The Church: The Australian Band Still Shimmers After 40+ Years

You have to give it up for The Church. Did you know that they have continued regularly recording, releasing their 25th (!) album in 2017? (I have only three.) And as I just personally witnessed, they are still out on the road touring. (I had only seen them once before at the Ventura Theater on June 15, 1990). I let out an audible “whoa” when I saw the listing for An Evening with The Church at a small music venue basically across the street from where I live. I had to read a little more to confirm that it was actually The Church. SLO Brew Rock is a cool place – a brewery, whiskey distillery, taproom restaurant, outdoor gathering spaces, and the concert venue. I was looking forward to my first concert there.

The Church formed in Sydney in 1980 and released their debut album Of Skins and Heart, with the Australian single “Unguarded Moment,” in 1981. Capitol Records refused to release the second album, Blurred Crusade, deeming it not radio-friendly enough. This was the first of many instances for The Church when elation and success were followed by rejection and disappointment. They reached their pinnacle in 1988 with the fifth album, Starfish, and biggest hit “Under the Milky Way” and a second single “Reptile.” The album is clean and bright while still maintaining their hypnotic, dreamy soundscapes.

The follow-up Gold Afternoon Fix was more ambient emphasizing piano, acoustic, and keys instead of the two-guitar sound. It couldn’t capitalize on the success of Starfish but did contain a minor hit, “Metropolis.” The next album, 1992’s Priest=Aura received mixed reviews but is regarded by fans and the band alike as an artistic high point. The band was rocked by a series of misfortunes in the mid 1990s as they were dropped by Arista Records, struggled with their own label, and their US distributor went bankrupt, resulting in financial loss, short-lived solo projects, departures, and drug use. They reformed again and put out several more albums in the 2000s. Untitled #23 in 2009 was a moody, blissed-out affair including the lush “Deadman’s Hand.” Further/Deeper in 2014 and Man Woman Life Death Infinity in 2017 continued the band’s prolific output.

Three founding members have long tenures with the band; Steve Kilbey, bass, lead vocals, and primary songwriter is the only remaining one of the group. The other mainstay was guitarist Marty Wilson-Piper who left in 2013 after 33 years. Guitarist Peter Kopper took a five-year leave of absence in the mid-90s and rejoined until his recent departure in 2019. If you’re going to catch a veteran band live and only one original member remains, I’m glad it’s the lead vocalist and songwriter.

“Destination,” a mid-tempo song from Starfish, was the opening number. They played the two hits from that album, as well as “Metropolis.” None from Untitled #23. So, that was it for my song familiarity. An unusual situation for me as I usually know every song (or almost every one) at my concerts over the years. I took some quick notes during the show, found the names of the songs I didn’t know on the setlist website, and then checked out what album each of the songs were on. They did a few deep tracks, including two each from Blurred Crusade and Uninvited, Like the Clouds. “Ripple,” from Priest=Aura was a rocking, uplifting highlight. The last song of the set and the first encore song were crowd pleasers, both from the album, Heyday. I’m going to explore that album now after hearing “Tantalized” and “Myrrh.”

Kilbey’s voice has held up well over the years and he’s a likeable front man. Ian Haug, the lead guitarist, is an excellent replacement for Marty Wilson-Piper keeping that distinctive sound feature of the band intact. They needed a drummer at the last minute (visa problems) and found a jovial Kiwi one week before the show. That makes two from Sydney, one from Melbourne, one from New Zealand, and one from Birmingham, Alabama for the current make up of the band.

It’s refreshing that The Church are not stuck in the past – they played two songs from the 2014 album and three new songs from an upcoming album. Make it 26 soon. They left San Luis Obispo to play the following day at the Cruel World Festival in the Rose Bowl, sharing a bill with Morrissey, Devo, Psychedelic Furs, Blondie, and many more. The Aussie band that gained worldwide success with “Under the Milky Way” also suffered multiple setbacks over the years that would have doomed most bands for good. But not The Church. They continue to make new music and play for their loyal following around the world.

Trivia: “Under the Milky Way” gained exposure again in 2001 by being prominently featured in what film?

Answer: Donnie Darko