Manic Street Preachers
Unique and Rare Records
April 2020
Compiled By: Steve Bateman
Dedicated followers of the Manic Street Preachers, will I'm sure, be
up to speed with the array of beautiful, desirable and collectible records
that have been produced for many of the band's releases, throughout
their 30+ years in The Music Industry.
There is even a superb website, that has painstakingly catalogued almost
all of MSP's vast body of work. 'The Love Of... A Discography Of Manic
Street Preachers' http://theloveof.atspace.com/index.htm
is well worth a visit, and by using this and Discogs as resources for
this particular article (massive thanks to both), I have cherry-picked
just a small selection - the tip of the iceberg - of some of the most
distinct, interesting and rare Manics records in existence!
Inevitably though, there are a whole host of potential candidates,
with numerous highly sought-after and valuable releases to choose from.
So to begin with, as part of my introduction, I thought that I would
briefly spotlight some of the Manic Street Preachers' most significant
and famous rarities from the group's pre-Sony Music days.
Firstly, there is the holy grail of collecting - the Manics' self-financed
debut single, Suicide Alley. This 2trk 7" Vinyl was issued in June
1988 via SBS Records while the band were still unsigned, with only 300
copies being pressed - a mere 200 with picture sleeves (as that's all
MSP could afford) and 100 in a plain white die-cut cover. Richey would
even later cut out legendary music journalist, the late great, Steven
Wells' gushing 'NME Singles Of The Week' review of Suicide Alley, published
on 19th August, 1989 (over a year after the 7" had first come out!),
then glue these reviews to what is thought to be around 30 handmade
sleeves. Depending on their condition, any of these three versions of
Suicide Alley 45s can now fetch upwards of £2000 - even more,
if they are also accompanied by one of the fabled hand-written 'Manics
Manifesto' letters, that were posted out with some of them at the time!
Next up, we have the 2trk UK Channel Boredom 7" Flexi-disc, of
which 1000 copies were made and given away free with the March 1990
edition of either the Hopelessly Devoted Fanzine or the Goldmining Fanzine.
The records have a wraparound colour photocopied cover, in a sealable
plastic outer sleeve. Following on from this release, soon afterwards
came the original first pressings of the 4trk New Art Riot EP 12"
(black & white label) + CD (picture disc), which were issued in
June 1990 on Damaged Goods. Then, there was the 3trk Motown Junk 12"
+ CD and 4trk You Love Us 12", CD + 2trk 7", both put out
by Heavenly in January and May 1991, respectively.
*In May 2011, to commemorate Motown Junk's 20th Anniversary, Heavenly
released this classic single as a limited edition 2trk 7" Vinyl
for the first time.
Finally, we round off the pre-Sony Music times, with the 2trk Feminine
Is Beautiful 7". This was issued in July 1991 through CAFF Corporation
- a Fanzine once based in London that belonged to Saint Etienne band
member Bob Stanley. The 45 was limited to 500 copies and only available
via mail order. Again, this is yet another costly collectible for MSP
Fans, going for close to £300 nowadays if in mint condition!
Moving on to the Sony Music era - when the Manics were no longer stars
of the underground and were riding high, enjoying both critical and
mainstream success - a few renowned rarities from the group's longstanding
label, include the Symphony Of Tourette 7" Promo issued in Spring
/ Summer 1993. The scarce promotional Generation Terrorists Singles
6CD grey linen-bound box set, with an embossed silver inner compact
disc holder, issued in Summer 1997, as that's when the six GT Singles
(12,000 of each) were reissued in record stores. And lastly, the out
of print Lipstick Traces 12" Triple Vinyl with a flocked fur sleeve
- a Manic Street Preachers webstore exclusive issued in July 2003 and
limited to 1000 individually numbered copies. These can now sell for
anywhere in the region of £150 - £250. More recently, and
as a counterpart to the 1996 LP with a limited fold-out poster, 2016
saw the release of a 20th Anniversary Everything Must Go baby blue coloured
heavyweight 12" Vinyl (1000 only). Other well-known Sony Music
products which are more easily attainable however, due to there being
much larger quantities, include the gorgeous 12" + CD picture discs
issued between 1992-1994, for Generation Terrorists, Motorcycle Emptiness,
Gold Against The Soul and The Holy Bible.
