LOCKDOWN could hardly have come at a worse time for Oceans on Mars – but they are determined to make the most of it.

The up-and-coming rock band, which formed at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, feared it might have been the end of the road when their last singer decided to quit while studying in Year 13.

But a year later and after finding a new singer from Manchester, the five-piece are on a roll.

They released their latest single Don't Tell Me Where I Am on April 10, having recorded it at Liverpool's WhiteWood Studio just before Covid-19 brought the nation to a standstill, and it has been picked up by Manchester radio station XS.

Lead guitarist Angus Scott, from Wincham, told the Guardian: "We've been together for three or four years now as a proper band. We started doing covers and going round the local pubs.

"We decided to give it a go making our own music and released our first single in 2018. That started pushing us towards Manchester, getting a few shows in venues there, and things started to take off for us.

"But we always come back to Northwich, playing venues like the Salty Dog, because this is our home."

Bassist Alex Fairhurst is the band's other Northwich native.

James Oldham, on rhythmic guitar, and drummer Greg Wilkes both hail from Holmes Chapel.

They were joined by Mancunian singer Haydyn Biddle when his previous band split around the same time Oceans on Mars' first vocalist departed.

Angus said: "We always joke that it was meant to be – like a little romance."

Having completed their A-level studies last summer, Oceans on Mars decided to take 12 months out of education and focus on their music.

Don't Tell Me Where I Am was penned by Angus, who says it describes a time of 'not really knowing what I wanted, while all I had was the music'.

The band are influenced by 1990s grunge artists, such as Nirvana, giving them a heavier sound to many other emerging groups – and one that could catch listeners by surprise, particularly given their new single's tranquil artwork, showing Pickmere Lake.

"We don't want to be sheep and follow the indie vibe," said Angus.

"When people see the image they don't expect what they are about to hear, but we are really pleased with it and people are loving it."

The band had been enjoying their year spent dedicated to their craft before the lockdown – played their biggest show to date in February, as a 400-strong crowd saw them perform a sell-out show at Rebellion, in Manchester.

They were looking forward to playing at Manchester's Ritz on April 24, supporting Jordan Allen, but that has now been postponed to September 26 – while they are set to tour with Crooked Tongues in October.

In the meantime, they have been keeping in touch with fans on social media and playing music online – but Angus cannot wait to spend time with his mates in the band again.

"We are planning to release a couple more tunes in the summer," he said.

"But the next big thing I'm looking forward to is getting back to rehearsals when all this blows over – or even just seeing the lads for a pint."

Check out Don't Tell Me Where I Am on Spotify or see band's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.