The Checks were formed in 2002 in Takapuna, New Zealand, by school friends Ed Knowles (vocals), Sven Pettersen (lead guitar), Callum Martin (guitar, backing vocals), Karel Chabera Jr. (bass guitar) and Jacob Moore (drums, backing vocals), who shared a passion for blues‑driven rock. Their first exposure came when they impressed bFM breakfast DJ Hugh Sundae and won the Auckland regional finals of the Smokefreerockquest in 2003, advancing to the national finals. In 2004 they captured the Most Promising New Act award at the bNet Music Awards, and in 2005 earned the Most bNet Radio Play award for "Mercedes Children"; that year they were selected by R.E.M. to open their New Zealand tour and invited by NME editor Conor McNicholas to join the NME New Music Tour of the UK. Signed to Full Time Hobby (Sony/BMG UK), they released the debut album Hunting Whales on 1 October 2007, which peaked at number 21 on the New Zealand album charts. They followed with Alice by the Moon in 2010 on Pie Club Records, reaching number 13, being shortlisted for the Taite Music Prize, and winning the 2010 NZ Music Awards Rock Album award. Their third album, Deadly Summer Sway, appeared in 2011 to favourable reviews. After touring New Zealand, Australia, Europe and the United States-supporting acts such as The Hives, Oasis, Jet, Muse, The Killers and AC/DC-the Checks announced their dissolution in August 2012.