The Necks | Artist
The Necks are an Australian experimental jazz trio formed 1987 in Sydney by founding members Chris Abrahams on piano and Hammond organ, Tony Buck on drums, percussion and electric guitar, and Lloyd Swanton on bass guitar and double bass. All three have rock music backgrounds. They play minimalist-influenced jazz which is largely improvised but with strong melodic and rhythmic effects. At the core of The Necks' musical approach is their commitment to improvisation. Their performances and recordings often unfold as single, continuous pieces that stretch out over extended periods of time, with the band members building and layering their music in real-time. The band's compositions have a way of enveloping listeners, drawing them into a trance-like state as the music gradually ebbs and flows. Their pieces often start with simple motifs or rhythms, which the trio then develops and expands upon, creating a sense of gradual progression and transformation. The result is music that feels both timeless and constantly in motion, inviting listeners to lose themselves in its unfolding patterns. Some critics have compared them to Krautrock groups like Can and Faust. Others find similarities in the works of minimalist composers like LaMonte Young, Tony Conrad, even Philip Glass. The group issued their debut album, Sex on the Spiral Scratch label in 1989. It consists of a single track of the same name, which is just under an hour long. Other outstanding albums include Aquatic (1994), Hanging Gardens (1999), Aether (2001), Drive By (2003), Chemist (2006), Mindset (2011), Travel (2023) and the live albums Piano Bass Drums (1998) and Athenaeum, Homebush, Quay & Raab (2002). Their double LP studio album Unfold was named by Rolling Stone as one of the top 20 avant albums of 2017. Aside from their work within the group each member has undertaken side projects, recording session work or as a touring band musician. Abrahams formed an ongoing duo with Melanie Oxley (1989–2003), which has released four moody, emotive soul/pop albums from Welcome to Violet (1992) to Blood Oranges (April 2003). All three members have also worked for ex-Sports frontman Stephen Cummings, both collectively and individually. Hailed by the New York times as ‘the greatest trio on Earth’, ARIA-award-winning avant-jazz trio The Necks have never performed the same show twice in over 35 years of performing.
Artist Website: thenecks.com
Featured Albums: The Necks
Related Artists: Chris Abrahams, Tony Buck, Lloyd Swanton
