Biography
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Years Active
1976 – present (48 years)
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Founded In
Manchester, Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom
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Members
- Billy Duffy (1978 – 1978)
- Ed Banger (1976 – 1978)
- Morrissey (1978 – 1978)
- Pete Crookes
- Phillip "Toby" Tolman
Originally called Wild Ram, Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds was a short-lived punk band formed in Wythenshawe, Manchester, England in 1976. Though the band never recorded an album and released just one single, it is well known in modern rock history for the later successes of its individual members.
On July 20, 1976 fellow Wythenshawe band Slaughter & The Dogs supported the Sex Pistols along with the Buzzcocks at Manchester's Lesser Free Trade Hall. The Sex Pistols were returning to the Hall after a legendary June 4 concert that served as a catalyst for Manchester's fledgling music scene.
Garrity worked the July 20 gig as a roadie for Slaughter & the Dogs. When the crowd became violent and he and a friend were injured, someone said, "You're a right bloody mob aren't you? Headbanger here and him with a nosebleed," inspiring Wild Ram's transformation into Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds.
Vini Reilly, later of The Durutti Column played guitar, Garrity (Ed Banger) sang, Tomanov played drums and Peter Crookes played bass.
The newly-christened group changed their image and sound to concord with the punk movement and released the single "I Ain't Been to No Music School"/"Fascist Pigs" on Rabid Records. It sold 10,000 copies but failed to launch the band to success.
At the Roxy in London the band played the same two songs over and over. "The audience went absolutely beserk (sic)," Reilly said, "and consequently we were asked to play again and again, because that was what was required."
The band began to argue over money and fired manager Vinnie Faal. Shortly thereafter, Garrity and Reilly left the band.
Manchester music fan Steven Morrissey, later of The Smiths, replaced Garrity and Billy Duffy, later of Theatre of Hate and The Cult, replaced Reilly.
The new lineup played several gigs, one of which was well reviewed in the New Musical Express. "The Nosebleeds re-surface boasting a Front Man With Charisma, always an advantage," wrote reviewer Paul Morley. "Lead singer is now minor local legend Steve Morrisson (sic), who, in his own way, is at least aware that rock 'n' roll is about magic, and inspiration."
Morrissey's compositions with the band included "I Get Nervous" and "(I Think) I'm Ready for the Electric Chair."
After The Nosebleeds folded, Garrity supported Penetration and The Fall as Ed Banger and His Group Therapy. In 1978 he released a song called "Kinnel Tommy" on Rabid Records, which was re-released in 1979 by EMI. Also in 1979 he released a single under the moniker Eddi Fiction.
In 1979-80 he sang for Slaughter & the Dogs on the Bite Back album and singles "I'm the One" and "East Side of Town." He subsequently went solo again and released the 1981 single "I've Just Had My Car Nicked" on Spiv Records. In 1983 he released the single "Poor People" on Cloud Nine Records.
In 1991, under the name Sound of the Baskerville, Garrity released a complilation of Nosebleeds, Slaughter & the Dogs and Ed Banger tracks together with new material.
In 2005, vintage 1977 documentary "The Rise And Fall Of The Nosebleeds – Punk Rediscovered," directed by John Crumpton , premiered in Salford, Manchester.
As of 2006, Garrity is "fronting a '70s glam band called Edwina's Rockschool."
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