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Manic Street Preachers
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Manic Street Preachers are an alternative rock band from Blackwood, Wales, formed in 1986. Often referred to as the Manics, they are James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitars), Nicky Wire (bass, occasional vocals) and Sean Moore (drums, backing vocals, occasional trumpet). The band were originally a quartet: lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards mysteriously vanished on 1st February 1995 . He was declared presumed deceased in November 2008.
The Manics released their debut album Generation Terrorists in 1992.
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Encyclopedia
Manic Street Preachers are an alternative rock band from Blackwood, Wales, formed in 1986. Often referred to as the Manics, they are James Dean Bradfield (vocals, guitars), Nicky Wire (bass, occasional vocals) and Sean Moore (drums, backing vocals, occasional trumpet). The band were originally a quartet: lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards mysteriously vanished on 1st February 1995 . He was declared presumed deceased in November 2008.
The Manics released their debut album Generation Terrorists in 1992. Their combination of androgynous glam punk imagery, outspoken
invective and songs about "culture, alienation, boredom and despair" soon gained them a loyal following and cult status
. The band's later albums retained a politicized and intellectual lyrical style, while adopting a broader alternative rock sound. Enigmatic lyricist Richey Edwards gained early notoriety by carving the words "4 REAL" into his arm with a razor blade (narrowly missing an artery and requiring seventeen stitches) in response to the suggestion that the band were less than authentic.
Following Edwards' disappearance, the remaining three Manics went on to gain major success, becoming one of Britain's premier rock bands. They have had six top ten albums and fourteen top ten singles. They have reached number one three times, with their 1998 album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours and the singles If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (1998) and The Masses Against The Classes (2000). Their ninth album, possibly titled I Know I Believe In Nothing But It Is My Nothing or Journal For Plague Lovers, is due in May 2009 and will feature lyrics left behind by Edwards.
History
Formation and early years (1986–1991)
The band - originally named Betty Blue (after Jean-Jacques Beineix's film Betty Blue) - was formed in 1986 in Oakdale Comprehensive School, by school friends James Dean Bradfield (lead guitarist), Sean Anthony Moore (drummer and James' cousin), Nicky Wire (real name Nicholas Allen Jones, rhythm guitarist and brother of poet and playwright Patrick Jones), and Flicker (real name Miles Woodward, bass guitarist). During this time Bradfield had tried writing lyrics (among them the unrecorded 'Jackboot Johnny') but this later changed and Wire wrote all their earliest lyrics. Flicker left the band in early 1988, claiming that the band were moving away from their punk roots.
The band continued as a three-piece, with Nicky switching from rhythm to bass guitar, and in 1989 they recorded their first single, "Suicide Alley". The cover was reminiscent of The Clash's first album (simply titled The Clash) and was photographed and designed by school friend Richey James Edwards. Edwards' contribution to the band was co-writing the lyrics with Wire, designing record sleeves and other artwork, miming guitar on stage, or playing at a relatively low volume and driving the band to and from gigs.
At early gigs they were bottled and heckled from beginning to end. Bradfield and Wire hurled abuse at their audiences and tore through short sets similar to those of The Ramones famous "Twenty minutes of energy" gigs, a display of an odd punk rock style band/audience interaction that had been unheard of since the infamous riotous early gigs of Scotland's The Jesus and Mary Chain a few years earlier.
In 1990, they signed a deal with punk label Damaged Goods Records for one EP. The four track EP New Art Riot attracted as much media interest for its attacks on fellow musicians as for the actual music. With the help of Hall Or Nothing management, the Manics signed to indie label Heavenly Records. Their first single for the label - Motown Junk (released on 21 January 1991) - showcased their iconoclastic ("I laughed when Lennon got shot") punk/metal influenced rock n' roll. The song also displayed their huge cultural scope with a Public Enemy-sampling intro and an outro sample of The Skids.
