While there has never been a proven link between the surname Martin and the small furry animal of the same name, the abundance of rockers credited as either Dave Martin or David Martin brings to mind a teeming population of martins gnawing on skinks, twigs, or whatever martins gnaw on. Every style of rock seems to have an example, as if a determined effort has been made for the name to have blanket representation. This Dave Martin is associated with Chelsea, considered to be one of the first punk bands. The band itself was formed by Gene October, an ex-porno performer. Guitarist and singer Martin joined up in 1979.

Billy Idol had already been in and out of the band by that time, along with a variety of other personages on the new wave music scene. Not only did this band go through many changes in membership, but the actual size of the group was always in flux, bringing to mind Frank Zappa's comment about the Mothers of Invention: "You never know how many of these Mothers will show up." Martin nonetheless was considered one of the members of the ultimate Chelsea lineup, his power chording mangling well with lead guitarist James Stevenson. October packed it in with the band in 1984, but Martin and associates got back together for a tour in 1999. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi