Current line up: Wayne Barrett (vocals), Mick Rossi (guitar)

Punk band Slaughter And The Dogs were formed in 1976 in Wythenshawe, Manchester, by school friends Mick Rossi (guitar) and Wayne Barratt (vocals), taking their name from two of their biggest influences - Mick Ronson’s "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" and David Bowie’s "Diamond Dogs". With bassist Howard ‘Zip’ Bates and drummer Brian ‘Mad Muffet’ Grantham they gigged in and around Greater Manchester before getting their first break - a support slot to The Sex Pistols at the Manchester Lesser Free Trade Hall.

Slaughter And The Dogs signed to Manchester label, Rabid Records, who released their debut single "Cracked up Really High" in 1977. The music press dubbed them "Manchester’s master of talcum powder punk" due to Wayne Barratt’s liberal use of talc at every gig!

After signing to Decca Records later that year, they released the single "Where Have All the Boot Boys Gone".

1978 saw the release of their next single, "Dame to Blame / Johnny T" which was followed by the "Quick Joey Small" single which featured a guest appearance by Mick Rossi’s hero, Mick Ronson.

The bands brilliant debut LP "Do It Dog Style" was finally released in May 1978 though poor sales resulted in the label dropping the band and as a result they decided to split.

Rabid Records issued the "Live Slaughter Rabid Dogs" LP, which was recorded at Manchester’s Belle Vue on 9th July 1977, whilst TJM Records issued the four track "Slaughter & The Dogs" 12"

Mick Rossi, Howard Bates, Brian Grantham and new guitarist Billy Duffy (later of The Cult) teamed up with a new vocalist Steven Morrissey (later of The Smiths) to play a couple of concerts under the Slaughter & The Dogs name.

By 1979 Mick Rossi, Howard Bates, Billy Duffy and new drummer Phil Rowland had re-emerged as The Studio Sweethearts, releasing the single "I Believe" for DJM Records. The band then re-united with Howard Barratt and Brian 'Mad Muffet' Grantham and relaunched themselves as Slaughter And The Dogs, issuing the single "You’re Ready Now".

Howard Barratt again quit the band and was replaced by Ed ‘Banger’ Garrity (ex- The Nosebleeds) who debuted on the "East Side of Town" single, in 1980, and also appeared on the "Bite Back" LP and the "I’m the One" single before, disillusioned by their lack of commercial success, Slaughter And The Dogs again called it a day in 1981

After release upon release of compilation and live albums, May 1999 saw the re-union of Howard Barratt and Mick Rossi which culminated in the release of "Shocking". It would appear that (once again) Slaughter And the Dogs are back...