Manic Street Preachers' James Dean Bradfield talks guitar and plays Manics hits

Full interview in Guitarist issue 385, on sale 22 August 2014
Gear demos playlist: goo.gl/30cAf Subscribe for more from Guitarist: goo.gl/2PRXE
James Dean Bradfield picks out a few choice guitars from his formidable collection and plays parts from Motorcycle Emptiness, Slash 'N' Burn, A Design For Life, My Little Empire, Kevin Carter and This Is Yesterday.
Buy Guitarist magazine in print and digital forms: www.myfavourite...
Visit our website: www.guitarist.c...
Facebook: / guitaristmagazine
Twitter: / guitarist_mag

[@NonbelieverCoUkmusic]

James Dean Bradfield doesn't get the recognition he deserves for his guitar playing.

[@mojopin70]

His playing is really good, great riffs , and well structured songs.

[@MattJames1958]

Massively underrated

[@mojopin70]

He's really good, great song writer, and a great vocalist clean and powerful.

[@thathurtabit]

@Billy Borgan Well, he was the songwriter, just not the lyricist - although he's done that too.

[@bwyd]

@Billy Borgan You're right but to me especially in pop music composers are cleverer than lyricists. At their best the Manics could count on both talents which is quite rare nowadays. Whatever James's music has been one of the most inspiring musicians to me. The true leader of this...underrated band.

[@craigm6921]

My James Dean Bradfield anecdotes: 1. Mid 90s: I was behind him in the queue at M&S in central Cardiff. He was buying a yoghurt. This must've been around the time they were recording Everything Must Go. Can't remember what flavour; might've been rhubarb. 2. 2019: I was browsing guitars in a guitar specialist shop somewhere in South Wales. I turned around and there he was. I said hello & we chatted about telecasters for about 5 minutes. He put me totally at ease and is absolutely a genuine and humble guy - which is surprising given his immense talent, but not so surprising given where he grew up. He's just an all round awesome human being.

[@darylcastillo1439]

This man is my hero, and probably the most underrated frontman ever.

[@migueltorres8078]

Daryl Castillo agree!!!

[@オタって行こう]

Daryl Castillo I think so. Even so, Kevin Carter is his favorite song?

[@kevinkibble8342]

Immensely talented singer, immensely talented guitarist, and never gets the accolades he deserves for The Holy Bible being such an incredible album.

[@Bleak5170]

One of the best songwriters of this generation IMO.

[@Simon-SBL]

Only underrated by those that don't really matter, us fans, however, know better!

[@alyssarobertson1354]

"here's what the riff goes like, from slash n burn, if i can remember it" *JDB goes on to play it PERFECTLY*

[@secallen]

I don't understand why people call JDB underrated. Everyone I know rates him, and not just as a guitarist - he's an awesome singer too - and a fking immense composer. So much talent in one person, but humble with it. If he was an asshole, he'd be a celebrity, maybe that's what people mean by underrated.

[@munckymagic]

I agree, and you smacked the nail on the head with that last sentence.

[@candyskin1]

munckymagic I totally agree with both of you, thats an absolutely perfect posting from secallen.

[@bert6762]

Spot on

[@vampirehawkgirl]

A lot of people get underrated get confused with overlooked

[@PointlessSillyName]

secallen Humble is the word! My mate and I worked in his house for weeks a few years back. He was at home most of the time and if you didn't know what he did for a living (he kept one acoustic in his front room, and that was it - no rock paraphernalia anywhere) you'd assume he was just a really nice guy who worked in an office somewhere. There isn't an ounce of pretention in the man. And he makes a tidy cup of tea too!

[@tz125r]

The chord structure to Kevin Carter is both complex and so creatively masterful. This man is an underrated genius .

[@Johnboysmudge]

fucking legend. this video is about 2 hours too short

[@manorbier]

James Dean Bradfield is a living legend. Incomparable

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

That’s overstating it. A living legend who is incomparable is someone like Bob Dylan and I don’t think Bradfield would remotely suggest he’s in that league!

