The Manic Street Preachers: A Rock History

Study Notes

The Manic Street Preachers

Welsh rock band formed in Blackwood, Caerphilly in 1986.
Members: Nicky Wire (bass guitar, lyrics), James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar), and Sean Moore (drums, percussion, soundscapes).
Key part of the 1990s Welsh Cool Cymru cultural movement.
Became a quartet with the addition of Richey Edwards (co-lyricist and rhythm guitarist).
Early albums had a punk vein, evolving to an alternative rock sound.
Early combination of glam imagery and lyrics about culture, alienation, boredom, and despair gained them a loyal following.
First charting single: "Motown Junk" in 1991.
Debut album: Generation Terrorists released in February 1992.
Other albums: Gold Against the Soul (1993), The Holy Bible (1994).
The Holy Bible marked the last album with Edwards, who disappeared in February 1995 and was legally presumed dead in 2008.
Continued as a trio and achieved commercial success with Everything Must Go (1996) and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours (1998).
Headlined festivals like Glastonbury, T in the Park, V Festival, and Reading.
Won eleven NME Awards, eight Q Awards, and four BRIT Awards.
Nominated for the Mercury Prize in 1996 and 1999 and for the MTV Europe Music Awards.
Sold over ten million albums worldwide.
Number-one singles in the UK charts: "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next" (1998) and "The Masses Against the Classes" (2000).
Number-One albums: This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours and The Ultra Vivid Lament (2021).
Consecutive top 40 singles in the UK from 1991 to 2010 (33 singles).

Early Years

Bradfield and Moore are cousins who lived together after Moore's parents divorced.
Bradfield and Moore wrote the music while Wire wrote lyrics.
Early performances held at the Blackwood Miners Welfare Institute.
Origin of the name is unclear, but a common story is that Bradfield was called a "manic street preacher" while busking.

Early Career

Original bassist, Flicker (Miles Woodward), left in 1988 due to a change in musical direction.
Wire switched from guitar to bass.
First single, "Suicide Alley," released in 1988.
The NME gave "Suicide Alley” a positive review, quoting Richey Edwards, "We are as far away from anything in the '80s as possible."

Richey Edwards Enters

Edwards joined the band after "Suicide Alley".
Edwards contributed lyrics, designed artwork, and drove the band.
Signed with Damaged Goods Records for one EP, "New Art Riot E.P."
Signed to Heavenly Records with the help of Hall or Nothing management.
Single "Motown Junk" was released for the label.
Subsequent single "You Love Us" sampled Penderecki's "Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima" and featured Iggy Pop.
Music video featured Wire as Marilyn Monroe.

Infamous Incident

On 15 May 1991, Edwards carved "4REAL" into his arm with a razor blade during a Norwich Arts Centre gig.
He received stitches in the hospital.
Full-page story about the incident was published in NME, including a phone interview with Edwards.
Recording of the NME editorial meeting about the incident was released on the band's 1992 single, "Suicide Is Painless".

Description

Test your knowledge about the iconic Welsh rock band, the Manic Street Preachers. From their formation in 1986 to their evolution in sound and the poignant story of Richey Edwards, this quiz covers their key albums, singles, and impact on culture. See how well you know their journey through the music scene!