In December, Suede will reunite to perform at the O2 in London.
However, what lies ahead after the gig? What comes next?
Brett Anderson, the front-man of Suede, believes that every band that has reformed ends up being disappointing during their second stint.
But Brett, that statement isn’t entirely accurate. While it is indeed a matter of personal opinion, the Sex Pistols, for instance, were phenomenal during their one-off concert at Finsbury Park in 1996. Who would have guessed that Johnny, with his rotten teeth, could deliver such a massive 
outdoor show? They sounded incredible, and with the absence of poor Sid, God bless him, the band, featuring the original bassist and songwriter Glen Matlock, presented a cohesive performance.
Though sometimes, Glen resembles a member of Spandau Ballet.
So, Mr. Anderson, what led you to form that opinion?
It’s irrelevant if he is mistaken, as Suede is a remarkable band that emerged from some truly bleak musical periods.
Their debut album featured Downer, Animal Lover, and the hauntingly beautiful Sleeping Pills. They also were fantastic live.
I first caught them in North London at the venue then known as the Town and Country Club in Camden.
Blur were headlining that night with their second album, and there were two other bands on the bill: Mega City Four and another one I can’t seem to recall…
They couldn’t have been as forgettable as MCF, or else I would definitely remember them. MCF were dreadful, simply because the band was just not good…for no other reason.
Before Blur took the stage, Suede delivered an excellent performance. Brett had a unique blend of David Bowie and Morrissey in his style, paired with a genuine Mod flair.
When Blur appeared, they seemed uninterested and indifferent to the performance. It 
was apparent that the band’s longevity was questionable. I had a chat with Dave Rowntree, the drummer for Blur, afterwards, and he confessed that the record label was becoming increasingly frustrated with them. However, as history would show, the subsequent album was Parklife, which changed everything.
Suede later performed at the 121 Club on Oxford Street, marking the moment when their potential became evident.
They exhibited a certain degree of confidence. It may have annoyed ‘some individuals’, but even if it did, those ‘same individuals’ likely envied Suede’s arrogance. Because the next day, those ‘same individuals’ would return to their mundane lives, working jobs and putting up with their bosses’ nonsense… while Suede would remain that audacious outfit gearing up for another performance later that night.
Suede inspired young working-class men to feel different… at least for a few hours… possibly heading to a club later… looking for romance… or perhaps even getting into a brawl with some characters from Dagenham who shouldn’t have stepped out of their area.
Although Bernard Butler departed the band in 1994, Suede continued to produce great albums featuring outstanding pop singles. Butler expressed that he had no desire to collaborate with Suede again, hence he wasn’t approached regarding the reunion. Nevertheless, Bernard and Brett did come together to remaster their old tracks for a new compilation album, cleverly titled ‘The Best of Suede’, which has just been released.
The current lineup includes singer Brett Anderson, 43, guitarist Richard Oakes, 34, bassist Mat Osman, 43, drummer Simon Gilbert, 45, and keyboardist Neil Codling, 36.
The band currently has no plans for what follows after the concert, but it would certainly be wonderful for them to embark on a tour, reminding us all of their rise during the decadent musical landscape of that era.
by Wallace McTavish
