Sometime in the middle of 1980, Tom “Jinks” Durkan ventured to California from Shepherds Bush, London, and settled in Pal Alto. His goal, besides escaping from London, was to find musicians and form a band. Jinks met drummer Bob Gaynor, guitarist Rick Tedeschi and bass player Monte Vallier and Half Church was born. Following a series of local shows and demos, the original four members decided that a move to Jinks’ hometown of London was the next logical step. In January of 1981, just as Ronald Reagan was being sworn into office. the band flew to the UK where a slew of songs were written and recorded for their first EP (the highly sought-after In Turmoil). The band returned to the Bay Area later in the year and resumed shows and recording, getting tighter as a band all the while. Half Church played their last show at the San Jose Convention Center opening for Red Lorry Yellow Lorry in 1986 and the band members went their separate ways. Half Church 1980-1986 includes 5 unreleased tracks in addition to the In Turmoil EP.