Edweena Banger (formerly Eddie Garrity), lead singer of the band - originally called Wild Ram - worked as a roadie for fellow Wythenshawe band
Slaughter & The Dogs inspiring Wild Ram's transformation into Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds.
Vini Reilly, later of
the Durutti Column, played
guitar, Banger sang, Tomanov (Toby) played
drums and Peter Crookes played
bass. The newly-christened group changed their image and sound to align themselves 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 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 Morrison, who, in his own way, is at least aware that rock 'n' roll is about magic, and inspiration." In his autobiography Morrissey stated that the band had no name and was misreported as being The Nosebleeds in Morley's review, as it included their rhythm section. According to Morrissey's account the review was of a Manchester University gig but this was incorrect, as it was at Manchester Ritz. A poster for this gig billed the band as The Nose Bleeds. The Nosebleeds split up in 1978. After the Nosebleeds folded, Banger supported
Penetration and
the Fall as Ed Banger and His Group Therapy. Banger released three more singles under the "Ed Banger" moniker: 1978's "Kinnel Tommy" (on Rabid Records, which was rereleased later that year by
EMI), 1981's "I've Just Had Me Car Nicked" (on Spiv Records), and 1983's "Poor People" (on Cloud Nine Records). In 1979 she also released a single under the name Eddi Fiction. In 1979-80 she joined Slaughter & the Dogs for the
Bite Back album and singles "I'm the One" and "East Side of Town". directed and edited by Bob Jones and John Crumpton, premiered in
Salford. As of 2006, Banger was fronting a 70s glam band called Edwina's Rockschool. In 2008, under the name Edwina's Party, two albums were released,
Transistor Pop and
Transistor Rock. In 2010, Banger released a lo-fi album,
Bingo Town. In 2013, Ed Banger & the Nosebleeds were reformed by Banger featuring former Slaughter & the Dogs drummer Brian "Mad Muffet" Grantham. The lineup also featured Steve Wilson on bass and Al Crosby on lead guitar. An album called
Kicking Off was released in late 2013, followed by
New York City in 2016. Phillip "Toby" Tomanov was last spotted gigging in Weymouth with various bands including the Inhalers and Panic Attack. Banger died on 21 January 2025. ==Discography==