The Checks (band)

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The Checks
Origin	Auckland, New Zealand
Genre(s)	Blues Rock Soul
Years active	2002– present
Label(s)	Full Time Hobby Records
Website	Official website
Members
Edward Knowles (Vocals) Callum Martin (Guitar) Sven Pettersen (Guitar) Karrel Chabera Jr. (Bass Guitar) Jacob Moore (Drums)

The Checks are a New Zealand rock band formed in 2002 that are well known for their brand of blues-driven and high-energy rock, similar to contemporaries such as The Hives and fellow New Zealanders The Datsuns. In 2006 they moved to England to begin work on a debut LP, titled Hunting Whales, which was released on October 1st, 2007, and spent four weeks in the New Zealand Top 40 Album Charts, peaking at number 21. The album was produced by Ian Broudie. Their single "What You Heard" debuted at #16 on the UK Indie charts, and peaked at 21 on the New Zealand Top 40 Singles Chart.

The band managed to generate considerable international buzz for an unsigned New Zealand band, much of it based on rave reviews from their live shows, playing support slots for such bands as R.E.M., after they were personally requested by Michael Stipe after hearing their song Mercedes Children on a compilation of New Zealand music.^[1]

They also supported The Hives for two shows in Tokyo, and more recently Oasis as they played in Australia, and Muse in their Australasian tour, as well as Jet's home coming show in Melbourne on May 25th 2007 at the Palais Theater.

A timeline of their activities^[2] :

In January 2003, The five teenagers from Auckland’s Devonport first performed at a friend's birthday party. The set consisted of an eclectic mix of cover songs.

March 2003: Entered school music competition, came second to the only band that played an original song - motivated them to go and write their first original: 'The Creek'.

June 2003: Student Radio Breakfast DJ Hugh Sundae visited their school to listen to the winners of the music competition. The Checks also put in an appearance - while Hugh was still there. He was so impressed he asked them to perform live-to-air on the BFM Breakfast Bus. The BFM newsreaders announce that the future of rock'n'roll "is aged 16 and wears yeti-like leg warmers" - in reaction to The Checks front man Ed Knowles' unusual taste in stage wear.

September 2003: Won the regional finals in national secondary schools band competition.

June 2004: The Checks were hand picked by ex APRA boss, Mike Chunn, to open a live 24-hour TV broadcast of all New Zealand musical talent.

July - December 2004 : Won the 'Most Promising Band' at the 2004 Bnet Radio Network Awards (despite being unsigned and unreleased), appeared in a variety of local and international music and fashion magazines and newspapers, and appeared on local music TV.

January - March 2005 : Played the Big Day out and are invited to support REM on the NZ leg of their world tour, after they discover The Checks on an NZ music compilation. Michael Stipe introduces the band both nights and REM play the opening bars for 'Tired From Sleeping' during their set.

April - May 2005: The Checks are invited to join the NME New Music tour of England by editor Conor McNicholas. The band support Maximo Park, The Towers of London and The Cribs for 6 nights. Whilst away, they won "Most Bnet Play" awards at the 2005 Bnet's.

Nov 2007: Supported Muse's Australasia tour