Then of course, you have all of the commercially available formats,
limited editions, international exclusives, deluxe anniversary editions,
box sets, digital downloads, iTunes exclusives, hardbound books / folios,
'Record Store Day' exclusives, VHS / DVD releases, compilation contributions,
extracurricular projects and myriad of acetates / test pressings, white
labels, promos, samplers, bootlegs etc. However, as there is now in
excess of an eye-watering 700 official releases available! So that this
editorial remains easily digestible, I have decided to mainly focus
on some of the lesser-known, hard-to-find or aesthetically appealing
collectors' items in MSP's rich back catalogue. As their striking artwork
and packaging, coupled with their content, I feel, makes them irresistible!
In chronological order then, here is a condensed list of Manic Street
Preachers rarities that - along with the aforementioned releases - you
will want to own in your record collection...
1. Generation Terrorists - UK Promo CD 5trk Album Sampler (Digipak
sleeve is mustard coloured as was originally intended - pink was an
error by the printers much to Richey's dismay! Little Baby Nothing also
has the 'A Streetcar Named Desire' film dialogue sample preceding the
track, which had to be removed from subsequent represses of GT due to
copyright infringement). Issued in 1992.
2. Generation Terrorists - USA Longbox CD (countless North American
compact disc jewel cases were packaged inside these 12" x 6"
boxes up until the early '90s, so that they could stand together in
pairs and would fit the dimensions of record stores' existing vinyl
shelving. Serving a 'transitional' purpose, Longboxes were expensive
to produce and were eventually considered environmentally wasteful.
For record collectors however, a CD is worth far more if accompanied
by its original Longbox - especially in mint condition! Curiously, at
the behest of the band's American label, Columbia, the US version of
GT was given a revised and rearranged 14 song tracklisting, with 4 songs
also receiving the remix treatment and re-recorded drums. Patrick Jones'
spoken-word poetry was also cut from the intros to Love's Sweet Exile
and Crucifix Kiss, with the latter having additional pronounced piano
plinks during its chorus. The UK b-side, Democracy Coma, was added to
the long player as well. Even the artwork was tampered with, as both
the main sleeve quote, plus each and every quote thoughtfully assigned
to individual tracks by Nicky and Richey, were removed - all without
MSP's consent or final approval! It is rumoured that the record company
felt that these quotes would be "too highbrow" for rock music
fans residing in North America. The front cover also bears the famous
'Parental Advisory Explicit Lyrics' black and white logo. Issued in
1992.
3. Stay Beautiful - USA 5trk CD Single (alternate artwork, due to the
original UK sleeve causing copyright problems in North America and thus
being withdrawn). Love's Sweet Exile - Australia 3trk Promo CD (alternate
brown coloured artwork). Motorcycle Emptiness - Germany 1trk Promo CD
(unique 3.40 radio edit, with alternate artwork also showing German
live tour dates on the back cover). Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless)
- Australia 3trk CD Single (different tracklisting to UK version, includes
the b-sides Spectators Of Suicide (Heavenly) and Starlover). Theme From
M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless) - UK 1trk Promo CD (given away free with
limited copies of Generation Terrorists, factory-sealed together and
also featuring a 'hype sticker'). Issued in 1992
4. Motorcycle Emptiness - Spain 3trk 12" Vinyl (exclusive
sleeve version with an alternate cover). Issued in 1992
5. Various Cassettes - A tiny taster of promotional and commercially
available MCs, all featuring custom artwork: Stay Beautiful - UK 'The
Hit Factory' 3trk Promo. Stay Beautiful - USA 5trk Promo. Motorcycle
Emptiness - UK 'The Hit Factory' 4trk Promo. M*A*S*H - UK 'The Hit Factory'
2trk Promo. Little Baby Nothing - UK 'The Hit Factory' 3trk Promo. Generation
Terrorists - Thailand 18trk Album. Generation Terrorists - USA 14trk
Promo. Live In Japan - Thailand 5trk EP (contains songs recorded live
at Club Citta Kawasaki, 13th May 1992). Roses In The Hospital UK 3trk
Single (due to a barcode discrepancy, it is thought that very few record
stores ever actually received these as physical stock, meaning that
it has now become the rarest commercially available UK MC). Issued in
1992-93.
Selected promotional cassettes and international maxi MCs (with artwork
modifications or exclusive to country of release): Generation Terrorists
- UK 18trk Promo Album. Stay Beautiful - USA 5trk Single. Love's Sweet
Exile - Australia 3trk Single. Love's Sweet Exile - Thailand 3trk Single.
