Rob's Pages

Friday, May 22

The dB's - New York, N.Y. April 1982 (sbd)

LOSSLESS REPOST
The dB's
(venue unknown; possibly The Ritz)
New York, N.Y.
April 1982 (exact date unknown)
   
probably Chris Stamey’s last live show with The dB’s, mk. 1 
   
soundboard (sound quality VG++; sounds like it’s from a 1st-generation tape; the rhythm guitar is/was kinda loud compared to other instruments, so I reduced its volume; on a few songs, there's some distortion in the vocals)
   
You can hypnotize yourself if you stare
into their eyes for at least 3 minutes…
photo illustration by Magnet magazine

01 (I Thought) You Wanted to Know
The dB's, with Chris on his way out
Winston-Salem Journal photo
02 Living a Lie
03 Happenstance
04 Storm Warning
05 Dynamite
06 Tomorrow Never Knows 
07 Amplifier
08 pH Factor
09 I Feel Good (Today)
10 Excitement
11 Walking the Ceiling
     (It's Good to Be Alive)
12 Bad Reputation
13 Neverland

ROB SEZ: First, let me thank the taper and especially Scott R for sharing this rare recording with me. Obviously, this is not the usual length for a dB’s headlining set. It's just 13 songs because the guys were playing on a multi-act bill. At the end of the last song, Peter says, “Pylon’s up next.” It’s possible this was a show on April 22 at The Ritz for which The Teardrop Explodes was scheduled to headline, but never performed due to an intra-band blowup backstage. The dB's set features what may be the briefest version of “Tomorrow Never Knows” the band ever played onstage. Performance-wise, there's a chaotic energy that gives the recording an edginess I find appealing. Is this because Chris had already told the band he was leaving to focus on his own music? We may never know. I'm pretty sure this is the last known live performance before Chris departed The dB's. The whole thing is very enjoyable, but the last half of the show really cooks. TURN IT UP!
    
The dB’s:
Chris Stamey – guitar, vocals
Peter Holsapple – guitar, keyboard, vocals
Will Rigby – drums & vocals
Gene Holder – bass


4 comments:

  1. Super! Thanks! Rigby has been described as "a rare rock drummer with a sound of his own beyond mere beat-keeping."

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    Replies
    1. Wasn't that the (in)famous Robert Christgau who said that about Rigby? Poke around the blog; there's lots more including an interview I did with Will a few years back...

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