Blackwood's finest play their album 'The Holy Bible' in full this week. James Manning looks at what's changed since its release in 1994.
Then - The Astoria
Now - The Roundhouse
The Manics played two nights at the Astoria in December 1994. As well as songs from their bleak and furious new album 'The Holy Bible', the set lists included a cover version of Wham!'s 'Last Christmas'. At the Roundhouse next week they'll be playing 'The Holy Bible' all the way through, then a second set of newer material from their latest record 'Futurology' (but probably no Wham!).
Then - The 'glam terrorist' look
Now - The 'trendy dad' look
When the band appeared on 'Top of the Pops' in 1994, James Dean Bradfield sang through an IRA-style balaclava. Now you're more likely to find him in a nice shirt from Next, though Nicky Wire still has a thing for feather boas.
Then - Andrew Weatherall
Now - Erol Alkan DJing
Bugged Out founder Alkan takes to the decks as the Manics' support act for two of next week's shows. (Weatherall, who DJed at the Astoria shows, is back for a set too).
Then - Four Manics
Now - Three Manics
Suffering from depression and alcoholism, the band's main lyricist Richey Edwards disappeared near the Severn Bridge six months after the album's release. He was presumed dead in 2008.
Then - Railing against the Tories
Now - Railing against the Tories
Their Welsh working-class background made the Manics fiercely anti-Thatcher. Only last year they released a song called '30-Year War' about the Iron Lady's ongoing legacy. The balaclavas are gone, but some things never change.
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