The Necks at ISSUE - February 23rd, 2017

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.

Chris Abrahams has developed a formidable reputation as a solo pianist, with solo performances exploring the resonating properties of the vibrating piano string – coaxing from it strange, varied sounds that often transcend the generally observed tonal qualities of the instrument. At times his approach borders on the electronic – using acoustically modeled reverbs, distortion, delays, and low frequency oscillations. He conjures a meditative sound world that is both mesmerising and emotional. Abrahams performed solo during ISSUE’s Spring 2016 season, a performance that Richard Gher for the Village Voice noted as “patient, pointillist, and almost architectonic ad hoc piano constructions. Augmenting a piano's natural sound with distorted reverberations, looping, and nearly subliminal sine waves, Abrahams' solo albums display minimalist, ambient, industrial, and free-jazz tendencies.”

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.

Apart from leading The catholics, Lloyd Swanton has performed with many of the cornerstones of Australian music. Swanton’s recent solo work “Ambon,” a major suite of compositions for a twelve-piece ensemble (which was drawn from the secret prison diary of his uncle, who died a prisoner of the Japanese in World War II) premiered to great acclaim in 2015 and a double CD studio recording of the work was also released that year.

Following their solo performances, the evening closes with the three coming together to perform as The Necks.

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.