The Necessaries - Completely Necessary (Anthology 1978-1982)

“The group has no niche, it doesn’t fit in anywhere,” said drummer Jesse Chamberlain in 1980, capturing the restless spirit of The Necessaries, a late-’70s New York band who channelled everyday American life with sharp clarity rather than heavy-handed commentary. Emerging from the remnants of Harry Toledo & The Rockets, the group formed in 1978 and included Ed Tomney, Chamberlain, Ernie Brooks, Arthur Russell, and Randy Gun—all figures connected to the city’s shifting art-rock underground.

First noticed by John Cale, who produced their debut single for Spy Records, the band drafted demos intended for a major label, only to find those unfinished recordings unexpectedly issued as their first album Big Sky. The group had the release withdrawn and replaced with Event Horizon, continuing recording sessions into 1982 before dissolving, leaving their final work unheard.

Completely Necessary (Anthology 1978–1982) gathers 37 tracks—28 previously unissued—across three albums: the band-approved Event Horizon, studio recordings spanning 1978–1981 titled Pilots Facing North, and Songs From The Blue Colony, their final sessions. Produced by Ed Tomney and Cheryl Pawelski, with audio restoration by Michael Graves, the set includes liner notes by Michael IQ Jones and previously unseen photos, offering a long-missing piece of New York’s art-rock history.

Tracklist

Disc 1 - Side A 1. Rage / 2. More Real / 3. Like No Other / 4. Driving And Talking At The Same Time / 5. AEIOU / 6. Sahara
Side B 1. Europe / 2. State-Of-The-Art / 3. The Finish Line / 4. Detroit Tonight / 5. On The Run / 6. Paceways

Disc 2 - Side A 1. Law And Order / 2. I Feel Tension / 3. I Do / 4. Dancing Out Of Time / 5. Runaway Child (Minors Beware) [Alternate Version] / 6. Detroit Tonight (Alternate Version) / 7. Snake Dancing
Side B 1. Working / 2. Back To You / 3. My Baby’s Explosive (Alternate Version) / 4. Born Yesterday / 5. Paceways (Alternate Version) / 6. Big Sky

Disc 3 - Side A 1. The Dark Side Of Me / 2. Tachito In The White Meredes Benz / 3. New Strangers In Town / 4. Skylife / 5. The Dancing Girls Of Windsor / 6. My First Idea
Side B 1. 3rd Generation / 2. The Exterminator / 3. A Detective Story / 4. Jerry Leaves The Small Town / 5. Mona Lisa On My Arm / 6. The World Is Loud