Translated Interviews
Translated by Altavista.
http://www.tour-daten.de/magazin/2001/04manicstreet.shtml
Some things did not translate so I removed them.
Subway Magazin, April 2001
There are no more orchestral sounds, on the contrary a healthy portion of Punk governs the new, grandiose album of the Manic Street Preachers, which cements their position again as one the best guitar bands of the world. Intelligence, innovation and irony in addition, strength, passion and feeling distinguish this [record?], which already plays in our editorial offices for weeks on Heavy rotation. SUBWAY conversed with Songwriter and bassist Nicky Wire about changes and enemy pictures.
"Know Your Enemy" sounds more impetuous, more energetic and more juvenile than your previous albums.
"We needed a change. In Cardiff we played a gig before 60000 people for example. Now we sound more punkier, a little experimental and try to operate with different styles... There is more Songs on it with which the people can identify themselves"
Although you're a successful Pop band, you have retained your Working Class Spirit and a political Attitude. Do you believe that at all somewhat can change you?
"Yes, even if I sound perhaps somewhat naive. When I was young, bands like the Sex Pistols or The Clash influenced my thinking, so that I saw some things simply differently. And exactly the Manic Street Preachers can do that also. We cannot change the world, but inspire some people with our ideas"
Why are there today actually only so few politically engaged bands?
"There is at the moment a quantity of indifference in the world. Particularly with many young people. Most of them are simply more interested in the new Playstation than in politics"
To what extent to it does the album title "Know Your Enemy" refer?
"That is politically meant on the one hand, personally on the other. We are even our own enemy, because we became lazier over the years and forgot our roots. A further factor is also the consumer behaviour of the people... instead of thinking about really important things. Apathy is the enemy. And the society generally"
To what extent does new media play an important role with this development?
"Internet and other technical developments have the consequence that people forget simply to think about fundamental things. Education is based nowadays much more on technology instead of on history. Sometimes I sound myself like a misery, old man - I see things however in such a way"
