Suede (known as the London Suede in the United States) are an English rock band formed in London in 1989 by singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Justine Frischmann, and bassist Mat Osman. Drawing from glam rock and post-punk, Suede were labeled "The Best New Band in Britain" by Melody Maker in 1992, attracting significant attention from the British music press. The following year, their debut album, Suede, reached number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming the fastest-selling debut album in nearly a decade. It won the Mercury Music Prize and helped propel Britpop as a musical era, though the band distanced themselves from the label.
The recording sessions for their second album, Dog Man Star, were tumultuous, ending with guitarist and songwriter Bernard Butler leaving after conflicts with the other members. Guitarist and songwriter Richard Oakes replaced him and joined the band just before the accompanying tour. Though a commercial disappointment at the time, the album received generally enthusiastic reviews upon release and has since been celebrated as one of rock music's great albums. In 1994, Suede became part of Britpop's "big four," alongside Oasis, Blur, and Pulp.
In 1996, following the addition of keyboardist Neil Codling, Suede achieved greater commercial success with Coming Up. The album reached number one in the UK, produced five top ten singles, and became Suede's best-selling album worldwide. Despite internal issues, Suede's fourth album, Head Music (1999), topped the British charts. Heavily promoted, the album received substantial media attention upon release; however, fan and critical responses were less enthusiastic than for previous records. Codling left the band in 2001, citing chronic fatigue syndrome, and was replaced by Alex Lee. The band's fifth album, A New Morning (2002), their first after the collapse of Nude Records, was a commercial and critical disappointment, leading to the band's disbandment the following year. In 2004, Anderson briefly reunited with Butler to form The Tears before beginning a solo career two years later.
After much speculation, Suede reunited in 2010 for a series of concerts. Three years after their reunion performances, Suede released their sixth album, Bloodsports. It was well received by critics and returned the band to the UK top ten. Their seventh album, Night Thoughts, followed in 2016, achieving even greater critical and commercial success than its predecessor. Their eighth studio album, The Blue Hour, was released in September 2018, becoming the group's first top-five record since Head Music. Their ninth studio album, Autofiction, was released in September 2022. They released their tenth studio album Antidepressants in September 2025.
History 1989–1991: Formation and early years Brett Anderson and Justine Frischmann met in 1988 while studying at University College London and became a couple soon afterward.Harris, p. 28–30 the original name for their group was The Perfect. Together with Anderson's childhood friend Mat Osman, they believed they had the foundation for a band and spent hours daily playing songs by Roxy Music, The Smiths, David Bowie, and The Cure.Harris, p. 32 After concluding that neither Anderson nor Frischmann had the skills to be a lead guitarist, the band placed an ad in NME in the magazine's 28 October 1989 issue seeking to fill the position: "Young guitar player needed by London-based band. Smiths, Commotions, Bowie, Pet Shop Boys. No Musos. Some things are more important than ability. Call Brett." The ad attracted nineteen-year-old Bernard Butler, who soon auditioned to join the band.Barnett, p. 32 With the addition of Butler they changed their name to Suede. Initially lacking a drummer, the band used a drum machine.Harris, p. 34–35 Despite Frischmann's efforts as the band's de facto manager, they primarily played small-scale gigs around Camden Town in London.Harris, p. 35
Suede's first breakthrough came with their second demo, Specially Suede, which they sent to compete in Demo Clash, a radio show on Greater London Radio hosted by DJ Gary Crowley. "Wonderful Sometimes" won Demo Clash for five consecutive Sundays in 1990, leading to a recording contract with the Brighton-based indie label RML. The song appeared on a cassette compilation in April 1990, representing Suede's first official release.Barnett, p. 37 After a series of performances with an unreliable drum machine, Suede decided to recruit a full-time drummer. Justin Welch briefly filled the role, though he lasted only six weeks before joining the Crawley band Spitfire.Harris, p. 36 However, he remained long enough to record two songs with the band, which were set to be released as the "Be My God"/"Art" single on RML Records. The band was dissatisfied with the result, and most of the 500 copies pressed were destroyed.Harris, p. 36–37 Suede placed another ad seeking a replacement. To their surprise, it was answered by former Smiths drummer Mike Joyce. Ultimately, he declined the job, feeling Suede still needed to forge their own identity and that his presence might hinder them due to their similarities to the Smiths.Barnett, p. 45 In June 1990, Suede found a permanent drummer, Simon Gilbert, through Ricky Gervais, who initially worked in the music industry and managed the band before turning to comedy. Both worked at the University of London Union (ULU). After hearing the demo and realizing the band lacked a drummer, Gilbert asked to audition.Barnett, p. 50–51
