Racing With Special Guests Gaspar Sanz

Racing is a four-piece rock and roll band from Auckland, New Zealand comprised of Edward Knowles (Vocals), Sven Pettersen (Guitar) (both formerly of band The Checks), Dan Barrett (Bass) and Izaak Houston (drums). Their sound is hypnotic and groovy, laced with a dance-sensibility that often extends their live sets into the A.M.

The Checks were an NZ success story: the school band from Devonport which reached the finals of a talent contest, and went on to secure a four-album deal with Sony and tour with the likes of Oasis, The Hives, REM, AC/DC, The Killers, and Muse. They split five years ago, but their offspring is a band called Racing—a hybrid of three different bands.

Their self-produced debut album ‘Real Dancing’ was released in November 2018 to critical acclaim. It was recorded at both Roundhead Studios and The Lab (Auckland). Mixed by the UK’s Dave Eringa of Manic Street Preachers fame, it's described by Knowles as "The thoughts of a crocodile in flood season." Safe to say 'Real Dancing' has an edge to it.

Vicious, lead singles ‘Motel Pool’ and ‘Party Slow’ both independently reached number one on the New Zealand Rock Charts (all airplay) and stayed in the top ten for 32 weeks; while track seven 'Misbehaving' has featured twice on Showtime’s hit U.S show 'Shameless'.

The songs have had over 800,000 plays, earning them a 20K monthly listenership on Spotify, alongside considerable organic playlisting. Prior to 'Real Dancing' was 'The Bass' EP (2017). It's lead single 'If Only' gained traction on Radio Hauraki receiving A-Rotate status and remaining on their daily playlist two years after it's release.

In 2018, the band supported Primal Scream at Auckland’s Powerstation and have played many major festivals including: Auckland City Limits, Rhythm and Vines, and three-day outdoor music festival Splore.

Set to play their first Australian show at Sydney's legendary Oxford Art Factory on 25th July with local Sydney legends Gaspar Sanz, Racing are an explosive live band with the kind of swagger and sex only associated with the most iconic of rock and roll bands.