Manic Street Preachers were formed in 1986 in Blackwood, Wales. Composed of James Dean Bradfield (lead vocals, lead guitar), Nicky Wire (backing vocals, bass guitar), Richey Edwards (rhythm guitar) and Sean Moore (drums), they released three albums between 1992 and 1994. The band quickly became known for their anger, punk-influenced sound, political lyrics, and live performances. Songwriting duties were shared across the band: Edwards and Wire wrote most of the lyrics, while Bradfield and Moore composed the music.

On 1 February 1995, Richey Edwards disappeared after checking out of a hotel in London. He was to fly to the US to promote the band’s new album, The Holy Bible. Despite an investigation and several clues and possible leads, Edwards' fate is unknown. The band continued to perform and record Edwards' songs, and for many years paid royalties into an account in his name.

In the aftermath of Edwards' disappearance, Wire became the band’s sole lyricist. Among the band’s hit songs from this period (the late 1990s) were “The Masses Against the Classes”, “Your Love Alone Is Not Enough”, and" If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next“. Their albums Everything Must Go and This Is My Truth Tell Me Yours also rated high in the charts.

In 2008, nearly 14 years after his disappearance, Richey Edwards was declared to be presumed dead under English law. The band turned a folder of Richey’s writings into songs and released Journal For Plague Lovers, which was the Manics' most critically-acclaimed album since The Holy Bible.

The band continues to write and record new music; their most recent album, The Ultra Vivid Lament, was released in 2021.