DARTZ (New Zealand band)
DARTZ | |
|---|---|
 DARTZ performing in Wellington, 2021 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Genres | punk, garage rock, pub rock |
| Years active | 2019 - present |
| Labels | Flying Nun Records |
| Members | Daniel Vernon Clark Mathews Hakopa Kuka-Larsen Christan Pianta |
| Website | https://smokedartz.com/ |
DARTZ are a garage punk band from Wellington, New Zealand.
In 2019 the Australian band The Chats were to tour New Zealand. DARTZ vocalist Daniel Vernon and guitarist Christan Pianta who were friends and had recently moved to Wellington, submitted the fictional band 'DARTZ' to play the opening act as a joke.[1] Two weeks before the Chats' concert it was confirmed that DARTZ had been selected as the opener in Wellington, despite the band being fictional at the time. Clark Mathews and Hakopa Kuka-Larsen were then brought on as bassist and drummer respectively, and the band quickly wrote songs for a setlist.[2]
In 2021 the band was nominated for a APRA Silver Scroll for their song 'Bathsalts'.[3]
Discography[edit]
DARTZ have released two studio albums and two extended plays. Their debut album "The Band From Wellington, New Zealand" was released on the 4th of November 2021. The album included songs written for the original Chats concert.
Their second album, "Dangerous Day to Be A Cold One", was released on the 1st of March 2024. It reached number 1 on the official New Zealand albums charts for the week ending 11 March 2024, and again for the week ending 22 April 2024.[4][5] Rolling Stone Australia noted the album's "great wit, honest storytelling, and effortless ensemble work."[6]
References[edit]
- ^ "DARTZ, "THE BEST BAND EVER IN THE HISTORY OF AOTEAROA": A SILVER SCROLL, A DUMPLING HOUSE AND STAYING LOYAL". Flying Nun. 8 April 2022.
- ^ "DARTZ Proclaims: "It's a Dangerous Day to Be a Cold One"". New Zealand Music Commission. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "2021 APRA Silver Scroll Awards Top 20 and Maioha finalists announced". RNZ. 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2024-03-11.
- ^ "New Zealand Music Charts". Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "New Zealand Music Charts". Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ Lochrie, Conor. "It's a Dangerous Day to Be a Punk Rock Fan Thanks to DARTZ". Rolling Stone Australia. Retrieved 10 March 2024.