December 18, 2007 0:00

Manic Street Preachers named 2008 Godlike Geniuses

Shockwaves NME Award 'means more than four BRITS' say band

Photo Gallery: Manic Street Preachers
Photo: Pa Photos

Manic Street Preachers are set to receive the Godlike Genius award at the 2008 Shockwaves NME Awards, we can reveal.

The Welsh band are set to be honoured for an outstanding, unique and innovative career in music.

They follow the likes of The Clash, New Order and last year’s winners Primal Scream in receiving the prestigious award.

“Well I’ve got to say, when our manager told us about it I just genuinely felt humbled and excited,” bassist Nicky Wire told NME.COM after hearing about the honour.

He added: “We’ve won four BRIT Awards, Ivor Novellos, but it’s vindication. It feels like the best one because the NME is what I grew up with and for all its faults it still means a lot to me. It’s so fucking brilliant, honestly. It’s really made me feel fantastic.”

Along with being presented with the award at the Shockwaves NME Awards ceremony on February 28 at the IndigO2 in London, for the first time ever the Godlike Geniuses will headline a special awards 'Big Gig'.

The show will take place at the neighbouring O2 Arena after the ceremony finishes and also features, Kasier Chiefs, Bloc Party, Klaxons and [a]The Cribs[/b].

For full details head to NME.COM/awards.