Ever-present Nicholas Allen Jones is the bassist, lyricist, and occasional singer of the Manic Street Preachers.  He chose the stage name Wire because standing at 6ft 3’ in a band of 5ft 5’ bandmates made him stick out.  He began as the rhythm guitarist for the band but took over on bass after original bassist Flicker left.  He has always written the lyrics for Manics songs, originally sharing the responsibility with Richie Edwards, but continuing alone after Edwards disappearance.  He is the outgoing member of the band, being popular at school and a talented sportsman.  He captained the Welsh national schoolboys football team and had trials with Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal before injury brought his career to an end.  Football’s loss is music’s gain.