[@DaveDexterMusic]

@@MarlboroughBlenheim1 no, but the audience makes a living legend, not the legend's opinion of themselves. if bob dylan wouldn't suggest he's in that league, and I've no idea if he would or not, it wouldn't STOP him being a living legend

[@nigellambert6701]

Your correct.

[@youwinoneinternets]

Love the little nod to John Frusciante there. JDB is a criminally underrated guitarist.

[@emptysresponse]

John Frusciante is a musical genius, as is JDB.

[@Robcatist]

He is indeed!!! And a all round nice geezer....I know cause I’ve met him.

[@dukeofpearl]

Robcatist and he’s a Nottingham Forest fan which makes him even more cooler!! ✌🏻

[@evilotis01]

game recognize game

[@xjack4255]

He's a great admirer of John Frusciante I believe.

[@danielgorman8725]

That Kevin Carter riff is really unique....love it!

[@SavoPaddy]

0:32 Motorcycle Emptiness 1:57 Design for Life 3:16 Slash and Burn 4:57 My Little Empire 5:37 Kevin Carter 8:49 This is Yesterday

[@fiddygd8304]

Thanks man.

[@Johnlemmo451]

Apologies didn't realise you'd already done this when I did mine above.

[@Edgar_Randolph]

Thank you.

[@ViolenceJackie]

Wouldn't be making music if it weren't for this chap. Biggest inspiration of my life.

[@maveybabyMD]

Ditto

[@tomasringstrom9380]

My best friend who is no longer in this world went to britain and worked in a guitar shop in doncaster in the 90s.. I think it was called music ground.. when he came back to sweden he brought these guys music with him, totally obsessed about it.. didnt get it at first but it grew on me .. These days this music has a special place in my heart

[@lornaborgdebattista7298]

James is a guitar genius. Yet he seems so humble. I wish certain pop singers could take a lesson re chord progression and lyrics. Long live James and the Manics.

[@guilelme]

I started to play guitar because of this guy.

[@Stratman389]

Guilherme Ogawa same here

[@christianewen3227]

Me too 👍🏻

[@kevincarter2020]

Me 3

[@stefsandinista4264]

Me 4!!

[@MattJames1958]

Me 5!

[@oldschoolm8]

He's a really good guitarist. It's easy to just focus on the great, higher register vocals but the playing is really solid with some nice little arpeggios and riffs. In all honesty, this style of playing interests me so much more than wanky noodling!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

Jez Creed That's the thing, all well known guitarists are well known for doing memorable stuff. Chuck Berry doing that rolling intro of "Johnny B Goode" or Link Wray doing that two chord three strums that is "Rumble" It's simple but it catches people's attention. Ritchie Blackmoore is the kind of guitarist who can (And will) play hundreds of notes per minute but where do people know him from? "Smoke on the water" which is dead simple.

[@imemyself2820]

Its very hard to be lead guitarist and lead singer.

[@ianclements47]

I couldn't agree more. his guitar playing is what hooked me into this band.

[@GlassSuperstar]

Steve Gad Amen

[@muzzer27_]

It's all about emotions it evokes. Technical stuff is ok, but if it's technique for techniqes sake, it's just useless noise making, nothing else. The 'motorcycle' riffs are incredibly emotional. All it takes is the right three or four notes, those are usually the most memorable ones.

[@davidmunoz8215]

The guitar part on the chorus of Kevin Carter is just genius

[@ascent7]

how he does what he does live AND SING is beyond me..JDB IS up there witth anyone

[@krischarlton7637]

Den Brodie he's the best frontman / song craftsman to come from Britain in the last 30 years, and there's been some good ones. Bellamy, Yorke.............. Martin!

[@nigellambert6701]

Seen them live. He is just the best. The melodies and guitar playing, the vocals. It pushes every button on point. The last album, the piano playing. Still classic JDB tunes.

