The Necks

The Necks

The Necks are an experimental jazz trio from Sydney, Australia, formed in 1987 and still active. The group consists of Chris Abrahams on piano and Hammond organ, Tony Buck on drums, and Lloyd Swanton on bass guitar and double bass.

Their music centres on long-form improvisation, with pieces that can last up to an hour and often develop from very simple repeating figures. Their performances typically begin quietly, with one player introducing a sparse idea before the other two join in; the three parts remain independent but closely intertwined as the music gradually grows in volume, pace and complexity before easing away. Their work is associated with jazz, ambient, avant-garde jazz, free improvisation, minimalism and post-rock, and it also reflects a strong influence from Krautrock.

The Necks are particularly known for their live performances and have a reputation in Europe. They also compose for film and television. Their soundtrack for The Boys is nominated for ARIA Best Soundtrack Album, AFI Best Musical Score and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers Award. They also record soundtracks for What’s The Deal? and for In the Mind of the Architect, a set of three one-hour ABC-TV documentaries from 2000.