Formed in Canberra, Australia, in 1980, the Church, led
by Steven Kilbey (b. c.1960, England; bass, vocals), who
emigrated with his family at an early age, comprised
Peter Koppes (b. Australia; guitar, vocals), Marty
Willson-Piper (b. England; guitar, vocals) and Nick Ward
(drums). Richard Ploog (b. Australia; drums) would
replace the latter after the completion of the group's
debut album. That release came in 1981, when Of Skin
And Heart gained some radio and television exposure.
The European release The Church, which included stand-out cut 'The
Unguarded Moment' (with its accompanying early pixilated image effect
video), gave indications of great promise. The Church's 60s/ Byrds revivalist
stance, coupled with a distinctive 12-stringed 'jangly' guitar approach, was
exemplified on The Blurred Crusade by such songs as 'Almost With You',
'When You Were Mine' and 'Fields Of Mars'. Starfish saw the band gain
college radio airplay in the USA, earning them a US Top 30 hit with 'Under
The Milky Way', and strengthened their audiences in parts of Europe -
although generally the group found themselves restricted to a loyal cult
following. Much of the group's activities have been interrupted periodically
due to internal problems and for solo projects and collaborations. Ploog's
departure in 1991 saw the addition of former Patti Smith and Television
drummer Jay Dee Daugherty. Willson-Piper released two solo albums and
took on a part-time role as guitarist for All About Eve in 1991. Kilbey has
recorded several albums as well as publishing a book of poems. In 1991 he
teamed up with Go-Betweens guitarist Grant McLennan under the name of
Jack Frost and they recorded a self-titled album for Arista Records in 1991.
Peter Koppes completed an EP, When Reason Forbids, in 1987, before
embarking on his own sequence of album releases. Kilbey and McLennan
made a second Jack Frost album, Snow Job, released by Beggars Banquet
Records in 1996.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
The above information was not written or compiled by myself, nor was it edited by me. It is a copyright of Muze UK
Ltd. 1989 - 1998, from "Encyclopedia of Popular Music".
