1990Timeline

Jan 1986 | James Dean Bradfield busks in Cardiff town centre including songs such as 'Garageland' by The Clash. A tramp calls him a, 'Manic street preacher'.
Jan 1988 | James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore, Flicker (Miles Woodwood), Nicky Jones and Nicky's girlfriend, Jenny Watkins-Isnardi, start a band called, 'Betty Blue' named after a French film. Nicky and Jenny split up, and the band continue as a four-piece.
Dec 1988 | Bradfield and Richey Edwards (A friend of the band) get into a fight on Richey's birthday outside a McDonalds. James Dean Bradfield's jaw is broken and he cannot sing for several months.
March 1989 | The band record four tracks at the Workshop studios, Redditch.
Jun 1989 | Flicker leaves the band and the band continue as a three-piece, recording two tracks at the South Bank studios in Cwmfelinfach.
Aug 1989 | 300 copies of Suicide Alley/Tennessee (I Feel So Low) are sent to agents, record companies and journalists. The photograph on the cover is taken by Edwards and is a copy of the first Clash album. NME call it their single of the week.
Sep 1989 | The Manics play their first London gig in a pub called, 'The Horse and Groom' in Great Portland Street.
Dec 1989 | Edwards joins the group as joint lyricist with Jones, and as rhythm guitarist, despite him not being able to play a single chord.
Jan 1990 | Ian Ballard of Damaged Goods offers the band a deal to release an EP.
Jun 1990 | New Art Riot EP is released on Damaged Goods.
Jul 1990 | Phillip and Martin Hall watch the band rehearse in Wales. Phillip asks the band to play at London's Rock Garden. Heavenly Records show interest in the band.
Oct 1990 | Ten songs are recorded in London's Power Plant studios.
Dec 1990 | The band play at Heavenly's Christmas party at the Camden Underworld. Phillip Hall has become their manager and will spend �45,000 in the hope to break them into mainstream music.
Jan 1991 | Motown Junk is released on Heavenly.
March 1991 | The band leave the country and play at the Paris Locomotive.
May 1991 | You Love Us is released on Heavenly.
Richey Edwards at a gig in Norwich, carves '4 REAL' onto his arm infront of Steve Lamacq, to prove the band are, 'for real'.
The band are signed by Columbia/Sony for �250,000.