Formed in 1978 in Winston-Salem, NC, the original lineup of the band featured Chris Stamey (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Gene Holder (bass), and Will Rigby (drums). All three members had spent time in Stamey's legendary group, Sneakers. After relocating to New York, the dB's released their debut single, "(I Thought) You Wanted to Know," b/w "If and When" for Stamey's Car label. Guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Peter Holsapple, who had worked with Stamey in the band Rittenhouse Square in the early '70s, joined the band by the end of 1978. Holsapple and Stamey shared the songwriting chores during the band's early years.
The dB's were unable to secure a U.S. recording contract, so they signed to the British Albion label. They released two albums on Albion: Stands for Decibels (1981) and Repercussion (1982). Both records received rave reviews but little sales. Stamey left in 1983 to resume a solo career. Rick Wagner was added on bass but was replaced shortly by Jeff Beninato. With Holsapple fronting the group, they signed to Bearsville in 1984 and released Like This, a more conventional jangle pop album with strong country leanings. Bearsville's internal problems doomed the album despite its obvious hit potential. They eventually left to sign with I.R.S. Records in 1987, where they released The Sound of Music. The album managed to break the Top 200 and college radio support was strong. The dB's received some crucial exposure when they opened for R.E.M. on their Document tour in the end of 1987, but by the end of 1988, the band decided to break up. In 1994, Paris Avenue, a collection of demos for the band's never-recorded fifth album, was released on Monkey Hill.
Holsapple and Stamey reunited in 1991 for a duo project, releasing Mavericks later that year. Mavericks was the only album the duo ever released (although they have been working sporadically on a followup in recent years). Following its release, Stamey continued with solo projects; he also continued to contribute to the Golden Palominos, work as a sideman for Bob Mould, and become an acclaimed producer for bands like Whiskeytown and Le Tigre and artists like Caitlin Cary. Holder went on to join the Wygals and worked as a producer and guest musician for other artists. Will Rigby released one solo album, Sidekick Phenomenon, in 1985, and a second, Paradoxaholic, in 2002. He also joined Steve Earle's band as drummer. Holsapple joined R.E.M. as an occasional touring member in 1991 and formed his own band, the Continental Drifters, with then-wife Susan Cowsill. He went on to serve as a sideman to Hootie and the Blowfish.
In late 2004, the original lineup of the dB's reformed. They have been playing occasional shows while working on a new album, and have released a couple of new songs through their web site, www.thedbs.com.
The band's latest work is 2012's 'Falling Off the Sky', which has attracted serious critical praise. For example, 'The Chicago Tribune' ran an article stating that he release "sounds like the work of a band still very much at the top of its game." 'Falling Off the Sky' was created by the group's classic line-up of Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Gene Holder, and Will Rigby,
Espionage
The dB's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All of your lies giddy gadabout
Appearances
Slickin' your tongue in and out of doubt
Everything is so complete, the world is at your feet
Espionage, nothing new
Subterfuge
Without shoes
One or two nights on a different floor
Mother is a little vexed, at your homey neglect
Espionage, Aryan sex
You're gonna be well known
For just a little while
You're gonna be outgrown
To go, a little while
To go, a little while
Stipulate
Twenty-four hours in every year
Yeah it's great
Out in the yard barks a trumpeteer
Say you had a way with words that got away with you
Espionage says you're through
The dB's's song "Espionage" has cryptic lyrics that could be interpreted in several ways, but the general theme is about deceit and betrayal. The song opens with the line, "Camouflage, all of your lies giddy gadabout," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The singer seems to be admonishing someone who's living a duplicitous life, hiding their true intentions behind a façade of lies and appearances. The line "slickin' your tongue in and out of doubt" suggests that the person is expertly manipulating others.
The second verse takes a turn towards the sexual, with the line "Espionage, Aryan sex." This could suggest that the person in question is involved in some kind of forbidden romance or is using their sexuality as a tool of manipulation. The final verse concludes with "Espionage says you're through" which could be interpreted as the singer's final judgment on the deceitful person.
Overall, "Espionage" is a song about the dangers of putting up false fronts and living deceitful lives. It's a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of living in this way.
Line by Line Meaning
Camouflage
Disguise
All of your lies giddy gadabout
All your deceitful actions make you feel excited
Appearances
Outward show or pretense
Slickin' your tongue in and out of doubt
Speaking in a way that causes doubt or confusion
Everything is so complete, the world is at your feet
Feeling fully in control of one's surroundings
Espionage, nothing new
Acting as a spy or taking part in covert operations is not something new
Subterfuge
Deception used to achieve your goals
Gettin' real gone real quick's a bore
Losing oneself in the moment gets repetitive and boring
Without shoes
Being without inhibitions and letting loose
One or two nights on a different floor
Having a new experience by staying somewhere unfamiliar
Mother is a little vexed, at your homey neglect
Ignoring your duties and responsibilities might make your mother unhappy
Espionage, Aryan sex
Acting as a spy or taking part in covert operations to gain sexual favors from an Aryan person
You're gonna be well known
You will attain fame and popularity
For just a little while
But it will be a temporary phase
You're gonna be outgrown
People will get tired of you and move on
To go, a little while
You have to move on and leave
To go, a little while
You have to move on and leave
Stipulate
Specify
Twenty-four hours in every year
There is a particular time in the year when everything changes
Yeah it's great
It is good in the moment
Out in the yard barks a trumpeteer
Something unexpected is happening outside
Say you had a way with words that got away with you
Your deceitful actions have been exposed and ruined you
Espionage says you're through
Being a spy or engaging in covert operations has reached its end
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: STAMEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@rebjiii
the dB's were one of the most under-rated bands of the 1980s.....too bad they never hit it BIG....this is one of my favorites: my other favorites are Black & white, Neverland, Big Brown eyes, Bad reputation, We were happy there, JUDY and Ask for Jill
@adaml1519
God, the drums on this are just beyond description.
@Umprella
Thank you for putting these songs up, whoever you are
@joserogan7794
I discovered this song