You Love Us - Thailand 4trk Single. Motorcycle Emptiness - Thailand
4trk Single. Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless) - Thailand 3trk
Single. Little Baby Nothing Part 1 & 2 - Thailand 4trk Singles.
Gold Against The Soul - UK 4trk Promo Album Sampler. Roses In The Hospital
- Thailand 4trk Single. The Holy Bible - UK 5trk Promo Album Sampler.
The Holy Bible - UK 13trk Promo Album. The Holy Bible - Thailand 13trk
Album. The Holy Bible - Indonesia 13trk Album. Faster - Thailand 4trk
Single. Revol Parts 1 & 2 - Thailand 4trk Singles. She Is Suffering
Parts 1 & 2 - Thailand 4trk Singles. Issued in 1992-1994.
6. Gold Against The Soul - UK Promo CD 4trk Album Sampler (glossy
Digipak sleeve). Issued in 1993.
7. Sleepflower (edit) - USA 3trk Promo CD (also known as a 'Demonstration
Disc' in North America. Uses a white version of the UK Roses In The
Hospital orange coloured front cover. Musically, James' guitar solo
is truncated, meaning that the song's duration is 4.04). Issued in 1993.
8. Lipstick Traces - Unofficial Euro 18trk 12" Vinyl (includes
early demos and live tracks). Issued in 1993. *Interestingly, the title
Lipstick Traces, was lifted from the cult classic, non-fiction book,
Lipstick Traces: A Secret History Of The Twentieth Century, by the esteemed
American rock-music critic Greil Marcus, which examines popular music
and art as a social critique of Western culture. In 2003, as an homage
to this tome and to the impact that it had on his life, Nicky - like
the '93 bootleg - would even title MSP's very own 35trk b-sides / rarities
compilation, Lipstick Traces: A Secret History Of Manic Street Preachers.
In 2009, Nicky also wrote the foreword for the Twentieth-Anniversary
Edition of Lipstick Traces, revealing: "Some people say a record
or a film changed their life. In my case, it was a book. Greil Marcus's
Lipstick Traces did that back in 1990. It really was that important."
9. Verses From The Holy Bible - UK 4trk 7" Flexi-disc (given
away free with NME - 27 August 1994 issue). M.S.P. done & dusted
- UK 3trk DJ Promo Remixes 12" Vinyl (limited clandestine Epic
(Sony Music) white label with stickered sleeve, featuring remixes by
The Dust Brothers - now better known as The Chemical Brothers). Issued
in 1994.
*DJ Promo Remixes are usually sent to influential dance DJs to play
during their club sets, often with a 'Club Reaction Return' feedback
form included, so that record companies etc. can gauge audience reactions
to specific tracks for market research. On these forms, DJs are required
to complete their name, the club where the song was played and most
importantly, 'Dancefloor Response'. Remixes can also provide artists
with underground credibility, while at the same time, opening up new
avenues of opportunity for them, such as the chance to collaborate with
cutting edge dance acts, who will re-imagine and re-purpose their music
for clubs - potentially gaining them a whole new following in the process!
10. Faster/P.C.P - UK 2trk Promo CD (infrared coloured sleeve).
Issued in 1994. Faster - USA 5trk Promo CD (alternate artwork). Issued
in 1995.
11. The Holy Bible - Canada 13trk CD (withdrawn Tom Lord-Alge
remix).
A small number crept into circulation and surfaced in Canadian record
stores in March 1995, but the pushed back date of July for the full,
widespread North American release was eventually scrapped. The US branch
of Epic decided to pull the plug on the entire THB release / marketing
campaign, citing the Manics' inability to properly publicise the LP
by completing their touring commitments - due to Richey's disappearance
- as the key reason for this. There are subtle sleeve / compact disc
modifications and even though the US Mix is now readily available on
deluxe anniversary editions of The Holy Bible, original 1995 copies
are still craved and continue to sell for around £100). Issued
in 1995.
12. A Design For Life, Everything Must Go, Kevin Carter and
Australia - UK 1trk Radio Edit Promo CDs (alternate colourways to
commercially available 2CD Single Sets. When manufactured, the outer
card pochettes were also given a wraparound sticker with the group's
name and track info - just as the singles were - which also acted as
a seal to prevent the inner wallet holding the CD from falling out.
