The Dartells were an American rock band from Oxnard, California. Formed in 1962 while its members were teenagers, The Dartells gained local attention under manager and record producer Tom Ayers. Their breakthrough came with the release of "Hot Pastrami" in 1963, a cover of Nat Kendrick & the Swans' "Mashed Potatoes". Dot Records picked up the single for national distribution, which peaked at number 11 on the US Pop chart and number 15 on the Hot R&B Singles chart. The success led to the release of their debut album Hot Pastrami!, which reached number 95 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent singles, including "Dance Everybody Dance" and "Clap Your Hands", did not achieve the same level of success, with "Dance Everybody Dance" peaking at number 99 on the Pop chart and "Clap Your Hands" failing to chart. The band disbanded shortly thereafter. Lead singer Doug Phillips later played in New Concepts and Cottonwood, while some members joined the short-lived late 1960s group Rain.
