The Church – Under The Hypnogogue Way!

Interview with Steve Kilbey

1. You have a new album called The Hypnogogue; what was the inspiration for recording it, and is there any specific concept behind it?

The Hypnogogue is set in the future where a fading rock star uses a new process to pull songs out of his head while he’s dreaming. Oh no! It all goes wrong and the songs are toxic!

2. To the best of my knowledge, there are plans to reissue your solo back catalogue as well. Do you intend to accompany the re-issues with any previously unreleased material?

Yes, I believe Easy Action will be releasing solo and band back catalogue. If we can find any bonus stuff it’ll be on there!

3. Which of your solo works did you enjoy the most?

I think ‘11 Women’ hit the spot nicely! And the album after ‘Hall of Counterfeits’. I sorta rebooted my mojo and I’m very happy with the results.

4. How did you decide to sign with Easy Action Records?

Because they loved what I was doing! As simple as that! And they offered me 5 million pounds ( ha ha ha)!

5. How did the single “Under the Milky Way” change your life back in 1988?

 Well it was a big hit and it made some money and still is an ongoing source of income. I’m so sick of talking about it, however.

6. You come from Australia, a country that is far away from the USA. How easy or hard was it to reach the US audience back in the 1980s?

 It seemed like a long shot that we’d ever reach the USA or the UK. But we did because we were a good band and we made good records!

7. What do you remember from your presence in the  glam rock band called Baby Grande in the mid-1970s?

Ha ha! Baby Grande what an awful band. Everyone hated us wherever we played in Canberra in Australia… but somewhere else we may have been hailed as geniuses! The rock world is random and capricious. Look at all the idiots who are huge stars and all the brilliant artists who never get anywhere!

8. Why did Carrere and Capitol Records rename your album “Of Skins and Heart” and change the track listing?

Because they wanted to! They never discussed it with me.

9. What happened with your tour supporting the pop group Duran Duran in the 1980s?

I hated Duran Duran so badly I had to jump off that tour even though Carrere Records paid 30k for us to be on it! What a waste of time to play to their audience of 11-year-old girls. 

10. What are the next plans for the band?

More touring more records ad astra until I fall off my perch!

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