Band updates

Church news update

The band is currently undergoing a transition of management. The band finished it’s extensive Australian tour in January 2013. Band members are taking a well-earned break but continue to pursue their solo and project work. Keep a look out for exciting new-releases, gigs and events! In the meantime – we welcome all your inquiries and thank-you for your ongoing support! Please note that messages for Tiare Helberg should continue to be sent to her Facebook account.    

The band is currently undergoing a transition of management.

The band finished it’s extensive Australian tour in January 2013. Band members are taking a well-earned break but continue to pursue their solo and project work. Keep a look out for exciting new-releases, gigs and events!

In the meantime – we welcome all your inquiries and thank-you for your ongoing support!

Please note that messages for Tiare Helberg should continue to be sent to her Facebook account.

 

 

Rockin’ the capital – March 11 2013

the church will headline a concert in Canberra next month, the 11th of March, as part of the capital’s 100th birthday celebrations. This is a free open air event around Lake Burley Griffin on the Regatta Point stage. The concert will commence around 4pm on the Regatta Point stage and continue into the night. This stage will pay tribute to a perhaps unexpected aspect of our nation’s capital: a rich history of original contemporary music. A display of rock history and memorabilia will show that Canberra is home to far more than politics. The program of entertainment will include the church and reformed Canberra bands such as The Gadflys, The Falling Joys, 78 Saab and Machine Translations. http://www.oneverybigday.com.au/program/regatta-point-stage/ http://www.canberra100.com.au/calendar/view/486/regatta-point-stage/ The George Ellis Centennial Ensemble http://www.oneverybigday.com.au/program/for-kids/ “In the early afternoon, the audience is invited to participate with a group of professional orchestral musicians on stage by teaching them a simple tune from the Under The Milky Way chorus by the church. Everyone can join in with voice or play their own instruments brought to the concert. Then perform the song in entirety with Steve Kilbey singing – the audience, on cue, play the pre-learned melody at the appropriate place in the choruses”

Bimbadgen

the church will headline a concert in Canberra next month, the 11th of March, as part of the capital’s 100th birthday celebrations. This is a free open air event around Lake Burley Griffin on the Regatta Point stage. The concert will commence around 4pm on the Regatta Point stage and continue into the night. This stage will pay tribute to a perhaps unexpected aspect of our nation’s capital: a rich history of original contemporary music. A display of rock history and memorabilia will show that Canberra is home to far more than politics. The program of entertainment will include the church and reformed Canberra bands such as The Gadflys, The Falling Joys, 78 Saab and Machine Translations.

http://www.oneverybigday.com.au/program/regatta-point-stage/

http://www.canberra100.com.au/calendar/view/486/regatta-point-stage/

the church

The George Ellis Centennial Ensemble

http://www.oneverybigday.com.au/program/for-kids/

“In the early afternoon, the audience is invited to participate with a group of professional orchestral musicians on stage by teaching them a simple tune from the Under The Milky Way chorus by the church. Everyone can join in with voice or play their own instruments brought to the concert. Then perform the song in entirety with Steve Kilbey singing – the audience, on cue, play the pre-learned melody at the appropriate place in the choruses”

Get your tickets for the Art Rock’n’Roll shows coming up soon! Melbourne 28th Nov and Sydney 6th Dec

Art rock

the church

IT’S A UNIQUE BAND that finds itself cherished as a bona fide legend in the ARIA Hall of Fame while remaining a virtual enigma to the world that knows its name. But maybe that’s no more remarkable than the mystery that continues to unfold within its own ranks. the church’s accidental signature tune, Under The Milky Way, is like a lighthouse on the brink of a continent forever to be discovered: 25 albums over 35 years and countless diversions that have almost destroyed them a dozen times, yet always reaffirm a mutual commitment to an uncompromising and unparalleled act of creation. At this stage of the journey, FURTHER/DEEPER seems both unimaginable and the only option on their endless quest from chaos to resolution. It’s an album of breathtaking new vistas and intense emotions, of sinister black caskets and gorgeous caverns of light, a work born of immense struggle and effortless expression.   “The magic started on day one,” says singer and bass player Steve Kilbey. “Someone strummed a chord or struck a drum or plucked a note and we were off. We wrote and recorded like demons and it was inspiring to feel every member using all his resources in the service of this record.” Twenty-six songs were born over eight days of exploration in Sydney in late 2013. Guitarist Peter Koppes, recalibrating his personal canvas in the absence of his long-time foil Marty Willson-Piper, drew palpable inspiration from the quartet’s remixed chemistry. “This new incarnation of the band with Ian Haug has brought a joyous energy to the music we’ve written together,” he says. “The rhythm swings more than usual yet the moods still range from melancholy pop to our modern version of heavy psychedelic rock, as in Laurel Canyon, to the epic gothic-progressive dance track, Globe Spinning.” From the ominous allure of the lead track, Vanishing […]

