The Narcs, now looking like a bunch of dads, have an enjoyable road trip. Starting off in Raglan, the two main Narcs jump in a vintage car and head north. Heading past the Meremere power station (back when it was a power station), they stop off for some petrol, taking the opportunity lark about on the forecourt. This seems appropriate behaviour for middle-aged men on a road trip.
But it’s not all recreation. As musicians, they have professional responsibilities. Passing a yellow mini (hello, pork pie!), the pair make it to Auckland where they meet the rest of the band for a gig down by the Viaduct. There’s a big Volvo logo behind the stage, which dates this to the 1997/98 Whitbred Around the World Race, newly sponsored by Volvo. Further evidence of extreme dadness.
There’s a quick stop at a radio station, then it’s time for some recreation. Everyone heads to the beach and enjoys a dip in the ocean. There’s a bit of messing about on the beach, including some ukulele playing, back when ukuleles were a tropical comedy instrument.
“Hopeless Friends” is a laidback, country tinged song, and it feels like the Narcs are just being themselves in this video. There’s no attempt to dress up their lives like they’re super cool rock stars. They’re just some guys in a band, playing gigs, doing promo and hanging out with their mates at the beach.
Best bit: the beach-appropriate shirtlessness, quite refreshing after all the urban shirtlessness of videos in the mid ’90s.
Director: Chris Mathews
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Next… what I really want.
Well, the “Leap of Faith” video is ok, but it’s no