Hershey, PA alternative pop band
the Ocean Blue was formed in 1987 by singer/guitarist
David Schelzel, keyboardist
Steve Lau and bassist
Bobby Mittan, longtime schoolmates who shared an affection for college radio favorites including
U2,
Echo & the Bunnymen,
the Smiths and
R.E.M. With the addition of drummer
Rob Minnig, the group signed to Sire the following year, issuing their self-titled 1989 debut within months of graduating high school; the record immediately found favor on alternative radio, notching the hits "Between Something and Nothing" and "Drifting, Falling."
The Ocean Blue's sophomore effort
Cerulean appeared in 1991, continuing the atmospheric approach of its predecessor;
Beneath the Rhythm and Sound surfaced two years later, with the video for "Sublime" becoming an MTV favorite. 1994's EP
Peace and Light closed out
the Ocean Blue's Sire contract, and was also Lau's final recording with the group -- he left to form his own label (Kinetic). Guitarist/keyboardist
Oed Ronne was recruited for their 1996 Mercury debut See the Ocean Blue; 1999's
Davy Jones' Locker appeared on the band's own Ocean Blue label prior to being reissued and distributed by March Records/What Are Records? in early 2001. This was followed by Waterworks in 2004.
–
Jason Ankeny, Rovi