Over the next year, the Manics earned a wild reputation - much like that of Guns N' Roses or The Sex Pistols - as well as an loyal fan base. In music press interviews they attacked bands like Slowdive, Ride, and My Bloody Valentine, the crusty pop rockers (Carter USM, Senseless Things, Ned's Atomic Dustbin) as well as the dying Madchester movement (The Happy Mondays, The Farm, Stone Roses). The Manics' manifesto went as follows: release one album that would outsell Appetite for Destruction, tour the world, headline Wembley for three nights and then burn out. The band also planned to release their first LP in a sandpaper covered sleeve, as The Durutti Column had already done, so that their music would burn (or scratch) out with them. It was also designed to erode other records it was placed next to, a technique first used by Guy Debord with early editions of his book Memories.
Their love/hate relationship with the press, and their use of Sex Pistols style media manipulation tactics, was documented on their next Heavenly single, You Love Us. They again displayed their huge cultural scope; the single sampled Penderecki's Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima as well as Iggy Pop. The video featured Nicky in drag as Marilyn Monroe and contained visual references to Betty Blue and Aleister Crowley. In a now legendary interview with then New Musical Express journalist Steve Lamacq Richey carved the words "4 Real" into his arm with a razor blade to prove their sincerity. He was taken to hospital and received seventeen stitches. Shortly afterwards the band signed to Sony Records and began work on their debut album.
Generation Terrorists to The Holy Bible (1992–1995)
Their debut album, Generation Terrorists (originally titled "Culture, Alienation, Boredom And Despair"), was released on the Columbia Records imprint. The band toured the world and achieved success in most countries, including a particularly fanatical following in Japan, but failed to make any headway in the United States. The liner notes contained a literary quote for each of the album's eighteen songs (Albert Camus, Sylvia Plath, George Orwell among others) and the album lasted just over seventy minutes. The record contained six singles and sold 250,000 copies but, sales not meeting their expectations, the band felt that they had failed. The band, however, went on to release a split single with Fatima Mansions (a rock cover of "Suicide Is Painless") which became their first UK Top 10 hit, and began work on a second album.
The second album, Gold Against the Soul, was released to mixed reviews but still performed well, reaching number eight in the UK album chart and displayed a more grungy sound. The nature of the lyrics also changed, with Richey and Nicky eschewing their political fire for introspective melancholy. One track — "La Tristesse Durera (Scream to a Sigh)" — is a tribute to Vincent van Gogh based on Theo van Gogh's remark after his brother's suicide: 'The sadness will last forever'. The band also disposed of their glam punk image, adopting instead a more mainstream hard rock look.
Following what the band themselves described as "the most unfocused part of our career", Edwards's personal problems of self-mutilation, anorexia nervosa and alcoholism became worse and began to affect the other band members as well as himself. He was admitted into The Priory in 1994 to overcome his problems and the band played a few festivals as a three piece to pay for his treatment.
The group's next album, The Holy Bible, released in August, regained their critical acclaim but sold poorly; it sold fewer copies than the previous albums and was not released at all in America, though an American mix of the album was later released in Canada - it would later resurface as part of a 10th anniversary edition of the record. Despite this it is regarded by many as the band's magnum opus and is often voted onto lists of all time great albums. The album displayed yet another musical and aesthetic change for the band, the casual rock look was out and was replaced by army/navy uniforms, a look which began at the end of their last UK tour, but now took on a new meaning. Musically, the band were veering into a gothic take on traditional metal forms, with highly irregular melodies and guitar riffs taking centre stage. It was a stark departure from their previous work, replacing the previously Tommy Vance friendly hard rock with gothic anti-rock, influenced by post punk and a reflection on the bands own musical taste at the time. In support of the album, the band appeared on Top of the Pops, performing first single "Faster". The performance was extremely controversial at the time, as the band were all dressed in army regalia, with Bradfield wearing a terrorist style balaclava. Some people mistook the band's intentions, and thought they were supporting Irish paramilitary groups. At the time, the band was told by the BBC that they had received the most complaints ever.
