The Ocean Blue

Hershey, Pennsylvania alternative pop band the Ocean Blue were 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 its 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; the title track performed well on the modern rock charts, although the album didn't chart. Beneath the Rhythm and Sound surfaced two years later, with the video for "Sublime" becoming an MTV favorite. Released in 1994, the Peace and Light EP 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 the six-song EP Waterworks in 2004, featuring new drummer Peter Anderson, who replaced Rob Minnig. In 2013, the Ocean Blue returned with the full-length studio album Ultramarine.