[@cyrilandshirley]

I love this. He makes everything sounds totally fresh, like it was written yesterday, and it gives me shivers. Sometimes forget how amazing that riff from Slash and Burn is.

[@burkezillar]

I heard that James also has the same broom for 20 years, its had 7 new handles and 13 heads.

[@Quattro79]

After this is it still the same broom?

[@NIMRODakaNIMROD]

@@Quattro79 It is the Broom of Theseus...

[@mikhailwesthallen4356]

Trigger'-ed

[@AnthonyMorgan1982]

Meanwhile Nicky has to make do with the same ‘arl hoover

[@itsMrNoble]

You’ve had the same broom for 20 years, mate, if anyone has...

[@albuxtoni]

Those first arpeggios of A Design For Life still send shivers down my spine. Always the signal that it's sadly the end of your gigs though, such an awesome & emotional track. An ode to all us common working class folk. Cheers fellas.

[@steviesedge]

Richard Buxton I was at Southampton gig in 2005, and Design for life was one of the first songs, I was a bit taken a back. Lol. I think they played Motown Junk as the close

[@rax816]

Not sure i count as working class but i did buy the single when it came out aged 14. At the time I think Oasis were always a band who got more working class support, the Manics having too much of a cerebral edge for the mainstream.

[@shane505]

Saw them live once, amazing. He did the ME riff hopping around on one leg in a circle. Fucking incredible.

[@anationrisingmusic]

Quite simply my favourite guitarist and frontman of all time. And the reason I play a white Custom.

[@almostideal1306]

I met him a few times in the late 90's, seriously the nicest guy ever.

[@akf2000]

his Les Paul has had 4 pickup changes and a new neck, a bit like Trigger's broom

[@philkearney0577]

Asif Khan he could probably get a decent tune out of trigs broom too

[@sevensixsixtwo]

First thing I thought of!

[@steviesedge]

He said the neck was broken twice, jesus, I thought I had bad luck with my neck break.

[@chrisbroxton2813]

Asif Khan best comment on KZbin

[@PeteWizzle]

Do you have a picture?!...

[@davidarmstrong6153]

Don't even know how many times I've watched this video.. I do know I'll be watching it for as long as it's up here. The quiet genius of JDB

[@RealReado]

JDB has that rare ability of not just being a great singer, but an accomplished guitarist. I love how he combines gentle arpeggios, a keen sense of melody, yet can rip out a big solo from his Les Paul Custom.

[@ndrinks5550]

This is amazing but the bit where James starts singing Kevin Carter is pure goosebumps.

[@TimFisheroo]

I don't know a thing about playing guitar but surely James is one of the top guitarists working in popular music today. What a cool dude.

[@RayzaEFC]

Yer he's a top guitarist mate that's coming from a guitar player

[@davarjos]

He's been doing itv long time.. but has mastered the guitar

[@henrikrdstherchristie9553]

I've seen Johnny Marr play with The The on the Mind Bomb-tour. I've seen Bernard Butler play with Suede in Brixton Academy in 93. Black Francis/Pixies on the Doolittle-tour, and loads of other personal guitar heros through the years. But my nr.1 guitar moment is this man. Some time around 2012 Manics played in Oslo. His guitar suddenly fell out. The way he actually sang the guitar lines to fill in the missing sound on Motorcycle emptiness...and seamlessly started playing when the sound was back...Just an amazing musician and man. There is no musician alive today that i respect more.

[@garyjovanovitch3863]

Majorly under rated songwriter of the 90's, This is yesterday is a beautiful song.

[@paulconnelly4050]

This was a real treat. Kevin Carter especially.

[@jupitermoongauge4055]

James is provably the most modest musical geniuses of all time. Such a creative guitar player and amazing composer of incredible music, not to mention one the most unique and accomplished vocalists of the last 30 years

[@rosinjohnson2471]

Why have I only just found this? I fucking love JDB.

