It’s something like a reunion of old friends, explains Racing vocalist Edward Knowles, formerly of iconic high-energy classic rock outfit The Checks.
"When we were in The Checks we toured with them, and did the whole country," Knowles said.
"That was probably five or six years ago and they were really good to tour with.
"I think there’s a bit of their stuff that I would like to be doing [in Racing], they’ve written a bunch of really good tunes, like on that last record. We like each other as people, and we’re both guitar bands. It just sounded like a good idea."
Racing is the new project from Knowles, formed with fellow Check Sven Pettersen, alongside Izaak Houston, of Space Creeps, and Dan Barrett, of Sherpa.
The psychedelic groove foursome released their debut EP last year and in the months since have been working on a debut album.
And while not really that similar to The Checks, Racing certainly rock just as hard, and Knowles’ exuberant vocals strutting with their own conviction, are still just as much fun.
"I think that EP just stands by itself," Knowles said.
"[The new stuff] isn’t necessarily that similar to the EP. That EP was all about being as fast, and chaotic, and hypnotic as possible. It was a very aggressive EP; I think we just wanted to make really biting music at that time. Now, the idea of the melody and the idea of maybe a bit more pop sensibility has maybe come back into it. We’ve also gone for a lot more atmosphere on this new record. It sounds like a really horrible cliche thing to say, but I sort of see them as scenes. I can sort of see them as soundtracks to this thing I have in my head.
"We did it at Roundhead, and it sounds really good. I think there’s just something about the volume with which you get to hear your music played back to you on those huge speakers. It just makes you think that everything you’re doing is absolutely amazing [laughs]. It’s a good ego boost.
"It’s sort of like a desolate seaside town that still has functioning nightclubs, and big tall beautiful apartment buildings that are old, the sky’s always red, and there’s a big set of dunes on a surf beach. It’s almost apocalyptic Brighton or something [laughs].
"In terms of the vocals, I was listening to a lot of Mick Jagger. I think his delivery is really underrated. You don’t really hear people talk about his vocal approach, and the delivery of his lyrics. It’s always Mick Jagger the wild man up front with his dance moves. The ways he delivers his lyrics is something I have always thought is really cool and really unique. The way he bends his lips around all the words."
Racing plays with Clap Clap Riot next Friday at Re:Fuel.
The gig
Clap Clap Riot and Racing New Zealand Tour, Friday, September 16, at Re:Fuel. Doors open at 9pm, with pre-sales tickets available from UnderTheRadar.co.nz Auckland foursome Racing is playing at Re:Fuel on Friday.
