Neck - Sampler CD 1999

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/release/8820185-Neck-Sampler-CD-1999

The only thing harder to find than Smart Bomb in the Swarm was this Sampler CD. I'm very happy I was able to finish my Neck collection (based on what's on Discogs, anyway) and finally retire from the hunt. Now all I need are the Spooge tapes and one more Burnt By The Sun/Car Bomb split. Interesting detail, "Fuck It" from Should My Fist Eye is called "Forget" on here. 

Neck - Smart Bomb In The Swarm (2005)

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDeHO3wwDZyw-MJri26TDiGp2V638ikc6

Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Neck-Smart-Bomb-In-The-Swarm/release/2162483

Lyrics: https://genius.com/albums/Neck-2/Smart-bomb-in-the-swarm 

The day has finally come. And quite a bit sooner than I had imagined. I really didn't think I would own a copy of this CD for anything less than the price of my soul. Someone had a copy for sale on Discogs for $2,500 at one point, and that was money I wasn't prepared to drop on a CD I already had MP3s of. Now I own the goldmine. Not only do I have a copy, I have a box full of these things thanks to Mike sending them my way. As far as Neck's physical releases go I'm only missing the Sampler CD but that's not a huge deal. Having all of the main albums is, and having this album is a dream come true considering its past rarity. If you want a copy, check Discogs. I'm selling them there and $1 from each CD sold goes to The Amphibian and Reptile Conservancy. 

But It Won't Stop and This Is What It's Like are the best tracks on the album, by the way. 

Neck Show Archive 1998-2002

May or may not be complete. Most phone numbers, email addresses, and regular addresses are not included for privacy/safety. They weren't relevant anyway, and neither were the paragraphs of detailed directions so those are also gone. If I missed any personal info, kindly point it out. 

2002:
1. JAN 18th FOR REAL THIS TIME!!!! Friday Night. All ages 8$ at 6PM. For club info go to [Contact Info]

520 Hamilton Street, Allentown PA. (Rear Entrance to club).

Call Skip at [Contact Info] for more info or go to [Contact Info]



2001:
Sunday, March 25th @ The Local Bar - 351 Kent St. (& South 5th St.), Williamsburg, Brooklyn

Jesse Quickfast's Birthday show:
5 MINUTE MAJOR
NECK
IN PIECES
LOCKED IN A VACANCY
THE WAGE OF SIN
BEYOND REASON
UNSOUND
CRAIG
Doors at 3pm - All Ages - $8 - [Contact Info] for info

Friday, January 26 at Homebase in Wilkes-Barre PA. Doors open at 6:30.CIPHER NECK DENILE INKLING A.T.F. FROM AUTUMN TO ASHES. More info.[Detailed Directions] [Contact Info]

Saturday January 6th 2001 at the Nyack Center in Nyack NY. [Detailed Directions]



2000:
Saturday, Dec 16th at Homebase in Wilkes-Barre PA. skarhead,disciple, comin correct, neck, dysphoria, on the rise /queens, await the flame, emotion sickness . [Detailed Directions] [Contact Info]. if you get lost. For more info email RickTaLife at [Contact Info]

Saturday, Novenber 4th in Brooklyn N.Y. Good/Bad Phone Number (for recorded directions) is [Contact Info]

Friday, September 15th IN HAMILTON NJ , $8 BUX at the ENTERPRISE FIREHOUSE 569 Klockner Rd. Hamilton NJ (Mercer County),COMIN CORRECT (NYHC - TRIPLE CROWN RECORDS/BACK TA BASICS) AGAINST THE GRAIN (NYHC) NECK ...WITH BLOOD ON OUR HANDS A HORSE OF A DIFFERENT COLOR GODS GREEN EARTH .. Contact Frank at [Contact Info] for more info.

Saturday, September 9th in Philadelphia P.A. At Ulana's ( 2nd & Bainbridge, 1 block off South St.) Doors will be at 7pm and the show will start about 8pm. This is the order of bands: Opticon 8-8:40 Warhead 9-9:40 Neck 10-10:40 PLOY 11-11:40 Noosphere 12-12:40 Contact [Contact Info]

Friday, September 8th in Queens N.Y..At the Vodoo Lounge. With Dropshaft, Gear, and Without Reason. 10$ Starts at 7PM. Call All at [Contact Info] for more info.

