1/2 Church was Bob "not-quite-dead-yet" Gaynor, "Rick Rabble", Monte Vallier aka "Minty Velour" & Jinks (RIP) at the time of this recording...IIRC, early 80s. I also recall hanging out when a later line-up recorded "Fractions", and several other tracks in my Sunnyvale basement. The band was from Palo Alto/South Bay, and that SJ Civic show was amazing. Rick was also in Life Sciences Division, Gaynor in Heru RaHa, and Monte in Swell. They also played a wacky lunchtime gig at SRI. - "Hawkeye Joe"
Half Church existed from 1980 to 85. We made one EP and a cassette single. Various other recordings exist but were never released. Original members were Jinks Durkin, Rick Tedeschi, Bob Gaynor and I. Then Phil Peters, Dennis Meyers, and Jackson Weir played guitar at times. Nathan Lindsay replaced Bob on drums in 1983. We added Trent Adams and Ken Reyes on percussion and keys in 1985. Our last show was at the SJ civic with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. Jinks passed away in 2004. Everyone else is alive.
Alright kids just heard from Monty & what I said about Bob Gainer is right ! He is alive & well in 2011. Thats what I though cause like I said I saw him way way after Half Church. In fact I believe he was with Monty A few years back when we had A San Jose Punker Reunion at the Blank Club ! Monty is gonna be reading all these post maybe he will set all the records straight & rumors on Half Church if he posts !
Hey guys I grew up with Monty who is alive & well ! The band was from the Bay Area. I am not sure if Bob is dead though. I will find out from Monty cause when I last saw Bob it was way way after the band broke up ! Jinx passed away 2004 he committed suicide, very sad ! Monty is working in his studio with Jinx Son !
Thanks for posting this! Definitely a San Francisco Bay Area band- I worked with Jinx at his "day Job"- Building maintenance at Litton in San Carlos. That was how I became acquainted with them, saw them a few times, including an incredible performance at Keystone Palo Alto. Very sad to hear of his demise, He was a very cool (albeit mischevious) guy. Very glad their music is remembered here. I loaned out my Half Church EP, never got it back so I'm glad to hear it again.
Just a friendly update; Monty Vallier the bass player is doing well living in San Francisco involved in studio recording, engineering. The original drummer Bob Gainer died (drugs),.. Nathan Lindsay replaced him', then went on to be front-man/vocalists for several bands ranging from thrash-metal to altern rock, now is currently back drumming for a couple bay area bands.
Rick Tedeschi is still very much alive and plays flamenco guitar. Nathan Lindsay has died. Monty, who played bass, joined a band which became fairly well known in Sweden.
oh wow!! thank you so much for posting this. I saw these guys several times back at the varsity in palo alto in the 80's. i didn't know any of the players but one of my friends was related or dated one of them (many, many brain cells ago). sorry to hear the lead died.
Yes, the band was American. I knew the drummer Nathan Lindsay, but so many years later, I am curious if he too has met his demise. I still have some of their promo materials and at least one cassette of music. I dug them way back when. One highlight for me was seeing them open for Johnny Rotten's PIL somewhere near San Fran.
my ex roomate and band made paul draper was win records. paul played with the sleepers and life sciences division among others. half church gets its english sound from the fact that jinx the singer, who commited suicide a few years ago, was from england.
do you have the song tv screen?
AmericaTheEnslaved 1 week ago
@AmericaTheEnslaved uploaded now ;o)
sylle7 6 days ago
did you post another song? this is great!
jkochii 1 week ago
@jkochii only this one, but I will upload some more
sylle7 1 week ago
@sylle7 Merci!
