The Gutless Wonder

James Dean Bradfield for me. He turned 40 in February so I hope he can be included!

Yes, it's been a hard week for us Manics fans and now they've had to cancel their gig in Thailand because of the situation over there.

A troubador from the Shetland Islands, Scotland who I saw supporting Runrig in Nottingham last year. His voice has a lovely lilting Scottish accent and his songs are very good too. Website is - www.malachytallack.com I have his album Edges & Spaces and songtitles include - Conscript Let It Fall Blue Skies More Than Memories Sunset On Union Street

Oh yes! Home of the mighty REM!

Haven't heard those other songs so will definitely check out their Myspace page now! Been meaning to for ages!

Which songs did you listen to Farin? Glad you like them!

Dunno if this has been mentioned but the Manics versions of Umbrella, Pennyroyal Tea, Been A Son are better than the originals in my opinion.

Tolerate was the song that got me into them! But I remember a colleague at work saying he was disappointed with Truth after EMG and everything. I guess it's just different tastes. Alot of people preferred the harder sound of the earlier stuff. I appreciate all their eras! Oh well, you can at least say you had the chance to support them even though it didn't happen in the end. Do you still play any musical instruments yourself? I expect you probably do!

Been trying to get The Midnight Organ Fight in HMV for ages now, may have to order it in.

One of my favourite songs EVER! Absolutely beautiful and haunting. Thanks for the breakdown of the lyrics!

Nicky is a good lyricist too, I sometimes think he feels a bit under pressure because of how people feel about Richeys lyrics.

Hope I'm allowed to mention singers from 80's, 90's, 00's as well on this! Mine are - James Dean Bradfield Frank Sinatra Elvis Gordon Lightfoot Jeff Lynne Geddy Lee Bryn Terfel Ian McCulloch

I've never felt the obsession with Richey myself though I know alot of fans have. Obviously I respect him loads for his importance within the band and the fact that he was their friend. I'm obsessed with James Dean Bradfield, I think he's an amazing singer/guitarist and just a thoroughly nice bloke. Sean and Nicky are great too of course. All four of them have made the Manics what they are and that's why I'm looking forward to the new album so much because it will be like a tribute to Richey.

I'm sure you will love them! They were great live too!

Maybe one of these days you might feel like dusting it off again! Know it takes a certain mood to listen to it.The Manics do seem to have inspired and continue to inspire this obsessiveness!

Noooooooooooooooooo! You didn't? When did you hear about them becoming big? 1996? I hope you didn't kick yourself too much. I'd never heard of them before 1998 (not properly anyway!).

Thank you! Know someone on another forum who is from the same town as the band so trying to galvanise as much interest as possible! Haven't got any of their records yet but am looking out for them!

The song I mentioned on my first post Let The Sirens Rest is excellent. Would have liked to have got some more of their records but didn't have enough cash with me at the gig. Haven't got round to checking on what they're up to via the internet at the mo'. Probably will now! All the songs on the album I have are really good, here's some of the song titles - Believe What They Decide Estranged Walls Nothing In Our Way Night Vision Meaning To Say Let Up Type A

Can't see a search forum option so apologies if this band have already had a mention earlier in the forum! Frightened Rabbit are from the Selkirk area of Scotland and are comparable to Idlewild, maybe with a slightly more poppy edge to them. Apparently are gaining popularity in the US but not so much over here so trying to garner them some support. Their latest album is called The Midnight Organ Fight and the songs I have heard on their Myspace page are really good. Website is - www.frightenedrabbit.co.uk

Just thought I would give a shout out to Now It's Overhead who I saw supporting Idlewild in March last year. They're a band from Georgia, USA and I would describe them as REM meets a British Indie band such as British Sea Power. (Not quite as kooky as BSP but you get the idea!). Songs are very beautiful and anthemic, especially Let The Sirens Rest from their Dark Light Daybreak album. Website for the band is www.nowitsoverhead.com. Think they've done around three albums and would probably go down quite well in Britain if they had more exposure over here.

Looking forward to the new Manics album which should be particularly interesting as they will be using the lyrics that Richey Edwards left behind. Some people are a bit nervous about it but I have complete faith in them!

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone! Wasn't sure where the best place to post this was! Yeah, If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next is my fave Manics song as it's the one with which I discovered them, thus my username, The Gutless Wonder after the lyric in that song! Look forward to much musical chat on this forum!

My best ever concert that I went to was Manic Street Preachers at Birmingham NIA last year. Amazing!

Who on this forum are fans of the Welsh wonders? New album using Richeys leftover lyrics being produced by Steve Albini. Question & Answer interview with James and Nicky on REPEAT fanzine website.