The dB's
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1978 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Will Rigby, Gene Holder |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Alternative rock and power pop music albums and singles |
The dB's represent an American ensemble specializing in alternative rock and power pop, originating in New York City in 1978 and rising to recognition during the early 1980s. Their initial album, Stands for Decibels, is frequently cited as an influential yet overlooked power pop release from that decade.
The group consists of Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Will Rigby, and Gene Holder. While each member comes from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the band was formed in New York City. In 2012, they unveiled their first studio album of new material in a quarter-century, marking the first time the original lineup recorded together in thirty years.
History
In 1977, Stamey collaborated on bass with Alex Chilton in New York and worked alongside Television guitarist Richard Lloyd to record "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know". This track, credited to Chris Stamey and the dB's, was released as a single in 1978.
Holsapple became part of the band in October 1978 after moving from North Carolina. Their single "Black and White" came out through Shake Records in 1980.
Their debut album Stands for Decibels was issued by British label Albion Records in January 1981, earning critical praise despite modest commercial success.
According to Trouser Press, the band's influences included 1960s pop and psychedelia, along with 1970s acts such as Big Star. However, the songwriting styles of Stamey and Holsapple maintained distinct characteristics: Holsapple's approach leaned toward traditional melodies exemplified by tracks like "Big Brown Eyes," whereas Stamey's compositions such as "Espionage" embraced a more experimental sound.
Albion also released their sophomore album, Repercussion, in 1981, accompanied by singles including "Judy." These two albums were eventually reissued together on CD.
Following Repercussion, Stamey departed to focus on solo projects and production work. The remaining members recorded Like This, which was released in 1984. The band signed with Bearsville Records, but distribution complications delayed the album's release; Bearsville ceased operations that same year. Rick Wagner joined as bassist while Holder transitioned to lead guitar duties.
Their last studio effort before disbandment, The Sound of Music, was released by I.R.S. Records in 1987 and featured New Orleans bassist Jeff Beninato, founder of the New Orleans Musicians Relief Fund. This album reached No. 171 on the Billboard 200. Beninato toured with them during this period. After Holder left to join the Individuals, Eric Peterson took over lead guitar responsibilities. In 2022, Holsapple noted that The Sound of Music has been out of print since 1988; following I.R.S.'s rejection of demos for a subsequent album, he decided to end the band.
Reflecting on their history in 2017, Holsapple described their evolution from being seen as "great white hope" figures to becoming regarded as "godfathers of power pop," despite relatively limited record sales. They experienced regional popularity—particularly on Chicago’s WXRT—but did not achieve widespread recognition elsewhere.
After disbanding, various compilations were released: Line Records issued collections combining Stands for Decibels and Repercussion with additional tracks under titles like dB's First/Repercussion (1992) and Neverland (1999). Rhino Records put out Ride the Wild Tom-Tom in 1993, gathering demos and singles. The posthumous release Paris Avenue (1994) featured demo recordings from the band's final lineup during their later years.
Other endeavors
Following the disbandment of the dB's, Holsapple took on roles as a supporting musician, dedicating four years as a full-time touring guitarist and keyboardist with R.E.M., beginning with the Green tour and extending through the release of the 1991 album Out of Time. Subsequently, he joined Hootie and the Blowfish on tour and became a member of the Continental Drifters. Holsapple also ventured into solo work, issuing his individual album Out of My Way in 1997.
Stamey has produced six solo albums and established himself as a record producer. His 1985 holiday-themed mini-album, Christmas Time, was released under "Chris Stamey Group with Special Guests the dB's". This project expanded into a 17-track CD titled Christmas Time Again in 1993, featuring artists such as Mitch Easter, Ryan Adams, Marshall Crenshaw, and Don Dixon. The collection grew further to include 21 tracks by 2006.
Rigby contributed his drumming talents to artists like Steve Earle among others, while Holder persisted in his recording and production activities.
In 1991, Stamey and Holsapple reunited to work as a duo, producing the album Mavericks.
Reunion
The original lineup of the dB's came together again in 2005, performing concerts in Chicago and Hoboken, New Jersey. During that year, they recorded a rendition of the 1966 hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" to support the New Orleans Musicians' Relief Fund.
In early 2007, they played at NYC's Bowery Ballroom in January and at Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina in February.
March 2012 saw Holsapple, Stamey, Rigby, and Mitch Easter (filling in for Holder) perform at South by Southwest. Their reunion album, Falling Off the Sky, was released by Bar/None Records in June 2012.
Members
Current
- Peter Holsapple – guitar, vocals, keyboards
- Chris Stamey – guitar, vocals
- Gene Holder – bass guitar , guitar
- Will Rigby – drums, backing and occasional lead vocals
Former
- Eric Peterson – guitar
- Rick Wagner – bass guitar
- Jeff Beninato – bass guitar, backing and occasional lead vocals
Touring
- Harold Kelt – guitar, keyboards
- Mitch Easter – bass guitar
Studio albums
- Stands for Decibels (1981, Albion Records)
- Repercussion (1981, Albion Records)
- Like This (1984, Bearsville Records)
- The Sound of Music (1987, I.R.S. Records)
- Paris Avenue (1994, Monkey Hill Records)
- Falling Off the Sky (2012, Bar/None Records)
EPs
- Amplifier (1981, Albion Records)
- Revolution of the Mind (2013, Orange Sound)
Singles
- "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know" credited to Chris Stamey & the dB's (1978, Car Records)
- "Black and White" (1980, Shake Records)
- "Dynamite" (1981, Albion Records)
- "Big Brown Eyes" (1981, Albion Records)
- "Judy" (1981, Albion Records)
- "Neverland" (1982, Albion Records)
- "Living a Lie" (1982, Albion Records)
- "Love Is for Lovers" (1984, Bearsville Records)
- "I Lie" (1987, I.R.S. Records)
- "Picture Sleeve" (2011, Orange Sound)
- "Bad Reputation (New York Rocker Sessions)" (2021, Propeller Sound Recordings)
- "Tell Me Two Times (New York Rocker Sessions)" (2021, Propeller Sound Recordings)
Compilation albums
- Amplifier (1986, released by Dojo Records)
- dB's First / Repercussion (1992, issued through Line Records)
- Ride the Wild Tom-Tom (1993, under Rhino Records)
- Neverland (1999, distributed by Line Records)
- I Thought You Wanted to Know: 1978-1981 (2021, Propeller Sound Recordings)