Sunday, August 27th in Commack Long Island N.Y.At Commack Bowling Alley (AMC). It is on Jericho Turnpike (rt. 25)in Commack. If you take the sunken meadow to rt.25 and go west it is right on your right hand side as soon as you get off. Starts at 4PM and is 6$Other Bands Jimmy Smash Outrage Center of Zero Akia Scary German Guy .Contact Justin [Contact Info] for more info.

Aug 25th Landsdale P.A.At the telford borough hall 5:30 pm $5
Manhunt
Nora
Tri Color
Other bands TBA

May 28th in Northport NY.At the Long Island Zoo II 5:30 pm $5
Beyond Reason
Cipher
Locked in a Vacancy

May 26th in Stony Brook NY
Starts at 10PM . At THE SPOT

April 9th in NY
9th Longisland Zoo
6$ starts at 3pm
One4One, Neck, dead on impact ,together we fall(from maryland) and Jimmy smash

April 8th in CT
@ above the stran theater
Neck, Intensify, and many more
all day show from 2pm to 12pm april

March 31st, in PA
6 PM 6$at: Drexill Hill Babtist Church
440 State Road Drexill Hill PA
Bands: 1.Dysphoria 2.Neck 3.Kensington 4. five O
in memory of shane werchenany

March 18th, 7 PM
At:Homebase Wilkes/Barre P.A. (Near Scanton)
Bands: 1.Supergrub 2.Neck 3.As Darkness Falls 4.The Homicidals 5.The Mob
Contact Info: got to [Contact Info]

Feburary 26th, 10 PM

Ground zero w/ One Moround
at Ground Zero (Bellmore, NY)
visit [Contact Info] for more info

February 12th
New England Metal & Hardcore Festival

Fri. Feb. 11 & Sat. Feb. 12, 2000 / The Palladium - Worcester, MA

MassConcerts will present the 2nd Annual New England Metal and Hardcore Festival at The Palladium in Worcester, MA on Friday, February 11 and Saturday, February 12, 2000.

Two-day festival passes are $45 and go on sale
Saturday, December 11. Single day tickets are $25 and go on sale Saturday, December 18.

Confirmed acts at this time include the following: Misfits, Machine Head, Six Feet Under, Cannibal Corpse, Snapcase, Will Haven, Tree, Reach The Sky, Buried Alive, Reveille, Scissorfight, Candiria, V.O.D., The Step Kings, Cave In, Eastcide, Dying Fetus, Hate Machine, Haste, Himsa, Turmoil, Diabolic, Dillinger Escape Plan, Gargantua Soul, Simple, Nok, Immolation, Hateplow, Shadows Fall, Colepitz, Scarhead, All That Remains, Hate Eternal, God Dethroned, Diecast, Old Man Gloom, Neck, 7th Rail Crew, Hope Conspiracy, Skinless, Blood Has Been Shed, 100 Demons, Dissolve, Blindside and Indecision.

Last years show took place in late-April and was a big success with over 5,200 people attending over three days. This year's looks to be even bigger. Friday night's schedule runs from 5:30 pm to 1:00 am; Saturday's from 12:00 noon to 1:00 am. Tickets will be available at all Strawberries Record Stores. To charge-by-phone call [Contact Info]

January 22
Hatfield PA
North Penn Elks Lodge
6 Bands==6 bux
Dysphoria==Apathy==Age of Ruin==Cipher==Neck==Paths Less Taken

[Contact Info]

1999:
Tuesday, December 21st
w/ Among Thieves / Reach / Further / Novena
CBGB's 315 Bowery St. NYC
16 and over to get in. $7.00 cover

Saturday, October 9th
w/ One4One, 4 in tha Chamber, Drained, Who's to Blame
At KULE BEENZ in Bayshore
Sunrise Hwy to 5th Ave Bayshore South.
Make a right on to Main st. off of 5th ave.
Club is on Main St. on the left side.
All ages / $8 / 7 o'clock
More info? email [Contact Info]

Saturday, June 19 at the YMCA in Lansdale, PA
with Chine and Denile.
All Ages Will Rawk... more details coming, but it's on...

