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 1 October 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.
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 25 May 2007 at the Palais Theatre.
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