Fine structure in the α decay of high-spin states in 156Lu and 158Ta has been identified by means of αγ - coincidence analysis. One new α decay from 156Lu and two from 158Ta were identified, one of which was found to populate a previously unknown state in 154Lu. The hindrance-factor systematics from all four odd-odd, N = 85 nuclei with known α-decaying, πh11/2 coupled states were reviewed and are discussed. These proved consistent with the previously assigned (πh11/2νh9/2 )10+ configuration of the α-decaying state in 156Lu, which differs from the (πh11/2ν f7/2 )9+ assignments in the other three nuclei.