bReview: DARTZ & Dune Rats @ Double Whammy

bReview: DARTZ & Dune Rats

Thursday 5 December 2024, Double Whammy

w/ support from GroopChat

Photos by Max Corlett

Words by Matthew Pledger

Lion Reds, Shit Landlords, and Lottsa Sweat: Dune Rats and DARTZ Bring Mayhem to Double Whammy.

Groopchat didn’t just open the night, they set the tone. They’re fuzzy, heavy, and have a real groove. The 3 piece band local to Tāmaki Makaurau has such a relaxed nature on stage and sonically couldn't be further from it, taking inspiration from the punkier side of British guitar bands in the 90’s. Unsurprisingly, Groopchat recently featured on bFM’s Fancy New Band.

A highlight was their un-released song ‘Safety Pin’. There’s a deep grungey feel to the track which crescendoes to screams of “hold me, hold me together.” There's a fast and loose nature to the band, yet they are also incredibly talented. The trio of Teina, Aiyana and Huia are such an exciting new band, and already sound well beyond their years.

Dune Rats stormed the stage with the kind of energy only Lion Reds and raw Aussie charm can summon. "Last time we played AKL... there was free tequila, and we barely finished the show. This is our redemption, we’re feeling fit…We’re feeling drunk." Redemption achieved, mate.

Their set was a relentless barrage of big riffs and anthemic choruses. As you’d expect the moshing and shouting ensued. It wasn’t just the music that made the night memorable. It was the Dune Rats’ unapologetic personality. Their drummer traded his beer for a dude's speed dealer sunnies, a gesture that perfectly encapsulated what that band loves. A good time.

(Dune Rats / Photo: Max Corlett)

For a band that thrives on chaos, Dune Rats proved they’re masters of turning it into pure, unforgettable fun. Dune Rats reminded us why they’re one of the most loved punk acts on either side of the Tasman.

The Brisbane boys setlist was written on the back of a 12 pack of Gisborne Gold and went as follows:

If It Sucks

Be Like You

Scott Green

Red Light, Green Light

Up

What A Memorable Night

Cheapskate

Rich Kid Rehab

Superman

Six Pack

Dalai Lama

Bullshit

Striding onto the stage to Shania Twain’s Man! I Feel Like a Woman, the Wellington rockers made the room theirs with swagger, storytelling, and undeniable star power.

This is a band having their moment. They’re on the brink of cementing themselves as the country’s next great rock band. Thursday night was a taste of what’s to come: sweaty, chaotic, and unforgettable.

Their self-deprecating anthem Paradise was a highlight, the crowd shouting the instantly iconic line, "I’m a piece of shit in paradise." The song is gritty and melodic, it has a punk attitude, but musically its sweet sweet rock n roll.

Danz, the lead singer is a commanding presence, he holds the space on stage so well. Think Joe Talbot of Idles, that's the ballpark they're operating in. Danz is also a great storyteller, and indulged in a few yarns before they played ‘My Landlord’ Danz cheekily said, “I've got into some legal trouble lately, I know what you're thinking, there’s an epidemic of landlords in the country, I have some good news, all charges have been dropped."

That song is social commentary at its best. The song so gorgeously distills the essence of having a shit landlord that treats you like a number, not a person.

“End of the day, you need a place to sleep

I'll charge through the roof and the roof has a leak

My landlord, he fell down the stairs during our flat inspection

He should have done all the repairs that I've countlessly mentioned”

DARTZ aren’t just making music—they’re building a movement. Whether it’s a chant of “Can I get a fuck David Seymour?” or the heartfelt gratitude of their bassist, "It’s been a tough fucking year money-wise. We’re so stoked ya came tonight”, there’s an unmistakable connection between the band and their audience.

(DARTZ / Photo: Max Corlett)

Also, there is a very Wellington fabulousness to the band from a spontaneous cover of I Want It That Way by the Backstreet Boys, to the boys on stage genuinely dancing and prancing around. There’s a real endearing charm to the band’s vibe.

Their rawness and energy evoke comparisons to Idles and Amyl & the Sniffers but with a distinctly Kiwi flavour. A unique mix of relatability, chaos, and sheer talent differentiates DARTZ from the rest. And with their upcoming set at Rhythm and Vines, I’d bet the farm they’re about to solidify their place as the next great rock band in New Zealand.

And here’s the thing about nights like this, they’re about more than the music. They’re about connection. In a room crammed with strangers, sweaty bodies shove, voices scream in unison, and for a few hours, life outside the venue ceases to exist. It’s a reminder that art, in all its glory, brings people together. From the sheer joy of seeing a mate crowd surf for the first time to hearing a song that perfectly captures how you feel, this is what live music is all about. It’s real, it’s raw, and it’s human.

Both Dune Rats and DARTZ reminded us why live music in a sweaty room packed with strangers will always be unbeatable.