We are facing a world pandemic. Most of the concerts are being reschedule to later dates.
Unfortunately (but comprehensively) for me, Suede postponed their Coming Up anniversary shows to November.
I bought tickets for their London show and it is something like a dream concert. My favourite Suede album is Coming Up and I never saw live one of my favourite songs, the b-side "Europe Is Our Playground", which, for sure, they will play on that show.
I just really really hope that they don't have to postpone again the concert because, as Suede's bassist Mat Osman said on social media "Feels like this will be the last change."
Also, according to Mat, until November, we can expect a lot of Coming Up surprises, so, although all of the troubles, looks like exciting times for Suede fans!
Brett Anderson, lead singer and creative force of Suede, will be part of a live (online) collaboration with Charles Hazlewood, The Paraorchestra, Adrian Utley, Seb Rochford and Nadine Shah.
The live performance will included 9 songs (3 of them Anderson & Suede related) and will be released through BBC Cymru Wales, within the digital festival GŴYL 2021.
The songs will have an acoustic and orchestral arrangements in a darker and more melancholic orientation.
I found out about this incredible new on the fantastic website of The Insatiable Ones, Suede's most loyal and best fan group, which I'm proudly part of.
The set list will be:
The Killing Moon - Echo and the Bunnymen Unsung - Brett Anderson Nightporter – Japan The End of the World - Skeeter Davis He’s Dead – Suede Wonderful Life - BLACK The Next Life - Suede Holes - Mercury Rev My Death - Brel (David Bowie version)
Finally some good news about the music industry!
2020 is an almost cancelled year for music events, but things are getting for 2021. Suede, my favourite band, are coming back to Portugal, this time for the legendary festival Vilar de Mouros.
The band is playing on the same night as Placebo, which will be a great dose of British music.
Vilar de Mouros is one of the oldest and more traditional festival in Portugal. After some years of a long hiatus, the festival came back and are raising the bar for 2021. Suede, Placebo, Iggy Pop, Bauhaus and Wolfmother are among the confirmed acts.
During the last days, Suede, my favourite band of all time, were teasing something related with their third album Coming Up (which is my favourite album of all time!). Coming Up was released in 1996, the first album after the departure of Bernard Butler and the first album featuring Richard Oakes and Neil Codling. The album was a commercial and critical success. No one was expecting it, but the creative force of Suede was proven to be Brett Anderson, and it was a huge statement that the band would be OK without their original guitarists. Coming Up contains 10 fast and catchy songs, natural hits. and even their numerous b-sides are excellent.
Without any particular calendar reason, the band decided to celebrate this LP by going on a short European tour. The band will play the album in full, and possibly will play tons of b-sides and rarities. They will play in England, Germany, France, Scotland, Denmark and Sweden.
Some time ago I said that I could not live without watching "Europe Is Our Playground" live and I think this might be my best opportunity. So, I can't wait to to buy the tickets to Alexandra Palace and fly to London in October. It is a perfect opportunity to listen to some old, rarely played b-sides like Sound Of The Streets, This Time, Sadie or Young Man.
Brett Anderson's released his volume II of his autobiography later last year.
The book is a treasure for every Suede fan, and, I guess, a very interesting reading for anyone that fancies the inner world of 90's indie music.
Like Coal Black Mornings, this is not a book about "coke and gold discs". Brett, apologies on the beginning of the book, saying that this is the work that he said that he would never write. I disagree, Brett said that he would never write a book about his success and failures, in a kind of lists of chart performances and ugly gossip about people and experiences. AWTBD is a biography of Brett's and Suede's life during their first run, during their golden and darker years, but the writer doesn't really gives a chronological story of his life. He writes a sensitive prose, that most part of his focus are the inspirations that led him write this or that song. It's an introspective biographical romance of his life at that time, that describes what he was thinking, and how did he deal with various situations.
I guess that, the big difference about a biography and an autobiography is really seen here. A biography tends to focus on the facts, numbers, success, gossips, interviews, etc. An autobiography writes a personal vision of life, a romantic and flowery explanation, always with a internal weighting. Why did I do that and how did that situation influenced my life and my writing.
Comparing to CBM, for not English native speakers, AWTBD is more complex, more difficult to read. Most of its chapters has an introduction, that mirrors Brett's songwriting, a beautiful and detailed description of something.
