Formed in New Zealand in 2002, the Checks were a blues-based hard rock act that would go on to tour and perform with such bands as Muse, Oasis, R.E.M., the Hives, and Jet. The band played their first show, a birthday party, in 2003, and by 2004 had gained national attention, winning the Most Promising Band at the 2004 Bnet Radio Network Awards. They would eventually go on to sign a record deal, and in 2006 the band relocated to England to record their debut album. That album, produced by Ian Broudie and entitled Hunting Whales, was released on October 1, 2007. ~ Chris True