| In my opinion one of the most influential bands of my generation, although there is no way i can hope to create a fitting tribute to the manics myself. i have included some links to websites of people who have done a much better job of this than i have on my links page. The manics began as a group of friends from a small welsh town who, bored with their peers lifestyle choices of being drunk and stupid decided to be drunk and educated, and so educated themselves in James bedroom from an early age. In 1989 they released suicide alley, their debut suicide alley, citing influences from public enemy, the clash and guns and roses amongst others. they released an e.p, new art riot in the early 90's on a small, independant label but signed to sony, who released their first album Generation Terrorists, explaining that if they didn't move to a bigger label their message wouldn't reach the masses. Their next album, Gold against the soul, was recorded in decadent surroundings and many fans beleive that this is their worst album. In 1995 they released their next album, The Holy bible, was their 'darkest offering yet' and has recently been voted in Kerrangs top 50 albums. On februray 1st 1995,shortly before the manics were due to embark on an american tour, the guitarist and lyricist (the bassist, Nicky Wire also writes the lyrics) Richey Edwards went missing. Their are many veiws on what has happened to Richey, some believe he jumped off the Severn Bridge and commited suicide, others belive that he has simply run away from it all, and will return. Of those who believe that he commited suicide many also believe that the album The Holy Bible was a suicide note, whilst others believe it was a cry for help. Richey is officially declared dead by the courts on february 1st 2002. The manics returned as a three piece with the album Everything must go and were the 'darlings of british music'. This album was written almost entirely by Nicky, but the track 'small black flowers..' stands out as being a track written by Richey, and is the only other Manics song to date that would fit into the track list of The Holy Bible. Their next album, This is my truth, tell me yours is along similar lines as Everything must go, and had a largly 'indie' sound to it. Their latest album, Know your Enemy, is a (in my opinion) triumphant return to form, sounding a lot like the 'old manics', and with Nicky even wearing dresses again. James Dean Bradfeild said that "we can't go on forever, some of our [political] ideas are becoming quite quaint and our fans...don't want us to be standing on a stage saying 'heres a hit we once had called design for life'" on the channel four documentary 'Our manics in havana' about their recent perfomance in Cuba, where they met Fidel Castro, one of Nicky's heros. Click here to see pictures of the manics all of which are 'borrowed' from other peoples sites. To find out more about the manics please also visit my links page where links to all the pages i have taken photos from or which will provide more information about the manics can be found. thankyou. For up to date manics news go to http://www.cultureofdestruction.cjb.net |
| Click here for excerpts from the NME |
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| Go off now, to Waterstones or something and buy 'Everything, a book about the Manic Street Preachers' by Simon Price or 'Sweet Venom' by Martin Clark but dont get 'In The Beggining : My Life With The Manic Street Preachers' by Jenny Watkins Isnardi |