Music Spotlight: The Lockdown regain focus on return to South Cheshire

Dec 22 2010 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

Shifting from scuzzed-up squalls of sound to poignant melodies, The Lockdown were in the possession of something special when we first witnessed them at Crewe Live ’08.

With a knack for turning out winning anthems, the Nantwichbased four-piece perfected a deceptively mainstream sound that deserved to go all the way.

Four years on from those first steps, Dan Pickton (vocals/guitar), Matt Hobbs (bass), Rob West (keys) and Ben Large (drums) hook up after a break for university.

Reflective from his first year at Leeds College of Music, former Malbank pupil Pickton hopes this is the start of a second chance.

“Sometimes you do take a lot of things for granted,” said the frontman.

“I think back about the little rows we used to have about where we wanted a particular song to go and they don’t compare to arguments I’ve had since.

“There’s no need for the ego nonsense; you’ve got to be able to take some criticism sometimes.

“I think being away has been good for me, it’s made me realise that if I ever want to get anywhere with a band I want it to be with those guys.

“I miss playing live, we had some really good fun and I always enjoyed it with those boys. I’m coming back hoping to write some new songs with them and, having spoken, I think we all feel the same way.”

Kicking into life by devoting large chunks of their youth to windowless practise sessions, he thinks a raw start is no handicap.

“When I started at Leeds we had a workshop with a couple of guys from Embrace who explained how they started out in the business,” added Dan.

“The drummer was brutally honest. He said he was awful at first but just worked hard and taught himself how to play.

“They all met socially and most of them didn’t really have any music background, which goes to show having one doesn’t necessarily mean you’re any good.”