The Church are an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980. Initially linked in with neo-psychedelic acts of the period, their music later became largely defined by the interplay of guitarists Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes coupled with the abstract lyrics of bassist/singer Steve Kilbey. Their debut album, Of Skins and Heart (1981), earned them their first radio hit "The Unguarded Moment." They were originally signed to EMI's Parlophone label, but record company dissatisfaction led to them being dropped overseas, which limited their exposure early on.

After signing to Arista in 1988, they saw their largest international success with the album Starfish and the American Top 40 hit "Under The Milky Way." Subsequent commercial success proved elusive, however, and the band weathered several line-up changes in the 1990s. The original three founding members now continue to produce music and enjoy a significant cult fanbase.

Members

The Church has undergone several line-up changes over the years. The core members of Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes have basically gone unaltered, save for the brief departure of Koppes in the mid-1990s. The current members are:

• Steve Kilbey: bass and lead vocals
• Marty Willson-Piper: guitar
• Peter Koppes: guitar
• Tim Powles: drums

Previous members include:

• Nick Ward: drums (1980-1981)
• Richard Ploog: drums (1981-1990)
• Craig Hooper: keyboards on Persia e.p. (1984)
• Jay Dee Daugherty : drums (1990-1993)

History

The earliest period of the band was dominated by Kilbey's songwriting, but 1985's Heyday saw a new focus on band compositions. While most of the band's material features Kilbey's lyrics and steady baritone, numerous songs across their releases feature vocals by Willson-Piper and Koppes. Each member has released several solo albums and participated in various side projects. Steve Kilbey's musical and artistic output has been most prolific, resulting in six solo albums (and one compilation of early recordings), two poetry books, numerous collaborations ('Jack Frost', 'Hex', Mae Moore, Stephen Cummings, Isidore) and most recently an active painting career.

Discography

Albums

• Of Skins and Heart (1981)
• The Church (U.S., 1982)
• The Blurred Crusade (1982)
• Singsongs e.p. (1982)
• Seance (1983)
• Remote Luxury e.p. (1983)
• Persia e.p. (1984)
• Remote Luxury (U.S., 1984)
• Heyday (1985)
• Starfish (1988)
• Gold Afternoon Fix (1990)
• Priest=Aura (1992)
• Sometime Anywhere (1994)
• Magician Among the Spirits (1996)
• Hologram of Baal (1998)
• Magician Among the Spirits Plus Some (Thirsty Ear re-release, 1999)
• A Box of Birds (1999)
• After Everything Now This (2002)
• Parallel Universe (2002)
• Forget Yourself (2003)
• Jammed (2004)
• Beside Yourself (2004)
• El Momento Descuidado (2004)
• Uninvited, Like the Clouds (September 2005)

Compilations

• Conception (1982/1988)
• Hindsight (1987)
• A Quick Smoke at Spots (1991)
• Almost Yesterday (1994)
• Under the Milky Way: The Best of the Church (U.S., 1999)
• The Best of the Church (Australia, 1999)
• Singsongs/Remote Luxury/Persia (2001)

External links

• Official Website
• Violet Town Fan Supported Multimedia Site
• Mailing List Official Mailing List
• Hotel Womb Fansite: Discussion Boards
• Shadow Cabinet Fansite: Interviews, reviews, photographs
• Complete Historical Discography Fansite