Manic Street Preachers Manic Street Preachers Manic Street Preachers are a Welsh rock band, formed in 1986 in Blackwood, Caerphilly and consisting of cousins James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar), and Sean Moore (drums, percussion, soundscapes), plus Nicky Wire (bass guitar, lyrics). They are often colloquially known as The Manics. Following the release of their first single, "Suicide Alley", the band was joined by Richey Edwards as co-lyricist and rhythm guitarist. The band's early albums were in a punk vein, eventually broadening to a greater alternative rock sound, whilst retaining a leftist politicisation. Their early combination of androgynous glam imagery and lyrics
The Preachers attention of manager Jerry Fonarow. Through connections in the music industry, the group signed a recording contract with Moonglow Records. For their debut single, the Preachers recorded a rendition of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love?", which music historian Tony Viscounti described as "jettisoning the (very little) subtlety and nuance of Diddley's original, the Preachers produced harmonies that sounded like they were clearing their throats, a surf-guitar break, and an effect as though keyboard player Rudy Garza was bashing his instrument while wearing boxing gloves". The band performed the song on the television program, "Shivaree", showcasing Fortunato's over-the-top vocals and