[@2010welshy]

It's about time james started getting the recognition he deserves!my favourite guitarist & singer,the man is a genius!

[@rockefeller5248]

What a beautiful riff. This guy is like a music machine. Every song by the Manics has the catchiest guitar riffs ever

[@Mysterywhiteboy78]

This is Yesterday is such a beautiful song, and incredibly sad when you think of Richey. I still have the original cd bought in 1994 ( Holy Bible)

[@matdur2000]

Motorcycle Emptiness giving me shivers after more than 30 years. They ushered in the new millennium for me and my mates at the National Stadium, pretty fucking epic

[@simonguitarman]

Johnny Marr would have been proud of that "Kevin Carter" chord sequence.

[@ianandy1234]

I agree great tune, only song they did that was any good

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

@@ianandy1234 Dickhead.

[@jakedibiase7404]

@@ianandy1234 FALSE.

[@ianandy1234]

@@mobsiesixsixsix9785 hilarious! A manic street preacher fan called me a dickhead, That’s made my day, thanks 😂

[@mobsiesixsixsix9785]

@@ianandy1234 Just wondering, where are all your songs? You know, so I can decide if you're either a virtuoso and have the right to your opinion or you're just another dickhead who thinks his taste in music is the only one that matters.

[@Burns1993Joe]

Such an underrated guitarist and a top bloke! Long live James Dean Bradfield! ✌🏼

[@stevenstratton4785]

Underrated player. Always overlooked in polls etc . Solid playing with no flash pretentiousness....

[@jovitalkvideos4209]

Only just got into the Manic Street Preachers a few weeks ago, always thought they were just another indie band. Never realized this guy could play the way he can. :-)

[@jovitalkvideos4209]

***** I think I understand. I felt the same way about Oasis a long time ago. I was a massive fan but connected the band to a girlfriend of mine, so after we broke up I couldn't listen to them for a very long time. When I realized some feelings had faded I played their entire discography for the first time in two years and completely rediscovered some stuff I'd kind of forgotten about. So yeah, I know what you mean. :-)

[@meghancoppola2677]

Consider your life changed. :)

[@SeanyMac1986]

I urge you to go back to the start of the manics and buy an album a week and listen to them develop. Amazing band

[@JagBetty]

How he manages to remember all those lyrics and play the riffs is incredible. Definitely an underrated guitar hero. Thought he was going to do a Trigger from Fools and Horses about his guitar having four different necks etc.😁

[@Bewareofthewolves]

How the bloody hell is it the same guitar then?

[@PompeyMatt17]

nah....neck repaired twice...so it's the same neck...pickups changed 4 times...Trigger upgrades 😂

[@coldacre]

fantastic, unique guitarist who constantly flies under the radar. massive respect for this guy

[@Riz_]

My later teenage years and beyond were listening to the manics and Suede. A unfortunate side effect of that is in my view I took this man's brilliance for granted. He deserves far more credit than he gets. Seems like a really nice person too.

[@DR.MF.DOOMSDAY]

Genuinely hope you live in the UK or Ireland mate because you can see both on the same night next year

[@Riz_]

@@DR.MF.DOOMSDAY Really? That would be so amazing. I do live in the UK so this means happy days!

[@DR.MF.DOOMSDAY]

Yeah mate they announced a co-headline tour for next year Tickets on sale next week

[@Jamesfoofighter]

Don't want this vid to end!

[@JohnoO_O_]

Been a Manic's fan for a LONG time. If only we had YT back in the day ...

[@Richard_Gatecliffe_Photography]

The intro to Slash and Burn still gives me goosebumps. Pure class.

[@dreeder75]

You get lost watching and listening to him, mesmerising ❤️❤️

[@1BigBucks1]

Gifted human being. The Geddy Lee joke was good, too.

[@ayanyara]

I used to listen to manics when I was in junior high. Long time has passed since then, but I've just got to think I want to be able to play guitar by seeing this. I'm over 40 now though. Good music and good sound never fade.