I enjoyed reading the part in which Bernard Butler leaves the band. You can almost feel Brett's pain in writing that part, always very delicate in order not to be misunderstood or to be over-judging in Butler's reaction.
Also, the part when both Ricardo and Neil join Suede is a great one. Brett explains in detail the strengths and creativity of his partners, and I'm happy to say that he didn't leave compliments to say, he treated both of them with beautiful words.
I think it's also important that the writer didn't over-explored his extincted addiction problem. He talks openly about it, but he is direct and cold. We don't need to make a fantasist tale about taking drugs, and how we should avoid them. That happened, I reacted this way, it scared me, it has reflections on those songs and on those moments of my life, I regret them, end of story. As, not only a Suede fan, but also as music and poetry lover, I'm much more interested in knowing the true meanings and inspirations behind the songs, instead of a tale of struggling dependency. And that's what AWTBD is about.
The rest of the book, it's like a very long Suede song. You read typical Brett's expressions that can be heard both on his songs as well in his book, using very smart metaphors.
I doubt that there will be, soon, an autobiography part III that would cover his solo years and The Tears era. I'm not sure it it would be such a good book and it's 2 previous volumes. Maybe yes, it would be interesting to read about his feeling on reuniting with Bernard and how did his romantic life settled and how did he became a family man, while is solo career was drifting apart a little bit.
The unexpected new from 2019. Mat Osman, the bassist, and one of the founders of Suede, is writing a novel called "The Ruins".
The book already has a publisher and will be released in 2020.
Mat Osman already wrote (the instrumental) of several Suede songs, including the fan favourite Europe Is Our Playground and, according to Brett Anderson in some book (can't remember if it was in Love & Poison or in his Autobiograhy), on the beginnings of Suede, he wrote the lyrics of one of the very earliest songs that never reached even a live performance.
Mat was also connected to writing as, during the long Suede split, he was the editor of the online magazine Le Cool.
Let's wait to read it, and we're wishing Mat the best luck for his new project.
After the success of his autobiography, Brett Anderson, the lead singer of Suede is writing the second volume of the story of his life.
"Coal Black Mornings" covered the time since he was born until Suede signed their first professional contract in 1992.
We can assume now that the next book, "Afternoons With The Blinds Drawn" will cover Anderson's mid-90's life, probably until somewhere Suede's break up or maybe even further. It will be interesting to see Brett write about the departure of Bernard Butler from Suede, his relationship with his then girlfriend, Sam, the come back of Justine Frischmann, his vision of the new Suede with Richard Oakes and Neil Codling.
Well, personally, my favourite period of Suede (not counting with the current era) was the Coming Up times, where the band was just like a gang, full of confidence.
Brett's first book was very well received by the fans and the critics and, hopefully, his new work will have the same effect.
We can expect it in the Autumn of 2019. That's a long time, but as we know, Brett has been very busy, recording and touring Suede's spectacular new album "The Blue Hour"
Normal CD's are not that popular anymore, bands tend to release beautiful deluxe editions with a lot o CD's, books and, vinyls are back again (hurray!).
Brett Anderson from Suede, also joined the mood and he is releasing his entire solo collection, both in a boxset with the 4 albums, 1 live album and a lot of b-sides and alternative versions, and a boxset of the 4 albums in vinyl for the first time.
So, what's new?
The albums will be in vinyl for the first time ever.
A lot of b-sides and live versions will be released.
What's missing?
New material. There isn't any unreleased track there and there's no demos also.
Well, it's worth it anyway! And the prices are low!
Suede, the London based band, are taking a small break, probably to get again in to the studio.
The group did several live performances since last year's November to promote their last album "Night Thoughts".
After promoting the album during one year, Suede gave their last 2 concerts this week in Mexico. Simon Gilbert, the drummer, sent a message to the fans thanking them for everything: " Thanks so much to all of you who were there over the last 12 months...its been a F..... blast...I personally loved playing through NT live... in particular the Roundhouse shows last November... what a couple of nights they were...Love you all see you...again XXX"
I was there, on the Roundhouse shows! Brett Anderson also, in a interview, said that, when the tour is finished, they will go back in to the studio to start the recording of another album!
Now the wait begins!
