Suede consists of Brett Anderson, Mat Osman, Neil Codling, Richard Oakes, Simon Gilbert.
Suede were one of the most popular and important bands from the UK in the 90s, and helped start the Britpop movement of the decade. Through their several incarnations, they were able to consistently put out albums that charted well, while still holding the respect of critics. Though they never achieved great success in North America, they were arguably as big in the UK in the 90s (at least in terms of popularity, if not in influence or critical appreciation) as The Smiths were in the 80s, or Roxy Music in the 70s.
Suede were formed in London in 1989 by bassist Mat Osman, singer Brett Anderson and his then girlfriend, Justine Frischmann, on rhythm guitar. They soon added guitarist Bernard Butler – who was recruited through an advertisement in the NME. Along with a drum machine as percussion, Suede were signed to RML Records, a label from Brighton. Famous comedian Ricky Gervais (who later found fame with The Office) managed the band for a brief period before they were signed to a record label.
With Mike Joyce (formerly of The Smiths) famously filling in as drummer, Suede's first record "Be My God"/"Art", was printed but never released due to a dispute with the label. The few surviving records out of a batch of 2000 are considered amongst the rarest of Suede collectibles. Simon Gilbert soon replaced the drum machine and Suede signed to Nude Records. Frischmann had left the band by this point, partly because they would not play her songs, and partly because of tension created by the end of her relationship with Anderson and her subsequent dating of Damon Albarn of Blur.
The band's first single " The Drowners" was released amid an alternative media frenzy that began before Suede had released any actual music. The band was on the cover of Melody Maker, which proclaimed them as "the best new band in Britain" prior to any official release. The debut single created an enormous amount of excitement because of its sharp contrast to the dying Madchester scene and the grunge sound of the time. Suede were further distinguished from their contemporaries by Anderson's flamboyant looks and noticeably unique vocals, combined with Butler's melodic guitar playing.