Sunday, June 13 at Coney Island High in NYC
with Silent Majority, Torn Apart, Glassjaw, God Below, Model Citizen
All Ages - $8 - 3pm

Saturday, June 12 at Sea Sea's in Moosic, PA
with Self Induced, Dust to Dust, As Darkness Falls, One Against All, In the Eyes Of
doors@6pm - ALL AGES - [Contact Info]

Saturday, June 5 at the Garfield American Legion Hall in Garfield, NJ (near Newark and Passaic)
with Home 33, Humble Beginnings, Rest Assured, Proceed, + Creeping Dead Charlies
all ages - 5pm to 10pm - info:[Contact Info]

Sunday, May 30 at Charlie's Inn in Bath, NY CANCELED

Saturday, May 22 at Celebrations in Lansdale, PA (Philadelhphia)
an emo-licious show with inkling, now she's gone, small town hero + more
6pm - $8 - All Ages - info: [Contact Info]

Sunday, May 9 at The Speak Easy in Upper Darby, PA (Philadelphia)
with Candiria, Self Induced, Chikara, Soulsick
All Ages - $8 - 5:30pm - info: Mike @[Contact Info]

Saturday, May 8 at The Extreme Skatepark in Wallingford, CT
with Red Tide,Guilty By Association, Biartz, and No Last Chance
all ages - $8 - 6pm - call Rich@[Contact Info]

Sunday, May 2 at The New World in Lynn, MA (outside Boston)
with No Turning Back, Gasket, Red Shag, 3SD, Spyndakit +?
noon - 6pm ALL AGES $8 info: Jon@[Contact Info]

Friday April 30 at the Downtown in Long Island
with The Paste Junkies. 21 and up

NECK RECORD RELEASE SHOW
Friday, April 23 at Acme Underground in NYC
with Today is the Day, Compression, Hollow Plus...
MC Kevlar Skills and DJ Pete the Meat
GIVEAWAYS from SFT, Relapse, Chord, Mad Monkey Clothing and Recoil
All Ages - $8 - Drink Specials

Saturday, March 20 at The Hanover House in Meriden, CT
with All Out War, Shadows Fall, 40 Days Rain, Divided By Hate, Sacriphant
All Ages [Contact Info]

Saturday, March 13 at Sea Sea's in Moosic, PA
with Earth Crisis, Dysphoria, Cipher, Burnside, As They Die and more
All Ages - $10 - more info: [Contact Info]

Saturday, March 6 at S.O.S. Studios in NYC Studio Party
with Dysphoria (PA) and Goatamentise (death metal)
B.Y.O. ???? - $5 - 9pm to 11pm - info: [Contact Info]



1998:
Sunday, July 12 at Franklin Cafe South in North Valley Stream, Long Island
A Benefit for the Jesus Christ Superstar Theatre...
with Neck, Cipher, Hostile Intent and more.
6pm All Ages $6
[Contact Info]

Sat., July 25 MamaFest in E. Northport, Long Island BBQ/Show with
Candiria(?), Edna's Goldfish, Mushmouth, Sonipath, Who Cares, Absolute Bloom (Keith/Life of Agnony's new band), Bodyswallow

Monday, July 27 at CBGB's in NYC 9:30pm $3 16+ [Contact Info]

Thurs., Aug. 6. at Sea Sea's in Moosic, PA 7pm all ages
with Indecision, Subsist (PA), At Odds

Friday, Aug. 7 in Maryland
with Cipher

Sat., Aug. 8 at the 12XU in Lancaster, PA
with Cipher and Dysphoria
all ages info: [Contact Info]

