Ocean AlleySydney-based rockers Ocean Alley delivered a hot, sweaty show to a rowdy crowd down at Oxford Art Factory on Thursday night. The six-piece outfit, hailing from Sydney's northern beaches, showcased their recently released second EP In Purple to an impressive and loyal crowd of locals who already had most of the lyrics down pat and hair at a sufficient length for head-banging.
The boys jumped on stage with guns blazing, launching straight into Those Daze, a new track that got bodies moving from the get-go and set the pace for the night ahead. Their brand of reggae-infused rock filled the venue and had the crowd grooving along to funky, soulful vocals from frontman Baden Donegal.
There was little time for chat between tracks as the band tore through songs from In Purple and Yellow Mellow, their first EP released back in 2013. The crowd moved, wiggled and grooved back and forth to the low, rolling track Hallucination as Dongal enticed them to "feel the rhythm rock your body like a wave". Each song stayed true to the thick, funky reggae vibe that Ocean Alley does best and incorporated psychedelic grooves reminiscent of fellow Australian outfit Sticky Fingers.
Yellow Mellow, the title track from the EP, caused a ruckus down front and centre and all too soon the band closed with Twisted. The set was done and dusted way too quickly but at least they got the timing right with the release of the new EP just in time to soundtrack the summer ahead.