Also of note - from a purely graphic design perspective - is how the
title, Australia, is nattily flipped upside down as a nod to the land
'Down Under'. On the commercially available formats though, Australia
is printed the correct way round). A Design For Life - Euro 1trk Promo
CD. A Design For Life - USA 1trk Promo CD. A Design For Life - Euro
4trk CD 1. A Design For Life - South Africa 4trk CD 2. A Design For
Life - Australia 4trk CD Single (uses UK inner sleeve artwork). Australia
- Australia 4trk CD Single (uses UK inner sleeve artwork). Issued in
1996
13. Manics DJ Copy - Japan 17trk Promo CD (a compilation that
was released around the time of This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. The
album also includes the non-single, This Is Yesterday, while the front
cover artwork is interchangeable with 3 possible sleeve choices. This
CD is also noteworthy for another reason, as I believe it is one of
the few occasions where the band's abbreviated name, Manics, is actually
printed on a record. Valued at around £100. Issued in 1998.
14. This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours - UK / Euro 9" x 6"
Promo Box (multiple 7trk CD / MC Album Sampler + 13trk CD variants available.
Every copy has an outer cardboard slipcase, inner box, band biography
sheet and an authentic one-off Polaroid taken by Nicky, stuck to the
inside flap). The Everlasting - Netherlands 8trk 2CD Single Set (exclusive
Dutch release with 'hype sticker'. The Digipak contains an empty tray
for CD 2 and both compact discs feature the title track plus three more
live cuts, recorded at the Paradiso, Amsterdam on 9th November 1998.
CD 2 is in a card sleeve and was released separately from CD 1, although
the two CDs were also available as a single 2CD Set). Issued in 1998
15. This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours - USA Promo CD Player Carry
Case (includes the 13trk long player, 5 postcards and a Manic Street
Preachers sticker). You Stole The Sun From My Heart - USA 2trk Promo
CD (alternate artwork). Issued in 1998.
16. This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours - Unofficial Mexico 10trk
12" Vinyl picture disc. Issued in 1998.
17. If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next (3trk CD),
Everlasting (4trk CD) and You Stole The Sun From My Heart
(3trk CD) - Canada Promo Clamshells with picture discs. Only 300
of these sets were apparently made, although this figure has been called
into question by some discerning collectors, as individual Clamshells
rarely come up for sale - particularly the one for You Stole The Sun
From My Heart - let alone complete sets! Having said that, Discogs lists
that one full set recently sold for £399! The story behind these
compact discs, is that a record company executive working for Virgin
Music Canada at the time, was a huge MSP Fan and so wanted to create
an exclusive and special collectible, for both himself and the group's
Canadian label. Some plastic Clamshells are clear, while others are
mainly blue and yellow in colour, so that they complement the picture
discs corresponding artwork. Issued in 1999.
18. The Masses Against The Classes - UK 1trk Promo CD (alternate
artwork). The Masses Against The Classes Euro 1trk Promo CD (Know Your
Enemy style sleeve. In France, this compact disc also came cellophaned
as a freebie with initial copies of the album). The Masses Against
The Classes (Live) - Spain 1trk Promo CD (given away free in record
stores to promote the Manics' forthcoming tour dates). Know Your
Enemy - UK Promo CD 6trk Album Sampler (alternate artwork). So
Why So Sad: Sean Penn Mix Avalanches - UK 1trk 'Abbey Road Studios'
Promo CD-R (alternate artwork). So Why So Sad - Euro 1trk Promo
CD (Found That Soul style artwork). So Why So Sad / Found That Soul
- Euro Limited Edition 2trk CD Single. Ocean Spray - Australia 4trk
CD Single (includes acoustic version of So Why So Sad). Issued in 2001
19. A Collection - UK Promo 2CD - double compact disc compilation
presented in a Digipak, sent by Sony / ATV Music - MSP's music publishers
- to contacts in advertising, television etc. Disc 1 features 10 original
songs, while Disc 2 has 7 remixes. Issued in 2001.
20. Forever Delayed - UK 20trk Promo CD (alternate artwork).
There By The Grace Of God - UK 1trk Radio Edit Promo CD (alternate
artwork). Motorcycle Emptiness - UK 1trk Promo CD-R (contains
the 3.58 radio edit of the 2002 Forever Delayed Remix). Notably, there
is also a UK 2trk Promo CD-R featuring the track Forever Delayed, backed
with the above-stated Motorcycle Emptiness - Forever Delayed Remix,
which is housed in a plain white paper cover with text / PVC sleeve.
There is even an alternate double PVC wallet promo, where both songs
are on separate UK 1trk Promo CD-Rs with an info stickered sleeve. All
three of these promos are exceptionally scarce! Issued in 2002.
