Washington, D.C. provided the setting for indie-jangle pop outfit Julie Ocean throughout its brief run. The musicians first assembled as Friendship Flower Shop, taking the title from a neighborhood florist, then switched to Julie Ocean after hearing a song by early-’80s Northern Ireland act the Undertones. Their sound drew on the Beatles, the Ramones, Orange Juice, Aztec Camera, and Flying Nuns. Several members had crossed paths as far back as 1990 via Dag Nasty vocalist Peter Cortner. The group never mounted full tours, instead cultivating a local following with occasional Eastern Seaboard appearances that included support slots for the Dirtbombs, Apples in Stereo, and Half Japanese. Their lone release, Long Gone & Nearly There, was recorded by Geoff Sanoff—previously at the board for Luna, Fountains of Wayne, and the Secret Machines—and issued on Philadelphia’s Transit of Venus label through Redeye Media. The lineup featured guitarist-vocalist Jim Spellman, late of Velocity Girl and High-Back Chairs; guitarist-vocalist Terry Banks, formerly of Saturday People, Tree Fort Angst, and Glo-Worm; ex-Weatherhead bassist Hunter Bennett; and drummer Alex Daniels, whose résumé lists Swiz, Severin, and Sweetbelly Freakdown. Julie Ocean ended in 2008 after Spellman relocated to Denver, CO, to join CNN.
Ten Lonely WordsLong Gone And Nearly There · 2008Long Gone And Nearly There1:54