Manicured Noise emerged from Manchester's vibrant post-punk scene in 1978, blending angular jazz-punk with avant-garde influences. Founded by vocalist Owen Gavin and drummer Stephanie Nuttall, the band later featured guitarist Steve Walsh, formerly of The Flowers of Romance. Their sound drew inspiration from artists like Ornette Coleman, Talking Heads, and Chic, resulting in a unique fusion of punk energy and funk rhythms. Despite releasing only two singles, "Metronome" and "Faith," in 1980, their innovative approach left a lasting impression. In 2006, Caroline True Records compiled their recordings into "Northern Stories 1978/80," preserving their legacy within the post-punk genre. ([carolinetruerecords.com](https://carolinetruerecords.com/products/manicured-noise-northern-stories-1978-80-vinyl-edition?utm_source=openai))