Months later, on 1 February 1995, Richey James Edwards disappeared from the Embassy Hotel at Bayswater Road in London after checking out at 7:00am. His car was found abandoned February 14, 1995 at the Severn View service station near the Severn Bridge, which has since its construction acquired notoriety for being a suicide spot. He was never seen again, although unsubstantiated sightings have been common, so much so that the band have even kept a percentage of the royalties aside should Edwards ever return. Richey Edwards was declared presumed dead on 28 of November 2008 by his family. The band comment that they respect their decision. Nonetheless, Edwards retains a special place in many fans' hearts. The band was put on hold for six months and finishing the band was seriously considered, but with the blessing of Edwards' family the other members continued. Their first musical appearance since Edwards' departure was recording a cover of "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head" for The Help Album, a charity effort in 1995 in support of aid efforts in war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Everything Must Go to Lipstick Traces (1996-2003)
The first album without Edwards, Everything Must Go, contained five songs either written or co-written by Edwards, was released to overwhelmingly positive reviews. The bulk of the lyrics were written solely by Wire including number two hit single "A Design for Life", which became a working class anthem, and established the band alongside the other premier British bands of the day like Oasis. The band's image changed yet again, inadvertently they gained a casual, lad culture image much like that of Oasis as "A Design for Life"'s message was roundly misinterpreted ('We don't talk about love/We only want to get drunk') was intended as a scathing critique of those who believe working classes have no cultural or emotional depth. This line was adopted by many as a drinking anthem. The album was shortlisted for the 1996 Mercury Prize award for best album, and yielded the hit singles "Australia", "Everything Must Go" and "Kevin Carter".
1998's This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours was just as successful across most of the world, and gave the band their first number one single in "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next". It was written about the Spanish Civil War and was inspired in equal parts by George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia and The Clash's "Spanish Bombs". The album also included the hit singles "You Stole The Sun From My Heart", "Tsunami" and "The Everlasting".
In 2000 they released the limited edition single "The Masses Against The Classes", which takes its name from a quotation of 19th century Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone ("All the world over, I will back the masses against the classes"). Despite receiving little to no promotion, the record hit the number one position on the UK Singles chart. The record was a return to their more rock based roots and was well accepted by their old fans.
In 2001 they became the first popular western rock band to play in Cuba, (at the Karl Marx Theater) and met with president Fidel Castro. Their concert and trip to Cuba was documented and then released as a DVD entitled Louder than War.
In this concert they revealed many tracks from their sixth album Know Your Enemy, a much more eclectic album in the vein of London Calling or Sandinista! era Clash. The song "Ocean Spray" was written by James about his mother's battle with cancer (she died in 1999). The first singles from the album, "So Why So Sad" and "Found That Soul", were both released on the same day (at the time, many critics wrongly heralded this as a first, although it was soon discovered that, in fact, Lush were the first band to release two singles on the same day, a feat they had achieved seven years earlier in 1994). Other singles included "Let Robeson Sing". The latter song addressed an eight-year period beginning in 1950, when the U.S. State Department confiscated the passport of international concert singer Paul Robeson and, with it, his freedom to travel outside the U.S. (The clapping at the end of the song is taken from a recording of a concert he performed over the telephone to a gathering of Welsh miners in the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl, Wales.)
The greatest hits (plus remixes) album Forever Delayed was released in 2002. It was controversial with fans who claimed that it did not reflect the band's greatest songs but instead only featured the songs that charted well (although a look at the chart entries for singles included and excluded reveals that this is not completely true either). The album included two brand new songs, "Door To The River" and "There By The Grace Of God" (which was released as a single).
An album of B-sides, rarities, and cover versions album was released in 2003 - Lipstick Traces - after a fan petition upon rumours of a greatest hits release began circulating. The album included the last song that was ever recorded when Edwards was still in the band, the previously unreleased "Judge Yr'self" that was intended to feature on the Judge Dredd movie soundtrack, as well as "Forever Delayed", a song the band had been playing at gigs throughout the year but had not been released.
Lifeblood to Journal For Plague Lovers (2004-2009)
The band's seventh studio album, Lifeblood, was released on November 1st 2004 and stalled at only #13 and was on the UK album chart for a mere 2 weeks. Critical opinions of the album were mixed. Musically, it was a great departure from the Manics' previous albums, though foreshadowed by "There By The Grace Of God". The band played two new songs from the album, "Empty Souls" and "Solitude Sometimes Is", during their appearance at the Isle of Wight Festival 2004. "Everything Will Be", which the band previewed at the Glastonbury Festival 2003, appeared as a B-side to the single "The Love of Richard Nixon". Tony Visconti helped the band produce three songs on the album. The album was followed by a UK Arena tour in December 2004, which featured a second guitarist backing up the band for the first time since Richey's disappearance. The band felt the live sound needed 'beefing up', so they recruited a friend to take up second guitar duties. The decision although controversial, was generally welcomed by the fans and it has since become standard at shows for the band to have a second guitarist onstage.
