Interview: Will Rigby of The dB’s
The dBs’sdrummer stops by to talk about the recent vinyl release of their debut record, their upcoming shows, and what's next for the band.
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The dBs’s were making jangle pop and influencing indie rock long before most of us knew what either of those terms meant. They bridged the gap between rock and power pop and, along the way, became your favorite band’s favorite band.
The dB’s are singer/songwriters Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, along with Gene Holder, who plays bass, and Will Rigby, who plays drums. All four grew up in North Carolina, moved to New York in the late 1970s, and formed the band, where they frequently appeared at venues like CBGB and Maxwell’s.
Stands for deciBels was recorded in what Stamey describes as “… the run-down Manhattan of 1979, in the aftermath of the CBGB explosion, when ‘anything goes’ was the rule; we were Southern expats playing on bills with the likes of the Feelies, Bush Tetras, and X, but felt a special camaraderie with a few of the more musically versatile yet still rebellious bands of the time, the Soft Boys, NRBQ, and the Attractions among them,”
Hearing tracks like ‘Black and White’ coming from down the hall in their dorm, their college station, or an older sibling who brought a taped copy home was the on-ramp to power pop for many listeners.
“Black and White” is just a perfect song for me: the revenge tinged pop, the guitar melody that weaves in and out as the core of the song, and that really beautiful verse. It’s something I’m continuously trying to find in songwriting - that dynamic and those melodies.
Click the record to listen on your platform of choice.
The record has long been out of print—and wasn't even available in the US initially—with drummer Will Rigby noting, “There were no takers among US record labels, so it wound up being released on UK label Albion Records in several European countries plus Japan and Australia, but not in North America.”
Until now…
The record has been reissued on vinyl and CD by Propeller Sound Recordings, with their Repercussion record to follow in the fall. The band is also reuniting for the first time in 12 years to play a limited run of shows. The album is available via the usual streaming outlets, but perhaps more than most bands, this is a record experienced best via LP or CD.
It's taken a long time to get here, but to my ears, Stands for DeciBels has been worth the wait.
I recently had a chance to talk with the band’s Will Rigby via email. In a wide-ranging chat, we talk about how the reissue came to be, other projects by the band members, and what’s next for the dB’s.
Our conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and flow.
Congrats on the reissue and upcoming tour dates! Fans have been calling for both for a while now. What had to happen to make both a reality?
The main impetus has been the enthusiasm of Propeller Sound Recordings. This is their second dB's release, and the second album, Repercussion, is expected to come out in the fall.
Will we see Like This or other titles get the same treatment?
We hope to have Like This available again one of these days. It's now in our control and we'll see what happens. That leaves The Sound of Music and Paris Avenue as the remaining out-of-print albums, about which there's nothing but question marks.
Listening to the record today, it feels in line with other popular music from the era and holds up well. With the benefit of hindsight, I’m curious how you feel today about the lyrics and music on the record. To your ears, is Stands for Decibels the sound of a band still feeling things out or of one in full stride?
I'm not sure I agree that the album necessarily sounds like "other popular music from the era." I hear it as a brilliant debut full of great, unique, varied songs played with great urgency. Sure, there's some innocence in there, and maybe not a band in full stride, but a very large first step.
For anyone coming to your music for the first time, what do you want them to take away from it? What should longtime fans expect?
Longtime fans already know this album. Hopefully, they can come see us somewhere— we're playing some shows. I hope some people discover us for the first time! That's the whole point of putting it out. Come and see us and buy merch!
It’s been 12 years since the last reunion and record (Falling Off the Sky). Can we expect any new material this go-round?
There are no current plans to record or release anything new. We do have a number of tracks lying around unused, mostly from the sessions that led to Falling Off the Sky but a couple other things too. Not sure it's an album's worth. Some of it's real good, and I hope those songs get to be heard someday.
Chris Stamey is working on a project, and You and Peter (Holsapple) are on The Paranoid Style’s fantastic LP, The Interrogator. Are there other projects fans should be aware of?
Peter is playing occasional gigs with the Paranoid Style, and is on two of their albums. I played on about half an album's worth of songs, but that was ten years ago. We're fans. She's a trip.
This year I'm mostly an oldies act. Peter and my high school band, Little Diesel, played a triumphant fiftieth anniversary show in April. I played a handful of shows with Sneakers in January, and there are a few more this month. And dB's shows coming up in September and into the fall. There are six shows confirmed, and we think there will be more.
I also play in Florence Dore's band. Also available on Propeller Sound Recordings. Also my wife.
I have been recording at home and hope to have something to share soon. My music is currently available only at willrigby.Bandcamp.com but I hope to get modern and be on streaming services before much longer.
I recently read the LA Weekly piece where you recalled your favorite concert. In a similar vein, what are each of your 5 desert island discs?
I'm not so into reducing my taste that narrowly, but I'll give it a shot:
I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight by Richard and Linda Thompson
Bringing It All Back Home by Bob Dylan [how do you pick only one Dylan album?]
Revolver by the Beatles [same question]
20/20 by the Beach Boys [or just Cabinessence] [same question]
Martinis and Bikinis by Sam Phillips
Sun Sessions by Elvis P.
Dread in a Babylon by U Roy
... do I really have to stop? Just getting started. I'll need a lot of albums if I'm going to be stuck on a desert island.
Do you have a favorite track by the band or a memory associated with them? Share your thoughts below!
Thank you to Will for his time, and thank you for being here.
Kevin—
Love the shout-out for the Beach Boys' 'Cabin Essence' - a song I adore.