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 (Danz) Clark Mathews Hakopa Kuka-Larsen (Rollyz) Christan Pianta (Crispy) |
| Website | https://smokedartz.com/ |
DARTZ are a post-pub rock 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. 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.
In 2021 the band was nominated for a APRA Silver Scroll for their song 'Bathsalts', and again in 2024 for 'Paradise'. In 2025 they won Best Rock Artist and Best Music Video Content at the annual Aotearoa Music Awards.