Need some advice on my background color/overall color scheme

I’m at an impasse in trying to choose the right background color to accent my blog.

Right now, it’s just a stripped dark grey, but I kind of like it in blue as well.

I kind of feel like blue is a little loud or extreme maybe, but there’s just something about it that I like – what do you think?

Grey Background:
https://i.imgur.com/9keyO.png

Blue Background:
https://i.imgur.com/iOBcw.png

Any other tips and criticisms are certainly welcome as well – I’m just trying to come up with the most neutral and viewable interface as possible.

Thanks