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The Narcs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Narcs are an award winning New Zealand band, that formed in 1980 in Christchurch, New Zealand, by bassist Tony Waine, drummer Bob Ogilvie and guitarist Garth Sinclair – departed/replaced by Australian guitarist/singer songwriter Andrew/Andy Dickson.[1]

Christchurch remained the band's base with a series of resident club and pub gigs building their following. Touring had become a regular event for The Narcs by 1981, and the pressures of the road contributed to Bob Ogilvie leaving – being replaced by Steve Clarkson on drums in 1982. Keyboardist Liam Ryan became a full-time Narc in 1983.

The band pursued a management deal with Mike Chunn, and signed a record deal with CBS Records.[2]

During a retreat at a commune the band wrote most of the songs for their debut album, Great Divide. The single, "Heart and Soul", peaked at No. 4 on the NZ charts. At the 1984 New Zealand Music Awards, the band won 3 awards[2] and the album achieved gold disc status.[3]

The band worked in both NZ and Australia, recording a total of four albums and playing alongside such acts as Midnight Oil, Split Enz, Elton John and Queen.

The band reformed in 2016 with ex-DD Smash drummer Peter Warren and Rikki Morris of The Crocodiles[4] and have continued to play live and record music since then. In 2018, the band released new single 'Summerhill Stone'.[5]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
List of albums, with New Zealand chart positions
Title Extended play details Peak chart positions
NZ
[6]
Whistle While You Work
(with Coconut Rough)
  • Released: November 1983
  • Label: CBS (SBP 237956)
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
17
Great Divide
  • Released: November 1984
  • Label: CBS (SBP 238038)
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
14
The Narcs
  • Released: November 1985
  • Label: CBS (SBP 8123)
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
27
Push the Boat Out
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Hark Records (HKC30)
  • Formats: CD
-
Best of The Narcs
  • Released: 2002
  • Label: EMI (5406092)
  • Formats: CD
  • Note: Compilation album
-

Extended Plays

[edit]
List of albums, with New Zealand chart positions
Title Extended play details Peak chart positions
NZ
[6]
The Narcs
  • Released: 1981
  • Label: XSF (XS 006)
  • Formats: LP
-
No Turning Back
  • Released: May 1983
  • Label: CBS (BA 12040)
  • Formats: LP, Cassette
12

Singles

[edit]
List of singles with selected New Zealand positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
NZ
[6]
1982 "Over My Head" - Whistle While You Work
1983 "Look the Other Way" 38
1984 "You Took Me (Heart and Soul)" 4 Great Divide
"Lazy Susan" 35
"Missing in Action" -
1985 "Diamonds On China" 14 The Narcs Album
"Side By Side" -
1986 "Abandoned By Love" -
1988 "It's Got To Be Love" 49
1995 "Back to the Deep" - Push the Boat Out

Awards and nominations

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Aotearoa Music Awards

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The Aotearoa Music Awards (previously known as New Zealand Music Awards (NZMA)) are an annual awards night celebrating excellence in New Zealand music and have been presented annually since 1965.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1982 The Narcs Group of the Year Nominated [7]
1983 The Narcs Group of the Year Nominated
1984 "You Took Me Heart and Soul" Most Popular Song Won
"You Took Me Heart and Soul" Single of the Year Won
Dave McArtney for "You Took Me Heart and Soul" by The Narcs Producer of the Year Won
Graeme Mhyre for "You Took Me Heart and Soul" by The Narcs Engineer of the Year Won
Andy Dickson (The Narcs) Male artist of the Year Nominated
1985 Fane Flaws for "Diamonds On China" by The Narcs Video the Year Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Narcs – AudioCulture". www.audioculture.co.nz. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Great NZ album: Great Divide – The Narcs". Radio New Zealand. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  3. ^ "NZ On Screen". www.nzonscreen.com. NZ On Screen. Retrieved 22 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  4. ^ "First song: The Narcs perform live". Radio New Zealand. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  5. ^ "The Narcs". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "The Narcs at NZ Charts". Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  7. ^ "Aotearoa Music Awards". aotearoamusicawards.nz. Retrieved 18 August 2021.