Manic Street Preachers are a rock group, often colloquially known as The Manics, formed at Oakdale Comprehensive School, Blackwood, Caerphilly, South Wales, UK, during 1986, comprising cousins James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar), and Sean Moore (drums, percussion, soundscapes), with Nicky Wire (bass guitar, lyrics). Following the release of their first single, ‘Suicide Alley’, the band was joined by Richey Edwards as co-lyricist and rhythm guitarist. The group’s early albums were in a punk vein, later broadening to an alternative rock sound, whilst maintaining a leftist politicisation. Their early combination of androgynous glam imagery, with lyrics about ‘culture, alienation, boredom and despair’ attracted a loyal following, giving them cult status.
