- Paperback: 304 pages
- Publisher: Virgin Books (20 May 1999)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0753501392
- ISBN-13: 978-0753501399
- Product Dimensions: 23.2 x 15.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 129,461 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Aside from the non-eponymous title (the band's name is relegated between parentheses), the striking thing about Everything is the cover, which strangely lacks a photograph of its subject, almost unheard of in the field of popular music biography. Instead displayed are four shirts, which although they personify the Manic Street Preachers' early punk philosophy and ferocious energy, the image is perhaps ironic for a group that has been anything but faceless or nameless throughout its history. Simon Price's debut biography is a well-researched, detailed chronicle of the Manics' smalltown Welsh roots and their rise to fame and easily excels the glossy biography-by-photograph books previously published on the group. Price, a music journalist and self-confessed nail-painter, follows the Manics' early career at the turn of the decade through to the release of their fifth album This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours at the end of the 90s. Vividly portraying their struggle for success on their own terms, he takes us through the downbeat period of The Holy Bible (an album featuring such cheery themes as prostitution, self-mutilation and Holocaust death camps) and goes some way to clarifying the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of band member Richey Edwards in 1995. He then describes the Manics' difficult decision to continue life as a three-piece and highlights their magnificent 1996 Everything Must Go revival which saw them take their rightful and of course contradictory place among the rock establishment, typified by the acceptance of two Brit Awards in 1997. Written with a perfect blend of fan enthusiasm and journalistic objectivity, Price eloquently explains the Manics' appeal but is also quick to point out the band's faults and hypocrisies such as deriding "corporate rock" while at times wholeheartedly embracing it (albeit with Nicky Wire's audacious disclaimer "we reserve the right to contradict ourselves"). The biography also contains 10 analytical essays, a comprehensive discography, a list of fan Web sites and some classic photos (including the infamous shot of Richey's mutilated arm). The Manic Street Preachers may not be the spark that ignites the revolution but compared to the mediocre debris that fills much of the pop world, they blaze with dignity. Everything is a very real account of their life and achievements. --Robert Brookes
Product Description
Described as'Rock Book of the decade' by the Guardian in London, this is the fascinating story of this number one- selling, award-winning UK band. Beginning with their childhoods in South Wales, Simon Price traces the lives of the band through their early days, the mysterious disappearance of their songwriter, Richey Edwards, and concluding with the release of their multi-platinum album "This is My Truth Tell Me Yours." Classic photos, unseen rarities -- including exclusive pictures from the band's official photographer -- and the most comprehensive "Manic Street Preachers" discography ever published, make this book unmissable. Has sold over 20,000 copies since its original publication in 1999 Written with the full co-operation of the band, their families, their friends and colleagues in the music industry.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My dear friend Fiona from Newcastle turned me on to the Manics in 1992 and their first San Francisco show that year (in the wake of the L.A. riots) remains one of the most powerful I've seen. How fitting, then, that Fiona should send me this book in my Christmas package. Simon Price makes a compelling story even more so with his riveting writing style, lust for detail, insightful analysis, and insider's view. He whisks the reader from Blackwood bedrooms to the world stage and misses nothing along the way, thank God. Who better to even attempt to take on such a task than Price, a gifted writer whose love for the band imbues the story but who can also provide objectivity and constructive criticism?
Buy this book if you're mad on the Manics and just try to put it down. Buy this book if you're a casual fan or have never heard of them and see what you've been missing.
Buy this book if you're mad on the Manics and just try to put it down. Buy this book if you're a casual fan or have never heard of them and see what you've been missing.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book does what few other articles, books, interviews or programmes have ever done: look beyond richey. For once we find out what james and nicky are actually like (though we may never know what sean is like). By doing this, the author utterly comprehends the needs of fellow manics fans - to gain further insight into their beloved band. Fact is often mixed with opinion: for example, Price (thankfully) has the guts to lambast wire's 'I love hoovering, me' catchphrase.