Interestingly, to coincide with the group's sold out Winter 2002 UK
Arena Tour, and to also give the song the chance of achieving a much
higher chart placing this time around, it would seem that there may
have once been marketing plans in place, to possibly put out the Motorcycle
Emptiness - Forever Delayed Remix, after There By The Grace Of God?
R*E*P*E*A*T EXCLUSIVE (April 2020) - MSP Producer Dave Eringa on the
2002 remix: "We did do a different version of Motorcycle around
that time - it was the original version, but with the drums replaced
with the drum part Sean plays live and a new mix, but I never liked
the new version and I think the band felt the same, because it was never
used for anything! Sometimes you just try stuff and it doesn't work
out how you imagine!"
Instead, the original 1992 Mix of Motorcycle Emptiness - an untouchable
classic - was released in Europe as a 3trk CD Single in late 2002, which
also included Forever Delayed as one of the b-sides. There are actually
two versions of this CD Single - one is much more common and features
Motorcycle Emptiness, Forever Delayed and a live acoustic rendition
of Little Baby Nothing as Track 3. While the other version, is ultra
rare and has Motorcycle Emptiness plus live acoustic renditions of Faster
and Little Baby Nothing. This CD Single was primarily sold in Finland
and can attract sizeable sums of money!
With regard to Forever Delayed, it is widely-known that at the time,
MSP eagerly wanted this song to be a single and to appear on Forever
Delayed - there are even reports that suggest it was once considered
for inclusion on the Japanese Greatest Hits compilation, as a bonus
track. In a 2006 interview with R*E*P*E*A*T, James reiterated this fact:
"I can't believe we fucking released an album called Forever Delayed,
and had a track called Forever Delayed, and we didn't put it on the
album and we didn't release it as a single!?! I think that's a great
lost single, definitely!"
My theory is, is that Epic (Sony Music) perhaps felt that There By
The Grace Of God had much greater commercial potential and would therefore
hopefully be 'A Listed' on radio playlists, thus receiving substantially
more airplay and becoming a 'Hit'. Which the single was, charting at
#5 on the UK Top 40 in October 2002 and so serving its purpose, by promoting
the Manic Street Preachers' forthcoming Greatest Hits to as many listeners
as possible!
21. Lifeblood - UK 12trk Album Promo CD-R (alternate artwork).
The Love Of Richard Nixon - UK 1trk Promo CD-R (same artwork as used
for the limited edition numbered slipcase, sent to MSP Fans signed up
to the band's mailing list). Empty Souls - UK 1trk Promo CD-R
(alternate cropped artwork). Issued in 2004. God Save The Manics
- UK 3trk EP CD (3000 copies. This was self-financed by the band - catalogue
number MSPCD01 - and given away free to concert-goers, after the final
date of their 'Past / Present / Future Tour' at the London Hammersmith
Apollo on 19th April 2005. This decision proved to be very controversial
however, as boxes of CDs were simply left unattended by venue staff
at the building's exits, with some selfish people taking armfuls of
EPs when leaving and then reselling them on websites such as eBay, at
inflated prices! They remain highly-coveted and pricey to this day.
Fortunately, fans signed-up to the band's mailing list, were also given
the opportunity to receive a copy via mail order on a first-come, first-served
basis, by sending a stamped SAE. Fans could also download a free digital
version of the EP from the official Manic Street Preachers website.
Issued in 2005.
22. James Dean Bradfield / Nicky Wire Solo Careers - The Great Western
UK 11trk Album Promo CD-R (alternate artwork). That's No Way To Tell
A Lie - UK 1trk Promo CD (alternate artwork). I Killed The Zeitgeist
- UK 4trk Promo CD-R Album Sampler (only 10 copies exist, which also
include an original piece of artwork by Nicky. They were given away
in a Guardian Unlimited competition). I Killed The Zeitgeist
- Germany 13trk Album Promo CD-R. The Shining Path - UK 1trk Promo CD-R
(custom artwork by Nicky, very small quantity pressed). Issued in 2006.
Rejuvenated after this period, MSP then dived straight into one of their
most successful and popular eras as a band... Send Away The Tigers
- UK Promo CD-R 4trk Album Sampler (cropped artwork). Underdogs
- UK 1trk Promo CD (exclusive compact disc version, as this song was
only ever released as a limited edition 7" vinyl - 1000 only -
with a free jumbo-sized David LaChapelle quote sticker inside). Issued
in 2007
23. Best Of - Japan 15trk Promo CD-R (a compilation of material
from the Manics' back catalogue, produced as part of the promotional
campaign for the Journal For Plague Lovers LP. Custom printed disc with
title / tracklisting details and a unique, self-contained fold-out poster
sleeve, featuring artwork from all of MSP's records up to and including
Journal For Plague Lovers. Release and discography details are on the
reverse, with all text in Japanese. Also includes the non-single, Rendition).
