Donnie Iris and the Cruisers returned to the studio in 1992 to release their first album containing new material since 1985. Titled "Out of the Blue," the album was a compilation album containing older hits and new material. It failed to have any impact on the charts, however. Still, the band toured throughout the rest of the year around Pennsylvania and Ohio, and attracted newer and younger fans from the area. The band released another album in 1993, "Footsoldier in the Moonlight." At this point, the band underwent yet another line-up change as drummer Tommy Rich departed the group. His replacement, Steve McConnell, auditioned & was hired-on in the summer of 1992, long enough to record on and tour behind "Footsoldier in the Moonlight" and can be heard on live recordings from 1992 & 1993. Later in 1994, Rich rejoined the group.