Sunday, Aug. 9 at The Living Room in Providence, RI all ages

Sunday, Sept. 13 at theOld Bridge First Aid Building, Old Bridge, NJ
with NJ Bloodline, One4One, Alterkation, Forlorn, 4AM Scaries
2PM - All Ages- $8 - [Contact Info]

Thursday, Sept. 17 at insomnia in Lyndhurst, NJ
with One King Down and Indecision
9PM - 18 and up- $8 - [Contact Info]

Friday, Sept. 18at Dawking Hall in Philadelphia, PA
with NJ Bloodline and Self Induced
7PM - All Ages- $5!!! - MIKE@[Contact Info]

Saturday, Oct 3 in Baltimore, MD
with Compression ?
GREG@[Contact Info]

Sunday, Oct 4 at the C-note Cafe in Island Park, LI
with Overthrow, Cipher, Glassjaw, Compression
4PM - ALL AGES - $8 - DANNY@[Contact Info]

Various Neck Reviews Circa 2000

I would have run the reviews that aren't in English through a translation site, but I didn't want anything to get lost, well, in translation. Feel free to do so yourself though, you should be able to at least get the idea of what they're saying. 

"Das in New York und Bayreuth ansässige Label SFT Records bescherte uns ja schon einige Hardcore-Highlights wie No Redeeming Social Value, The Six & Violence oder 25 Ta Life. Mit Neck hat SFT nun den nächsten dicken Wurm aus dem Big Apple an der Angel: Das Quartett überrascht auf seinem selbstbetitelten Album mit einem virtuosen Wechselspiel von brutalem, NYHC-typischen Gröl-Gesang und melodisch-atmosphärischen Passagen, was manchmal kilingt wie Biohazard meets Faith No More. Darf ich mit dafür den Begriff Heartcore patentieren lassen?" (Uli Digmayer/Fränkische Nacht #141)

---

"Nachdem mich die letzte Vision Of Disorder-Scheibe maßlos enttäuscht hat, liefern mir Neck mit ihrem Debut eine willkommene Abwechslung zu ihren ehemaligen Labelmates. Sänger Mike hat eine ähnlich aggressive Stimme wie VOD's Tim, beschränkt sich aber nicht nur auf's Schreien, sondern traut sich auch an richtige Gesangparts ran, genauso wie das bei meinen ehemaligen Göttern der Fall war. Vertrackter Stoff mit abwechslungsreichen, teils sehr emotionalen, teils sehr brutalen Vocals, das ist genau mein Ding! Wie heißt es so schön im Info: 'Vocals so intense it will make satanists cry' und 'This music makes Sepultura sound like Mary Poppins'. Dem wäre eigentlich nichts mehr hinzuzufügen." (Kai Jorzyk/Splitter #15)

---

"Neck bringen ihre Musik auf den Punkt: 'We're four different people whose common fascination is with violence and beauty.' Das New Yorker Quartett zaubert auf seinem Debüt einen äußerst waghalsigen Spagat zwischen wunderschönen Melodien und der Ultrabrutalität auf erschreckend präzise Weise. An manchen Stellen fühlt man sich dank des einnehmenden Grooves fast ein wenig an Korn erinnert, allerdings nehmen es Neck in puncto Abgedrehtheit locker mit deren 'Twist' auf. Zweifelsohne stecken ihre Wurzeln tief im Hardcore, wobei sich einige Ableger in Richtung Noise und Jazz ausgebreitet haben, so daß Vergleiche mit Snapcase auf der hand liegen. Das trifft jedoch nur auf Necks gemäßigte Passagen zu, wenn sie nicht gerade zwischen zuckersüßen Popmelodien und verzerrter Lautmalerei hin- und herpendeln. In diesem Zusammenhang muß speziell auf die unglaubliche Leistung von Sänger Mike Dafferner hingewiesen werden, der mühelos von Popgesang zu Death Metal-artigem Shouting und zurück wechselt." (Melanie Schmidt/Visions #1/99)

