The Checks were a New Zealand rock band known for blues-driven, high-energy rock. The group released three albums, '' Hunting Whales'', '' Alice by the Moon'' and ''Deadly Summer Sway'' and toured extensively before splitting up in 2012.

History

The Checks were formed in 2002 when

Takapuna Grammar School Takapuna Grammar School is a state coeducational secondary school located in the suburb of Belmont on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1927, the school mainly serves the eponymous suburb of Takapuna and the entire Devo ...

friends Ed Knowles, Sven Pettersen, Karel Chabera, Jacob Moore and Callum Martin came together over a mutual love of music. The newly formed band got their first break by impressing bFM breakfast DJ

Hugh Sundae Hugh Sundae (born Ian Hughes) is a New Zealand broadcaster and journalist. He is best known for his radio work at University of Auckland campus radio 95bFM, as a television presenter, and as the digital entertainment producer at the New Zealand H ...

, and went on to win the Auckland regional finals of the

Smokefreerockquest Smokefreerockquest (SFRQ) is an annual music competition for intermediate and high school bands throughout New Zealand. The first Rockquest was held in 1988, and was organised by Christchurch radio station C93FM as a local event. The following ...

, qualifying them for the 2003 finals. In 2004 the group won Most Promising New Act at the bNet Music Awards, and then picked up the Most b.Net Radio Play award for their song "Mercedes Children" in 2005. The Checks reputation grew and with only one single released, the group were personally selected by

R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the first alternati ...

to open for them on their 2005 New Zealand tour, and were invited by NME editor

Conor McNicholas Conor McNicholas is a British journalist and editor. He formerly edited '' Top Gear'' and the IPC-run music magazine ''New Musical Express'' (''NME''). Career In 2007, Morrissey announced that he was going to sue both McNicholas and ''NME'' f ...

to join the NME New Music Tour of the UK in 2005. The Checks were signed for a four-album deal with UK record label

Full Time Hobby Full Time Hobby is an independent record label formed in London in January 2004. Since its inception it has released records by artists such as Dana Gavanski, Timber Timbre, Tunng, Micah P. Hinson, Michael Nau, Katie Von Schleicher and Whit ...

(through Sony/BMG UK) and moved to England to record their debut LP. '' Hunting Whales'' was released in October 2007 and spent four weeks in the New Zealand album charts, peaking at number 21. Despite some success in the UK, Full Time Hobby records could no longer support the band. The Checks could not sustain living in the UK and return to New Zealand, recording under their own label, Pie Club Records. As well as touring in New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States, the Checks also played support gigs for The Hives, Oasis, Jet, Muse, The Killers and AC/DC. In 2008 the group recorded new song "There is a Field", released as a non-album digital download, before recording their self-produced second album '' Alice by the Moon'' in Auckland in early 2009. ''Alice by the Moon'' was released in June 2009 to critical acclaim and peaked at number 13 in the New Zealand album charts. In 2010 ''Alice by the Moon'' was shortlisted for the

Taite Music Prize The Taite Music Prize is an annual New Zealand music award event. It features the same-named prize awarded for the best album from New Zealand. The prize is named after respected New Zealand music journalist and broadcaster Dylan Taite, who die ...

and won Rock Album at the 2010 NZ Music Awards, with the Checks also being nominated for Best Group. The group recorded their third album ''Deadly Summer Sway'' in 2011 which was also released to favourable reviews. The group released a trilogy of music videos for the songs "Candyman Shimmer", "Ready To Die" and "Perfect Lover", directed by the Trophywife collective. In August 2012, the Checks announced they were breaking up. No reason was given for the split.

Members

* Edward Knowles – vocals * Sven Pettersen – lead guitar * Callum Martin – guitar, backing vocals * Karel Chabera Jr. – bass guitar * Jacob Moore – drums, backing vocals

Discography

Albums

Singles

Music videos

Awards

, - , 2004 , The Checks , bNet Music Awards - Most Promising New Act , , - , 2005 , "Mercedes Children" , bNet Music Awards - Most b.Net Radio Play , , - , 2005 , "What You Heard" , NZ Music Awards - Breakthrough Artist of the Year , , - , 2010 , ''Alice by the Moon'' , NZ Music Awards - Best Group , , - , 2010 , ''Alice by the Moon'' , NZ Music Awards - Best Rock Album , , - , 2010 , ''Alice by the Moon'' , Taite Music Prize - Finalist , , - , 2012 , ''Deadly Summer Sway'' , NZ Music Awards - Best Rock Album ,

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Checks, The New Zealand blues rock musical groups People educated at Takapuna Grammar School New Zealand garage rock groups