The Necks 30th Anniversary: Solo Performances - Tony Buck

ISSUE is thrilled to welcome back legendary Australian trio The Necks for three special performances celebrating their 30th anniversary February 23rd through 25th. A cult phenomenon of cathartic, sonic possibility -- The Necks have been praised by the LA Times as “among the world’s greatest forces in music,” developing their distinct and enthralling sound over three decades, nineteen albums, and countless performances across the world. Marking their first ISSUE appearance in full form since 2010, ISSUE presents three distinct performances that highlight key performance practices the trio has embarked upon over their stunning experimental tenure.

Thursday, February 23rd, Chris Abrahams, Lloyd Swanton and Tony Buck each perform solo sets showcasing their distinct instrumental approaches that emphasize independent performative contributions to their collaborative music.

Tony Buck has been performing solo concerts for at least two decades. In the past, these performances have often incorporated live electronics and sampling, but, in the last 10 years or so, he has concentrated on creating live, improvised pieces using the drum kit, assorted small percussion instruments, guitar, video and other acoustic sound sources.

The Necks are one of the great cult bands of Australia. Chris Abrahams (piano), Tony Buck (drums), and Lloyd Swanton (bass) conjure a chemistry together that defies description in orthodox terms. Featuring lengthy pieces which slowly unravel in the most mesmerising fashion, frequently underpinned by an insistent deep groove, the eighteen 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.

Tony Buck is regarded as one of Australia's most creative and adventurous exports, with vast experience across the globe. He has been involved in a highly diverse array of projects but is probably best known around the world as a member of the trio The Necks. Following studies and early experience in Australia he spent time in Japan, where he formed PERIL with Otomo Yoshihide and Kato Hideki ( before relocating to Europe in the mid-nineties. Some of the more high profile projects he has been involved with, aside from The Necks, include the band Kletka Red and touring and recording with, among others, The EX, The Exiles, and Corchestra, and involvement with most of the international improvisation and new music community including performances at major festivals and venues such as Nickelsdorf (ÖS), Donaueschingen (DE), London Jazz Festival (GB), Northsea Jazz Festival (NL), ATP, Mona Foma (AUS), Victoriaville (CAN), Musique Action (FR), MärzMusik (DE), Barbican (UK) BAM (US) and the Sydney Opera House (AU); a.o. He also creates video works for use with live music performance and has had pieces shown in Tokyo, Belfast, Berlin, New York and Sydney. Current projects include TRANSMIT (a guitar driven post-rock project); CIRCADIA with Kim Myhr, Joe Williamson and David Stackenäs; SPILL with Magda Mayas; New York based trio "Glacial" (with David Watson and Lee Renaldo); The Hailu Mergia Trio with Mike Majkowski: the trio Velum with John Butcher and Magda Mayas: and a long standing duo with Axel Doerner.