A tenth anniversary edition of The Holy Bible was released on 6 December 2004 which included a digitally remastered version of the original album, a rare U.S. mix and a DVD of live performances and extras including a band interview.
On 19 April 2005, the band played their final gig on their Past-Present-Future tour - which was revealed during the gig to be their last for at least two years. To thank the fans for coming, the band released an EP entitled God Save the Manics with only around 300 EPs available and given out before the gig to fans. After all the copies were gone, the band made the EP available as a free download on their website. The track "Firefight" was debuted at gigs on the Past-Present-Future tour. The three tracks were later released on the Japanese release of Lipstick Traces.
In September 2005, the band contributed the new track "Leviathan" to the War Child charity album Help-a Day in the Life.
In February 2006, the band contributed a cover version of "The Instrumental" to the album Still Unravished: A Tribute to the June Brides.
The band's eighth studio album, Send Away The Tigers was released on 7th May 2007 on Columbia Records. It entered the official UK album charts at #2. Fans and critics alike hailed the album as the bands best for a decade. The following tour was to confirm the band's renewed energy and sense of excitement and purpose. When promoting the album, the band reported that they had thought seriously about "what we do best, what creative peaks we've had, what it was we did to produce our moments of greatness". James added that fans "expect politics and they want amazing rock anthems". A free download of a song entitled "Underdogs" from the new album was made available through the on 19 March 2007. The first official single released from Send Away the Tigers was "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough" which features The Cardigans vocalist Nina Persson. The single charted in its debut week at #26 based on downloads alone before rising steeply to #2 - missing the top spot by only a "couple of thousand" sales . The second single, "Autumn Song", reached #10. A third single, "Indian Summer", was released from the gold-selling "Send Away The Tigers" on 1st October. It entered the UK charts at #22.
On 5 February 2007 the band announced a major UK tour to begin in May. The gigs also included the now-traditional acoustic set by James Dean Bradfield. Support for the tour was provided by the Coventry band The Enemy, as well as Johnny Boy, Kids in Glass Houses, The Strange Death of Liberal England and Fear of Music. In support of the album the band also played summer festivals including WDR Rocknacht in Cologne, Germany (14 April), Rock Ness in Scotland (9-10 June), Greenfield festival in Switzerland (15 June), Hultsfred Festival (Sweden), the twin festivals of Hurricane and Southside in Germany (22-24 June), Glastonbury Festival in England (24 June), T4 on the Beach in Weston-super-Mare, England (22 July), Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan (11-12 August), V Festival in England (18 and 19 August), Tennent's Vital in Belfast (21 August) and Electric Picnic in Ireland (31 August - 2 September).
The band released a Christmas single on 1st December. "Ghost Of Christmas" was available as a free download on the official Manics website throughout December 2007 and January 2008.
On 28 February 2008 the band was presented with the God Like Geniuses Award award at the NME Awards ceremony at the IndigO2, where they played 13 of their most popular songs. Immediately after the awards finished, the band headlined a special gig at the O2 Arena, which also featured Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party, Klaxons and The Cribs. Frontman of The Enemy, Tom Clarke, along with former Catatonia star Cerys Matthews guested during the set, featuring on "You Love Us" and "Your Love Alone Is Not Enough" respectively. The band also played "Umbrella" for the first time. They follow the likes of The Clash, New Order, and the previous year's winners, Primal Scream, in receiving the award.
The band are readying their ninth studio album, tentatively titled Journal For Plague Lovers for spring 2009 release. The album will only feature lyrics written solely by former member Richey Edwards , whose whereabouts are unknown. The album is produced by Steve Albini. According to the band, the album will be a kind of a follow up to The Holy Bible. The album is expected to be released in mid May 2009.
