Steve Kilbey of The Church on ‘Under the Milky Way,’ ‘The Hypnogogue’ and Dystopian Dreams

For more than four decades, The Church has occupied a unique corner of rock music — blending dreamlike melodies, cryptic lyrics and atmospheric guitars into a sound that helped shape alternative and psychedelic rock long before either genre fully entered the mainstream. This week on the Stuck in the ’80s Podcast, Spearsy sits down with singer, bassist and songwriter Steve Kilbey for a wide-ranging conversation about the band’s history, upcoming North American tour and ambitious new album The Hypnogogue.

During the interview, Kilbey reflects on the early years of The Church in Australia during the dawn of the 1980s and the gradual evolution of the group’s distinctive sound. He discusses classic songs like The Unguarded Moment and the later MTV-era breakthrough Under the Milky Way while exploring how the band balanced commercial success with an uncompromising artistic identity.

The conversation also dives into The Hypnogogue, a concept album steeped in futuristic imagery, artificial creativity and dystopian themes. Kilbey discusses the inspirations behind the record and why he believes visions of the future in art and culture inevitably lean toward darker possibilities. Along the way, Spearsy and Kilbey reflect on how science fiction, philosophy and existential themes have always shaped The Church’s songwriting and imagery.

The interview also revisits the larger Australian music explosion of the 1980s and how bands like INXS, Men at Work and The Church helped introduce a distinctive new sound to international audiences during the MTV era. Like many Stuck in the ’80s interviews, the conversation becomes as much about artistic longevity and creativity as it is about nostalgia itself.

If you love alternative rock, atmospheric guitar music, Australian bands, ’80s music history and conversations with artists who continue pushing creative boundaries decades later, this episode belongs in your playlist.

The Stuck in the ’80s Podcast has spent nearly 20 years celebrating the music, movies, television and pop culture of the greatest decade ever. Support the show on Patreon for bonus episodes, exclusive livestream hangouts, behind-the-scenes content and merch for longtime listeners.

And don’t forget: Spearsy and Brad will once again be part of The 80s Cruise, the ultimate floating celebration of ’80s music and nostalgia. Use promo code STUCK when booking your cabin to receive up to $250 in onboard cabin credit while sailing with fellow Gen X fans and enjoying performances and appearances from many of the decade’s biggest artists. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.