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,
From A Window To A Screen
The dB's Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Listening to the wind
I will tell you everything
Where do I begin
Some would say we were friends
I won't make that mistake again
I won't make that mistake again
Cautious at the end
Ives was on the stereo
I remember when
Some would say what happened
I won't make that mistake again
I won't make that mistake again
The lyrics to The dB's's song From A Window To A Screen paints the picture of a carefree night, with friends drinking wine out of plastic cups while listening to the wind. The lyrics suggest a deep desire to share everything with someone, but not knowing where to begin. It seems like our protagonist has been burned before - "some would say we were friends, I won't make that mistake again" - perhaps indicating a past failed friendship or relationship. There's a theme of caution, with the lyrics "careless at the start, cautious at the end," which leads to a sense of nostalgia when thinking about what could have been.
The song's title references the transition from the physical world of a window to the digital world of a screen. It's a metaphor that suggests a shift from the tangible to the intangible, which ties in with the emotions of our protagonist - longing for something that they can't quite grasp, something that can be experienced but not touched.
Line by Line Meaning
Wine in plastic cups
We are drinking wine out of cheap plastic cups.
Listening to the wind
We are sitting outside and can hear the wind blowing.
I will tell you everything
I am going to share everything that's on my mind with you.
Where do I begin
I don't know where to start because there's so much to say.
Some would say we were friends
There are some people who would consider us friends.
I won't make that mistake again
I regret something that happened in the past and I won't let it happen again.
Careless at the start
We were not careful in the beginning.
Cautious at the end
Towards the end, we became more cautious in our actions.
Ives was on the stereo
We were listening to music by Charles Ives, an American modernist composer.
I remember when
I am reminiscing about a past event.
Some would say what happened
Some people might have a different interpretation of what happened.
I won't make that mistake again
I regret something that happened in the past and I won't let it happen again.
Lyrics © ROUGH TRADE PUBLISHING
Written by: STAMEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@loicsilence6224
Peter Holsapple of the DB's often played in support with REM (on guitar, organ...), who were close friends. Or how the biggest pop-rock band in the world supports all the indie scene of their time (DB's, Feelies, Pylon, Love Tractor, Indigo Girls, and later, Vic Chestnutt, Big Star'come back, the Posies, Young Fresh Fellows......). Only REM, and Nirvana in the 90's made it like that. Good spirit!
@davidellis5141
A classic Ballad. Desert Island Disc.
@its1110
An all time fave. Beautiful.
@reginaldmolethrasher437
Brought here by Rod Liddle's Facebook page. Great song.