I never really "got" the Manics. There was just something about the phrasing and the lyrics that felt a bit jarring and self-conscious.to me. I always wanted a Manics/Phonics rivalry to start in the vein of the Oasis/Blur rivalry. We could've had fights on the streets of Blackwood!

I know what you mean, I think it's because the music was written around the words which can't have been particularly easy, looking at some of the lyrics. I like the first couple of Phonics albums, nothing's really grabbed me about the current stuff though.

The first four Phonics albums are gold. I was sceptical of the Dakota era. It was a bit too American for my taste. Their newest album was good though.

I had a chance to meet Nicky Wire at a signing once in Cardiff but I didn't end up going. I had nothing for him to sign apart from my dad's copy of This Is My Truth... it just didn't feel right!