1. Nicky Wire was co-writer of the band's lyrics from 1989 to 1995, and has been the band's primary lyricist since 1995, following Edwards' disappearance.
18 Facts About Nicky Wire
1. 2.
Nicky Wire attended Oakdale Comprehensive School with James Dean Bradfield, Sean Moore and Richey Edwards.
3.
Nicky Wire played competitive schools football and, aged 14, was captain of the Welsh national schoolboys' team.
4.
Nicky Wire later attended Portsmouth Polytechnic, but after several months transferred to the University of Wales Swansea, starting his course a year after Edwards.
5.
Nicky Wire is a founding member of Manic Street Preachers and was originally rhythm guitarist but changed to playing the bass guitar after original bassist Flicker left the band.
6.
Nicky Wire co-wrote the band's lyrics with Richey Edwards between 1989 and 1995, taking over sole responsibility following Edwards's disappearance.
7.
Nicky Wire remains the primary lyricist for Manic Street Preachers, though lead singer James Dean Bradfield has written a handful of songs, and the 2009 album Journal for Plague Lovers contains lyrics by Edwards posthumously used by the rest of the band.
8.
Nicky Wire usually plays Gibson Thunderbird, Rickenbacker, Fender Jazz and most recently Italia Maranello basses, one of which is a custom acoustic model made by request for the band's 2007 acoustic sessions.
9.
Nicky Wire often dons a dress or a skirt for his group's gigs but has curtailed his flamboyance in recent years.
10.
Nicky Wire is notorious for his outspoken attitude and has been known to cause controversy in the press.
11.
Nicky Wire once stated during a 1992 gig, "In this season of goodwill, let's pray that Michael Stipe goes the same way as Freddie Mercury pretty soon".
12.
On Christmas Day 2005, the Manics posted a solo track by Nicky Wire called "I Killed the Zeitgeist", available to download free for one day.
13.
Nicky Wire played an intimate solo gig at the Hay Festival on 5 June 2006.
14.
COM before the gig, Nicky Wire confirmed that he was currently working on a solo album and he'd already written 25 songs.
15.
Nicky Wire married his childhood sweetheart, Rachel, on 25 September 1993.
16.
Nicky Wire missed the band's appearance on Top of the Pops to promote "Roses in the Hospital" because of the honeymoon and was replaced on the day by a Manic Street Preachers roadie wearing a Minnie Mouse mask.
17.
Nicky Wire follows the Welsh rugby union team, Whiteheads RFC and Dragons.
18.
Nicky Wire is a fan of Warrington Wolves rugby league team, as well as being a supporter of football team Tottenham Hotspur, from whom he turned down an offer of a trial as a teenager.