Close Check on the future

By JOANNA HUNKIN

They've been compared to the Rolling Stones, Jet, the Datsuns, and more. They've won the b.net music award for most promising new act. They are the Checks, and if you live outside Auckland, chances are you've never even heard of them.

Yet to release a single, they've built their reputation solely on their electrifying live act - an act which has never ventured outside Auckland, except once for a private performance. They turned down a recording contract with the Brunettes' label Lil' Chief Records earlier this year because they weren't ready for it.

But they're ready now. As they prepare to launch their first seven-inch single, What you heard, the boys sit down to discuss the future, their music, and all that hype.

The five met at Takapuna Grammar, where they were all choirboys. As they realised their mutual love of music, they formed a covers band early last year. After entering the 2003 Smokefree Rockquest, the boys quickly moved on to writing their own material and performing gigs at various venues across Auckland.

"The Checks" quickly became a buzz word among those in the know, but the boys decided early on not to get caught up in the hype. "New Zealand is so small ... I think when hype is made in New Zealand, you can be kicked out as fast as you come in," says guitarist Callum Martin.

Instead, the five have taken their time to cultivate their sound and build a repertoire of music, before releasing their first single. "If you take your time and just do it when you're ready as a band, people are going to explode when it comes out," says Martin.

"You want to make something that is really good and you're really pleased with. You've just got to keep writing songs till you find that song," adds vocalist Edward Knowles.

It also helps that they just got $5000 from New Zealand on Air to help to fund the record.

So what is What you heard like?

"Rampy," replies lead guitarist Sven Pettersen instantly.

Martin expands: "It's like a train, it keeps going ... always going upwards."

"It has a strong, pulsating beat," says Knowles.

The lyrics are about a portrait of a drunk man, yet Knowles says: "It's a very party song. It gives you that 'whoah' feeling."

Despite recording the single in August, the band have postponed its release until Pettersen and bassist, Karel Chabera jnr, finish school this November. Pettersen is completing seventh form, and Chabera sixth form. The other three left school earlier in the year, deciding it wasn't really for them any more.

Drummer Jacob Moore explains: "I reckon when you're in seventh form there comes a time when you're ready to leave, and that's not always the last day."

Knowles adds: "But we wouldn't have left if we didn't have the marks ... to get into university."

They hope to "do" the band full-time next year, but until then Moore and Martin occupy themselves with odd jobs, while Knowles is studying creative writing at the New Zealand business school. "Of all places to do a creative writing course," he chuckles.

As for the future, all the band really want is to make music that they're proud of.

Chabera says: "Really good music that we enjoy, and if other people enjoy [it] it's just a bonus."

Pettersen chips in: "A beautiful album that you can listen to the whole way through and every track's got something there."

One thing is clear from the piles of CDs scattered around the room, to the random humming and tapping that escapes sporadically from them - these boys are all passionate about music, This is what they want to do with their lives. Pettersen even says: "My dad played me The Who when I was in my mother's stomach." And you remember that? "Yeah. It stuck with me."

Other influences on the band's sound vary. Pettersen's been listening to a lot of Roy Orbison lately, and obscure 60s band Free. For Moore and Martin, Led Zeppelin and the Beatles have been consistent influences. As Knowles says: "It changes when you're writing. Whatever you're listening to is going to come through no matter what."

But what about all these comparisons to the Strokes, the Stones, the Datsuns ... apt?

"Not at all," they reply unanimously. Knowles speculates: "It depends on what level the person who said that knows about those other bands."

"They could just be comparing us to those bands because they're other bands in our genre ... rock'n'roll sounding," says Pettersen.

Martin says The Checks' music is more bluesy than those bands. Moore adds: "It has a warmth to it, which I think could be lacking from a lot of modern music."

Whatever the sound, it's already proving popular with audiences. The Checks were voted Most Promising New Act at last month's b.net awards. Of the five nominated bands, three had released albums or singles before the awards.

The boys couldn't believe it when they won. "We just walked off, sat down and went, 'What just happened?'," recalls Chabera. Knowles adds: "We went to support the other acts."

Though the boys may have been surprised, anyone who's seen their act probably isn't. It's not just the music, these guys are the complete package. They look the part, they sound the part, and they sure as hell act the part. Knowles' dynamic stage performance turns girls into quivering messes ... and he's not yet 18.

When asked who their dream gig would be with, the conversation turns to debate. Chabera says Kings of Leon. For Knowles it's Bob Dylan. Moore says the Hives. For both Pettersen and Martin it's the Beatles.

With the exception of the last two, the boys' dreams may not be so far-fetched. The Checks are heading places. Just as soon as they finish school.

* The Checks play at Eden's Bar, K Rd tonight.