DB Records (stylized as DB RECS) was a record label owned by Danny Beard, active from 1978 to 1997.[1] The label was operated out of the Wax'n'Facts record store in the Atlanta, Georgia neighborhood of Little Five Points.[2] Through the 1980s, the label became known as a source of southern regional music.[3]
In 1978, Beard helped some friends in The B-52's by recording and releasing their first single, "Rock Lobster", produced by Kevin Dunn. The record sold nearly 20,000 copies.[4][2]
"It was a great record and a great group," Beard told reporter Jim McConnell, "and it fooled me into thinking that having a record label was easy."[4]
Beard also recorded and helped other local and regional musicians. DB's roster went on to include The Coolies, Fetchin Bones, Guadalcanal Diary, The Jody Grind, Love Tractor, Oh-OK, Pylon, Chris Stamey, The Swimming Pool Q's, Uncle Green, and Zeitgeist (later known as The Reivers), among others.[5][4] Beard also financed and recorded Pylon's groundbreaking first single, "Cool"/"Dub", which was released on the Athens-based Caution Records label in 1979.[6]
Many of the bands on the label also performed live at Atlanta's 688 Club, a popular venue for alternative bands.
