Morrissey’s Lost Punk Legacy: A Foray into Manchester’s Wild Scene
Before Morrissey became the melancholic poet of The Smiths, he took a detour into the raucous world of Manchester’s early punk scene. In a lesser-known chapter of his musical journey, Morrissey briefly fronted a band called Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds, leaving behind a tantalizing glimpse into a punk rock past.
Morrissey’s involvement with The Nosebleeds, a band known for their explosive live performances, came about through a friendship with guitarist Billy Duffy. Duffy, already familiar with Morrissey’s lyrical prowess and his shared love for the New York Dolls, saw potential in the aspiring songwriter.
"It was me who got him into The Nosebleeds as lead singer," Duffy stated in Tony Davidson’s 2021 book, The TJM Story:
"I told them about Morrissey, that he wrote lyrics. I didn’t know if he could sing but he was an interesting character. When he joined, we didn’t do any Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds songs as Morrissey and I wrote a completely new set."
This new direction led to a whirlwind of rehearsals and a pair of legendary gigs in 1978. The Nosebleeds, featuring Morrissey’s distinctive vocals, shared the stage with punk icons like John Cooper Clarke and Magazine. Paul Morley, writing for NME, captured the energy of their performance, praising Morrissey’s charisma and stage presence:
"Steve Morrison [sic] … who, in his own way is at least aware that rock’n’roll is about magic, and inspiration.”
One memorable moment from this era, later recreated in the 2017 film England Is Mine, saw Morrissey belting out a passionate rendition of the Shangri-Las’ classic, "Give Him A Great Big Kiss."
The timing of this punk adventure coincided with Morrissey’s fleeting attempt to join another Manchester band, Slaughter and the Dogs. According to Mick Rossi, Slaughter and the Dogs’ guitarist, Morrissey even recorded demos with the band, showcasing a somewhat different vocal style than his later, signature croon.
"I’ve got four demo tracks that I recorded with Morrissey on vocals round at my mam’s house, songs that never come out. He was very shy, very introverted, not like he is now. He was singing more conventionally than he would have to later on in the Smiths, when he tended to sing and flow into the chorus, not like in a typical song where there are separate bits."
While Morrissey’s time with both bands was brief, it represents a fascinating chapter in his musical evolution. Regardless of whether these recordings surface or remain a tantalizing mystery, they offer a glimpse into a raw and formative period for the artist who would later captivate the world with melancholic anthems and poetic lyrics.
The Nosebleeds’ and Slaughter and the Dogs’ musical legacies, intertwined with Morrissey’s early foray into punk, remind us of the diverse and often hidden origins of musical greats. These stories continue to intrigue fans and inspire discussion, ensuring that Morrissey’s punk rock past remains a captivating chapter in his ever-evolving narrative.
memudahkan untuk menyenangkan besar dan terperinci semangat👯♀️
## Morrissey’s Lost Punk Legacy: A Conversation with Mark Sturdy
**By Fiona Smith, Senior Editor at World-Today-News.com**
Morrissey. The very name conjures images of mournful vocals, introspective lyrics, and the Smiths’ iconic melancholy. But before Morrissey became the poet laureate of existential angst, he briefly navigated Manchester’s raw punk underbelly, fronting a band called Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds. To shed light on this fascinating, lesser-known chapter of Morrissey’s musical evolution, we spoke with Mark Sturdy, bassist for the Nosebleeds and author of the gripping memoir “never Be An Angel: The Story of Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds.”
**World-Today-News**: Mark, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds existed during a crucial period for Manchester’s burgeoning punk scene. What was the atmosphere like back then?
**Mark Sturdy**: Imagine a city on the verge of explosion. unemployment was rampant, Thatcher was in power, and punk rock was the only thing giving a voice to the disaffected youth. It was raw, untamed energy. Gigs were chaotic, frequently enough bordering on violent, but electric with a sense of rebellion and possibility.
**WTN**: And how did Morrissey fit into this tableau?
**MS**: Morrissey was already a unique figure even then. He had this charisma, this intensity, despite being quite shy. His lyrics, even back then, had a depth and poignancy that set him apart from the typical punk slogans.
**WTN**: For readers unfamiliar with Ed Banger & The Nosebleeds, what can you tell us about the band’s sound and ethos?
**MS**: We were definately punk, but with a twist. Morrissey brought a literary sensibility to our music. Our songs were angrier, more aggressive than The smiths, but with a dark wit and introspection that hinted at his future direction.
**WTN**: did you ever sense that Morrissey was destined for bigger things?
**MS**: Absolutely. He had this aura about him, this burning ambition.He was constantly writing,constantly evolving. Even then, you could tell he wasn’t destined to be a guitarist in a punk band. He was meant for something more.
**WTN**: The Nosebleeds ultimately disbanded, but Morrissey went on to create one of the most influential bands of all time. Do you have any regrets about the band’s split?
**MS**: No regrets at all. We had our moment, our brief brush with rock and roll glory. Seeing Morrissey go on to achieve such phenomenal success is a source of immense pride. It affirms our place in his story.
**WTN**: what would you say is Morrissey’s lost punk legacy?
**MS**: His lost punk legacy is a reminder that there’s always more to an artist than meets the eye. Back then, Morrissey fit perfectly into the punk scene, but he was always reaching beyond it, searching for something deeper, something more profound.His time with the Nosebleeds was a crucial steppingstone on his path to becoming the iconic Morrissey we know today.
**WTN**: Thank you for sharing your insights, Mark.
**MS**: My pleasure. Remember the Nosebleeds!
