Stay Beautiful: A Post For Richey Edwards

It was 1992, and I was immune to the charms of Manic Street Preachers. I thought they were just rock posturing. My partner at the time, A, loved them. So, since we both made a little fanzine, we managed to get an interview in Dundee with Richey Edwards. I was determined to give them a chance. As soon as we walked into the dressing room, and this impossibly beautiful, warm young man smiled at us, I began to understand. He was as articulate as he was sweet. Far from the tortured, fragile and effete stereotype from the music press, he was also very funny. Even though I transcribed the interview, we didn’t get the issue out. So here,belatedly, is a truncated version of the interview. Richey, we may never know what happened to you, but this is for you.

Richey: Where are you both from?

Lorna: A is from Dundee, I’m from a small town near here. There’s nothing going on there.

R: Same here. Growing up in Blackwood, there was football and rugby and music. That was it. That’s why I decided to get out and get my degree in poltics.

A: I wanted to ask about early influences?

R: Punk and metal, obviously. Glam. And literature. Poetry like Rimbaud and Sylvia Plath. It became obvious to us that stereotypes persist of metal kids, you know, if you’re spotty with greasy ginger hair and you’re into Sepultura, you’re powerless, so you might as well form a band. We’ve known each other since we were kids. We were determined to do something.

L: I once read that Hanoi Rocks were described as, “the welding factor” for punks, skins, metal kids etc. Is that what you set out to do?

R: Yeah! Definitely. We’re trying to bridge that gap and bring as many people as possible together, we want to reach as many people as possible.

Manics pictured by Tom Sheehan

A: What do you think about the press saying you’re nihilists?

R: Yeah…They’re missing the point. Nihilism is not the sum total of what we are. We’re not in the business of telling people what to think (very impishly, mischievous grin )… like James, or something.

L: Urgghhh. James. Can’t stand them.

R: Me too. We’re not role models for anyone. We wanna be more like The Clash, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Public Enemy. Shake tthings up a bit. Anti-establishment.

We agree. Richey gives us some beer from the impressive rider, we have a few drinks and then discuss how the best bands come from industrial towns and cities. We then chat about the gig. And that’s pretty much it. Thanks to everyone around Manics HQ, we got there in the end. I’m just sad it took over thirty years. I still miss Richey Edwards, and his softly-spoken eloquence.