jkochii 5 days ago
1/2 Church was Bob "not-quite-dead-yet" Gaynor, "Rick Rabble", Monte Vallier aka "Minty Velour" & Jinks (RIP) at the time of this recording...IIRC, early 80s. I also recall hanging out when a later line-up recorded "Fractions", and several other tracks in my Sunnyvale basement. The band was from Palo Alto/South Bay, and that SJ Civic show was amazing. Rick was also in Life Sciences Division, Gaynor in Heru RaHa, and Monte in Swell. They also played a wacky lunchtime gig at SRI. - "Hawkeye Joe"
radioraconteur 3 weeks ago
Half Church existed from 1980 to 85. We made one EP and a cassette single. Various other recordings exist but were never released. Original members were Jinks Durkin, Rick Tedeschi, Bob Gaynor and I. Then Phil Peters, Dennis Meyers, and Jackson Weir played guitar at times. Nathan Lindsay replaced Bob on drums in 1983. We added Trent Adams and Ken Reyes on percussion and keys in 1985. Our last show was at the SJ civic with Red Lorry Yellow Lorry. Jinks passed away in 2004. Everyone else is alive.
ruminatoraudio 2 months ago
Alright kids just heard from Monty & what I said about Bob Gainer is right ! He is alive & well in 2011. Thats what I though cause like I said I saw him way way after Half Church. In fact I believe he was with Monty A few years back when we had A San Jose Punker Reunion at the Blank Club ! Monty is gonna be reading all these post maybe he will set all the records straight & rumors on Half Church if he posts !
kcyclean 2 months ago
Hey guys I grew up with Monty who is alive & well ! The band was from the Bay Area. I am not sure if Bob is dead though. I will find out from Monty cause when I last saw Bob it was way way after the band broke up ! Jinx passed away 2004 he committed suicide, very sad ! Monty is working in his studio with Jinx Son !
kcyclean 2 months ago
I was always afraid of asking about Bob Gainer. I kind of suspected that he passed. Who was the guitar player? Dennis Meyers?
twangmang 2 months ago
@twangmang My last name is spelled "Gaynor". And I AM alive, btw..... Sheesh!
nuhtrue 2 weeks ago
Thanks for posting this! Definitely a San Francisco Bay Area band- I worked with Jinx at his "day Job"- Building maintenance at Litton in San Carlos. That was how I became acquainted with them, saw them a few times, including an incredible performance at Keystone Palo Alto. Very sad to hear of his demise, He was a very cool (albeit mischevious) guy. Very glad their music is remembered here. I loaned out my Half Church EP, never got it back so I'm glad to hear it again.
BigWhiteGuitar 4 months ago
Just a friendly update; Monty Vallier the bass player is doing well living in San Francisco involved in studio recording, engineering. The original drummer Bob Gainer died (drugs),.. Nathan Lindsay replaced him', then went on to be front-man/vocalists for several bands ranging from thrash-metal to altern rock, now is currently back drumming for a couple bay area bands.
virtualitas 5 months ago
You are right guys, the band is from US- San Francisco.
sylle7 8 months ago
according to the singer's son, they were from San Francisco. the son is in a band called Weekend on slumberland records.
80smoviesguy 8 months ago
Rick Tedeschi is still very much alive and plays flamenco guitar. Nathan Lindsay has died. Monty, who played bass, joined a band which became fairly well known in Sweden.
shanmarq 10 months ago
Weren't they from the UK?
their label was up based in California as i know though.
RippingFadedSmiles 1 year ago
oh wow!! thank you so much for posting this. I saw these guys several times back at the varsity in palo alto in the 80's. i didn't know any of the players but one of my friends was related or dated one of them (many, many brain cells ago). sorry to hear the lead died.
jarave1 1 year ago
Recorded at Street Level, London, March 1981.
B3 recorded at MVGS, October 1980.
mikeguruss 1 year ago
@mikeguruss I've always wondered if anyone gave a toss what MVGS meant.....
nuhtrue 1 week ago
I think its Rick Tedeschi (forgive spelling) on guitar
incredible .
and Jinx, we miss you
7thworldstudios 2 years ago
Yes, the band was American. I knew the drummer Nathan Lindsay, but so many years later, I am curious if he too has met his demise. I still have some of their promo materials and at least one cassette of music. I dug them way back when. One highlight for me was seeing them open for Johnny Rotten's PIL somewhere near San Fran.
exquisiteshimmer 2 years ago
my ex roomate and band made paul draper was win records. paul played with the sleepers and life sciences division among others. half church gets its english sound from the fact that jinx the singer, who commited suicide a few years ago, was from england.
dirtydozenbitch2 2 years ago