Nailed to History: The Story of the Manic Street Preachers

Description

In the last two decades, Manic Street Preachers have established themselves as one of the UK's more enduring, intelligent and credible rock groups, with nine Top Ten albums, 16 Top Ten singles, three Number Ones and a brace of Brit Awards. But that quest for greatness has seen the band follow a difficult, sometimes torturous path, with one of their number - the gifted yet deeply troubled Richey Edwards - abandon that quest altogether for destinations still unknown. Nailed To History traces the slow yet inexorable climb of the South Wales band from their late 80s origins as glam punk inspired, though critically derided 'Generation Terrorists' to their current position as respected art rock intellectuals - a fact underlined by 2009's award winning disc, A Journal For Plague Lovers. It also examines the life and complex personality of Richey Edwards, whose highly politicised, morally disquieting wordplay defined much of the Manics' early appeal - his personal demons writ large across 1994's "dark masterwork", The Holy Bible. Edward's evermore extreme behaviour culminated in his sad, strange disappearance on February 1, 1995 and forced the colleagues he left behind to re-examine their very purpose before making a triumphal return with 1997's million selling Everything Must Go. A story of "blood, honour and enduring friendship" marked with "tales of boredom, alienation and occasional despair," Everlasting contains interviews with those close to the band, full album reviews, an up to date discography and rare and unseen photos of the band.

Martin Power has worked as a journalist for over 15 years and written well-received biographies on Jeff Beck, David Sylvian, Aerosmith, Queen, Shane McGowan and Pearl Jam - all published by Omnibus Press. He has lived in North London all his life.