Sticking their necks out

BY CHRIS PEKEN

The Necks have been described as “one of the most extraordinary groups on the planet’, and their live performances as a ‘ kind of religious experience”.

What sets this trio apart is their approach to making music- be it in the studio, or live on stage. Not only do they do they never play the same song the same way twice, they never play the same song again, period. A Necks performance is spontaneous and improvised. Often the band members will sit quietly for two or three minutes, eyes closed, before a note is played, or a drum struck. There is no predetermined score. Then one will begin. It could be a solitary note, a sound, one that is slowly explored, gradually expanded. Then a second player will join, developing on the idea, adding their musical thoughts, before the third member joins the piece, his contribution further evolving the music, perhaps subtly altering the original concept. The audience, are sucked in, engaged, and complicit in proceedings. Suddenly realising they are listening to music that in no way resembles the starting point of the composition; yet they never noticed it changing, so subtle and organic is The Necks processes. By the time a piece concludes, perhaps slowly dissolving over ten or twenty minutes, the audiennce have been mesmerized and involved in something vital and unique; unique not only in this country, but also on the world stage.

The Necks have defied classification for two decades now. Perhaps what is most telling is that their fans range from jazz aficionados, to soundtrack collectors, to lovers of heavy metal. Comprising pianist Chris Abrahams, double bass player Lloyd Swanton and drummer Tony Buck ‘ The Necks play together in between their many other individual projects. Abrahams is an acclaimed keyboard player and composer, having toured with Midnight Oil, worked with Melanie Oxley and composed film and television scores; Swanton leads jazz outfit The Catholics, is a much sought after session and live player (Stephen Cummings, Sting) and presents a popular weekly jazz program on Eastside Radio; while Buck ‘ a graduate of The Conservatorium – has trotted the globe playing with avant-garde outfits like PERIL and klezmer-punk group Kletka Red.

All this culminates in a sensual, organic and inclusive musical experience. No wonder people compare them to religion.

The Factory Theatre
105 Victoria Road, Enmore
March 5
8pm
$25-35
Bookings: 9550 3666 or www.factorytheatre.com.au