The dB's
Founder members of the US pop unit the dB's, Chris Stamey (guitars/vocals), Gene Holder (bass) and Will Rigby (drums) had made their name around North Carolina, USA, with the Sneakers, alongside Mitch Easter (guitar/vocals). After two EPs (in 1976 and 1978) on Alan Betrock's Car label, Easter departed (later surfacing with Let's Active), the remaining three teamed up with keyboardist Peter Holsapple (ex-H-Bombs), to create the dB's. Stamey and Holsapple had previously worked together in Rittenhouse Square as early as 1972, while Stamey had indulged in a solo effort, Summer Sun on Ork , in 1977. The dB's’ debut single, I Thought (You Wanted To Know), on the Car label, was issued towards the end of 1978, by which time the band had relocated to New York City. Signing with Shake, they then came up with Black And White, attracting attention in the UK, and sealing a contract with Albion. The dB's delivered two albums in as many years for Albion, both capturing an evocative blend of melodic, occasionally Beatles-styled songs and new wave sensibilities. Dynamite, Big Brown Eyes and Judy were drawn from STANDS FOR DECIBELS (1981) while the following year's REPERCUSSIONS spawned Amplifier, Neverland and Living A Lie. However, the dB's failed to make any significant commercial impact. Stamey was the first to leave and release a solo work, IN THE WINTER OF LOVE, in 1984. An apathetic British reception meant that his second album, IT'S ALRIGHT on A&M Records, failed to secure a UK release. In the meantime, the dB's replaced Stamey with Jeff Beninato and reunited for THE SOUND OF MUSIC on IRS, joined by guests Van Dyke Parks and Syd Straw. Since then, Peter Holsapple has been busy working in the wings with R.E.M..