Issued in 2009.
24. Peeled Apples - UK 1trk Promo CD-R ('focus track', doesn't
include spoken-word sample on album version, very small quantity pressed).
Jackie Collins Existential Question Time (Radio Edit) - UK 1trk Promo
CD-R ('focus track' with custom, copy-edited Richey typewritten artwork,
very small quantity pressed). Issued in 2009
25. Journal For Plague Lovers - UK 13trk CD Album (front cover
was deemed unsuitable for sale in certain supermarkets and so these
copies were packaged in a cardboard slipcase), UK 5trk Remixes EP Promo
CD-R (very small quantity pressed), UK 14trk Remixes Promo CD-R (very
small quantity pressed) and Cooking - Cleaning - Flower Arranging: Journal
For Plague Lovers Remixes 12" Double Vinyl (300 only Rough Trade
Exclusive with sticker-sealed sleeve). The remixes can also be downloaded
from selected streaming services. Issued in 2009
*On the North American version of Journal For Plague Lovers,
all of the sampled sound-bites were removed, most likely because of
issues over international copyright clearance. First pressings of the
Vinyl and CD also come with a download code inside, which at the time,
enabled music fans / consumers to redeem 10 JFPL Remixes. While in Japan,
initial copies of the standard Journal For Plague Lovers release (packaged
in a CD jewel case), came with three 5" x 3" postcards featuring
MSP photographs taken by Mitch Ikeda.
.
26. Postcards From A Young Man - UK 2trk Promo CD-R (custom postcard
artwork, very small quantity pressed). This Is The Day - UK 1trk Promo
CD-R (custom crown artwork, very small quantity pressed). Issued in
2011.
27. National Treasures: The Selected Singles - UK 14trk 12"
Vinyl (released exclusively as part of Q Magazine's 25th Anniversary
and available in selected branches of WHSmith or online. The long player
has a gatefold cover, packaged in a plastic outer sleeve with 'belly
band' and includes Issue 304 (November) of Q Magazine, with Manic Street
Preachers on the front. The Endless Plain Of Fortune (a John Cale cover
version), was previously unreleased and exclusive to this record). Issued
in 2011.
28. On Track With SEAT - UK 4trk 12" Vinyl (all songs were
recorded in the SEAT On Track studio, direct to vinyl in one take, for
the titular television programme. Only 100 were ever pressed and the
very first copy hot off the press, was signed by James, Nicky and Sean.
The TV show is available to watch on YouTube.) Issued in 2011.
29. Rewind The Film - UK 1trk Promo CD-R (very small quantity pressed,
same artwork as Album Promo). Show Me The Wonder - UK 2trk Promo CD-R
(alternate artwork, very small quantity pressed). Anthem For A Lost
Cause - UK 2trk Radio Edit Promo CD-R (very small quantity pressed).
Futurology - UK 13trk Promo CD-R (alternate artwork). Walk Me To The
Bridge - UK 1trk Promo CD-R (very small quantity pressed). Futurology
- UK 1trk Radio Edit Promo CD-R (very small quantity pressed). Europa
Geht Durch Mich - UK 2trk 12" Vinyl (released on Erol Alkan's Phantasy
Sound label, who was commissioned to do 2 remixes of Europa. Limited
to 300 copies). Issued in 2013-2014.
*Something worth mentioning about Promo CD-Rs / CDs, is that due to
the surging growth and popularity of streaming music nowadays, and with
very few physical single releases being made anymore, the production
of promotional discs has been drastically reduced. Sadly, for collectors
/ completists, and certainly with the Manics, after Rewind The Film
and Futurology, there has only been a very small quantity of Album Promo
CD-Rs pressed for each marketing campaign, and none for singles or 'focus
tracks'.
