The Checks release new album 'Alice By The Moon' June 8

Album release shows in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin throughout June and July.

It’s been an exciting journey for The Checks since emerging from the harbour district of Auckland a few years ago. Their creative energies fuelled equally by vintage (rhythm and) blues sounds, pop classicism, and similarly-minded acts of the 21st century like the Black Keys and Kings Of Leon, have seen The Checks achieve the unthinkable for a gang of NZ schoolboys: they have transformed their enthusiasm for songwriting and wild performance into something resembling a career. They’ve been attacking their new material with the fervour usually reserved for first-timers, and this crazed energy certainly leaps out in their second album, ‘Alice By The Moon’, in-store Monday 8 June.

The Checks relocated back to New Zealand after living in London for 18 months, with their critically acclaimed 2007 debut ‘Hunting Whales’, four 7" singles, and a whole spectrum of touring experiences under their collective belts. ‘Hunting Whales’ was touted as "a gloriously uncomplicated dollop of funk and boogie" by NME; and "a rough diamond of a debut" by Mojo magazine.

First single from ‘Alice By The Moon’, You And Me, is already making waves at radio across the country, as well as the accompanying video directed by Tim Van Dammen (Collapsing Cities). Anticipation for this new album has been high, with a recent exclusive preview live performance of ‘Alice By The Moon’ packing out the venue to capacity. For those who missed the chance to hear the new material prior to release, the band will be previewing the full album on their myspace site from Monday 1 June (check out www.myspace.com/thechecks ). The Checks will also be touring throughout June and July (see dates below).

The band have garnered astounding recognition both at home and internationally from the wider music industry, with achievements including requests from Oasis to open for them; touring Japan with The Hives; and being championed by Michael Stipe, who invited them to open REM’s New Zealand tour - personally introducing The Checks set each night. The last 12 months has also seen them carry out electric performances supporting The Killers and touring with Muse.

For The Checks, it's all about cranking up the excitement in their recordings and their breathless live shows. This is one band you certainly won’t want to miss live, so be sure to catch them at one of the following venues throughout June and July:

Friday 12 June – Bacco Room, Auckland
Friday 19 June – Bodega, Wellington
Wednesday 15 July – UCSA Ballroom, Christchurch
Friday 17 July – Refuel, Dunedin

** Tickets from venues and www.undertheradar.co.nz **