---

"New York mal aus einem anderen Blickwinkel, nähmlich nicht Proll, sondern einfach phantastisch wirr, sich verschiedener Stilrichtungen bedienend. neben all den extremen Noisecore- und Death-Metal-Parts schleichen sich immer wieder Melodien ein, die ich aus dem Big Apple nicht mehr erwartet hätte. Allein 'm.t.i.v' sucht seinesgleichen, extram langsam siechend, jazzig untermalt, fiepst der Sänger unterlegt von Doublebass-Einlagen bis zu dem Punkt, an dem Into Another-typisch losgerockt wird. Stop, endet schon wieder nach zehn Sekunden, es gibt wieder Pain-Core im Stil von Converge, usw. usw. Oder 'Alcohol', so müßten Faith No More Klingen, wenn sie noch relevant wären. Udo, gib ihnen ein Video für 'Alcohol' und sie werden berühmt!" (Marc Lohausen/Ox #33)

---

"Neck are the latest singnings to SFT Records and are recording their album as we speak of. This is a pretty weird mixture. It is a sort of cross between Death Metal/Hardcore/Tool and, er, Pearl Jam. Nut don't let that put you of - this band is definitely worth checking out with totally unique sound." (Peachy/Glue #3)

---

"The latest SFT-signing, Neck, are trying to follow in the steps of VOD, playing music whith rushes between mellow harmonies and intense heavy thrash-parts. Musicly they sound like a cross between Pearl Jam and Pantera - extremly varied, yet somehow they manage to carry it off. The four tracks show a lot of potential, and definitely mahes them a name to look out for in the future." (Paul/Never Give Up #4)

---

"Dit label maakt reeds furore door groepen als VOD en 25 Ta Life te brengen tot wat ze zijn. En ook die Neck zal uitgroeien tot een grote band. Neck brengt ons toch wel zeer originele hardcore. Soms klinken ze spijkerhard dan weer melodieus. Luister maar naar 'Colostomy', 'this Is Forty' of 'Snowball'. In deze drie nummers hoor ik Korn, All Out War, Machine Head en zelfs Red Hot Chili Peppers invloeden, geloof het of niet! Het kan dus allemaal voor Neck. 'We willen de gekste dingen uitproberen', staat in de biografie vermeld. Wel, daar zijn ze absoluut in geslaagd. De stem van zanger Mike doet me af en toe denken an VOD. Regelmatig grijpt hij ook terug naar een grindcore stem, om het nog wat complexer te maken. Bovendien is de productie van deze schijf moddervet. Als je openstaat voor zowat alle muzieksoorten, dan is deze schijf deze groep in staat ta zijn hele tent om te vormen tot een slagveld. Hier gaan we nog van horen!" (Ronnie Borremans/Spin City 1/99)

---

"Lo primero me atjaro fue su extraña portada a la que aún no he podido encontrar un significado. Una buena productión, que se traduce en un buen sonido, acompaña a esta banda que nos llega desde New York. Salta a la vista en este grupo la intención de progresar en lo que es el Hardcore, aunque quizás no hayan plasmado lo que a mi parecer es un estilo definido. Dos grandes temas que destacar como son el corte número 4 y 5: 'Answer Me' y 'm.t.i.v.', de los cuales resaltan sus geniales estribilos melódicos al más puro estilo emo. Creo que si hiciesen canciones como las mencionadas ganarian mucho más. En resumen: contundencia y armonia se fusionan en este CD interesante sin duda." (Indio/Based On Respect #1)

---

Some from the Neck Website:

"Neck goes for the jugular like any predatory beast. However, lurking beneath this beast's manic surface is some serious thought and ability to be profoundly emotional and depressive. Artistic, yet unharnessed and brutal, this is a perfectly executed combination of moods." -Rockpile

"There needs to be more bands like this. Totally avoiding any cliches or any trends, just writing interesting and unique music. . . Don't analize it, just sit back and go for one of the wildest and most unparalleled rides of the year. - Transcending the Mundane

"As thew millenium approaches, bands like Neck continue to redefine and reconstruct the sound of music as we know it. Thank god for Neck too, because lord knows we don't need anymore copycat rock." -Chord Magazine

