Slaughter and the Dogs emerged from the Manchester punk scene in 1977, led by Wayne Barrett (vocals) and Mick Rossi (guitar). With Brian Grantham on drums and Howard Bates on bass, the band released the single Cranked Up Really High on local independent label Rabid Records.
They also supported The Sex Pistols at their now-legendary gig at Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall on 20 July 1976. This concert, more than any other single event, spawned Manchester’s punk scene.
Influenced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, the band initially came in for criticism for not being punk enough (and for having long hair). However, the single Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone? and the album Do It Dog Style (1978, Decca) followed, establishing the band alongside Buzzcocks and The Drones as leading lights of Manchester punk.
The same year, singer Wayne Barrett left the band and they began rehearsing with new vocalist Steven Morrissey. Morrissey recorded four songs with them but did not become a permanent part of the band – he went on to later fame and success with The Smiths and as a solo artist. For a time, the band also included Billy Duffy who later achieved fame with The Cult.
Slaughter & The Dog’s first single on DJM Records was a cover version of You’re Ready Now, which took its origins from Frankie Valli‘s solo chart single of 1966.
Barrett returned for a while in 1979 and the band reunited under the shortened name of Slaughter, drastically changing both their look and sound.
After Barrett left again, he was replaced by Ed Banger (Eddie Garrity) for the album Bite Back (1980), before the band split again. Barrett and Rossi got back together in 1995 and have been recording and playing live ever since with the French rhythm section of J. P. Thollet (bass) and Noel Kay (drums).
Wayne Barrett
Vocals
Mick Rossi
Guitar, vocals
Howard Bates
Bass
Brian Grantham
Drums
Ed Banger (Eddie Garrity)
Vocals