30. No Surface All Feeling - UK 1trk 7" Vinyl (this song was pressed
100 times along with 6 other tracks for the 2018 'Secret 7"' project
https://secret-7.com/ where each pressing of the single, was given a
unique cover by a different creative contributor. The sleeves were chosen
from winning entries by either unknown or renowned artists, designers
and illustrators. All 700 covers were then exhibited at The Jetty, Greenwich
Pier in London, prior to going on sale on 24th Jun 2018 with a £50
price tag, on a first-come, first-served basis, in aid of the mental
health charity, Mind. Buyers dont know who created the artwork
or even which song its for, until they have parted with their
cash - although some sleeves / tracks are guessable. All remaining copies
were sold via an eBay online auction the following week). Issued in
2018 *Sony Legacy were this year's record label partner, hence MSP's
involvement.
31. BONUS ADDITIONS: Assorted UK 12" DJ Promo Remixes Vinyls -
A Design For Life (2trk sticker-sealed die-cut sleeve), Everything
Must Go (3trk sticker-sealed die-cut sleeve), Kevin Carter
(3trk sticker-sealed die-cut sleeve), Australia (3trk sticker-sealed
die-cut sleeve), If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next
(3trk sticker-sealed sleeve), The Everlasting (4trk sticker-sealed
sleeve), You Stole The Sun From My Heart (2trk sticker-sealed
sleeve), Tsunami (2trk sticker-sealed sleeve), So Why So Sad:
Sean Penn Mix - Avalanches (1trk special 3D sleeve), Ocean
Spray: Medicine Remix (1trk) and Let Robeson Sing: Felix
Da Housecat Mixes (2trk). Issued in 1996-2001. Manic Street Preachers
Remixed - USA 9trk Promo CD (contains remixes of selected This Is
My Truth Tell Me Yours tracks). Issued in 1998.
32. Assorted Japan Exclusives (all commercially available, including
a handful of CD Singles with alternate artwork). Gold Against The
Soul - 15trk 2CD Set (includes different band picture discs for
both the CD album and 'Live In Japan' 5trk CD, recorded at Club Citta
Kawasaki, 13th May 1992, plus an expanded 32 page Mitch Ikeda photo
booklet, all housed in a 'Fat Box'). This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours
- 15trk CD (contains a 32 page deluxe booklet and an extra fold-out
21 page booklet of band photographs, in a thick jewel case). Stars
And Stripes: Generation Terrorists US Mix - 8trk Mini-Album CD (original
first pressing includes sticker sheet). You Love Us - 4trk CD
(features an alternate mix of the Heavenly version). La Tristesse
Durera (Scream To A Sigh) - 6trk CD. Roses In The Hospital
- 6trk CD (original first pressing includes a limited edition circular
shaped booklet). A Design For Life - 4trk CD. Everything Must
Go - 4trk CD. Further Away - 4trk CD. Nobody Loved You
- 4trk CD (uses The Everlasting artwork). Know Our B-sides -
7trk CD (with 1 CD-ROM Video). Forever Delayed EP - 6trk CD (with
2 CD-ROM Videos). Issued in 1992-2003 *Although not pictured, the Japanese
release of Theme From M*A*S*H (Suicide Is Painless) has the b-sides,
Never Want Again and Dead Yankee Drawl, which both have slightly reworked
intros compared to the versions that appear on Part 1 of the UK CD Single
for Little Baby Nothing. One of the b-sides from the Slash N' Burn UK
CD Single, Ain't Goin' Down, is also included.
33. 'MANICS 4 REAL' - Japan Limited Edition Paper Sleeve Mini-Vinyl
LP Replica 2CD Sets: Generation Terrorists, Gold Against The Soul,
The Holy Bible, Everything Must Go, This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours,
Know Your Enemy, Lifeblood and Send Away The Tigers (8-part
reissue series, remastered with b-sides from respective eras not included
on Lipstick Traces. Each record also comes adorned with a traditional
wraparound OBI strip and a pair of booklets, containing brand new liner
notes written in Japanese). Issued in 2009
*In Japan, music fans / consumers are encouraged to purchase more expensively
priced domestic releases, be it albums, mini-albums, eps or singles
- rather than importing cheaper CDs - with the inclusion of additional
'Bonus Tracks' as an incentive. With MSP, these have typically been
studio recordings that are, or will eventually be, b-sides in the UK.
Sometimes however, the tracks do remain exclusive to Japan, such as
The Soulmates and Antarctic (Lifeblood), Alien Orders / Invisible Armies
and Primitive Painters (Journal For Plague Lovers), plus Mirror Gaze
(Resistance Is Futile). Also of note, is how the deluxe editions of
Rewind The Film and Futurology, even have a number of exclusive 'Live
At The O2' songs which were recorded during the Manic Street Preachers'
for one night only concert: 'A Night Of National Treasures - The Complete
Singles Live' on 17th December 2011. So, although a mixture of 'Live
At The O2' tracks are available via UK deluxe editions and official
digital downloads, in order to add more to their MSP Collections, fans
will need to buy the above-named Japanese CDs. Unusually though - and
for those keeping a checklist - the full 38 song set list is yet to
be completed.
