Tag: DBs

Power Popaholic Interview: Peter Holsapple

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Peter Holsapple (dB’s, REM, Continental Drifters)

I had an extended interview with Peter Holsapple ( The dB’s, REM, Continental Drifters, etc.) about the newly remastered dB’s album “Stands for Decibels.” We get into many subjects; from his time with The dB’s. And we answer these questions: Will “Repercussion,” the second dB’s LP, be remastered too? Will the rest of the catalog get remastered? Is a new solo album coming? What happened when you left the band, REM? What new stuff is coming out? Get the newly remastered dB’s here!

More June EPs, singles, previews: Nick Lowe, Candy Whips, John Wlaysewski, Lisa Mychols, Golden Richards, dB’s

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Nick Lowe keeps on rockin’! With the help of his reliable bandmates Los Straitjackets on every track, Nick showcases his impeccable songwriting skills over a wide range of musical styles. Indoor Safari proves that Nick Lowe is just as influential as he was when he first entered the music industry fifty years ago. Next, Candy Whips brings a fusion of new wave and pulsating synth-pop while John Wlaysewski (Late Cambrian) adds his synth melodies, so check out “Doing Shit, Trying Not To Be Sad.” Power pop queen Lisa Mychols has been very active on social media lately, with new recordings from The Masticators! coming up. Check out her demo of “PopSound.” Golden Richards has a great single about an old-school rapper, “Doctor K” trying to impress a girl. Finally, I wanted to shout out about the new re-issue of the dB’s Stands for deciBels a classic power pop album that was way ahead of its time. The remastered sound is just amazingly well done. Enjoy!





The Power Popaholic Interview: Chris Stamey and Mitch Easter

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Chris Stamey and Mitch Easter

Founder of Sneakers and the dB’s, Chris Stamey stands alongside Alex Chilton as the progenitor of the Southern jangle-pop sound. I get the chance to talk with him and famed producer-musician Mitch Easter (REM, Sneakers, Let’s Active) about Yesterday’s Tomorrow: Celebrating the Winston-Salem Sound, a live concert recording. Bonus news about upcoming dB’s material!

“Condition Red,” from Sneakers’ first record, was originally recorded during the bicentennial celebrations of 1976, which perhaps partially explains its insistent, fatalistic jingoism. In this live performance from 2018, we see Mitch Easter (guitar, SR), Will Rigby (drums), Chris Stamey (guitar & singing), and Robert Keely (bass). Musicologists, take note: Its lyric includes a “lift” from the inner groove message of another American group, Memphis’s Big Star: “The more you learn, the less you know.” From the new album, Yesterday’s Tomorrow. Get it on Amazon