“It’s a very sensual song” – Suede on the making of “The Drowners”
As Suede conclude their triumphant Southbank Takeover, here’s Brett Anderson, Bernard Butler, Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert and producer Ed Buller remembering the creation of their debut single, “The Drowners”. Inspired by glam and “engorged flesh”, it earned the band celebrity fans and a record deal, and helped change the course of ’90s indie… For Suede, it was, in many ways, the worst of times. Singer Brett Anderson had broken up with girlfriend Justine Frischmann, losing along the way his residence in her plush Kensington flat, and her hustle as ersatz band manager. Advertisement It was also the best of times. In his new, meaner lodgings in London’s seamier Westbourne Park, Anderson made a giant leap forward as a writer, shedding his Momus-indebted flourishes for a new style of lyrics that romantically recast his own penurious lifestyle. He grew closer to guitarist Bernard Butler, and their songwriting partnership gave up its first real fruits. “When someone is going out with someone in the band and they’re going home together you can never break that down,” remembers Butler. “Brett was a hidden character behind Justine. So when that ended, that’s when we started writing good things together. Justine lent me the money… Read More →
