The Story of Manic Street Preachers: Nailed to History
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Product Description
Product Description
In the last two decades, The Manic Street Preachers have established themselves as one of the UK's most 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 - abandoning 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, "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.
Edwards' 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," Nailed to History contains interviews with those close to the band, full album reviews and an up to date discography.
"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, "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.
Edwards' 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," Nailed to History contains interviews with those close to the band, full album reviews and an up to date discography.
About the Author
Author Martin Power has previously written books on Aerosmith, Shane McGowan and David Sylvian - all published by Omnibus Press. He lives in London.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
After nearly buying this several times I finally took the plunge and ordered a copy - largely because I heard it had 'new' (read: previously unseen) photos in it. I'm so glad I did.
Unlike the well known [by Manics obsessives] Everything (A Book about Manic Street Preachers), Martin Power's book is thorough and professional - attributing quotes and refraining from personal reflection and supposition. In particular I found the story of how the band formed - including the brief inclusion of bassist 'Flicker' - to be refreshing in its critical, clear and humorous narrative. Moving methodically through the band's history and concluding with the positive critical reaction Journal for Plague Lovers enjoyed, Power covers all the bases and drops in some wonderful new details about everything from song meanings to bedroom etiquette in the Moore/Bradfield household.
Don't misjudge this book though - it is far from a cold, detached rock-by-numbers-biography. There is real warmth, wit and tenderness in the storytelling. Not shying away from tackling the controversial (investigating just what Nicky meant by his pronouncements on Freddie Mercury/Michael Stipe and how good Richey's defence for using a prostitute in Thailand really was) or intelligently critiquing their failures (Lifeblood, Know Your Enemy) and providing much welcome detail on the darkest and most perplexing chapter in their history (Richey's disappearance), I found myself both laughing and crying as I read.
With the exception of the inexplicable, persistent misnaming of a song from Send Away the Tigers throughout a chapter on the same, this really is a faultless book. Providing new photos, perspectives and facts this is a 'must read' for all Manics fans - whether they have just discovered the band with Postcards from a Young Man or are seeking another book to add to an already bulging bookshelf, there is something here for everyone.
Unlike the well known [by Manics obsessives] Everything (A Book about Manic Street Preachers), Martin Power's book is thorough and professional - attributing quotes and refraining from personal reflection and supposition. In particular I found the story of how the band formed - including the brief inclusion of bassist 'Flicker' - to be refreshing in its critical, clear and humorous narrative. Moving methodically through the band's history and concluding with the positive critical reaction Journal for Plague Lovers enjoyed, Power covers all the bases and drops in some wonderful new details about everything from song meanings to bedroom etiquette in the Moore/Bradfield household.
Don't misjudge this book though - it is far from a cold, detached rock-by-numbers-biography. There is real warmth, wit and tenderness in the storytelling. Not shying away from tackling the controversial (investigating just what Nicky meant by his pronouncements on Freddie Mercury/Michael Stipe and how good Richey's defence for using a prostitute in Thailand really was) or intelligently critiquing their failures (Lifeblood, Know Your Enemy) and providing much welcome detail on the darkest and most perplexing chapter in their history (Richey's disappearance), I found myself both laughing and crying as I read.
With the exception of the inexplicable, persistent misnaming of a song from Send Away the Tigers throughout a chapter on the same, this really is a faultless book. Providing new photos, perspectives and facts this is a 'must read' for all Manics fans - whether they have just discovered the band with Postcards from a Young Man or are seeking another book to add to an already bulging bookshelf, there is something here for everyone.
0 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Poorly written and inaccurate. The second worst book I have read on the Manics. Only redeeming aspect is a few great pictures, but these can be collected elsewhere. Avoid.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
1 review
good bio of a great band
4 Sep 2011
Format:Hardcover
I read this book whilst on holiday a few months ago, it certainly made the plane trip go faster. I have been a big fan of the Manic Street Preachers for many years and this is the first good bio of them i have ever read. I liked how this book was honest about some of their failures and youthful stupidities and didn't just gloss over them in favour of talking about their hits. The parts about the dissaperance of Richey Edwards and the impact it had on the other members of the band were good to. The photos were excellent as well.
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