Yesterday, on the 2nd of September, Coming Up, my all-time favourite album, and, for me, the best album ever recorded, turned 20!
After Bernard Butler left Suede, everyone was trying to bury the band, but the remaining lads, including the new boys Richard Oakes and Neil Codling, believed in themselves and, together, they made the greatest comeback of all time.
Not only Coming Up was their biggest-selling album, but the lyrics are much more directed to the fans and the melodies are so happy and cheerful that is almost impossible not to feel happy when you listen to the album.
Personally, it is the only LP that, no matter in which mood I am, makes me feel lightener and happier. Actually, it is the only album that never (really never) gets out of my iPod. Song like Trash, Beautiful Ones or Filmstar are perfect rock hymns with beautiful and very meaningful feelings.
Not only the album is truly amazing, but the b-sides are another collection of fantastic music. Europe Is Our Playground, This Time, Sound Of The Streets are such amazing songs that could shine on any album.
In a couple of weeks, Suede will release a 20-year anniversary version of Coming Up with the album, all of the b-sides, never heard demos of most of the songs and a live recording.
Exacting times, and now it's time to celebrate by listening once again to the perfect album Coming Up!
This year is a very special year for Suede.
Not only the fact that they released they critically acclaimed new album "Night Thoughts" but also because, my favourite LP "Coming Up" turns 20!
It would be great if the band do something like they did to Dog Man Star and make a tribute concert to the album and some clues are starting to appear. The last 3 songs of their last concert were the last 3 songs from Coming Up.
Anyway, yesterday was the 20-year anniversary of the release of their first single from that album and it is my all time favourite song!
Trash is a song about the band, about the fans, about falling in love everyday without caring what people think about us. It's the ultimate Suede song and a song that brought the band to a wider audience. It was the first single to be written by the amazing Richard Oakes and Suede's most successful record!
When they released it, the band lead by Brett Anderson were appointed dead because of the departure of Bernard Butler but they surprised everyone, they gave a big answer to all the critics and showed the magnificence of being part of the Suede world. Happy birthday to the eternal Trash!!
When you are a big big fan of a band, you always feel that the band is being underrated by the press. In my view, Suede were always a little bit left outside of the music press, since Blur, Oasis or Pulp have overpassed them in therms of comercial success in the 90's. However, even if the popularity of the others bands were bigger, it isn't an excuse of why the press is not covering more Suede, when they are doing new and significant music, while they (the magazines) are still making boring articles about "the last time Liam and Noel chatted" or "What's the best Nirvana album?".
Actually, I think it is really disrespectful that NME or the other magazines, are not giving big headlines, or even news, about the current Suede tour and album. Of course they did a review of "Night Thoughts" (if they didn't it would have been some kind of tragedy, they have the obligation to review every significant album of the week), and almost all of the reviews are having a really, really positive view of the new album. So that should bring more news and more interest on the band by the part of the magazine. However I don't see any news from Suede apart from the album review.
Well, Night Thoughts was number 6 at the UK charts, it was the highest new entry of the charts, they are making a critically acclaimed Europeen tour, they are chatting about important issued like the death of Bowie, how a 90's band can still survive on the music business today, the passion of playing live, they are still debuting live old great songs, they are giving double concert sizes. Wouldn't any of these things be enough to have a link on some newspaper website first page, where they have like 50 daily different headlines? Well, NME preferes to cover that Damon Albarn is returning to Denmark, that Kanye West changed his album title, the deleted scenes of Mrs Doubtfire, or Johnny Deeps 20-years comments about Leonardo DiCaprio. Really, there something much more interesting and meaningful to talk about.
The press, specially NME, have their "wonder" kids, and they keep attached to them. Leaving apart other great bands. Suede were right when they wrote their new song, Outsiders, we (Suede fans) actually feel like outsiders, and the band also feel outside, and the rest of the world wants to try to keep them outside.
It's a pity really. In the Suede world is actually good to feel an outsider, a stranger, a beautiful one, but a little of recognition and publicity is always welcome also,
Suede's new album, "Night Thoughts" is released today.
The album is surrounded by a totally new concept of their music.
All the music is accompanied by a film direct by Roger Sargent.
The album is available in normal CD package, Vinyl, and deluxe edition of CD+DVD with the movie included.
