Dartz! (often stylised as DARTZ!) were a Math rock group from Middlesbrough, England, who formed at the beginning of 2005. They are signed to Xtra Mile Recordings in the UK and Deep Elm in the US, and released one full-length album, one mini-album, three singles and a split 7-inch via Xtra Mile, as well as an EP on Sunderland based DIY micro-label Fakedream Records, and a split 10-inch with Scottish band Stapleton on Gravity DIP.

Dartz!
OriginMiddlesbrough, England
GenresIndie rock
Math rock
Dance-punk
Years active2005–2009
LabelsXtra Mile Recordings (UK)
Deep Elm Records (US)
MembersHenry J. Carden (guitar)
William K.J. Anderson (bass/vocals)
Philip J. Maughan (drums/vocals)
Nico S. Taylor (guitar)
Websitehttp://www.dartzisgood.co.uk

They recorded with the record producer Mark Williams (Biffy Clyro, Bloc Party, Fightstar, Nine Black Alps, Million Dead, Ghymp) at the Battery Studios in London and they toured with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Hot Club De Paris and The Rumble Strips, as well as also playing with bands including The Futureheads, Melt Banana, The Young Knives, Make Believe and Foals. More recently Dartz added long-time collaborator Nico Taylor, once the logistics man for the band, to the line-up.

In September 2007, the band announced that they were going to take a break from touring to focus on their education, with Maughan studying English Literature at Oxford University and Anderson studying English and Film at Sheffield Hallam.[citation needed] The decision was explained in an article in The Times newspaper entitled "Bands Balancing Uni With Fame", although it was criticised by the NME in the magazine's review of "The Sad History Of The Village Of Alnerique" in September 2008.[citation needed] Dartz have had three videos featured on MTV2, all of which were directed by Teesside University lecturer Marcus T. Diamond. A fourth video, for the track "Cold Holidays", was recorded by Wife Swap cameraman Rob Taylor during the band's tour with I Was A Cub Scout.[citation needed]

They broke up on 2 July 2009 according to their MySpace page. Their final live outing was at The Peel, Kingston. Support came from former touring partner Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Discography

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Albums

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Date Of Release Title
12 February 2007 This Is My Ship
22 September 2008 The Sad History of the Village of Alnerique

Singles/EPs

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Date Of Release Title
14 May 2007 Fantastic Apparatus / Cold Holidays 10-inch
29 January 2007 "Once Twice, Again!"
23 October 2006 "St. Petersburg"
April 2006 split 10-inch (with Stapleton)
23 January 2006 split 7-inch (with The Maybes?)
17 October 2005 Who Built the Buildings? EP
May 2005 Dartz demo EP

References

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