After spending the cold winter months locked away in a studio, Hamilton rockers Checaine are setting themselves free and hitting the road.

The progressive hard rock four-piece will be bringing their high octane rock'n'roll show to town when their Set Us Free tour stops in at Mount Maunganui's Totara Street on Saturday, October 22.

Their six-show tour of the North Island is in support of Checaine's latest single ‘Set Us Free' which will appear on a follow EP to the band's debut album Turn the Stone released earlier this year.

'We love getting around this beautiful country of ours and getting our own brand of hard rock out there for music lovers to enjoy. Playing live is what it's all about for Checaine,” says vocalist Fraser Coombes.

'This is our first fully coordinated tour. We finally have a line-up that is keen to hit the road, are committed to getting the band out to the people and loves playing live.”

Checaine's undergone a bit of a line-up change since Turn The Stone, with founding members and principal songwriters Fraser and Regan being joined by drummer Pete (Sticky Filth, The Nod, Blackjack, WW4) and bassist Chris (Darklight Corporation, Silos).

The two both bring with them a wealth of experience to Checaine and have been awesome additions to the band, says Fraser.

'Pete picks up the riffs quickly and comes up with killer drum beats to complement the guitar, and Chris has a huge bass sound and prides himself on adding driving power that fits nicely between the guitar and drums.

'It's always exciting hearing all members bring their energy and ideas to a brand new song.”

Describing the band's sound as hard progressive rock music, Fraser says Checaine loves taking their music to unexpected places through the uses of soft and loud dynamics and break down moody bridges.

Since Checaine's conception five years ago, their sound has evolved and progressively become heavier, especially with their latest material. One noticeable change, says Fraser, has been 'packing away the acoustic guitar”.

'Checaine started as a band with two guitars. I was mixing it up between the electric and acoustic guitar. I was writing a lot on acoustic in alternative tuning and experimenting with earthy sounds.

'But after recording Turn the Stone I decided to drop the guitar and focus solely on singing and performance. Since then our sound's become a lot rockier with the live performance in mind.”

‘Set Us Free' will appear on Checaine's new six-track EP which that band been working on this winter and aim to have ready for release by early 2017.

It's one of two singles (Bring Me Down' being the other) which they've released recently, with both enjoying great air time on radio stations like The Rock and Bayrock, as well as online via The Axe Attack and NZ Hard Rock Show.

''Set Us Free' is somewhat an experimental sound for us. The band loved the stomping drum beat and power of the track. Throw in some cryptic dark lyrics for fun and the combination lead to a powerful alternative rock track the band is proud of and love playing live.”

The Set Us Free tour kicked off last week with shows in Levin and Dannevirke, 'two small towns that don't see many rock bands play”, and while the crowds were small they were both pretty loud and very appreciative, says Fraser.

They can't wait to head over ‘the hill' next week and take to the stage at Mount Maunganui's Totara Street where they'll be joined by special guest, local hard hitting multi-genre five-piece band Ant Wars.

'I don't think we've played Mount Maunganui for about three to four years so the guys are really looking forward to it.”

Thanks to the massive generosity of the Checaine boys, SunLive has four double passes to give away to four lucky readers who can name the new single which their tour is in support of?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. All entries must be received by Wednesday, October 12.

Checaine with special guests Ant Wars play Mount Maunganui's Totara Street on Saturday, October 22. Doors open 8pm. R18. Tickets cost $7 + BF and are available online at: www.undertheradar.co.nz

For more information visit Checaine's website at: checaine.squarespace.com