There are 4 full tracks already available on Suede's YouTube channel, the 2 single, Outsiders and Like Kids, plus 2 more tracks, Pale Snow and No Tomorrow. All of them are truly fantastic. Night Thoughts is receiving very positive reviews, with time, Strange Sound will make its own.
Although it is still early to say, Night Thoughts has everything to become a modern legendary album for the band. Not only because of the new concept but also because Suede explored their more dramatic, melancholic and dark sound again. Their most epic and introspective work since Dog Man Star.
Some songs like Tightrope, I Don't Know How To Reach You or The Fur & The Feathers are among the ones with more potential to become truly legendary songs on Suede's catalogue.
Take a look at this amazing 20-minutes track by track preview.
Listening to music while going to work or to school is something vital, but, as you agree, there are some songs that lift your spirit up more than others, so, let's say happy songs for the morning, to help you to face the terrible day that is coming.
There are a lot of great examples, famous happy pop songs, but I picked 10 non-famous songs to be a different selection.
And, what I mean for "not-famous songs", are songs that are not hit singles or worldwide success.
So, take a quick listen to these songs that lift me up in the morning:
1 - Suede - Sound Of The Streets
Well, I am a fanatic, so I had to start with Suede. So, for a sunny morning, when you are walking in the streets of your own city, nothing better than incorporate Sadie, a girl that knows the sound of the streets of London. Amazing b-side from the Coming Up era with one of the best Oakes' solos ever.
2 - Johnny Marr - The Crack Up
Found this one recently. A song from Marr's debut solo album, The Messenger. Something typical for the ex-Smiths musician, fast guitar riffs, and a "bad-ass" way of singing the chorus, something like if you were walking with long steps without giving a shit to anybody else around you.
3- The Horrors - Primary Colors
This is the song that gives the title of their second LP, the first to be acclaimed worldwide. Fast song, with a fantastic guitar intro. When I start to listen to it I just want to move my arms all around like a monkey. Simply great!
4 - Patrick Duff - Wake Up Richard
This song was my alarm clock for a long time. So happy, simple and pure. The first lines of the song are "Wake up Richard, it's your birthday, let's go dancing, there's a place I know where the bright lights are always shinning we'll go flying over Tokyo". Isn't that amazing? Just live your life happy and be free!
5 - George Harrison - If Not For You
George's version of Bob Dylan's track is so sunny and beautiful that just brings peaceful and lovely thoughts to your mind. A classic!
6 - John Lennon - Crippled Inside
The most upbeated song from the "Imagine" album. The intro and the slide guitar really gives a joyful feeling to the entire song. Also, the piano solo is incredibly funny.
7 - The Whip - Keep Or Delete
The opening track of their second album, this is more a electronic song, and the most different from this list. What really gives me energy in this song is the way it grows and grows during the 4 minutes. As it flows, it gets more and more intense and complexed.
8 - Violent Femmes - Dance Motherfucker Dance
Well, I guess the titles says it all. Pure energy.
9 - Morrissey - America Is Not The World
Although this could be a sad song, I think that the way Morrissey sings it, almost without interruptions, and the connection with the acoustic and electric guitar, really makes it a sunny song, with good vibrations. One of my favourite Moz's songs
10 - Devendra Banhart - Carmensita
Ok, this is the only song on the list that is actually a single, but I think is not a worldwide hit, as Devendra Banhart is not a very very popular artist (unfortunately). But, listening to this song, it is so funny, positive, free and sunny that it had so be here. Pure happiness! And you can even find Natalie Portman on the video
Another post of a "new" not world-wide famous artist. Mark Fernyhough is a musician and photographer, who passed the last years in the company of great artists. One of them, was Suede, he was the support act of them in some shows.
And you can understand why, his tunes are very "Suedey" for sure.
Take a listen to Mark's fantastic debut single Berlin.
Really curious to listen something more of him.
Suede are going to release their brand new album "Night Thoughts" on the 22 of January.
The album will be accompanied by a full film directed by Roger Sargent.
As we can see, it will be an innovative release, something that Suede have never done in the past.
The first single Outsiders is already available on iTunes and can be listen on YouTube.