"For those that have never heard of Neck, one word: intense. These guys are a schizophrenic's musical dream . . . This is so diverse it should please anyone, no matter what you like . . . This CD is incredible, mind-blowing, and a new twist on N.Y.H.C." -Creed Zine

"Wow!. . . WOO-HOO! . . . You think it's hardcore, then it breaks into a sweet part with pretty vocals and you think, ooh this is good." -Alternative Press

"This is one of the most talented bands I've heard in a long time. The vocals go from an evil growling type to singing, and not pussy ass emo singing. They are so original, and each song has it's own different sound. The whole content is good." -Last Chance

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

And just for fun, here is the write up Striving For Togetherness Records did on them after they signed:

NECK: Please welcome the newest members of the huge SFT-familee: Neck. Maybe the one or other fellow of insane NYHC already knows their great demo-tape. The 4 songs on it - Answe Me!, Finger, Snowball and Howl - will be released on a CD, along with a couple of new trax. Two other Neck-songs were released on a 7" on Bittersweet Rec.: This Is Forty and M.t.I.V. So be sure to update your record-collection as soon as possible!
Just 20 miles east of New York City, in the antiseptic suburbs of Long Island, the New York Hardcore Scene thrives - dozens of independent bands are playing Hardcore, Melodicore, Emocore, Metalcore, Grindcore, and just about every other kind of "core" you can think of. But there's only one band on the scene who's using this entire range of underground styles at once, siphoning them into a brand-new musical machinery...they are NECK.
Like many of their influences (the band cites a wide variety ranging from Mr. Bungle to Tool to Bjork), Neck never stops long enough to be pinned down, which definitely keeps things interesting.
On "Answer Me", singer Mike D. screams like a rape victim on the song's chugging verse, and then he sweetly harmonizes above a strumming acoustic guitar on the surprise melodic chorus. Sucha variety of subtle stylistic changes are readily a part of Neck's music, keeping it fresh and engaging. That same melodic sensibility often creeps into Greg Kubacki's discordant, energy-filled guitar for interludes of harsh tunefulness.
After three years of persistent and juggling their day jobs and school, Neck worked their way from a demo-to-demo, show-to-show existence to a record deal with SFT - the label which gave start to many of New York's finest bands including Vision Of Disorder, 25 Ta Life and No Redeeming Social Value. Neck's debut full-length will be out in early 1998...everything you thought about music is about to change.
The album will be produced by Fred Betschen (he did Snapcase's "Steps"). Neck will record the first 3 songs of their demotape, the two songs off the 7", plus 5 brandnew ones including "3 Crosses".

Neck Site circa 2005 video + assorted pics and gifs + the Dungeon Studios Logo

Various Pictures of Neck

Neck - Should My Fist Eye (1999)

A little closer to Car Bomb this time. This is Neck's sophomore album, released in 1999. The band underwent some lineup changes between the This is Forty single and this record, though Greg and Mike are still a constant. This album has some of the energy of early Car Bomb, and while it sounds very different at times, it does sound very familiar. Vocals clearly sound the same, but even the guitar and drums head into Car Bomb territory occasionally. Patterns is a track to check out if you like Dissect Yourself. Fuck It has some unmistakable guitar work that I might have assumed was a long lost Car Bomb track from the first month the band was formed, if I didn't know it was a Neck track. Old Teeth also ventures into some proto-Car Bomb territory. This is definitely one to check out for some insight into the history of Car Bomb. You'll also get to hear a slower softer, side of Mike's vocals and Greg's guitar playing on a couple of tracks.

The Album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKBUT1yOh28

More info:
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Neck-Should-My-Fist-Eye/release/2162476

Neck - This is Forty (1996)

Before Car Bomb, there was Neck. That's (a very condensed) half of the story, anyway. Two of the members of Neck would eventually become members of Car Bomb. It should be noted that the tracks here are earlier versions of the tracks that would eventually make it onto the self titled album, and have some differences.

The tracks:
This is Forty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7N54MFbsxk
M.t.I.V.: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1Hb-dx-BA4

More info:
Discogs: https://www.discogs.com/Neck-This-Is-Forty/release/3587053