34. Assorted International Cassette Exclusives. A Design
For Life - Australia 4trk Single (forest artwork). Australia
- Australia 4trk Single (sheep artwork). This Is My Truth Tell Me
Yours - Turkey 13trk blue coloured MC. This Is My Truth Tell
Me Yours - New Zealand 15trk Album (alternate sleeve design, also
including 2 bonus b-sides). Acoustic Versions: Carlsberg Cool Party
Manic Mania - 4trk Thailand Promo. Forever Delayed - 20trk Malaysia
Album. Lipstick Traces - Indonesia 35trk Double Album. Lifeblood
- Indonesia 12trk Album. Issued in 1996-2004
35. Assorted Reissues with special packaging. Everything Must Go
- UK 12trk 'Carbon Neutral Entertainment Range' CD. Forever Delayed
- UK 20trk 'Discbox Slider' CD. Original Album Classics - UK 3CD Box
Set (single sleeve CDs resembling Mini-Vinyl LPs but without booklets,
as full album credits are to be accessed online). Everything Must
Go - UK 12trk 'Travel Wallet' (manufactured by TravelTunes and comprised
of a plastic EMG travel card holder, with a full album download code
inside). Generation Terrorists - UK 18trk 'London Rocks! Music
Made In The UK' CD (Digipak released during the lead up to the 2012
Summer Olympics, as part of a wider Sony Music marketing campaign).
Issued in 2007-2012.
36. Assorted Promos & Samplers with unique artwork, song edits /
mixes or titles. New Art Riot EP - UK 4trk White Label 12"
Vinyl. You Love Us (Heavenly) - UK 1trk Radio Edit 7" Vinyl
(500 copies pressed). Motorcycle Emptiness - Spain 3trk 7"
Vinyl. Gold Against The Soul - Australia 10trk Advance Cassette.
From Despair To Where - UK 1trk CD. From Despair To Where
- Spain 1trk 7" Vinyl (uses Gold Against The Soul artwork). La
Tristesse Durera (Scream To A Sigh) - UK 1trk CD. La Tristesse
Durera (Scream To A Sigh) - USA 1trk CD (uses From Despair To Where
artwork and the title is reversed). Roses In The Hospital - UK
1trk 'The Hit Factory' Radio Edit CD-R.
A Design For Life (working title) - UK 4trk Album Sampler Test
Cassette. Everything Must Go - Euro 12trk CD. This Is My Truth
Tell Me Yours - New Zealand 13trk CD-R (possibly has the original
running order, as track 1 is Ready For Drowning, track 4 is The Everlasting,
track 6 is Black Dog On My Shoulder and track 11 is My Little Empire.
The full South Yorkshire Mass Murderer title is also used). James Dean
Bradfield: The Great Western (untitled at this stage) - UK 5trk
CD-R Album Sampler. That's No Way To Tell A Lie (Guy Massey Mix)
- UK 1trk CD-R. Nicky Wire: The Shining Path (I Killed The Zeitgeist's
working title) - UK 13trk CD-R. The Great Western / I Killed
The Zeitgeist - Japan 27trk CD-R (includes both James and Nicky's solo
albums together, along with 'Japan Only Bonus Tracks', on the same compact
disc). Although not pictured, there are also a couple of German Promo
DVDs (without artwork)... James Dean Bradfield: The Great Western
- 30min Interview EPK. Nicky Wire: Break My Heart Slowly - 1trk
Music Video.
Forever Heavenly - UK 5trk CD-R (contains tracks recorded live
at the Royal Festival Hall, London on 12th September 2008 to celebrate
18 years of Heavenly Records). Postcards From A Young Man (Instrumental
Versions) - UK 12trk CD-R (there is also a UK 18trk Interview CD-R available).
This Is The Day - China 2trk CD-R. Rewind The Film - UK 12trk
CD-R (As Holy As The Soil (That Buries Your Skin) has an intro featuring
a sample from the Captain Beefheart song, The Dust Blows Forward 'N
The Dust Blows Back, which had to be removed from the official release).
Issued in 1990-2013.
Steve Bateman
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