The Moto-Litas

Atlanta, GA's Moto-Litas mix riot grrrl attitude and twisted sophistication inside new millennium indie rock. They're not elegant like Lilith Fair, but independently alluring with their own musical stance. They all go by their own pseudonyms, too. Frontwoman/guitarist Courtney King (Kitty Kowabunga) initially met up with drummer Stacy Kerber (Betty "Skins" Boomskins), guitarist Mary Frances Collins (Trixie Riptide), and bassist Erin Bradley Dangar (Leggy Limbeaux) at a dinner party paying tribute to Agent Orange's Dusty Watson in the late '90s. All were practicing musicians and enjoyed a healthy dose of heavy metal — Mötley Crüe, Black Sabbath, and Motörhead. So they opted to start a band, naming themselves after the steering wheel on Aston Martin DB6. Their signature cover of Oh-OK's (which featured Michael Stipe's sister, Lynda) song "Lilting" built a scene around the Moto-Litas' live shows, and their heavy mix spotlighting stylings of X, the Go-Go's, and Sleater-Kinney were found on their feisty debut For the Greater Good in fall 2001.