IT’S A UNIQUE BAND that finds itself cherished as a bona fide legend in the ARIA Hall of Fame while remaining a virtual enigma to the world that knows its name. But maybe that’s no more remarkable than the mystery that continues to unfold within its own ranks. the church’s accidental signature tune, Under The Milky Way, is like a lighthouse on the brink of a continent forever to be discovered: 25 albums over 35 years and countless diversions that have almost destroyed them a dozen times, yet always reaffirm a mutual commitment to an uncompromising and unparalleled act of creation. At this stage of the journey, FURTHER/DEEPER seems both unimaginable and the only option on their endless quest from chaos to resolution. It’s an album of breathtaking new vistas and intense emotions, of sinister black caskets and gorgeous caverns of light, a work born of immense struggle and effortless expression.

 

“The magic started on day one,” says singer and bass player Steve Kilbey. “Someone strummed a chord or struck a drum or plucked a note and we were off. We wrote and recorded like demons and it was inspiring to feel every member using all his resources in the service of this record.” Twenty-six songs were born over eight days of exploration in Sydney in late 2013. Guitarist Peter Koppes, recalibrating his personal canvas in the absence of his long-time foil Marty Willson-Piper, drew palpable inspiration from the quartet’s remixed chemistry. “This new incarnation of the band with Ian Haug has brought a joyous energy to the music we’ve written together,” he says. “The rhythm swings more than usual yet the moods still range from melancholy pop to our modern version of heavy psychedelic rock, as in Laurel Canyon, to the epic gothic-progressive dance track, Globe Spinning.” From the ominous allure of the lead track, Vanishing Man, to the beguiling tippy toes of Pride Before A Fall; the chiming keys of Love Philtre to the sheer hammer horror Toy Head; the exhilarating breeze of Old Coast Road and the ultimate, panoramic drama of the mini-screenplay that is Miami, FURTHER/DEEPER delivers on the promise of its title in a combined blossoming of melody, rhythm and audacity.

 

For Haug, transitioning from the multi-platinum ashes of Powderfinger to join “one of my favourite bands of all time” was an utterly surreal experience, audibly expressed in fantastic new dimensions of the church’s fabled “guitarchitecture”. “The first song we wrote was Miami, and from there we splintered off into several styles of surreal to intense psychedelia — and songs to make you drive fast,” he says. “It was a trip. And an incredible honour to be accepted so readily into a songwriting as well as guitar-playing role.” Drummer Tim Powles was again instrumental in the painstaking alchemy that boiled the explosion of ideas down to 12 potent pieces in the early months of 2014, a process that often saw members working simultaneously in separate studios across multiple instruments to produce a work of singular cohesion.

 

“After an eternal twenty years in the church I marvel more than ever at how we’ve become masters of our own freedom,” he says. “No strings attached, no view to winning a prize. How lucky are we? Or have we earned it? We’ve got better at it too. Or maybe it’s got the better of us. It seems to devour us. Like magic.”

Like magic. As Kilbey sings in the desperate, beatific throes of Delirious:

“These pieces

Are easy

Try to put them together

It’s impossible…”

…and yet…

the church on Facebook

Social media : Join us on Facebook as well for links to songs, clips and other news updates. https://www.facebook.com/thechurchband  

Social media : Join us on Facebook as well for links to songs, clips and other news updates.

https://www.facebook.com/thechurchband

 

Google+

New! the church on Google+   

New! the church on Google+ 

 

Undercover Article: “the church revert to the refomation for one special show”

