APPLETON'S The Black Circles were inspired by blues five-piece The Hoax when they formed their band.

So the former Bridgewater High pupils are expecting a surreal night when they share a stage with their heroes in Newton-le-Willows.

Sam Bratley and Martin Saunders will be playing alongside Jon Amor and Mark Barrett from The Hoax at the True Blues Club on Friday, August 7.

And what will make the gig even more special is that Jon and Mark have learnt a few Black Circles numbers to perform with the pair on the night.

Frontman Sam said: "It's a bit weird because I remember listening to The Hoax and watching them on YouTube years ago.

"I was a fan so it's cool to go from that to doing a show with them. It will be a bit surreal playing Hoax songs with them and they'll even be playing some of our songs.

"We've listened to The Hoax's stuff so much so hopefully we'll be Ok. There's a little bit of pressure as we want to impress or at least prove we can do it.

"But what's cool about Jon and Mark is that they're really down to earth guys."

It is set to be a big month for The Black Circles who are also making their debut at the The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival on August 28.

Sam, of Dudlow Green Road, added: "We feel lucky because it's the first time we've played there and we're on one of the main stages.

"We feel privileged to have that opportunity. We're opening up the festival on the Friday so we're going to be setting the bar for the night."

The four-day Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival features more than 600 artists over eight venues in Colne in Lancashire.

Sam, aged 23, said: "The festival is a bit like an exhibition for people in the industry as they're seeing all these bands over just a few days.

"So we're hoping it will be good for us and open a few doors."

The Black Circles released their EP From The Top in March and were recently featured on the cover of The Blues Magazine.

They are hoping to record their debut album towards the end of the year and have not been slowed down despite losing their original drummer Josh Winter.

Their current session drummer is Phil Wilson.

Sam added: "Phil's also a producer so he's been really helpful in the studio and he's got a lot of experience on the road. He's played at the Royal Albert Hall.

"We're quite new to the blues scene so it's been good to pick his brains about what happens behind the scenes."

Sam started learning the guitar when he was just seven and it was all thanks to his dad Graham.

"He would always listen to old blues records in the house," said Sam.

"He introduced me to Stevie Ray Vaughan and that was it. I was obsessed. As soon as I could pick up a guitar without it weighing me down I was off."

DAVID MORGAN