The dB's were a power pop group of the late 1970s and 1980s. The bandmembers were Peter Holsapple, Chris Stamey, Will Rigby and Gene Holder. The dB's formed in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the '70s and were influenced by the music of bands such as the Move and Big Star.

They recorded their first album, Stands for deciBels, in 1981, to critical acclaim but negligible sales. Their sound was a modernized version of earlier power pop, with precise arrangements and highly accomplished instrumental work. Stamey and Holsapple were the band's songwriters, and while Holsapple was skilled in the composing of fairly straightforward tunes such as "Big Brown Eyes" and "Bad Reputation," Stamey's songs, which include "Espionage" and "Tearjerkin'," tended to be somewhat more experimental. They recorded a second album in 1982, Repercussion, which built upon the strengths of the first album, and also released singles such as "Judy."

Stamey left the group after the second album, and pursued a career as a solo artist and producer. The group then recorded a third album, Like This, released in 1984, which was less experimental, although just as accomplished as the first two efforts (which have since been reissued together on one compact disc).

The final cd released while the dB's were still together was "The Sound of Music" in 1987. Again under Holsapple's direction, this album is perhaps the band's most traditional pop album.

Two more cds, "Ride the Wild Tom-Tom" and Paris Avenue" were released after the dB's broke up. "Wild Tom-Tom", 1993, is a collection of early demos and recordings. "Paris Avenue", 1994, provides the demos for the band's final album.

Since the group's demise, Holsapple has been a session musician, and has led a group called the Continental Drifters. Will Rigby is a respected drummer, playing for Steve Earle and others, and Gene Holder has continued to record and produce.