Auckland Atmospherics With A-List Cred

The Checks‘ new track “Candyman Shimmer” is a culmination of about ten years. Ten years, a few labels, two chart-topping albums, tours, and shared stages with a few gigantic names — Oasis, REM, and The Killers, to name a few.

It’s little wonder “Candyman” is smokier and more grown up than their earlier, sugar-voiced The Hives fare. The bass-driven, whispery track tells you they’ve been around the block quite a few times, possibly arm-in-arm with Tom Waits.

The quintet met in high school on the shores of Auckland where, inspired by some divine imports from The Strokes, they started a band. From playing an NZ talent show, things moved quickly, from gigging, to A-list opener slots, to a — short-lived — Sony BMG deal. They were dropped from the label after touring with their debut album Hunting Whales, but it’s pretty hard to faze these guys. “We were not too fussed because it was an irreplaceable experience and we did get some really nice guitars out of it,” they explain.

Their third album Deadly Summer Sway, armed with the preview single “Candyman Shimmer,”  comes out on 11/11/11 with an NZ tour running through December 10. As usual, big names are cropping up in the production, including NYC’s only Bassy Bob Brockman. But for this humble, undaunted band, it’s all in the telling: “He mixed nearly all of Biggie Smalls work amongst other big names that sound good in a bio. Bob Dylan (cough cough). “

Hear “Candyman Shimmer,” and be sure to check out Deadly Summer Sway on Nov. 11.

Photo Courtesy of The Checks