The Church

The Church formed in Sydney in the early 1980s, with Steve Kilbey on vocals and bass, Peter Koppes on guitar, Marty Willson-Piper on guitar, and Richard Ploog on drums. Their sound was built around Kilbey's low, melodic voice and the band's layered, atmospheric guitars, which gave their music a drifting, dreamlike quality. They released albums like 'The Blurred Crusade' in 1982 and 'Heyday' in 1985, gradually building a following for their introspective, psychedelic-tinged rock.

In 1988, they released 'Starfish,' which included 'Under The Milky Way.' That song's simple, chiming guitar figure and Kilbey's reflective vocal turned into an unexpected hit, giving the band their most recognizable track. Other songs from that period, like 'Reptile' and 'Destination,' showed their knack for moody, expansive arrangements that felt both immediate and slightly out of reach.

The band's lineup has shifted over time, with Kilbey remaining the constant. They've continued to record and tour, putting out albums like 'Priest=Aura' in 1992 and many others since, maintaining a core sound of melodic, guitar-based atmosphere. Their work has never really fit into mainstream trends, which has allowed it to age on its own terms.