The Neckbones
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1993 |
| Headquarters | Oxford, Mississippi , United States |
| Products | Garage punk music, albums |
The Neckbones were a garage punk group originating from Oxford, Mississippi, recognized for featuring three unique vocalists and delivering energetic performances on stage. Their discography includes three albums: the independently released Pay the Rent (1995), followed by Souls on Fire (1997) and The Lights Are Getting Dim (1999), both issued through Fat Possum Records. Their last record was the 10" vinyl titled Gentleman, released in 1999 on Misprint Records.
History
Initially formed as a trio in 1993, The Neckbones independently issued a cassette called Painting In Trash. By late 1994, the band expanded to four members and began performing together. During their active years, they stood out as the sole rock band signed to Fat Possum Records, a label mainly known for its blues roster. Their first album with Fat Possum, Souls on Fire, was recorded in 1996 but its release was postponed until 1997 due to legal complications involving the label. The group’s second and last full-length album, The Lights Are Getting Dim, came out in 1999, prior to their breakup in 2001.
Following the dissolution of the band, guitarist and vocalist Dave Boyer teamed up with drummer and vocalist Forrest Hewes to create The Cool Jerks, adding new members and releasing Cleaned A Lot Of Plates In Memphis (2002) on Sympathy For The Record Industry. Concurrently, guitarist and vocalist Tyler Keith fronted Tyler Keith and the Preacher's Kids, who put out Romeo Hood in 2001. The Neckbones have reunited sporadically for live shows, most recently appearing at Memphis’s 15th Annual Gonerfest garage rock festival in September 2018.
Reception
Critic Robert Christgau awarded an A− grade to Souls on Fire, drawing favorable comparisons to Thomas Jefferson Slave Apartments. An MTV review characterized the album as "the greasy, ballsy kind of rock ‘n’ roll that most bands have either forgotten or abandoned." In a Billboard article, Chris Morris described it as "a steaming slab of raving punk rock served up southern-fried."
The follow-up album, The Lights Are Getting Dim, received comparisons to Iggy Pop and the Ramones from CMJ, which lauded its humor while noting it might not appeal to listeners seeking more obscure sounds. Anthony Mariani of Houston Press praised the collection’s "solid tunes," whereas Mike Joyce of The Washington Post commended its blend of roadhouse and garage rock elements, highlighting the band’s punk roots.
Discography
- Pay the Rent (self-released, 1995)
- Souls on Fire (Fat Possum, 1997)
- The Lights Are Getting Dim (Fat Possum, 1999)
- Gentleman, 10" vinyl only (Misprint, 1999)