The Checks

The Checks are a rock and roll band from the bottom of the planet. Down there in New Zealand, the air is somewhat different, and so is this band. Undeniably, there is something confronting about the group. Perhaps the NME summed it up best with – "Not heard 'Hunting Whales' yet? Jesus h. Imagine Free jamming with Liam Gallagher the morning after he was battered by the German mafia, all blitzed to the tits on crystal meth, and you're still only halfway there. This is their happening, and it will freak you out."
Giants of the music industry also recognise that this band is special. International acts such as Oasis, ACDC, Muse, The Hives, The Killers, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Jet, The Hold Steady, and R.E.M have all requested that The Checks open for them, both in New Zealand and around the world. Michael Stipe, of R.E.M, even felt the need to personally introduce them to the audience night after night.
The first album 'Hunting Whales'(2007) was a blues inspired boogie recorded in RAK Studios, London and was produced by Ian Broudie. The lead single 'What You Heard' debuted at number 16 on the U.K indie charts and sparked a 117 show tour through New York, L.A, Berlin, Cardiff, Madrid, Barcleona, Dublin, Belfast, Sydney, Melbourne, London and Glasgow. The band cut their teeth and became one of the tightest bands on the planet under the age of 18.
The sophomore release, 'Alice by the Moon' (2009) was self produced and won 'Best Rock Album' at the prestigious Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards. It was a departure from their earlier, more traditional, sound and an arrival into their weird and wonderful world of genre bending grooves. 'Alice' birthed crowd favourites 'You and Me' and 'Ballroom Baby.' Subcultureentertainment.com printed "Alice by the moon is one of the best albums of the year and it is easy to see that over the years The Checks will soon be regarded as one of the greatest rock bands on earth. "
Deadly Summer Sway' (2011) is the newly released offering that musically and conceptually capitalized on everything they started with 'Alice'. It was produced by New York producer Bassy Bob Brockman, who having worked with Biggie Smalls, The Fugees and even Dylan claimed that working with The Checks was "one of the greatest experiences of his life- no doubt." The lead single 'Candyman Shimmer' caught the entire industry off guard and surprised fans and critics alike. "It's experimental and exploratory. It's exciting and addictive. I'd go so far to say, it's the best thing they have ever done, so far." – Andrew Tidball, Cheese on Toast.
The recorded albums speak for themselves but it's The Checks live show that invariably sets them apart. The musicians are genuinely special. Each and every one of them possesses an instinct to light up the stage. They also have one of the most inspiring front men in the modern game, "His voice, holy shit, switches between a searing scream to something more melodic and then moves like the devil possessed with some wild dance moves." - Rip it up. Jonathon Poeman founder of Sub Pop records and Connor McNicholas, editor of the NME both saw the band only once before pledging their support. "What The Checks have beyond undeniable talent, and that so many bands lack, is soul and a genuine sense of musical purpose." –The Fly U.K.