The Church - new album and US tourdates

[ebbhead]

Double posting, but relevant info for this forum too. Delete if overboard.

http://www.slicingupeyeballs.com/2009/0 ... our-dates/

The Church issues new ‘Untitled #23#8242; album, plots summer tour of U.S.

The Church

One of Australia’s greatest and most overlooked musical exports, The Church, this week unveiled the dates of its “So Love May Find Us” tour of the U.S. in June and July.

The American trek follows the release of Untitled #23, a record that the band, on its Web site, calls “a haunting, dark, thrilling, ecstatic, melodic, psychedelic journey in 10 unforgettable pieces.”

While Amazon lists the album as being released May 12 in America, it’s already for sale on the band’s official site.

Still best known for its late-’80s near-hits “Under the Milky Way” and “Reptile,” the Church — now nearly 30 years old — has soldiered on with a core lineup featuring, for most of that time, its three founding members, Steve Kilbey, Marty Willson-Piper and Peter Koppes.

The band’s 19-date U.S. trek opens June 10 in Solana Beach, Calif., north of San Diego. Adam Franklin and Bolts of Melody, featuring the ex-Swervedriver frontman, will open the dates.

Tracklist: The Church, Untitled #23

1. “Cobalt Blue”
2. “Deadman’s Hand”
3. “Pangaea”
4. “Happenstance”
5. “Space Saviour”
6. “On Angel Street”
7. “Sunken Sun”
8. “Anchorage”
9. “Lunar”
10. “Operetta”

The Church tour dates:

June 10: Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA
June 11: The Roxy, Hollywood, CA
June 12: Slim’s, San Francisco, CA
June 14: Sun Aladdin Theater, Portland, OR
June 15: Triple Door, Seattle, WA
June 18: Gothic Theatre, Denver, CO
June 20: House Of Blues, Chicago, IL
June 21: Varsity Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
June 23: Shank Hall, Milwaukee, WI
June 25: The Magic Bag, Detroit, MI
June 26: Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland, OH
June 27: Rex Theatre, Pittsburgh, PA
June 28: The State Theatre, Washington DC
June 30: Ram’s Head Onstage, Annapolis, MD
July 1: The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
July 2: Showcase Live, Boston, MA
July 3: Tupelo Music Hall, Londonderry, NH
July 8: Irving Plaza, New York, NY
July 9: The Ridgefield Playhouse, Danbury, CT

[bigwavedave]

Thanks for the post. Having not seen them since the '90 US tour, I think I am going to grab tix for this one. The Triple Door in Seattle is a great medium sized music venue.

[DJ Phoenix]

W/all the small venues here, I can't believe they're not coming to Vegas? Then again, that might actually be a good thing, as the Pearl would probably try getting them, and jack the tix way up into the $150-$200 range, as they do for ever other band as well?

Wanted to go see the Cure, Cant do it, why? cheapest ticket(good seat) wasn't under $125.

DM's playing there too, and GA are like $200+

I dont mind spending a few buncks on tix, but my freakin god thats alot. Many of these casino's claim these bands(shows) are "loss leaders" anyways? then why rape the fans about ticket prices if thy're a "loss" anyways? why not give the fans easily affordable(especially in this economy) access to great seats, that wont break their banks? Is that so hard to do?

"Keepin the '80s alive!"

[Frau_Blucher]

[quote][i]Originally posted by DJ Phoenix[/i]
<br>W/all the small venues here, I can't believe they're not coming to Vegas?
[/quote]
Shut up and move already.

[SallyLightfoot]

The Church is one of those bands that I've always intended to investigate, but never got around to it. I know they've got around 10 records spread out over the years. Can anyone recommend a good record of theirs as a gateway? My first hunch would be to avoid the album 'Starfish'-- I've always hated the song 'Reptile'.

[bigwavedave]

I actually recommend Starfish if you like "Under The Milky Way". I think Reptile is the "rocking out" exception on the album; the majority of it is moodier, with great hooks.

I started with that album when it was relaesed, then moved on to Gold Afternoon Fix, which is the tour I saw them on.

After that, I picked up a promo compilation cd of the first 5 albums covering the early-to-mid 80's, called "Life Before Starfish". All of the early albums have some fantastic songs, although I still prefer Starfish as a whole.