http://www.undercover.fm/news/15111-the-church-revert-to-the-refo-mation-for-one-special-show The Church Revert To The Refo:mation For One Special Show By Paul Cashmere Yesterday at 4:51pm (Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:51:06 +1000) “When Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes and Tim Powles perform for ‘Universe Within: an Autism Awareness and Benefit Gig’ next week, it will be a reformation of The Refo:mation. The charity event will be a very special one-off event. For the three members of The Church performing songs live from their late 1990’s period under the name The Refo:mation is extremely rare. The Church used the name at a time when Marty Willson-Piper was unavailable for the band. Instead of treating the album ‘Pharmako/Distance-Crunching Honchos With Echo Units’ a Church album, they used The Refo:mation as a name. “We have never played it live”, The Church drummer Tim Powles tells Undercover.fm. “Marty can’t be here so we will do a rare show”. The show in Sydney will raise money for Autism Spectrum Australia. Autism affects 1 in 160 people in Australia. The show will also feature a presentation of the film ‘Rainman Goes To Rockwiz’, directed by Steve Kilbey’s brother Russell. The second half of the show will then feature a full set of songs from The Church with Ricky Maymi from the Brian Jonestown Massacre filling in for Wllson-Piper. Guests for the set will include Tom Moore from the Mercy Arms, Suzy Connelly from Butterfly G, Brendan Gallagher and Phil Hall from the Lime Spiders. The show was put together very quickly. ‘Three weeks ago today we went we need to do it,” Tim said. Universe Within is on at Red Rattler, Marrickville on June 23.” * Please note that Ricky Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre) is not filling in for Marty, he will be one of our special guest artists. Update 18/6/11 UNIVERSE WITHIN Autism Awareness and […]

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http://www.undercover.fm/news/15111-the-church-revert-to-the-refo-mation-for-one-special-show

The Church Revert To The Refo:mation For One Special Show
By Paul Cashmere
Yesterday at 4:51pm (Thu, 16 Jun 2011 16:51:06 +1000)

“When Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes and Tim Powles perform for ‘Universe Within: an Autism Awareness and Benefit Gig’ next week, it will be a reformation of The Refo:mation.

The charity event will be a very special one-off event. For the three members of The Church performing songs live from their late 1990’s period under the name The Refo:mation is extremely rare.

The Church used the name at a time when Marty Willson-Piper was unavailable for the band. Instead of treating the album ‘Pharmako/Distance-Crunching Honchos With Echo Units’ a Church album, they used The Refo:mation as a name.

“We have never played it live”, The Church drummer Tim Powles tells Undercover.fm. “Marty can’t be here so we will do a rare show”.

The show in Sydney will raise money for Autism Spectrum Australia. Autism affects 1 in 160 people in Australia.

The show will also feature a presentation of the film ‘Rainman Goes To Rockwiz’, directed by Steve Kilbey’s brother Russell.

The second half of the show will then feature a full set of songs from The Church with Ricky Maymi from the Brian Jonestown Massacre filling in for Wllson-Piper. Guests for the set will include Tom Moore from the Mercy Arms, Suzy Connelly from Butterfly G, Brendan Gallagher and Phil Hall from the Lime Spiders.

The show was put together very quickly. ‘Three weeks ago today we went we need to do it,” Tim said.

Universe Within is on at Red Rattler, Marrickville on June 23.”
* Please note that Ricky Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre) is not filling in for Marty, he will be one of our special guest artists.

Update 18/6/11

UNIVERSE WITHIN

Autism Awareness and Benefit Gig
with members of the church

 

Steve Kilbey, Peter Koppes and Tim Powles  (also  appearing at this one-time only
as The Refo:mation)

and special  guests (in no particular order) including

Phil Hall (Lime Spiders)
Stan Holroyd
Craig Wilson (astreetlightsong)
Jak Housden (The Whitlams)
Thom Moore (Mercy Arms)
Ricky Maymi (Brian Jonestown Massacre)
Jimmy Hilbun (San Franciscan Lover)
Brendan Gallagher  (karma county)
Suzi Connolly (Butterfly 9)
Russell Kilbey (songs from the Crystal Set)
Nick Kennedy (Knievel)
Sandi Chick
Daniel Darling
Mark Moldre (Hitchcock’s Regret)
David Skeet

Intermission : showing of Russell Kilbey and Amy Scully’s award winning doco Rainman Goes to Rockwiz’

MC – Jamie Holt (The Camels)

 

Thursday June 23. Red Rattler. 6 Faversham Street, Marrickville.

Doors Open at 8pm

Entry via recommended $60  donation to Aspect being collected at the door.
Exclusive items for silent auction on the night.

If you can’t be at the Universe Within Autism Awareness and Benefit Gig you can now donate to the cause via the following link

 

 

the church on ReverbNation

http://www.reverbnation.com/thechurchbandofficial the church is now on ReverbNation giving you streaming music and a selection of videos to watch.  At the moment we have 22 songs uploaded and 12 videos links to view from the main page. The song player can be shared via Facebook and this site is also synched with MySpace and Twitter for updates. Enjoy listening!    

the church ReverbNation banner

http://www.reverbnation.com/thechurchbandofficial

the church is now on ReverbNation giving you streaming music and a selection of videos to watch.  At the moment we have 22 songs uploaded and 12 videos links to view from the main page. The song player can be shared via Facebook and this site is also synched with MySpace and Twitter for updates. Enjoy listening!