James Dean Bradfield: "Manics Didn't Exist As A Band After Richey's Disappearance"
Wednesday, 12 October 2011
Written by Elliott Batte
Manic Street Preachers frontman James Dean Bradfield has revealed that the disappearance of founding member Richey Edwards almost tore the band apart – and it was only because of ‘A Design for Life’ that they stuck together.
Speaking to the NME, the singer and guitarist admitted that following the probable suicide of Richey, the remaining three members no longer considered themselves a band, and more just a trio of mates.
“So it was around about five, six months after Richey's disappearance where we didn't exist as a band,” Bradfield admitted. “But we existed as friends as we always had. We didn't feel as if we were in a band for a long time afterwards.
“I was living in London and Nicky Wire sent me some lyrics in the post. Two sets arrived; one was called 'Pure Motive' and one was called 'A Design for Life'. They both had a hint of violence and reaffirmation about them, what working class attitudes should have.
“And then I atomized the two sets of lyrics and wrote some music to it, which came really easily. I rang (Wire) up and said 'I found the song that will give us reason to exist as a band (again)!’”
Richey Edwards was officially announced ‘presumed deceased’ in 2008. The band released ‘Journal for Plague Lovers’ the following year –an album consisting entirely of Richey’s lyrics.
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