The dB's
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Winston-Salem NC, United States (1978 – present)
Along with Let’s Active, the dB’s defined the Southern power pop/jangle pop movement of the early to mid-’80s. The band’s music was a quirky blend of smart pop and psychedelia crossed with the more experimental side of new wave. Though they never received widespread recognition outside of critical acclaim, they provided a key link between Big Star and ’80s alternative guitar acts such as R.E.M.
Formed in 1978 in Winston-Salem, NC, the original lineup of the band featured Chris Stamey (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Gene Holder (bass), and Will Rigby (drums). All three members had spent time in Stamey’s legendary group, Sneakers. After relocating to New York, the dB’s released their debut single, “(I Thought) You Wanted to Know,” b/w “If and When” for Stamey’s Car label. Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Peter Holsapple, who had worked with Stamey in the band Rittenhouse Square in the early ’70s, joined the band by the end of 1978. Holsapple and Stamey shared the songwriting chores during the band’s early years.
The dB’s were unable to secure a U.S. recording contract, so they signed to the British Albion label. They released two albums on Albion: Stands for Decibels (1981) and Repercussion (1982). Both records received rave reviews but little sales. Stamey left in 1983 to resume a solo career. Rick Wagner was added on bass but was replaced shortly by Jeff Beninato. With Holsapple fronting the group, they signed to Bearsville in 1984 and released Like This, a more conventional jangle pop album with strong country leanings.
Formed in 1978 in Winston-Salem, NC, the original lineup of the band featured Chris Stamey (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Gene Holder (bass), and Will Rigby (drums). All three members had spent time in Stamey’s legendary group, Sneakers. After relocating to New York, the dB’s released their debut single, “(I Thought) You Wanted to Know,” b/w “If and When” for Stamey’s Car label. Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Peter Holsapple, who had worked with Stamey in the band Rittenhouse Square in the early ’70s, joined the band by the end of 1978. Holsapple and Stamey shared the songwriting chores during the band’s early years.
The dB’s were unable to secure a U.S. recording contract, so they signed to the British Albion label. They released two albums on Albion: Stands for Decibels (1981) and Repercussion (1982). Both records received rave reviews but little sales. Stamey left in 1983 to resume a solo career. Rick Wagner was added on bass but was replaced shortly by Jeff Beninato. With Holsapple fronting the group, they signed to Bearsville in 1984 and released Like This, a more conventional jangle pop album with strong country leanings.
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Stands For Decibels
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Repercussion
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Like This
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The Sound Of Music
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Shoutbox
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jop226 wrote:
also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfpli2VQtZU
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jop226 wrote:
So damn good. Black and White, Neverland, and Bad Reputation are three perfect songs. Each respective jam should have been a number one hit. I'm sorry, but the first jangly hit of "Black and White" is just jaw-droppingly sick... and that riff is too good for it's own good. also, let me just say: i think "Like This" is underrated. Sure the lyrics may be a tad corny... but come on: melodies are there, super poppy sound, even some harsh feedback and killer guitar lines if you listen closely. maybe it's just me but i always wish the guitars on the album were up a bit in the mix. a part of me wishes dB's stuff was produced/engineered/mixed by some fantasy-land dream team of j mascais and Jim Dickinson (the guy who produced big star's Third and the 'mats song "Alex Chilton"). but maybe that's just me. ////////wow. talk about rambling... sorry folks!
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awffle wrote:
ugh
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pastisback wrote:
this shit is real clammy! how come i wasn't smelling on this before?
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giobot26 wrote:
this is what ive been lookin 4
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Dylanisgod2 wrote:
well this is fuckin classic
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Contristo wrote:
check out this free surf-rock compilation, featuring the best Beach Boys sound-alikes in music history: http://obscuresound.com/2011/06/thats-not-me-best-of-the-beach-bastards/ The dB's "She's Not Worried" is featured
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YControl755 wrote:
Love their new single "Picture Sleeve" b/w "Write Back"! They still got it.
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oncassette wrote:
"neverland" needs more listens
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pewpewlasers wrote:
blame it on big star
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Clovisis wrote:
aren't these guys just great?
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beatyrheartout wrote:
north carolina represent!!!!!!! "you hang around/tobacco town"
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doctorjmo wrote:
...all she left waz an amplifer..................
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marceloadelar wrote:
where have this band been all of my life? they're simply the definition of awesomeness
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johanathanowl wrote:
black and white is the SONG, MAN!!!
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leshwatt wrote:
athens
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Lord_Krichian wrote:
forgotten band
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YControl755 wrote:
I am so thrilled by the prospect of a new album being imminent
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Mr_Whirly wrote:
Wonderul band. 'Stands for Decibels' is unbelievably good
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flashbleu wrote:
they ripped off miley cyrus
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ChrisAllen3000, modifiedbear, claptony and 15 other people added The dB's to their libraries. Tuesday evening
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MeganKearin tagged The dB's with ‘american’. last month
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MeganKearin tagged The dB's with ‘new wave’. December 2011
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Amelie_Leto tagged The dB's with college rock, 80s, new wave and 2 other tags. December 2011
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