Manic Street Preachers burst onto the music scene in the early nineties as a working-class quartet of fresh faced punks adorned in eyeliner and spray paint. The furious political diatribes of their early work soon morphed into melancholic anthems that filled sports stadiums and arenas the world over.

The Manics as they're more fondly known have continued to bridge the gap of indie credibility with mainstream success, never compromising on their need to fuse intelligence and political fire with a good pop hook and a face-melting riff. This book takes the reader on a chronological journey of the band's major successes, their necessary failures, and their highs and lows as a great Welsh rock band.

Now published in their second editions, and in partnership with the Official Charts Company, 'Modern Music Masters' is a series of books about the artists you know and love, or are discovering for the first time. With a strong focus on the UK charts, placing the artists in a social and political environment, MMM do not claim to be exhaustive, but offer an accessible route into the music and the history.

Stephen Lee Naish is the author of 'Riffs and Meanings', as well as several books on film, music and pop culture. 'Modern Music Masters - Oasis' was published in October 2020, MMM - Blur and Pulp, in November 2020 and December 2020.