The Leaving Trains were formed out of sheer boredom and suburban desperation in Los Angeles in the summer of 1980 by Falling James and brothers Manfred and Tom Hofer after their 1978-1979 high school punk band, the Mongrels, broke up. Hunter Crowley was the best drummer on their side of town, and, after much persuasion, he eventually joined. Other early drummers included Hilary Laddin (the Martyrs), Raoul Endara (Smog Marines), Terry Graham (Bags, Gun Club) and Jason Kahn (Universal Congress Of).