Suede

For old times' sake because I grew up listening to Suede.
= )

I have to admit, I often find commercial mainstream music extremely distasteful especially when all I see are individuals and groups jumping on the bandwagon of what is popular at that point in time (a la lemmings). These people often emulate and not create, they do not put their heart and soul in their music, hence disrespecting not only themselves but their intended listeners. Just like the trend, they come and go like the wind and often fade into oblivion. However, I wish to state a point, there is a huge difference between commercial mainstream music and commercially successful music. One such band, who was commercially successful, is the English band, Suede.

Their androgynous style and ambiguous lyrics, were what set them apart from other bands at that time and won them numerous fans. In a time where techno music was dominating the British music scene, it has been said that, the revival of electric guitar music was largely due to Suede appearing on the cover of Melody Maker. That cover somehow brought attention to other like-minded acts and thus Suede was a pivotal figure in the history of Britpop, which saw bands such as Oasis, Blur and Pulp achieving worldwide success. The people in the industry then, often commented that they had never seen any band create such a huge pop phenomenon since The Smiths and The Sex Pistols.

At that point in time, Suede was often associated with the 'laddish Britpop movement;, alongside Oasis and Blur, however lead man Brett Anderson disliked the label and this led to the band being more experimental, to disassociate themselves from the lad culture. Their decision brought them fruition but at the same time, tension among the members began to show. Their differences eventually led to the exodus of the band members over the years, notably lead guitarist Bernard Butler. In the end, Suede tentatively disbanded in 2003. Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler reunited in 2004, as The Tears, and although their new album received critical acclaim, they failed to generate the same hype as they did during their heyday.

Despite their breakup, Suede's legacy inspired not only the Britpop movement but, undoubtedly, influenced other bands that came after them as well, leaving their footprints in the history of music and in the sand of time.

Suede - We Are The Pigs



Suede - Filmstar



Suede - Animal Nitrate