Members

Select a The Church band member to check out the music gear they use live and in the studio.

About

The Church is an iconic Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1980, celebrated for their evocative blend of neo-psychedelia, alternative rock, and dream pop. The group's enduring lineup has evolved over the years, currently featuring Steve Kilbey (bass, vocals), timEbandit Powles (drums, production), Ian Haug (guitar), Jeffrey Cain (multi-instrumentalist), and Ashley Naylor (guitar). Known for their atmospheric soundscapes and introspective lyrics, The Church has carved a niche in the post-punk era with landmark albums like Starfish and The Blurred Crusade, earning them a revered spot in the ARIA Hall of Fame.

How to Sound Like The Church

The Church’s sound is characterized by lush, jangly guitar lines and ethereal, ambient textures. Their music often drifts into dreamy and expansive sonic realms, where reverb and delay effects play a crucial role in creating their signature soundscapes. The use of a Rickenbacker 360/12 12-String Hollowbody by Marty Willson-Piper adds a shimmering quality to their music, while Steve Kilbey's bass work, employing instruments like the Fender Bass VI, grounds the sound with melodic and rhythmic depth. Amplifiers such as the Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus provide a clean, chorus-laden tone that enhances the band's rich, layered compositions. The Church's sonic palette is a tapestry of vintage warmth and modern ambience, inviting musicians to explore atmospheric effects and articulate guitar work to capture their unique ethos.

Discography

Get the The Church Sound

Want to sound like The Church? This gear comes straight from the setups of the band's members, based on proven sources. Dive into each artist's page for more detail and inspiration.

Similar Artists

The Psychedelic Furs

The Psychedelic Furs

Echo & the Bunnymen

Echo & the Bunnymen

Love and Rockets

Love and Rockets

Modern English

Modern English

The Alarm

The Alarm

The Sound

The Sound

The Go-Betweens

The Go-Betweens

The The

The The

Concrete Blonde

Concrete Blonde

'Til Tuesday

'Til Tuesday

The Jesus and Mary Chain

The Jesus and Mary Chain

Big Country

Big Country