Suicide Alley

Infobox Single
Name = Suicide Alley


Artist = Manic Street Preachers
Released = August, 1989
Format = 7"
Recorded = Mid 1989
Genre = Hard rock, Punk rock, Indie rock
Length = 2:28
Label = SBS 02
Producer = --
Chart position =
* N/A
Reviews =
* N/A
Last single =
This single = "Suicide Alley"
(1989)
Next single = "New Art Riot"
(1990)
|

Suicide Alley is the debut stand alone single from the rock band Manic Street Preachers and was released in August of 1989. The single was recorded after original bassist Flicker had departed the band.

Only 300 copies were originally pressed, most of which (about 200) came in a picture sleeve. The cover was highly reminiscent of The Clash's first album, and was photographed and designed by Richey James Edwards (which is why he is not in the shot). The title track also shares much influence from The Clash (particularly their song Tommy Gun) and other late-70's punk bands. Most of the remaining copies were released in a plain sleeve but some had handmade covers, again designed by Richey, with glued on newspaper cuttings.

B-side Tennessee was re-recorded and featured on the band's debut album Generation Terrorists. The A-side was included on all formats of the later single Little Baby Nothing, partly to curb the demand for the original single which was changing hands for hundreds of pounds.

The single was re-released on coloured 7" vinyl some time around 2001; the source of these copies is unknown and they may be illegal bootleg copies. They do not carry the same value as the original 1989 release, which can fetch upwards of £300 at auction.

Track listing

7"

#"Suicide Alley"
#"Tennessee (I Get Low)"