Until now, I listened, and re-listened to 6 songs: Outsiders (studio version), I Don't Know How To Reach You, Can't Giver Her What She Wants, Tightrope, What I'm Trying To Tell You and Pale Snow (all of them live)
These songs are creating in me, very high expectations, so high that I'm starting to think that Suede can be in the process of releasing their best album so far!
My favourite album is Coming Up, and then we have the "fans-favourite" Dog Man Star but, I think that, for what we saw, Night Thoughts has the potential to overcome them.
Bloodsports was a perfect come back, but as Brett Anderson said, it was a little bit squeezed into 10 three-minute songs, not giving them the space to explore deeper the songs. This space may have emerged now.
The single, Outsiders, is brilliant, the chorus is so beautiful, reminds me of glorious Coming Up days, we have a solo, a instrumental outro, Brett's voice is ageing very well and his falsetto sounds like it was 20 years ago. What's I'm Trying To Tell You is in the same style as Outsiders, great fast rock track, with an amazing guitar riff during the verses. Pale Snow is very introspective, Can't Giver Her What She Wants is very dramatic (which is great) and Tightrope sounds brilliant, although I'm expecting a much more complex and full studio version in contrast with the acoustic performances that it had live.
And then, the main song that is creating in me this feeling is I Don't Know How To Reach You. I was lucky enough to be part of the audience when it was first played.
The performance of it during the Glastonbury Festival is enormous. The lyrics are beautiful, the guitar riff after the chorus is magical, the melody is dramatic and emotional and there's an ending coda on the end of the song with powerful guitars and screams. And I'm hoping that the studio version will be even better.
I can't wait for the release of the album, until then, I'll listen this tracks and wait for the concert on London's Roundhouse in November which I'll be attending!
Suede are set to receive the NME's Godlike Genius Award 2015.
The band will be recognized for their contribute and influence to modern pop music next week during the NME awards and will also perform in the event.
Read HERE a brand new interview by the band where they comment this new achievement.
Meanwhile, remember one of their old (but always fresh) hit singles.
As I wrote before, I'm now living in London. Actually, this is my last week here, this Sunday I'm travelling back to my sweet old Portugal after 6 months in this amazing place.
Some weeks ago I wrote in a Suede Facebook group called "The Insatiable Ones" that it would be nice to resurrect the Suedewalks.
What are the Suedewalks? Suedewalks are tour around London organized by David Barnett, ex-member of the Suede crew and writer of their official Biography. Well, guess what, Mr. Barnett answered to my request and organized a new Suedewalk! The last one was a couple of years ago.
This year's Suede walk focused on the Suede/Dog Man Star era.
So, a group of more or less 10 fans met at the Boogaloo pub in Highgate. There, we went for a beer and David started to tell some secret things about the band. It was awesome. I read his book some weeks agof or the third time and listening to him speaking was almost reading the book for us. Incredible. The owner of the Boogaloo was also very nice and offered us some Corona beers for the trip.
The first stop was Brett's old house (pictured). There, he wrote the lyrics for Suede's most acclaimed album, Dog Man Star. The house was number 16, Brett's lucky number, because, as Barnett's said, he is very superstitious.
Next we went to the park where Brett used to do volunteer work and where he got inspiration for the lyrics of Sleeping Pills. We also visited the Highgate cemetery where Brett and Bernard Butler gave their last TV interview together and then we passed through several places where Suede played specially on their first years. We passed through the Forum where the band gave their fantastic 1997 B-Sides gig and the mythical White Horse where the band gave their first ever concert in 1990 (pictured).
After that, we ended up drinking a beer in a pub in Kentish Town and having a good conversation and a good laugh.
David signed my Love & Poison book and we took a picture together. And I also brought home a copy of the fanclub Sessions CD provided by him!
Fantastic Saturday and fantastic walk, I can only say thank you very very much.
Suede will release Let Go in 7' for the Record Store Day.
Let Go is a b-side from Can't Get Enough single which was released in 1999.
Back in those days, the song was much appreciated by Sweden who decided to release it as single instead of Can't Get Enough.
This year it will be released for the first time in the UK as a 7' single. The b-side was not revealed yet. This will accomplish the 7' singles boxset that the band will release soon.
Let go was written by Brett Anderson and Neil Codling, and it can be found on Head Music Deluxe Edition, or on both of the new Boxsets.
