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As the number of books about the Manics multiplies like scars on a Richey obsessive's forearm, we chaired a debate between three of the most prominent recent authors on the band: Simon Price, author of Everything: A Book About Manic Street Preachers, Mick Middles, author of Manic Street Preachers: A Book About Manic Street Preachers and Jenny Watkins-Isnardi, author of In The Beginning: My Life As Some Bird in Blackwood Who Briefly Dated Nicky Wire When He Was a Spotty Teenager. We hope that this meeting of minds will shed some light on Britain's most culturally important rock band.
CHAIR: So, perhaps we can begin by asking, what is the significance of the Manic Street Preachers today at the beginning of the new millenium?
JENNY: See that Nicky Wire? I snogged him, I did....
SIMON: Fickle wench! Do you know how many Manics gigs I've been to? I've been to the pub with Sean, I have! I think I can safely say that I'm not only the leading authority on the Manics, but also the greatest author since Shakespeare. And my make-up is pretty damn cool as well.
JENNY: ...I even let him feel my jubblies...
SIMON: Can I also mention that my tiara is mighty impressive? I'm mates with Nicky Wire, you know. And Patrick Jones sucks up to me because I'm the only critic who gave his play a good review.
MICK: I think it's important to look at the background the Manics came from. You only have to look at their harsh upbringing in Blackpool...
JENNY: I've hung out with James Dean Bradfield. I've drunk pints with him.
SIMON: Fools! Don't you realise that I am the greatest journalist in existence? Kneel and pray at the hem of my leopardskin tunic!
CHAIR: If we can draw ourselves back to the subject of the band themselves....
MICK: I think we have to consider the enormous impact made by their guitarist Edward Richey, and his disappearance by the Tyne Bridge
JENNY: Ooh, I've met Richey as well, but I didn't get to snog him.
SIMON: Enough of this! I've gone the past ten minutes without anyone telling me how great I am! I'm off to find some impresssionable teenage Manics fans to perv over. (flounces out)
CHAIR: Jenny, can I ask you what your opinions are on the the Richey phenomon and the so-called 'culture of despair' that has grown around him?
JENNY: Buggered if I know. I've been in Cuba for the past ten years. What instrument did Richey play, then?
MICK: The whole issue of despair is integral to the whole status of the band, and is closely linked to their origins in Scotland...
(Continues ad infinitum, ad nauseam. For future instalments see the bargain bin at Woolworths.)
Retreat in existential terror to the womb
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