Manic Street Preachers, often known as the Manics, are a Welsh rock band from Blackwood, Caerphilly, formed in 1986. The group features James Dean Bradfield on vocals and guitar, Nicky Wire on bass and lyrics, and Sean Moore on drums. Originally a quartet with lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards, the band became known for their provocative lyrics and energetic mix of punk and alternative rock. They gained early attention with singles like Motown Junk and their debut album Generation Terrorists in 1992. After Edwards' disappearance in 1995, the Manics continued as a trio, achieving widespread acclaim and commercial success with albums such as Everything Must Go and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours. Key figures in the Cool Cymru movement of the 1990s, they have played major festivals and won numerous awards, including BRITs, NMEs, and Q Awards. Known for their socially conscious lyrics and anthemic sound, the Manics have had multiple UK number one singles and albums, selling over ten million records worldwide. Their legacy includes a run of consecutive UK top 40 singles from 1991 to 2010, highlighting their enduring influence on British rock.