I'm sure others will pipe in on the later albums; the only one I have after 1992 is 2002's "After Everything Now This". I highly recommend it; for me it was a return to that classic Church mix of mood and killer hooks.

[Frau_Blucher]

I don't see how one couldn't start with the start - Of Skins and Heart. The first track, "For a Moment We're Strangers", practically announces what the Church are going to be for the next 25 years. Obviously "Unguarded Moment" and "Tear It All Away" are essential.

There's no way you can avoid Starfish either. I'd even pick up 2005's 2CD deluxe reissue - a must. Acoustic versions of "Milky Way", "Spark", and "Antenna" are keepers. I actually think Uninvited Like the Clouds is their best 2000s album. Maybe it's just on the strength of "Easy", a great single in the classic wistful Church tradition.

[SallyLightfoot]

[quote][i]Originally posted by bigwavedave[/i]I actually recommend Starfish if you like "Under The Milky Way". I think Reptile is the "rocking out" exception on the album; the majority of it is moodier, with great hooks.[/quote]Thanks for the suggestions. "Under the Milky Way" is indeed a classic song, imho-- and somewhat reminiscent of the earlier Echo classic, "Killing Moon". If "Under the Milky Way" had come out in 1984 instead of 1988 (well after the curtain call for New Wave), they might have realized greater success. I'm glad I'm getting this second opportunity to evaluate and appreciate them.

[DJ Phoenix]

[quote][i]Originally posted by Blir[/i]
<br>[quote][i]Originally posted by DJ Phoenix[/i]
<br>W/all the small venues here, I can't believe they're not coming to Vegas?
[/quote]
Shut up and move already.
[/quote]

LOL, I wish it were that simple. I'm just in amazement, that as well known as Las Vegas is around the world, most bands won't come here for some reason?

"Keepin the '80s alive!"

[SallyLightfoot]

I just ordered the double-CD compilation "Hindsight" from Amazon. I generally dislike compilations, but I couldn't figure out which period of the Church I would like.

I'm pretty certain I will be attending the July 8 Irving Plaza date. Any other NYC area Church fans?

[bigwavedave]

Hindsight is a good choice. It's like an expanded version of the "Life Before Starfish" promo cd I mentioned in another post.

Realizing you don't like compilations, it is worth noting that the US single disc comp called "Under The Milky Way" is pretty inexpensive. I think that one goes up to the "Priest = Aura" era.

[Glen]

The new album, "Untitled No. 23" is terrific -- lots of good tunes. You can get it on Amazon or through www.secondmotionrecords.com in CD or digital format. Second motion also has some solo stuff by Steve Kilbey and Marty Willson-Piper, as well as a couple of EPs they recently done (one of which includes a cover Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love". Anyway, I am very excited that I'll trekking up to Kansas City to catch their show at the Voodoo Lounge at Harrah's. I can't wait -- it will be my 3rd time to see them.

[Glen]

Oops, I should have said "they recently have done..." but you know what I mean, grammar aside.

[quote][i]Originally posted by Glen[/i]
<br>The new album, "Untitled No. 23" is terrific -- lots of good tunes. You can get it on Amazon or through www.secondmotionrecords.com in CD or digital format. Second motion also has some solo stuff by Steve Kilbey and Marty Willson-Piper, as well as a couple of EPs they recently done (one of which includes a cover Kate Bush's "Hounds of Love". Anyway, I am very excited that I'll trekking up to Kansas City to catch their show at the Voodoo Lounge at Harrah's. I can't wait -- it will be my 3rd time to see them.
[/quote]

[shred]

Like bigwavedave, I have not seen The Church since "Gold Afternoon Fix," which was 1990. I also saw them on the Starfish tour in '88 with Peter Murphy. Great show - I taped it and have a cassette somewhere!

I think I'm going to that July 8 gig in NYC.

Although big commerical success has eluded them, they've always put out quality music and never rested on their laurels like so many other bands from that early 80's timeframe.

[SallyLightfoot]

I've never seen them live, and I don't think I could express it any better than [b]shred[/b]. Frankly, any band with a dozen or more albums and high quality output output like the Church is probably worth seeing. I'm planning to go to the July 8 Irving Plaza gig. Adam Franklin (of Swervedriver) is opening for the Church on that date, and he is no slouch either, btw.

Let me know if you are going to the NYC show. I'll be happy to buy a round of drinks for any NWO members.