The Necks are one of the great cult bands of Australia. With next to no publicity, their fourteen albums have sold in their thousands.
Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums), and Lloyd Swanton (bass) conjure a chemistry together that defies description in orthodox terms.
These three musicians are among the most respected and in-demand in Australia, working in every field from pop to avant-garde. Over 200 albums feature their presence individually or together, but the music of The Necks stands apart from everything else they have done.
Featuring lengthy pieces which slowly unravel in the most intoxicating fashion, frequently underpinned by an insistent deep groove, the thirteen albums by The Necks stand up to re-listening time and time again.
The deceptive simplicity of their music throws forth new charms on each hearing. Not entirely avant-garde, nor minimalist, nor ambient, nor jazz, the music of The Necks is possibly unique in the world today.
ALBUMS
(All albums released in Australia on
Fish of Milk through Shock, except as noted)
Sex 1989, USA: Private Music, 1996
Next 1990
Aquatic 1994, USA: Carpet Bomb 1999
Silent Night 1996
Piano Bass Drums 1998
(nominated Jazz Recording of the Year, ABC Classic FM Awards)
Music for the feature film The Boys 1998
Wild Sound/MDS
reissued 2004 Fish of Milk
Europe/Nth America/Japan: ReR
(nominated Best Soundtrack Album, ARIA Awards and Australian Guild of Screen Composers Awards)
Hanging Gardens 1999,
Europe/Nth America/Japan: ReR 2001
Aether 2001, Europe/Nth America/Japan: ReR 2002
Athenaeum, Homebush, Quay & Raab 2002
Photosynthetic 2003 Russia: Long Arms
Drive By 2003,
Europe/Nth America/Japan: ReR
Winner, 2004 ARIA Award Best Jazz Album
Mosquito/See Through 2005,
Europe/Nth America/Japan: ReR
Chemist 2006,
Europe/North America/Japan : ReR
Townsville 2007,
Europe/North America/Japan : ReR
FILM SCORES
In the Mind of the Architect 2000, 3 X 1 hr ABC-TV documentaries
The Boys 1998, 80 mins, director: Rowan Woods
(nominated Best Musical Score, AFI Awards and Australian Guild of Screen Composers Awards)
What's the Deal? 1997, 17 mins, director: Robert Mac
TOURS
Australia numerous performances in Sydney,
Melbourne & Brisbane since 1987
Mexico 1987 12 cities
(with Jeannie Lewis, subject of SBS-TV documentary "Maroubra to Mexico")
Berlin, Germany 1995
Europe 1998 15 cities
Europe 1999: (April-May) 9 cities (Sep-Oct) 12 cities
Australia 2000 8 cities, 11 shows
Europe 2000 (May-June) 17 cities (Oct-Nov) 8 cities
Australia 2001 10 cities, 18 shows
Europe 2001 (March-April) 7 cities
USA/Europe 2001 (October-November) 15 cities, 16 shows
Australia 2002 (Jan-Feb) 8 cities, 16 shows
Europe 2002 (March) 2 cities
Canada 2002 3 cities
NZ/Aust 2002 (Oct-Nov) 5 cities, 6 shows
Europe 2002 (Nov-Dec) 10 cities
Australia 2003 (Feb-March) 5 cities, 8 shows
Europe 2003 (May-June) 13 cities, 14 shows (August) 2 cities
Australia 2004 5 cities, 12 shows
Europe 2004 13 cities
Australia 2005 (Jan-Feb) 7 cities, 15 shows
Europe 2005 (May) 7 cities
UK 2005 (Aug) The Big Chill
Australia 2005 (Sep) 5 cities, 8 shows
Austria 2005 (Oct) KONTRASTE Festival, Krems
Australia 2006 4 cities, 7 shows
Austria 2006 Kontracom Festival, Salzburg
Australia 2007 - 6 cities, 14 shows
Germany 2007 (Mar) Haus der Kulteren der Welt, Berlin
Europe 2007 (Oct-Nov) 15 cities, 16 shows
Australasia 2008 (Jan-Mar) 8 cities, 12 shows
Europe 2008 (May) 9 cities, 11 shows
Australia 2008 (May) 4 shows, Sydney Opera House