[@empian]

I could quite happily listen to JDB all day. A guitarists guitarist if that makes sense?

[@DR.MF.DOOMSDAY]

Absolutely love this blokes style of playing and writing An unbelievable vocalist too

[@cfdemarco2]

A friend of mine took me to see the Manic Street Preachers at the Fonda Theater, in Hollywood a few weeks back. I am "in love" with this band. Great songwriting, guitar playing, singing, Nicky Wire is an awesome bassist with a very cool stage vibe, and from what I know of them, he writes most of the lyrics. My new favorite band.

[@colonelmuck]

Carla DeMarco I would highly recommend delving into their back story.

[@cfdemarco2]

I will check that out. Thanks!

[@neilevans4352]

+Carla DeMarco welcome to the club, you wont be dissapointed, the reality, the power, the passion, enjoy.

[@albuxtoni]

+Carla DeMarco best band in the world. No other has their integrity, their intelligence, their purpose, lyrically as well as musically - and all the majestic riffs on top! Also, like Bowie, they've tried to go in new musical directions almost with every album, never staying long in one mode. And like Ian Curtis their lyrics can be so deep, political, a critique of culture, society, everything. No need to fall back on pointless songs about sex and love. Also you might find that their album songs are better than their singles - but then the B sides of the singles are even better yet, true hidden gems. I think it might be a game they play with the industy. Their best songs will have never been played on the radio, and only live a handful of times. Look up the B side 'Donkeys' for a perfect example of this. World class.

[@SavoPaddy]

Would love to just be in your shoes Carla going through the bands music and history for the first time. You will get to know a certain Richey James Edwards too.

[@gangrel_76]

His control of the guitar is fucking spot on. So good!!

[@Ankeshed]

'Member seeing him play 'Yes' acoustic at MCR Apollo in 07, guy's a musical hero

[@gioacme7321]

A living legend. He is a one man band. It' s totally insane his style of playng, singing and writing at the top. Usually are necessary 3 genius.

[@funkmcfingers]

Definitely one of the most underrated guitarists, and in one of the most underrated bands in the world.

[@elmodiddly]

Not being funny but that says more about your understanding than the facts. Everyone rates JDB for his guitar and singing skills, as well as the entire band. The accolades and awards heaped on them is immense. NME, Mercury and Q awards all over the place as well as many nominations for top 20 albums of all time from most music magazines and music critics.

[@steviejohansen6417]

Amazing guitarist. Love how he says " don't know what the fuck that means" when describing frets. Shows pure natural ability.

[@jmvlock1929]

JDB is unreal. That Slash 'n Burn riff is immortal.

[@lividp0ser]

I screamed throughout this whole video. What a legend.

[@philipkingston6960]

Brilliant guitarist. When you hear it in isolation you realise just how talented he is!!

[@theplaneimage]

Brilliant! ..eleven minutes well spent.

[@emptysresponse]

A brilliant guitarist and frontman, singer. His guitar playing is exceptional. Very underrated.

[@tomgeorgearts]

This just underlines what an astonishingly creative guitarist and songwriter he is. As a musician myself, this is mind-blowing and inspiring...

[@howareyou857]

I agree

[@Stratman389]

Easy to forget how many great and catchy riffs James Dean has written

[@PeaveyPV20]

I dont even play guitar, infact im a drummer but this is awesome. James is such a under-rated guitarist and also a down to earth guy, such great feeling

[@TheIkaraCult]

James is one of the best ever, he's an understated bloke so he doesnt put himself about. Every one of us who's listened to his work knows how great he is.

[@BioDieselEstate]

My Goodness but, do I wish I could have a thimbleful of Bradfield's talent. I recall back when the MSP's broke through. They were a breath of fresh air. Rock on.

[@brownsparlour9813]

i love james met him so many times when i lived in cardiff and hes a proper gentleman.always makes time for his people.x

[@OlafMcKrak]

this is yesterday... legend

[@shakeynineteen-sixtyfour1559]

Legend! Got goosebumps when he starred singing Design For Life!

