Four years after local legends The Checks wrapped things up with their third album, Deadly Summer Sway, the talents of frontmen Ed Knowles and Sven Pettersen resurfaced in the form of Racing; an energetic indie rock project formed with Sherpa's Daniel Barrett and Space Creeps' Izaak Houston.
Racing began to make waves on the local indie scene, garnering a new generation of music lovers who frequented Auckland music venues such as Whammy and The King's Arms. The Racing moniker was described as a return from hiatus for the ex-Checks members - but for Knowles, it was more of a continuation.
"We just kept writing, Sven and I - for us there was no cut-off point. But I guess for other people, you forget that the people in those bars at that time now have kids, and the people who are now in those bars were doing third-form homework at that time."
Two years on from Racing's debut, a desire to keep releasing music has resulted in a new four-track EP, called The Bass. The EP weaves a more synth-layered, danceable sound together with the same grunge sensibilities that Knowles and Pettersen have built a career out of, which Knowles says is born out of a devotion to keeping crowds elated and create a thrilling live experience.
