The Church: Australia's Pioneers of Atmospheric Rock

The Church are an Australian rock band renowned for their lush, atmospheric soundscapes and poetic lyricism. Formed in Sydney in 1980, the group achieved international fame with their 1988 hit "Under the Milky Way" and have cultivated a dedicated global following through a prolific and enduring career spanning over four decades.

Early career

The Church coalesced in Sydney from the ashes of several punk and glam-influenced local bands. The original lineup featured bassist and vocalist Steve Kilbey, guitarists Peter Koppes and Marty Willson-Piper, and drummer Nick Ward. Their 1981 debut album, Of Skins and Heart, on the Parlophone label in Australia, yielded an immediate local hit with "The Unguarded Moment," establishing their signature blend of jangling guitars and melancholic melody.

Breakthrough

The band's commercial and artistic peak arrived with their fifth studio album, 1988's Starfish. Released on Arista Records in the United States, the album was propelled by the dreamlike single "Under the Milky Way," which became a top 40 hit in the U.S. and a staple on alternative and album-oriented rock radio. Starfish was certified Gold in the U.S., cementing The Church's status as international ambassadors of sophisticated, textured rock music.

Key tracks

Under the Milky Way — This global hit single from the Starfish album remains the band's definitive song, featuring a distinctive bagpipe-like melody from a MIDI guitar.

The Unguarded Moment — Their first major Australian hit from 1981, showcasing the band's early, more direct guitar-pop sound.

Reptile — A brooding, hypnotic track from Starfish that exemplifies the band's atmospheric depth and rhythmic complexity.

Metropolis — A fan favorite from 1990's Gold Afternoon Fix, highlighting their evolving, layered guitar interplay and cinematic scope.

Following Starfish, The Church navigated label changes and shifting musical trends while steadfastly pursuing their own creative vision. The 1992 album Priest = Aura is now critically regarded as a masterpiece of psychedelic rock, though it initially confounded commercial expectations. The band has endured numerous lineup changes, with Steve Kilbey remaining the sole constant; guitarist Ian Haug joined in 2013. Remarkably prolific, they have released over 25 studio albums, including 2017's Man Woman Life Death Infinity and 2023's The Hypnogogue, proving their enduring creative vitality. Their influence is widely acknowledged, and they were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2010.

Fans of The Church's ethereal and guitar-centric sound often appreciate the work of similar Australian alternative rock acts. Midnight Oil shares their Australian roots and social consciousness, though with a more driving rock energy. Crowded House offers a similarly melodic, Antipodean take on sophisticated guitar pop. The Go-Betweens paralleled The Church's literary lyricism and jangling guitar textures within the Australian indie scene.

The Church's rich catalog is a staple on a wide variety of radio formats, from classic rock FM stations that revisit "Under the Milky Way" to alternative rock radio stations and online rock radio streams that explore their deeper album cuts. Independent music radio stations frequently champion their later, adventurous work, ensuring their sound continues to reach new listeners across the airwaves.

You can hear the immersive, atmospheric rock of The Church on dedicated radio stations featured right here on onairium.com. Explore our curated selection of stations to discover their timeless hits and expansive later work, and experience the enduring sound of one of Australia's most inventive bands.