The Church

The Church

The Church are an Australian alternative rock group formed in Canberra in 1980. Their work is associated with alternative rock, art rock, dream pop, jangle pop, neo-psychedelia and post-punk. The band’s most consistent core figures are bassist and singer Steve Kilbey, and guitarists Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes, whose interplay becomes a defining part of the group’s sound.

Early releases and first success

Their debut album, Of Skins and Heart (1981), brings them their first radio hit with “The Unguarded Moment”. At the start of their career they are signed to EMI’s Parlophone label, but record company dissatisfaction leads to them being dropped overseas, which limits their early exposure.

International breakthrough

In 1988, after signing to Arista, they achieve their biggest international success with Starfish. The album includes “Under The Milky Way”, which becomes an American Top 40 hit and later reappears on the soundtrack to Donnie Darko. The band remains respected by other musicians, even though later commercial success proves harder to sustain.

Line-up changes and 1990s albums

After Gold Afternoon Fix, the group goes through several line-up changes. Long-term drummer Richard Ploog leaves, and Peter Koppes departs after 1992’s Priest = Aura. That album features Jay Dee Daugherty on drums and is produced by Gavin MacKillop. Though it confuses some listeners on release, it later becomes regarded as a seminal album and one of the group’s most highly valued records among dedicated fans.

Reduced to a two-piece, Kilbey and Willson-Piper regroup with the help of drummer and producer Tim Powles to make 1994’s Sometime Anywhere, which ends their obligations to Arista and Mushroom. Koppes then returns for the recording of 1996’s Magician Among The Spirits, and Powles becomes the permanent drummer.

Later period

With its renewed line-up, the band records Hologram Of Baal two years later and tours Australia, the USA and Europe. In the first decade of the 21st century they release a run of critically praised albums, including After Everything Now this in 2002 and Forget Yourself in 2003, the latter notable for band members swapping instruments during the recording process. Their live work ranges from high-profile appearances such as concerts at the Sydney Opera House and the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne to smaller gigs for limited audiences.

Untitled#23 appears in 2009 and becomes another career highlight, with a stripped-back approach over 10 songs and a strong focus on Steve Kilbey’s voice. The band marks its 30th anniversary with extensive touring in the US and Australia. Their standing in Australian music is recognised with an ARIA award. Later albums include Further Deeper (2014) and man woman life death infinity (2017).

Members

The group’s listed members include Nick Ward, Peter Koppes, Marty Willson-Piper, Richard Ploog, Jay Dee Daugherty, Tim Powles, Ian Haug and Steve Kilbey.