By spring 1991, Anderson and Frischmann had broken up. Frischmann began dating Blur frontman Damon Albarn. She believed the band could adapt to the new situation.Harris, p. 61 However, tensions grew. Butler recalled, "She'd turn up late for rehearsals and say the worst thing in the world – 'I've been on a Blur video shoot.' That was when it ended, really. I think it was the day after she said that Brett phoned me up and said, 'I've kicked her out.'" After Frischmann's departure, the character of the group shifted. "If Justine hadn't left the band," Anderson remarked, "I don't think we'd have got anywhere. It was a combination of being personally motivated and the chemistry being right once she'd left." Anderson and Butler became close friends and started writing several new songs together.Harris, p. 62 Still, the band's music remained out of step with the prevailing sounds of London's music scene and the American grunge movement. Anderson noted, "For the whole of 1991, A&R men wouldn't give us a second look."Harris, p. 63
Through late 1991 and early 1992, Suede received a number of favorable mentions in the music press, landing slots at shows hosted by NME and attended by prominent figures, including former Smiths singer Morrissey. A gig at the ULU in October 1991, which caught the media's attention, marked Frischmann's final performance with the band.Barnett, p. 63–64 NME journalist John Mulvey, the first to write about Suede, attended the show. He noted, "They had charm, aggression, and... if not exactly eroticism, then something a little bit dangerous and exciting."
1992–1993: Signing and early success After seeing the band perform at an NME show in January 1992, Saul Galpern approached them about signing to his independent record label, Nude Records. Suede eventually signed a two-single deal with Nude in February 1992 for £3,132.Barnett, p. 74 Following Nude's offer, Suede attracted further interest from Island Records and East West Records, both of which were eager to sign the band for a long-term deal.Barnett, p. 74–75 Suede were being hailed as "the next big thing" and, prior to the release of their first single, Melody Maker featured the band on the cover of its 25 April issue with the headline "Suede: The Best New Band in Britain". The band's first single, "The Drowners", attracted attention for its sharp contrast to the fading Madchester scene and the US grunge sound of the time. A moderate hit, "The Drowners" reached number 49 on the UK Singles Chart in May.Roberts, David, ed. (2006), British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.), HIT Entertainment, The band was then approached by Geffen Records, and although the Geffen deal was very attractive (Galpern described it as "insane"), the band still had other offers to consider.Barnett, p. 89 In September 1992, Suede released their second single, "Metal Mickey", which reached number 17 on the charts. It was the only Suede single to enter the US Modern Rock top 10, peaking at number 7."[ Billboard Chart History"]. Billboard. Retrieved on 1 January 2010. Shortly after the release of "Metal Mickey," Suede signed with Nude/Sony. Galpern was determined to sign the band for the long term and struck a deal with Sony, making the label a small independent with major company backing.Barnett, p. 96 The contract gave Suede creative control over aspects such as the artwork for their releases.
Anderson soon became notorious for causing controversy, such as his infamous quote that resurfaced in interviews and articles in subsequent years: he was "a bisexual man who never had a homosexual experience." In February 1993, Suede transitioned from a highly touted indie band to major chart contenders with their third single, "Animal Nitrate," which entered the UK top ten. The single earned them a last-minute invitation to perform at that year's Brit Awards ceremony. Writing in 2005, The Times Victoria Segal reflected on the band's early career, noting that Suede's "sexually fluid lyrics made them a rallying point for the alienated, one of the few British bands since the Smiths who united as much as they divided." Comparisons were drawn to David Bowie, though Suede's sound was unlike anything else at the time, and they soon became associated with a new movement that critics quickly labeled. Anderson recalled, "I had always been fascinated by suburbia, and I liked to throw these twisted references to small-town British life into songs. This was before we had that horrible term Britpop."
Before Suede had released an album, they dominated the music press on the strength of just three singles, setting high expectations for the forthcoming album. Suede entered the British charts at number one, registering the biggest initial sales for a debut album since Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Welcome to the Pleasuredome a decade earlier. It sold over 100,000 copies in its first week of release,Harris, p. 86 going gold on its second day. At the time, it was hailed as "the most eagerly awaited debut since Never Mind The Bollocks by the Sex Pistols." A notable moment in the press at the time was the front cover of the April 1993 issue of Select, which is regarded by many as the start of Britpop. The album won the 1993 Mercury Prize. The band donated the entire £25,000 in prize money to Cancer Research.Barnett, p. 127 This was the only album released in the US under the name "Suede," where it remains the band's highest-selling release.