Features: Why I want the Manic Street Preachers to be huge in America, and why I don't. By Maya Garcia
It's no secret that I love the Manic Street Preachers, or 'Manics,' as they're more affectionately known by their legion of fans. I've made that pretty clear, to most of my family and friends. But what I haven't explained to very many people is why I'm such a passionate supporter of this band of 'rebels' from Blackwood, Wales.
First of all, the Manics often say the things most people are afraid to say. They are 'rabble rousers,' disrupters in the truest sense of the word. They 'preach' about everything from the subjugation of women to the globalization of the world's economy, in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. That might have something to do with the fact that Nicky Wire, bassist and poet laureate of the band, was a political science major at University. And it shows. But what I also love about this band are their sense of style, their 'DIY punk destruction,' 'fuck it all' attitude. They don't care who loves them, and who doesn't. That's always refreshing in an industry that, frankly, gets on my last nerve with kowtowing to public demand. It may have hindered their success in America to a certain extent, but they don't care.
Having said that, they have been doing a bang-up job, publicizing the North American leg of their most recent,'The Holy Bible' tour. In honor of the 20th-anniversary reissue of that album's posthumous release. I had the opportunity to see the Manics play in my hometown of Chicago, at the Metro, as part of the tour. Needless to say, they rocked- hard. They played 'The Holy Bible' in its entirety. In addition, they added a few other choice gems. 'A Design for Life,' and 'You Stole the Sun From Heart,' a nod to the dearly-departed former rhythm guitarist and co-lyricist Richey Edwards, who disappeared just shy of the Manics' U.S. Tour in 1995. Even folks who don't know the Manics' music know of the disappearance of Edwards, who was presumed dead in 2008, after the search officially ended. While it adds to their legend, you sometimes forget the impact it had on the lives of those he left behind. I can't help but wonder- would the Manics have been as at least as popular in America as a few other British bands, such as Blur or maybe even Radiohead, had Richey not disappeared? I've also wondered if perhaps one day he'll just show up out of the blue like Syd Barrett did. Who knows for sure? He could be selling alpaca meat in Patagonia (where many Manics fans fantasize he ended up escaping to) for all we know. But one thing's for sure- the Manics were never going to be an easy sell to the American market, who prefer their British bands 'shoegazey,' or 'floppy-haired' and pretty. The Manics' brand of piss n' vinegar, in-your-face politics, sleazy-glam sex appeal and openly-Marxist views, might leave a bad taste in the mouth of some American music journalists. But not this one. I say bring it, motor-mouthed, sex on long-legs, Nicky Wire, silky-voiced, charming as all get out James Dean Bradfield, and co.! Except for one problem- the sense of ownership I seem to have with this band, after having been their supporter and champion for nearly 20 years. What's a girl to do? I've spent so long talking them up and defending them on two continents, if they suddenly became famous in America I'd have to find some other band to champion. And God forbid, what if they stopped being- controversial?! My poor little heart can't even fathom the notion!
So while I genuinely wish them every success on both sides of the pond, I do hope they never lose their spitfire attitude and 'manic' energy. May they retain their constant need to right the wrongs of our society because somebody's gotta do it. And this girl isn't well-known enough to be the only one constantly getting up on her soapbox for causes! So keep on, keepin' on, boys, and Godspeed! Stay beautiful. xxx
It's no secret that I love the Manic Street Preachers, or 'Manics,' as they're more affectionately known by their legion of fans. I've made that pretty clear, to most of my family and friends. But what I haven't explained to very many people is why I'm such a passionate supporter of this band of 'rebels' from Blackwood, Wales.
First of all, the Manics often say the things most people are afraid to say. They are 'rabble rousers,' disrupters in the truest sense of the word. They 'preach' about everything from the subjugation of women to the globalization of the world's economy, in an entertaining and thought-provoking way. That might have something to do with the fact that Nicky Wire, bassist and poet laureate of the band, was a political science major at University. And it shows. But what I also love about this band are their sense of style, their 'DIY punk destruction,' 'fuck it all' attitude. They don't care who loves them, and who doesn't. That's always refreshing in an industry that, frankly, gets on my last nerve with kowtowing to public demand. It may have hindered their success in America to a certain extent, but they don't care.
Having said that, they have been doing a bang-up job, publicizing the North American leg of their most recent,'The Holy Bible' tour. In honor of the 20th-anniversary reissue of that album's posthumous release. I had the opportunity to see the Manics play in my hometown of Chicago, at the Metro, as part of the tour. Needless to say, they rocked- hard. They played 'The Holy Bible' in its entirety. In addition, they added a few other choice gems. 'A Design for Life,' and 'You Stole the Sun From Heart,' a nod to the dearly-departed former rhythm guitarist and co-lyricist Richey Edwards, who disappeared just shy of the Manics' U.S. Tour in 1995. Even folks who don't know the Manics' music know of the disappearance of Edwards, who was presumed dead in 2008, after the search officially ended. While it adds to their legend, you sometimes forget the impact it had on the lives of those he left behind. I can't help but wonder- would the Manics have been as at least as popular in America as a few other British bands, such as Blur or maybe even Radiohead, had Richey not disappeared? I've also wondered if perhaps one day he'll just show up out of the blue like Syd Barrett did. Who knows for sure? He could be selling alpaca meat in Patagonia (where many Manics fans fantasize he ended up escaping to) for all we know. But one thing's for sure- the Manics were never going to be an easy sell to the American market, who prefer their British bands 'shoegazey,' or 'floppy-haired' and pretty. The Manics' brand of piss n' vinegar, in-your-face politics, sleazy-glam sex appeal and openly-Marxist views, might leave a bad taste in the mouth of some American music journalists. But not this one. I say bring it, motor-mouthed, sex on long-legs, Nicky Wire, silky-voiced, charming as all get out James Dean Bradfield, and co.! Except for one problem- the sense of ownership I seem to have with this band, after having been their supporter and champion for nearly 20 years. What's a girl to do? I've spent so long talking them up and defending them on two continents, if they suddenly became famous in America I'd have to find some other band to champion. And God forbid, what if they stopped being- controversial?! My poor little heart can't even fathom the notion!
So while I genuinely wish them every success on both sides of the pond, I do hope they never lose their spitfire attitude and 'manic' energy. May they retain their constant need to right the wrongs of our society because somebody's gotta do it. And this girl isn't well-known enough to be the only one constantly getting up on her soapbox for causes! So keep on, keepin' on, boys, and Godspeed! Stay beautiful. xxx