Solo albums
In late 2005, both Bradfield and Wire announced that they intended to release solo material prior to a new album by the band. A free download of Nicky Wire's debut solo offering I Killed The Zeitgeist was posted on the bands website for just one day - Christmas Day 2005. The album of the same name was released in September 2006. It charted at #130 in the UK. The sound of the album, which Nicky referred to as his "nihilistic anti-everything album", was inspired by, among others, Neu!, The Plastic Ono Band, Einstürzende Neubauten, The Modern Lovers, Richard Thompson and Lou Reed. Only one official single was released: Break My Heart Slowly charted at #74. Nicky toured small intimate venues across the UK with his band The Secret Society, affording fans the opportunity of seeing their hero at close quarters.
James' solo album, The Great Western was released in July 2006. It reached #22 in the UK. The sound of the album was inspired by, among others, Jeff Beck, Badfinger, Simple Minds and McCarthy. Two singles were released: That's No Way To Tell A Lie (#18) in July and then An English Gentleman (#31) in September. The latter is in remembrance of the first Manics manager Philip Hall, to whom The Holy Bible had been dedicated. James toured the album with a band that included Wayne Murray, who would subsequently play second guitar for Manics live performances. James' solo gigs featured covers of The Clash songs Clampdown and The Card Cheat, both from the album London Calling.
In a later interview, when the band were collectively asked what they had learnt from making a solo album, Sean Moore dryly quipped, "Not to do one".
Collaborations and covers
The Lightning Seed's song Waiting For Today To Happen, from their fifth album Dizzy Heights (1996), was written by Nicky Wire and Ian Broudie. That same year, James Dean Bradfield and Dave Eringa produced Northern Uproar's first single Rollercoaster/Rough Boys. The 808 State song Lopez (1997) features lyrics by Nicky and vocals by James. It is featured on their greatest hits album 808:88:98. Kylie Minogue's sixth album Impossible Princess (1997) features two songs co-written and produced by the Manics. Some Kind Of Bliss (Bradfield/Minogue/Moore) and I Don't Need Anyone (Bradfield/Jones/Minogue) were produced by James and Dave Eringa. James provided backing vocals, bass and production for the Massive Attack song Inertia Creeps (1998), which features on their chart-topping third album Mezzanine. Patrick Jones' album of poetry set to music Commemoration And Amnesia (1999) features two songs with music written by James: the title track and The Guerilla Tapestry. James plays guitar on both songs. Further, the track Hireath features a section called Spoken Word where Nicky talks about Welsh identity.
In February 2008 the Manics covered Rihanna's hit song "Umbrella". Their version appeared on a CD titled NME Awards 2008 given away free with a special souvenir box set issue of the NME magazine, which went on sale 27th February. Additionally, the Manics' version of the song has been available on iTunes since 5th March . Despite being chart eligible (it reached number 47 in the UK ), the release was not intended as an official single . Two further versions (Acoustic and Grand Slam Mix) were later made available on iTunes and now comprise a three-track Umbrella EP. They performed this song as part of their set whilst supporting the Foo Fighters in June 2008.
Discography
Generation Terrorists (1992) Gold Against the Soul (1993) The Holy Bible (1994) Everything Must Go (1996) This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (1998) Know Your Enemy (2001) Lifeblood (2004) Send Away the Tigers (2007) Journal For Plague Lovers (TBR 2009)
Awards
- One of The Writers' Best Albums (
Everything Must Go) of 1996 - The Daily Telegraph Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Melody Maker Reader's Band of 1996 (Runner Up) & "Writers' Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996" - NME Writers' Best Live Band of 1996 - NME Brat Award "Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Vox Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - The Sunday Times "Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Sky Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 & Readers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Select Readers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Q Awards Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Music Week One of Writers' Top Ten Albums (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Metal Hammer Writers' Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 (Runner Up) - Kerrang! One of Writers' Top Five Albums (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Independent On Sunday Readers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - Hot Press Writers' Best Album (Everything Must Go) of 1996 - The Guardian Best Album & "Best Group" - BRIT Awards, 1997 Best Band In The World Today - Q Awards, 1998 Best Album & "Best Group" - BRIT Awards, 1999 Best Live Act - Q Awards, 2001 Q Merit Award - Q Awards, 2006 Best Track (Your Love Alone Is Not Enough) - Q Awards, 2007 'God Like Geniuses' - Shockwaves NME Awards, 2008
External links
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- At Summer Sonic 2007, Tokyo, Japan
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