In 2013, some friends at Point Harbor Church in Chesapeake, VA formed a worship band. Who says praising the Lord can’t be loud?

The original lineup was comprised of Johnny (rhythm guitar/ vocals), Matt (drums), Joe (lead guitar), Leo (bass), & Adam (guitar/vocals). Their formative years were built on 90s grunge, skate punk & ska, hardcore, post-hardcore, but now...praise music? 

Playing loud, guitar-driven, fuzz pedal versions of well-known worship songs was fun, and served a meaningful purpose: to collectively glorify Jesus with church family & friends. These grungy worship band guys considered writing some original music that could appeal to a wider audience outside the church, while still maintaining a positive message for all. Songs that remind you of that perfect beach day. Songs to blast with the windows down while sitting in Hampton Roads traffic. Songs that rock, and safe for all ears! 

Following worship band practice one Sunday morning, Adam said to Joe: “Play something cool, and I'll jam along to it." A couple guys start playing. The rest of the band joins in. Kinda sloppy. Kinda rough - but it had potential. A few minutes later, "Love Open Up" was almost complete, but needed lyrics. That next Sunday, Johnny Houston came prepared. “I wrote lyrics to our jam from last week. Let's try it out." Oceans was born.
 

Oceans wrote songs, practiced, played a few shows, and sold a few t-shirts.  When Joe and Leo took jobs on the west coast, Tim replaced Leo on bass. Tim, a friend and rotating member in the Sunday worship band, had previously owned a Hampton recording studio,  “Double-O Records”,  and was a founding member of local band Red Admiral. Luke replaced Joe on guitar. Luke was also part of the worship band and founding member of local bands The Blacktop June and Lovelife. 

Oceans continued rocking for a while, before taking a short hiatus from live shows to record their debut album. No one anticipated this hiatus lasting 11 years.

After starting families and building careers, Oceans was simply a fond memory. With 75% of an album recorded, life was too busy. Would the unfinished songs fade into oblivion? Fortunately, the Lord had other plans.

In 2023, Oceans - still friends and still jamming at church together - finally finished that album. “Maybe, if we’re lucky, we might even play a show.”

Oceans released small song clips and silly videos to generate buzz amongst friends. After all these years, nothing has changed. Adam still requires 137 takes to record a 10-second guitar part.  Johnny's ever-growing pedal board is overloaded and just exploded. Matt and Tim...they have their acts together, thank God. 

As of summer 2024, Oceans is back in action! Their self-titled album was released on all major streaming platforms, and they’re actively booking shows in Hampton Roads and surrounding areas. And new songs are coming soon!

In Oceans’ early days, Johnny said, "I want to write songs that give people hope."
This is our mission.
Rock on!