Synopsis
The Vines begin "Ride" alone in a large, empty hall, performing under stark lighting. As the chorus arrives, the space fills with bands representing a wide range of musical styles, from punk and goth to country, jazz, funk, and riot grrrl. The newcomers join in by miming the same song, transforming the isolated performance into a chaotic, communal rock spectacle. The video builds toward a crowded celebration of different scenes converging around The Vines' energetic garage-rock sound.
Factoids & Trivia
- The video was built around the idea of The Vines performing alongside 26 other bands in the same room. The participating acts were asked to mime along with "Ride" so that the separate performances would appear united.
- The production sought out real unsigned bands with contrasting visual identities. Among the groups mentioned in contemporary coverage were Pants Optional and electroclash act Das Mega Cool.
- Das Mega Cool's keyboard player was absent from the shoot because The Vines' lineup did not include a keyboard player for the performance setup.
- Courtney Love reportedly turned up during the Los Angeles shoot, adding an unexpected celebrity appearance to an already crowded production.
- The video's gymnasium-like setting and its youthful mass of performers invited comparisons with Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit," a connection that also reflected the period's frequent attempts to frame Craig Nicholls as a new generation's Kurt Cobain.
- "Ride" was the lead single from The Vines' 2004 album "Winning Days." The video received substantial play on MTV and MTV2 at the time.