The Ocean Blue remasters album “Davy Jones’ Locker”

The Ocean Blue remasters album "Davy Jones' Locker"
The Ocean Blue photo by Darin Back

Davy Jones’ Locker was initially released in 1999 by indie label March Records in a limited run. But that didn’t prevent the legion of faithful fans who have been following the band since their inception in 1987 from elevating the release to mythic status.

“It is our first truly independent release, and the first record we did entirely on our own, in our own studios with some help from friends but no outside producer or engineer,” says lead singer and songwriter David Schelzel of The Ocean Blue about the wide re-release of their first post-major label album Davy Jones’ Locker out August 25th via Korda Records.

Davy Jones’ Locker was the band’s first album after they left a successful major label run (they released three acclaimed albums on the legendary Sire Records, and another on PolyGram/Mercury) but it gave them the freedom to try new things. “It’s definitely our most eclectic and least fussy record, where we were experimenting with different musical directions, sounds, arrangements and lyrical themes,” explains David.

Playful, jangly, and gorgeously executed, the album is nestled perfectly in the band’s catalog and the alternative realm of ’80s legends like the Smiths and New Order, through the early Britpop of Blur, the LAs and The Trashcan Sinatras, while still sounding ahead of its time alongside modern compatriots like Cigarettes After Sex, Beach House, and Fontaines DC.

Anchored by the single “Denmark,” which enjoys a brand new video released today, Davy Jones’ Locker finds the band looking back circumspectly on their history. “The first line of the song is ‘Like mist or a daydream, made of substance can you feel it?’ and it begins a lyrical trip into musings about the past, the present moment, and the future direction of the band,” explains David. The accompanying video (directed by Zeke Anders) captures the band at these figurative and literal crossroads. Set in an airport while images of the band – past and present – flash behind him, David recalls the creation of the song and how the video relates to it: “The setting of the song is the band’s tour of Denmark which marked a turning point for us, as one of the founding members of the band left right after that tour and a current member joined us. The video does an amazing job of capturing all of these themes and moods. Better to see it than explain it.”

Get tickets for their upcoming tour HERE

Advertisement

Looking for something new to listen to?

Sign up to our all-new newsletter for top-notch reviews, news, videos and playlists.