Ed Banger And The Nosebleeds
The Nosebleeds were a punk band formed in Wythenshawe, Manchester, England, in 1976. Originally known as Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds while fronted by Eddie Garrity (aka Ed Banger), the band is best known today for its members who later found success in other bands, including Morrissey (The Smiths), Billy Duffy (The Cult), and Vini Reilly (The Durutti Column). Despite their brief existence, The Nosebleeds played a significant role in the development of the Manchester punk scene.
History
The band originally formed under the name Wild Ram in 1976. Eddie Garrity, the lead singer, worked as a roadie for Slaughter & The Dogs and was inspired by the growing punk movement in Manchester. After an incident at a Slaughter & The Dogs concert, Garrity and a friend were referred to as “Headbanger” and “the one with the nosebleed,” leading to the band’s name change to Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds.
Initially, the band consisted of Garrity on vocals, Vini Reilly on guitar, Toby Tomanov on drums, and Peter Crookes on bass. They released their first single, “Ain’t Bin to No Music School” / “Fascist Pigs”, in 1977 through Rabid Records, selling 10,000 copies but failing to achieve significant commercial success. However, they garnered attention from local press and appeared on Granada Reports to perform their single.
After some internal disputes over money, Garrity and Reilly left the band. Garrity was replaced by Steven Morrissey, and Reilly by Billy Duffy. This new lineup only performed two shows, but they gained some recognition. Despite positive reviews, including one from the New Musical Express, the band split up in 1978.
Post-Breakup Projects
After the breakup of The Nosebleeds, Eddie Garrity went on to support Penetration and The Fall under the name Ed Banger and His Group Therapy. He released several singles, including “Kinnel Tommy” (1978), “I’ve Just Had Me Car Nicked” (1981), and “Poor People” (1983). He later joined Slaughter & the Dogs for their 1979 album Bite Back.
In 1991, Garrity released a compilation album under the name Sound of the Baskerville, which included tracks from The Nosebleeds, Slaughter & the Dogs, and Ed Banger. He continued to perform under various monikers, including Edwina’s Rockschool and Edwina’s Party, and released multiple albums into the 2000s.
Reformation
In 2013, Ed Banger reformed The Nosebleeds with a new lineup featuring Brian “Mad Muffet” Grantham (ex-Slaughter & the Dogs drummer), Steve Wilson on bass, and Al Crosby on lead guitar. They released the album Kicking Off in 2013, followed by New York City in 2016, and are currently working on new material.
Discography
Single
- “Ain’t Bin to No Music School” / “Fascist Pigs” (Rabid Records, 1977)
Albums
- Kicking Off (EBN, 2013)
- New York City (2016)
