Hailing from the notoriously tough Manchester suburb of Wythenshawe (once the skinhead capital of the North) Slaughter & The Dogs originally formed when Wayne Barrett (vocals) and  drummer, Brian (Mad Muffett) Grantham, got together with bassist Howard 'Zip' Bates joined them in late 1975. Originally twin guitars, Mick Rossi became the sole guitarist when Mike Day left. Wayne thought up the name for the band whilst lying in bed prior to their first gig.... a mixture of Diamond Dogs by Bowie and Slaughter on 5th Avenue By Mick Ronson...hence Slaughter And The Dogs!

They did the usual rounds in local clubs and working men's clubs doing covers of Lou Reed, Bowie and started writing their own numbers. Going from strength to strength and picking up good press they found themselves at the forefront of the Manchester punk scene along with the Buzzcocks and The Drones mirroring the London scene. 

But after seeing The Pistols and their look and sound and after taking to heart the criticisms they were astute to enough to see which way the wind was blowing as they cut their hair, changed their clothes and took on the new style like so many other bands of the time. 

Tony Wilson: "They probably had a little bit too much Bowie and a little too much Mick Ronson but nevertheless they were good." 

On Maclarens advice they set of for London and The Roxy club Mike Rossi "The aim after the Free Trade hall thing was for us to try and hit London."

Their gigging schedule grew heavier and they were soon playing at leading London punk venues like The Roxy and Vortex as well as others like the Marquee and Nashville. Live they were quite a sight with Wayne's predilection for talc in the absence of smoke generators !!! The Roxy gave the band their first recording break when they appeared on its live album with two songs 'Boston Babies' and 'Runaway'.