apache Split Announcement Pixies Complete UK Gig List Secret Gigs Pixies Last UK Show Joey Santiago Pix Pixies Demos |
|---|---|
| Frank Black | Frank Black On-Line '96 Frank Black Earwig Chat |
| Breeders / Amps | Biography Discography Kelley Deal Interview |
| The Martinis | Biography |