Dribbling Darts

Formed in 1989, the New Zealand folk-pop outfit Dribbling Darts originated under the leadership of Matthew Bannister, previously the vocalist and guitarist of Sneaky Feelings. The initial lineup was rounded out by bassist Alan Gregg, late of the Remarkables, alongside violinist Alice Bulmer. First known as the Dribbling Darts of Love, the three-piece issued its introductory EP, Shoot, in 1991. Drummer Richard Foulkes, Jr. had joined by the release of the subsequent EP, Florid Dabblers Voting, though he was soon succeeded for a short stretch by Martin Durrant, another former Sneaky Feelings member. Following a two-year hiatus during which Bannister and Bulmer devoted themselves to raising their child, the band returned in 1993 with the single “Hey Judith,” which preceded the album Present Perfect.