system(@stuff)
check_call($custom_message,@stuff);

sub check_call {
    my $custom_message = shift;
    my @call = @_;
    # check for 0 return status
  return unless $?;
    # bugger, we have an error so tell all
    # Work out return code
    my $rc = $? >> 8;
    die qq!

System call failed
Error code $rc
$custom_message
Actual call was
system( "@call" )!;
}