Checking out the Brit-rock scene

The Checks: (from left) Karel Chabera, Ed Knowles, Jacob Moore, Callum Martin, Sven Pettersen

The Checks are leaving home for the first time and it couldn't be for a better rock'n'roll reason.

The young North Shore band have got themselves on the bill of the 12-date NME New Music Tour around Britain in May. The Checks play six of the dates, including the London show, and three extra nights in London.

The tour, put on by British music magazine NME, is touted as a chance to see up-and-coming bands in intimate venues before they pack out stadiums.

"I guess it's going to be just like playing Edens Bar two years ago [when they first started], except bigger," deadpans singer Ed Knowles.

The band's hard rocking, bluesy swagger caught the attention of NME editor Conor McNicholas when they performed during the Resonate music forum here in March.

"On the radio he said we were one of the best bands he'd seen in 20 years. But I didn't hear him, so it could be unfounded," says Knowles.

The Checks have deliberately taken things slowly in terms of touring and marketing and this is their first time playing outside New Zealand. But Knowles admits that now is the perfect time to step things up.

"This is an incredible opportunity to play our songs to a bigger audience - that's the sole good thing. And it's a confidence boost and a dream come true, really."

The other bands on the tour are Maximo Park, Nine Black Alps, The Cribs, The Rakes, Towers of London, and Battle.

In 2003 The Datsuns were on the bill for the NME Awards Tour following a cover story in the magazine. But when they released their second album, Outta Sight/Outta Mind, they got bad reviews and fell out of favour with NME.

Knowles isn't too worried about the fickle British music press. "The only true currency is what you feel about your own music," he says.