The Checks Interview

The Checks started in 2003 in the Devonport, Auckland quickly attracting attention. The Checks play the Big Day Out and are later invited to support REM on the NZ leg of their world tour. In 2005 they left our shores and spent the next 18 months in London before returning home. Having released 3 albums they are now touring as part of the Rock n roll riot Line-up.

Before their show that night i caught up with Edward Knowles (vocals).

Terry: How would you describe your music to the uninitiated?

Ed: I'd describe my music as based on Rock n roll music. I'd say it has a little bit different of a sign when we left and lived in England for awhile we discovered a whole lot of new sounds and stuff and what we were into diversified by quite a bit and it meant that our second album sort of had quite a multi faceted feel like there was quite a few different sounds coming through. So it’s quite difficult to pin point it into a single sentence but I’d say it’s still firmly inside the brackets of Rock n Roll.

Terry: So you have still kept your Kiwi but you got some London influence?

Ed: I guess it started out British but then it almost became Modern British as opposed to British from the 60’s.

Terry: Who are your favourite Kiwi bands and Musicians that have influenced you?

Ed: When we won that award Best Rock Album I meant to say up on the stage that I thank The D4 and The Datsuns because that’s who we were listening to when we were you know 13 – 14 when were at the Big Day Out going ‘Man this is fucking awesome i wanna be like that’ and I got up there and went blank completely forgot to thank them, and they were in the audience but they didn’t know we were going to thank them but yeah.. So that’s why it’s wicked to be here with Luger Boa.

Terry: What are you currently listening too?

Ed: A band called Foals I really like their first album and was looking forward to their second album and it came out this year and it was brilliant they really grew up as a band and I can’t wait for their next one  

Terry: What is the best gig you have ever been to?

Ed: That would have to be the Oasis ones probably the one in Melbourne. What made it was the Wall of Sound. That was the first time I heard it done properly live and with guitars and not just a recording I know why it’s called the wall and its right up there and it’s vertical

Terry: Who would you most like to support live?

Ed: Probably Van Morrison but I don’t know if he would have me.

Terry: Where is your favourite NZ place and venue?

Ed: I quite like The Masonic in our hometown of Devonport it’s kind of a like our local pub but yeah if we were to play one last show on the planet then yeah it would be The Masonic 

Terry: Where will you be for New Years?

Ed: I was hoping we would be playing but yeah not too sure. I would really like to go see Justice down in Rhythm and Vines, those two French DJ guys. I really like what they do and I would love to go down and watch them but will see what happens we might have to play somewhere.

Terry: After 3 albums so far what do we have to look forward to from The Checks?

Ed: Probably the next album. I just can’t wait to get that going I have a really good feeling about the next one, but I really want to get this one right in the studio enjoy making it. You only get to make one every two years or maybe one a year and you’re always writing songs and there’s only going to be ten or eleven on it so it’s become more and more about the records for us and more about the song writing.

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