Shockwaves NME Awards 2008: Manic Street Preachers claim Godlike Genius award

The Shockwaves NME Awards 2008 Godlike Geniuses Manic Street Preachers. The band have recorded a cover version of Rihanna’s ‘Umbrella’, which we’re giving away with next week’s NME on a special CD that also includes The Kooks, The Wombats, Kate Nash, Lightspeed Champion, Kaiser Chiefs, Cribs, Bloc Party, CSS and loads more. The souvenir box set also has a load of free stickers and a commemorative issue of the mag. Pic: Danny North

James Dean Bradfield and co celebrate award at London bash

Manic Street Preachers have been presented with the Godlike Genius award at the Shockwaves NME Awards 2008.

The band received the prize from NME editor Conor McNicholas, and – at the band’s request – Welsh boxer Joe Calzaghe.

Bassist Nicky Wire said: “I'm so fucking old I've even written a speech just for once. I'd like to thank some people, Terri, Elizabeth, the late Philip Hall, Heavenly Records, everyone at Sony.

"Joe Calzaghe is a true inspiration and he went to the same comprehensive school as us. I’d also like to thank Jimmy Savile, Tennessee Williams, Public Enemy, Guns N'Roses, Echo And The Bunnymen..."

Wire then rounded off his speech by borrowing a quote from country legend Dolly Parton to sum up their rollercoaster career.

He said: "As Dolly Parton said, if you want to have a rainbow, you've got to put up with a lot of rain."

For all the awards coverage head to NME.COM/awards now. We have exclusive picture galleries, live webcams, minute-by-minute blogs straight from the ceremony and Big Gig and video interviews with the biggest names at the ceremony.

That's just the beginning - the ceremony is being broadcast on E4 at 11pm (GMT) tonight (February 28), with highlights following tomorrow (29) on Channel 4 from 11.50pm.

Meanwhile, next week's issue of NME - on UK newsstands from March 5 - will contain the ultimate coverage, interviews and photos from the 2008 Shockwaves NME Awards.