The Church Members, Gear & Sound
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
Of Skins And Heart
1981
The Blurred Crusade
1982
Seance
1983
Heyday
1985
Hindsight 1980-1987
1987
Starfish (Deluxe Edition)
1988
Gold Afternoon Fix
1990
Priest = Aura
1992
Sometime Anywhere
1994
Somewhere Else
1994
Magician Among The Spirits And Some
1996
Hologram of Baal
1998
A Box of Birds
1999
After Everything Now This
2002
Parallel Universe
2002
Forget Yourself
2003
Beside Yourself
2004
El Momento Descuidado
2004
Uninvited, Like The Clouds
2006
El Momento Siguiente
2007
Shriek
2008
Untitled #23
2009
Back With Two Beasts
2009
A Psychedelic Symphony
2014
Further Deeper
2014
man woman life death infinity
2017
Eros Zeta and the Perfumed Guitars
2024
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.