Morrissey has publicly refuted long-standing claims that he was a member of the bands The Nosebleeds and Slaughter And The Dogs. The former Smiths frontman expressed his frustration on his official blog, calling out inaccuracies on his Wikipedia page that list him as an ex-member of the two Manchester-based punk acts.
The confusion appears to stem from accounts in various biographies, including Johnny Rogan’s Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance, which described Morrissey’s brief creative interactions with some members of The Nosebleeds. According to the book, Morrissey collaborated with Billy Duffy, a future member of The Cult, on several songs during this time. While these interactions reportedly resulted in a handful of performances, Morrissey maintains they did not constitute formal membership in the band.
In his 2013 memoir Autobiography, Morrissey acknowledged taking part in a one-off performance with musicians associated with The Nosebleeds. However, he asserted that the group was never formally named during his involvement, which led to the enduring association with The Nosebleeds. The memoir also recounted an NME review of the performance, which incorrectly credited him as part of the band. Morrissey described the resulting misunderstanding as a persistent mislabeling that has followed him for decades.
The book further noted that after their brief collaboration, Duffy went on to join Theatre of Hate, while Morrissey moved on without a permanent group until forming The Smiths with Johnny Marr. Morrissey credited Duffy with indirectly leading him to Marr, as Duffy suggested the guitarist could be a strong creative partner.
Regarding Slaughter And The Dogs, Morrissey has flatly denied any involvement with the band, despite rumors circulating among fans for years. These rumors have never been substantiated, and no recordings linking Morrissey to the band have surfaced.
The issue of misinformation on Morrissey’s Wikipedia page comes amid broader disputes involving his professional history. In recent months, he has alleged complications with his former bandmate Johnny Marr, claiming that Marr controls The Smiths’ intellectual property and has blocked certain projects, including a proposed reunion and the release of a Greatest Hits album. Marr has publicly denied several of Morrissey’s claims, further fueling tensions between the two musicians.
Morrissey has also criticized barriers to releasing new material, pointing to his unreleased 2021 album Bonfire Of The Teenagers as an example of industry resistance. He has suggested that broader issues, including perceived restrictions on free expression, have hindered his ability to share new work.
Despite these ongoing challenges, Morrissey continues to push back against inaccuracies and speculation surrounding his career. His latest remarks highlight his ongoing effort to clarify his musical history and assert control over his public narrative.