Stands for Decibels

Stands for Decibels is the 1981 debut album by the dB's, a power pop and jangle pop band from North Carolina. The group consisted of Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey, who shared songwriting duties. It is considered a foundational release for the 1980s American indie rock scene.

The album was originally released only in the UK in 1981 by Albion Records because the band lacked an American record deal at the time. It wasn't available in their home country until later, which hindered its initial commercial impact. Despite this, it became a major college rock favorite.

The album was produced by Chris Stamey and Scott Litt, who would later become famous for his work with R.E.M. Its crisp, clean sound helped define the jangle pop aesthetic of the era. The album features the standout track "Black and White," which gained significant college radio airplay.

Yes, Chris Stamey was a founding member, guitarist, and vocalist for the dB's during the recording of this 1981 debut. He shared vocal and songwriting responsibilities with Peter Holsapple. Stamey actually left the band shortly after this album was released to pursue a solo career.