Manic Street Preachers

The Manics began life in 1986 as Betty Blue with James Dean Bradfield on guitar and vocals, Nicky Wire on bass, Sean Moore on drums and Flicker on rhythm guitar. The band changed their name to the Manic Street Preachers in 1988 when Flicker left the band and was replaced by Richey James.

The band gained notoriety in 1991 after the release of the single ‘You Love Us’ on Heavenly Records, when James carved ‘4 Real’ into his arm in an interview with Steve Lemaq who questioned the band’s authenticity. The incident was a sensation for the media and earned them a contract with Sony, who released their debut album ‘Generation Terrorists’ in 1992. Despite claiming that they would disband after one album the Manics released ‘Gold Against The Soul’ in 1993 to mixed reviews. Their third album ‘The Holy Bible’ a bleak, disillusioned record that highlighted James’ state of mind received critical acclaim on its release in 1994. Shortly after the release James went missing after abandoning his car on the Severn Bridge, a spot notorious for suicides, and was later presumed dead by police. The Manics continued as a trio and used James’ remaining lyrics into their ‘Everything Must Go’ album in 1995, which became a huge commercial success. ‘This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours’ was well received in the UK, Europe and Asia upon its release in 1998. More recently the Manics have released ‘Know Your Enemy’ in 2001 and a greatest hits album, ‘Forever Delayed’ in 2003.