[@englishoutlaw]

Best thing I have seen for months.

[@BladeV8]

Not to diminish Nicky or Sean's contributions in anyway but that performance of Kevin Carter shows just how much of the MSP sound is James. Hugely underrated for his playing and his songwriting both.

[@SuperWillow32]

The gut is a true legend. his music got me through lockdown. Rock on the manics

[@SuperWillow32]

guy

[@jimspace]

Man has beautiful voice and great guitar skills

[@billymcmonagle949]

He has such a brilliant way of riffing, jazzy , rocky and all so melodic, he has done so many, a vastly underrated guitarist in my opinion

[@OlivierGrasakaolo]

Amazing james, as ever. Probably my favorite guitarist / singer ever, from one of my all time favorite bands. Thank you from france

[@anapimentel6124]

JDB is a legend, my guitar hero❤❤

[@SimoneFlen]

One of my favourite singers + guitarists for the last 20-odd years, he's amazing. 'This Is Yesterday' was bloody beautiful!

[@therealawakener7]

Bradfield's a proper ledge, period. Enough said. Other than to say who else doesn't want this clip to ever end???

[@justinw1244]

I’ve watched this a load of times over the last couple of years - hugely captivating performance. Never was a big manics fan but this guy is something else. He’s written some pretty incredible riffs in his time and got a belting voice.

[@NickForrer]

One of my 90s guitar heroes along with Bernard Butler and Billy Corgan. Great video.

[@oliverharper7411]

BB is my favourite followed by JDB. Both fantastic!

[@meghancoppola2677]

The Pumpkins and Manics are my all time, life defining, favourite bands.

[@migueltorres8078]

NickForrer I completely agree with you

[@corrielebon8216]

I just love his singing and playing guitar. It's so unique. Simply Manics.

[@nightofshanghai]

Seriously, I think this is one of the most valuable videos on KZbin.

[@Paul5520]

One of the best without a doubt.

[@keiththornton25]

What a brilliant guitar player.

[@obliorocks5006]

Such a good guitarist. Really inspired me to pick up a guitar after I listened to Generation Terrorists many many years ago. It's great that he likes to play in alternate tunings too. Sound bloke too by the looks of it.

[@Tomtoms-tomtoms]

JDB is a total hero. Such a great guitarist & singer. I had the pleasure of bumping into him in Dublin the day after a Manics gig I had been at the night before.. he was such a nice bloke & was so polite and friendly even though I could barely speak as I was so nervous. A Great memory.

[@mortalwomble]

What a great band! Quietly and modestly writing the best British rock classics for 25 years.

[@douglassmith4610]

Could listen to James singing and playing all day, so down to earth and so humble but an amazing artist in one of the best British bands in the past 25 years! The manic street preachers. Check out James,s solo album. The great western. It deserved much more publicity when released in 2006, it,s pure class and shows what a great musician James is. Love it!

[@meghancoppola2677]

This man is incredible. He plays AND sings at such an exceptionally high level... And of course his writing is spectacular.

[@paulgrahamedwardspencer5161]

It's richey and Nicky who wrote all the songs and when richey went missing Nicky took over the writing James writes the music along with Sean

[@BeyondSideshow]

@@paulgrahamedwardspencer5161 Obviously they wrote the _lyrics..._ but Bradfiend wrote all that spectacular music.

[@jjj-rq2dl]

Thanks for the music James

[@SiBaroni]

Still come back to this to enjoy the great man playing and talking - my all time hero!

[@idoliznuman8835]

Idolise jdb my favourite guitarist of all time love his screaming vocals too "legend "

[@iainholmes2735]

James is a great musician.

[@sefton1972]

Open and honest. Lovely.

[@mattdster1157]

Inspiring, humble, Guitar Hero. He’d be in my supergroup if it existed.

[@dipdipgoose5399]

Such a class act, so good at everything he does and so humble and casual about it