Manic Street Preachers Biography

The band landed its first record deal in 1990, signing to the indie label, Damaged Goods. Their sound drew on a polemic of Public Enemy and the rock 'n'roll excess of Guns 'n Roses, laced with the darker tones of Brit acts such as the Smiths and Joy Division. The band quickly became a favourite of the media, with statements and stunts like "every band should break up after one album” and Richey James carving "4 Real" into his arm during an interview.

In 199,5 the year after the release of the band's third album, 'Holy Bible', Richey James disappeared. No one knows what happened to him. He is assumed dead, though apparently he talked a good deal about how you could just disappear, shortly before he did just that.

In spite of James' absence, the Manics continued as a trio, releasing 1996's 'Everything Must Go', a huge commercial and critical success in the U.K. Their latest two albums were similarly successful. During their 2001 world tour, the Manic Street Preachers became the first major rock band to play Cuba in over two decades.