The dB’s - Stands for deciBels [2024 Remaster]

Pitchfork cited Stands for deciBels among its list of Top 100 Albums of the 1980s.

“The missing link between the proto-power pop of Big Star and the college rock of R.E.M...an unheralded gem”. The dB’s carved out a nice little niche in the genre of power pop while straddling the line between punk and new wave.” –Pop Matters

“[T]he dB’s combined a reverence for British pop and arty post-punk leanings that alternate between minimalism and a love of quirky embellishment, odd sounds, and unexpected twists; Stands for deciBels is clearly a collegiate pop experiment, but rarely is experimentation so enjoyable and irresistibly catchy” –AllMusic

The dB’s’ debut album Stands for deciBels, will be reissued on CD, vinyl (its first time in vinyl) and all digital platforms on June 6, 2024 through Propeller Sound Recordings. The first digital single will be “Big Brown Eyes,” due out on April 26th, followed by “Cycles Per Second” on May 17th. Both will be available via Spotify. On album street date, June 6th, a third single, “Black & White,” will follow, both audio and video.

The album was originally produced by the late Alan Betrock, founder of the seminal post-punk publication, NY Rocker, as well as Shake Records. It was originally issued on the U.K.-based Albion label. The album was engineered by Michael Ewasko, and with Mitch Easter, Scott Litt and Martin Rushent mixing.

The dB’s, of course, were composed of two singer/songwriter/guitarists, Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey; along with Gene Holder, bass; and Will Rigby, drums – although everyone in the band played everything at one time or another. The foursome emanated from Winston-Salem, N.C., and helped define not only the rich North Carolina indie-rock scene of the ‘80s, but helped lay the groundwork for the likes of fellow southeasterners R.E.M. They were also cornerstones of a scene which also featured Sneakers – almost a precursor to The dB’s with Chris Stamey and Will Rigby, with appearances by Mitch Easter who’d later form Let’s Active. Other pillars of the region’s scene at that time included Don Dixon, Dexter Romweber and Flat Duo Jets, and more. It should be noted that The dB’s also called New York home for a while, frequently appearing at CBGB, Maxwell’s and other influential venues. (continue reading full bio on DISCO)