1.To begin with, if it was R*E*P*E*A*Ts round, what drink
would you have and which song would you choose on the pub jukebox?
James: I would have a Double Jameson or Penderyn Whiskey with
6 cubes of ice and ginger. And on the pub jukebox, I would choose either
the Theme From The Rockford Files or Darling Be Home Soon by The Lovin
Spoonful.
2.NME has just released a 3CD compilation entitled NME Classics
which features a timeline of legendary songs from The 70s,
80s and 90s. But if you had to pick 1 defining song for
each Decade, what would they be?
Nicky: The 70s God Save The Queen. The 80s
Sweet Child O Mine. The 90s Live Forever.
3.Liverpool was recently voted as "England's Most Musical City"
in a national campaign set up by the Arts Council but is this
the city that you would have chosen?
James: On the basis of The Bunnymen and The Mighty Wah!, Liverpool
deserves it!
4.Do you think indie music is now beginning to return to its independent
roots, and is there a particular record label that you have long admired?
Nicky: Independence is a state of mind. I have long admired the
record labels, Heavenly, Rough Trade, 1965, Mute, Creation and Touch
And Go.
5.A number of music critics have stated that rock n
roll didnt become interesting until the British got hold of it.
Would you say thats true?
Nicky: For me, the most exciting post modern intellectual lyric
is Help! and A Day In The Life is the most modern song ever recorded.
But in answer to your question, I dont know?
6.Do you feel the role of Pop Culture in society is different now,
and if people were to take one thing from the Manic Street Preachers,
what would you like it to be?
Nicky: Manic Street Preachers is about thought, knowledge, care,
detail, loyalty, anger and hate.
7.When musicians write and record songs, its a well-known fact
that some come easily and naturally, whereas others have to be laboured
over until theyre finally right. When this happens to you, which
is the more fulfilling?
James: The music to Faster took a week and roundabout 20 rewrites.
The music to A Design For Life took 10 minutes. Both felt the same
pure elation!
8.Can you reveal any details about the new MSP album musical
direction, song titles etc. as well as the rumoured release of a Deluxe
Edition of This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours?
James: (left unanswered)
9.In your opinion, whats the best documentary / film that has
ever been made about a band?
Nicky: Some Kind Of Monster Metallica. The Filth And The
Fury Sex Pistols. One Plus One The Rolling Stones / Jean-Luc
Godard.
10.Which non-musician do you think has had the greatest impact on The
Music World?
Nicky: John Peel and Jack Kerouac.
11.A lot of your songs have memorable guitar riffs, but what do you
think are some of the greatest riffs of all-time and of all your
guitar parts / solos, which are you most proud of?
James: Some of the greatest riffs of all-time are
My Favourite
Game by The Cardigans Good Times Bad Times by Led Zeppelin
Satellite by the Sex Pistols The Light Pours Out Of Me by Magazine
Into The Valley by The Skids Jailbreak by Thin Lizzy
Limelight and Closer To The Heart by Rush Chelsea Girl by Simple
Minds Start Choppin by Dinosaur Jr.
12.Whats the best guitar shop that youve ever been to?
James: One in Tokyo, but I cant remember the name...
13.And as an avid collector and connoisseur of guitars, is there a specific
model that you would still love to own?
James: I would love to own Steve Jones original white custom.
14.Do you have a favourite magazine cover featuring the Manics, and
if you could write the perfect headline for an MSP article what would
it be?
Nicky: Select 94 / 95? NME Los Angeles and Reading Frocks 97.
15.Your records have always had thought-provoking titles, but are there
any LP titles that you find inspiring?
Nicky: Daydream Nation Sonic Youth. Sandinista!
The Clash. Urban Hymns The Verve. I Am A Wallet McCarthy.
16.As a band that has ceaselessly taken great care and pride in your
artwork, which artists / groups from the past and present, do you feel
have had the best sleeve designs?
Nicky: New Order, The Jesus And Mary Chain, Echo & The Bunnymen,
Suicide, Lou Reed and Shellac.
17.The Internet and Social-Networking Sites have drastically changed
the relationship between musicians and music fans, but had things been
this way in MSPs early days, do you think this is something that
you would have embraced / utilised a lot more, along the lines of your
old fan newsletters?
James: Ask The Wire, I am useless.
18.Whats the strangest rumour or untruth that youve ever
heard about the Manic Street Preachers?
James: (left unanswered)
19.John Lydon famously said, Anger Is An Energy. But
is there a quote that you would like to be remembered for?
Nicky: I Love Hoovering.
20.On a similar note, most fans are aware of the onstage rants that
you now regret having, but is there one in particular, where you still
stand by every word?
Nicky: How about, If you own an Ocean Colour Scene record
then get out! Cardiff CIA 97 / 98? Or, Snow Patrol
are vile!
21.As one of the most renowned make-up wearers in music, who for
you have been / are some of the top androgynous rock stars of all-time?
Nicky: David Bowie, the bloke in Mud, Kurt Cobain and me.
22.Having now collaborated with / produced other musicians and written
music for some of Patrick Jones Plays, are there any other projects
outside of the Manics that you would be interested in pursuing in the
future?
James: Soundtrack for Patrick Jones first major film (one
day). Or something for a Marc Evans film or an Aleksandr Sokurov film.
23.Youve recorded songs with Traci Lords, Sophie Ellis-Bextor
and Nina Persson, but if you could handpick one of your favourite bands
to record a duet with one of your favourite female singers, who would
they be?
James: Nina again.
24.After your fantastic cover of Rihannas Umbrella, if you
could select any artist or group to cover an MSP song, who would you
choose and which track?
Nicky: The Fall Wattsville Blues. PiL Archives Of
Pain. The Cardigans Kevin Carter. Public Enemy Repeat.
25.Wheres the most unusual place that youve ever heard
a Manics song?
Nicky: America.
26.What have been some of your favourite gigs that youve attended
as a fan over the years, and who for you, have been / are some of the
greatest frontmen and frontwomen in the history of popular music?
James: Edwyn Collins + The Rocking Birds at the Forever Heavenly
Festival this year. Echo & The Bunnymen at Bristol Colston Hall
85 / 86 cant remember which year?
27.If you had to award one artist or band with an Ivor Novello, who
would it be?
Nicky: McCarthy and Billy Childish.
28.And if you had to place 5 MSP songs in a time-capsule for future
generations to hear, what would they be?
Nicky: Yes, Your Love Alone Is Not Enough, Small Black Flowers
That Grow In The Sky, I Live To Fall Asleep and Motown Junk.
29.To date, what do you think has been the ultimate rock n
roll statement?
James: God Save The Queen Sex Pistols.
30.Lastly, if a Pub Quiz Music Question was asked about the Manic
Street Preachers, what would you like it to be?
Nicky: Who is the greatest Welsh band of all-time (apart from
Badfinger)?
A very special thanks to James and Nicky, to Gill
and Liz @ Hall or Nothing, to the Manics Manager Martin and to
Rosey, for all of their time and help. Stay Beautiful.
www.manics.co.uk
www.myspace.com/manics
"I knew I belonged to the public and to the world,
Not because I was talented or even beautiful,
But because I had never belonged to anything or anyone ever."
- Marilyn Monroe
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