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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZSUEDEUK rock band, trailblazers of the Britpop renaissance of the early--mid-'90s. When hailed by a Melody Maker front cover as 'The Best New Band In Britain' before they had released a proper single, Suede looked like the latest victims in the ever-accelerating cycle of hype and backlash which had made the British pop press notorious for fast turnover and low rewards, but they survived; in fact Suede's spirited update of David Bowie's androgynous art-stomp gave the domestic music scene a shot in the arm and paved the way for Oasis, Blur, Pulp etc. The bombastic vocal style and grainy lyricism of singer Brett Anderson (b 29 Sep. '67, Haywards Heath) combined well with the flamboyant playing of enigmatic guitarist (and co-songwriter) Bernard Butler, with bassist Mat Osman (b 9 Oct. '67), drummer Simon Gilbert (b 23 May '65). Eponymous debut album on Nude '93 was the grandest British pop opus for many years; despite breaking little new ground musically they managed to sound urgently contemporary, though attempts at export to the USA were unsuccessful. Second album Dogmanstar '94 was uneven but still had some great moments; its original title Sci Fi Lullabies became the title of a '97 compilation incl. B sides. The acrimonious and unforeseen departure of Butler at this vital point seemed to signal their death knell, but teenaged replacement Richard Oakes (b 11 Oct. '76) forsook his studies to save the day, and Anderson turned out to be able to carry the writing. Adding Neil Codling (b 5 Dec. '73) on keyboards and additional cheekbones, third album Coming Up '96 was their best-seller yet (all three UK no. ones). Despite having been apparently superseded in the public ear by his bitter rival, Blur's Damon Albarn (consort of his former girlfriend, erstwhile [pre-recording] Suede guitarist Elastica's Justine Frischmann), vindication of the charismatic Anderson was richly deserved. Butler and singer David McAlmont made eleven tracks, compiled on The Sound Of McAlmont And Butler to acclaim after they'd split; Butler's solo People Move On '98 was credible but perhaps reflected lack of a collaborator. |