New Stuff: The dBs (and important SXSW info)

The dBs, new stuff? Those late 70s-early 80's giants? That seminal American power pop band, the bridge between Big Star and the mid-80s explosion of great American bands like R.E.M., the Replacements, The Plimsouls, The Connells, etc.?

Yes those very dBs are releasing a new full length CD called Falling Off the Sky on Bar None Records in June. Here's a video for a righteous new storm trooping rocker "Revolution of the Mind":

And in preparation for their SXSW appearance later this week in Austin, Bar None let a couple more tracks out today.

Here's a page where you can hear "That Time is Now" and see where and when the dBs are playing in Austin this Friday, if you are lucky enough to be making the trek:

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2012/events/event_MS16924

The best news in all this is that the reunion lineup includes all 4 original members, including Chris Stamey, who sings lead on "Before You Were Born":

http://www.bar-none.com/downloads.php

After Stamey departed in 1982, Peter Holsapple, Will Rigby and Gene Holder continued the dBs and made some very good records, flirting with breaking out bigger with mini-hits like "Spy in the House of Love". But few bands have achieved the artistic heights reached on the two records made with Stamey - Stands for deciBels and Repercussion.

Even though they had unjustly abysmal record sales, the dBs had an indelible influence on virtually all American power pop that has come after them, including, whether the kids even realize it or not, the young pop bands that WYMA regularly brings to your attention. Certainly the Parson Red Heads are much in their debt and part of the team with Stamey having produced their most recent CD Yearling.

For those of you who are not familiar with the work Holsapple and Stamey did together, here's a taste with one of my favorite songs of all time:

We will do a full on review when the record nears release date. But I really like what I hear.

Band web page: http://thedbs.com/. There's a very thorough and interesting biography of the band in there for anyone who wants the full story.