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 1 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,Journal For Plague Lovers, will be released on 18th May 2009 and feature lyrics left behind by Edwards.
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
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