The Necks are a musical trio from Sydney, Australia, who play a difficult-to-categorise avant-garde jazz-rock. The lineup, stable since the group's formation in 1987, primarily conists of Chris Abrahams (piano), Lloyd Swanton (bass) and Tony Buck (percussion/guitar). They have released nearly thirty studio and live albums of their long, slowly-unfurling experimental improvisations. Their unique sound is heavily informed by minimalism and krautrock - their sophomore record, Next, is perhaps the most "traditionally" jazz-fusion of their discography, and one of the few to include outside collaborators. A more pronounced post-rock influence has entered their musical vocabulary over the past decade. The Necks will appeal to fans of a wide range of groups, from Can, Faust and Talk Talk to Miles Davis and Medeski Martin & Wood, to Tony Conrad and Philip Glass and even Swans.

"Sex" (1989)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/sex" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/sex

"Next" (1990)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/next" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/next

"Aquatic" (1994)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/aquatic" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/aquatic

"Silent Night" (1996)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/silent-night" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/silent-night

"Piano Bass Drums" (1998)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/piano-bass-drums" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/piano-bass-drums

"Hanging Gardens" (1999)

"Aether" (2001)

"Athenaeum, Homebush, Quay & Raab" (2002)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/athenaeum-homebush-quay-raab" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/athenaeum-homebush-quay-raab

"Drive By" (2003)

"Silverwater" (2009)

"Open" (2013)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/open" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/open

"Vertigo" (2015)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/vertigo" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/vertigo

"Unfold" (2017)

"Body" (2018)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/body" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/body

"Three" (2020)

https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/three" rel="nofollow - https://thenecksau.bandcamp.com/album/three

I was surprised, too! I see they have a Progfreak page, though, and their most recent album was classified as "Instrumental Prog Post Rock."

Thanks for the suggestion. I've always considered The Necks avant-garde jazz or experimental jazz with ambient flavorings. The only possible album i would consider having rock elements, much less prog would probably be BODY which has aspects of post-rock.

Keep in mind jazz-fusion isn't an all inclusive category here. We only add the MOST progressive of such acts that incorporate healthy doses of prog to the mix. Sure there are a few examples on this site where artists were added that probably shouldn't have been that doesn't mean we continue doing so.

Personally i'd give them a no but we'll see what others have to say.

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Wow. They aren't on here?

Same thought here. I only know parts of their work but what I know seems very post-rocky to me with some jazz and experimentation (with some hints at psychedelia and kraut rock) thrown in. For me they fit 100% but I don't have to say much here.

Same here. They are a jazz band through and through (and if they skid off that track they fall into the avant-garde realms) and really have no place on PA.

Great band though. Enjoy them well.