We are still offered insight and analysis into richey and his infamous disappearance, though here it is brief and thorough, rather than hyped and melodramatic, as is often the case.
Perhaps the best thing about this book is the speed with which we read about the band's ascent. everything happens quickly. I knew just about everything in the book, but still I read on to find out 'what happened next!' 'Everything' isn't perfect - there are several historical innacuracies and, sorry for sounding uncultured, but the essays are often plain boring, but it remains a fascinating read for old, new, and non fans.
We are still offered insight and analysis into richey and his infamous disappearance, though here it is brief and thorough, rather than hyped and melodramatic, as is often the case.
Perhaps the best thing about this book is the speed with which we read about the band's ascent. everything happens quickly. I knew just about everything in the book, but still I read on to find out 'what happened next!' 'Everything' isn't perfect - there are several historical innacuracies and, sorry for sounding uncultured, but the essays are often plain boring, but it remains a fascinating read for old, new, and non fans.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A great book in itself from a pure history point of view, i have been a fan of the maincs since the holy bible era and have always been keen to pick up info about their early life as a band. Price gives a good account of the early days and betrays - to me at least - a love of those days as opposed to what the band have subsequently become. He appears to gloss over the more recent events of the band which to my mind suggests that he is not as keen on the three piece manics as he was on the full set. This possibly related to his severe crush on richey, who he feels is an extremely beautiful person. This detracts from the book to a certain degree but not so great that it effects it's enjoyment, as long as you take it as the views of someone who was there rather than an objective narrative of the band. the chapters follow well and the insights into the individual memebers of the band are extremely interesting - to me at least more so than the history chapters, as to a certain degree most people are aware of these anyway. Price gives the impression that he is very close to the manics, it would be interesting to see how close to them they thought he was? The irony of the book is that the content suggests that the author could never be as close as he implies because they are a very closed group, however if he was not as close to them as implied how could there be so much insight unless it was invented hmmmm
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The title says it all!!!!!!!!
Excellent book for any Manics fan it is a must read couldnt put it down. Written by a fan whom we have seen at gigs and approved by the band.
Published on 9 Jan 2010 by Mrs. J. Cavanagh
like its title says
If you have to own just one book on MSP, this is the one.
An updated version will be appreciated, but MSP after The Holy Bible are something else, so ... Read more
An updated version will be appreciated, but MSP after The Holy Bible are something else, so ... Read more
Published on 11 Mar 2007 by Stefano Galli
Brilliantly written and hugely interesting!
With all the manics books avaliable to buy, this one has to be the most honestly written and acurate of them all, its the kind of book that once you pick up to read, your hooked... Read more
Published on 1 Oct 2004 by "alexsadler"
THE BEST!!!!!
I love this book,if you wanna know anything about the manics this book more or less tell's you,from where they hung around as kid's 'peny fan pond' to the dissapearence of one of... Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2003 by "thurston_whore"
Brilliant for people who need to catch up
This book is great! I was too young to be into the manics when they were a 4 piecebut this book makes you wish that you had been there. Very compelling and hard to put down
Published on 26 Nov 2003 by Sally Akeroyd
The best book ive ever read.
If you are interested in the Manics this is the only book to by right now.
The Manic Street Preachers were always different. Half Rock band, half cultural essay. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2003 by Jean Bradbury
A mediocre account of Price's history with MSP
It has always been argued that no one can be objective about a subject that interests them in any way. Simon Price, a self-confessed manics fan from day one is a perfect example. Read more
Published on 15 July 2003
excellent read for anyone interested in music
Although this book would probably appeal to Manics fans, I have to say I wasn't a fan as such when I first started reading it. Read more
Published on 15 Jun 2003 by Candyflower
Great detail and understanding of the manics' history
'Everything' is an excellently worded journey through the complete history of the manics.Almost everything you could dream to know is written here in this book and practically... Read more
Published on 14 Feb 2002
It's Just Not All That
A disappointing book. As a recent Manics fan, I'd been told that this book is THE source, the real deal for information about this band. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2001 by SummerHope
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