Editing Suede (band) (section)

===1989–1991: Formation and early years ===
[[Brett Anderson]] and [[Justine Frischmann]] met in 1988 while studying at [[University College London]] and became a couple soon afterward.<ref>Harris, p. 28–30</ref> Together with Anderson's childhood friend [[Mat Osman]], they believed they had the foundation for a band and spent hours daily playing songs by [[Roxy Music]], [[The Smiths]], [[David Bowie]], and [[The Cure]].<ref name="Harris, p. 32">Harris, p. 32</ref> After concluding that neither Anderson nor Frischmann had the skills to be a lead guitarist, the band placed an ad in ''[[NME]]''<ref name="Harris, p. 32"/> in the magazine's 28 October 1989 issue seeking to fill the position: "Young guitar player needed by London-based band. Smiths, [[Lloyd Cole and the Commotions|Commotions]], Bowie, [[Pet Shop Boys]]. No Musos. Some things are more important than ability. Call Brett." The ad attracted nineteen-year-old [[Bernard Butler]], who soon auditioned to join the band.<ref>Barnett, p. 32</ref> They settled on the name Suede. Initially lacking a drummer, the band used a [[drum machine]].<ref>Harris, p. 34–35</ref> Despite Frischmann's efforts as the band's ''de facto'' manager, they primarily played small-scale gigs around [[Camden Town]] in London.<ref>Harris, p. 35</ref>

Suede's first breakthrough came with their second demo, ''Specially Suede,'' which they sent to compete in ''Demo Clash,'' a radio show on [[Greater London Radio]] hosted by DJ [[Gary Crowley]]. "Wonderful Sometimes" won ''Demo Clash'' for five consecutive Sundays in 1990, leading to a recording contract with the Brighton-based indie label RML.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/suede-mn0000586694/biography|title=Suede Biography|website=[[AllMusic]]|last=Erlewine|first=Stephen Thomas|author-link=Stephen Thomas Erlewine|access-date=28 July 2013|archive-date=15 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015064723/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/suede-mn0000586694/biography|url-status=live}}</ref> The song appeared on a cassette compilation in April 1990, representing Suede's first official release.<ref>Barnett, p. 37</ref> After a series of performances with an unreliable drum machine, Suede decided to recruit a full-time drummer. [[Justin Welch]] briefly filled the role, though he lasted only six weeks before joining the [[Crawley]] band [[Spitfire (UK band)|Spitfire]].<ref>Harris, p. 36</ref> However, he remained long enough to record two songs with the band, which were set to be released as the "Be My God"/"Art" single on RML Records. The band was dissatisfied with the result, and most of the 500 copies pressed were destroyed.<ref>Harris, p. 36–37</ref> Suede placed another ad seeking a replacement. To their surprise, it was answered by former Smiths drummer [[Mike Joyce (musician)|Mike Joyce]]. Ultimately, he declined the job, feeling Suede still needed to forge their own identity and that his presence might hinder them due to their similarities to the Smiths.<ref>Barnett, p. 45</ref> In June 1990, Suede found a permanent drummer, [[Simon Gilbert (musician)|Simon Gilbert]], through [[Ricky Gervais]], who initially worked in the music industry and managed the band before turning to comedy. Both worked at the [[University of London Union]] (ULU). After hearing the demo and realizing the band lacked a drummer, Gilbert asked to audition.<ref>Barnett, p. 50–51</ref>

By spring 1991, Anderson and Frischmann had broken up. Frischmann began dating [[Blur (band)|Blur]] frontman [[Damon Albarn]]. She believed the band could adapt to the new situation.<ref>Harris, p. 61</ref> However, tensions grew. Butler recalled, "She'd turn up late for rehearsals and say the worst thing in the world – 'I've been on a Blur video shoot.' That was when it ended, really. I think it was the day after she said that Brett phoned me up and said, 'I've kicked her out.'" After Frischmann's departure, the character of the group shifted. "If Justine hadn't left the band," Anderson remarked, "I don't think we'd have got anywhere. It was a combination of being personally motivated and the chemistry being right once she'd left." Anderson and Butler became close friends and started writing several new songs together.<ref>Harris, p. 62</ref> Still, the band's music remained out of step with the prevailing sounds of London's music scene and the American [[grunge]] movement. Anderson noted, "For the whole of 1991, A&R men wouldn't give us a second look."<ref>Harris, p. 63</ref>

Through late 1991 and early 1992, Suede received a number of favorable mentions in the music press, landing slots at shows hosted by ''NME'' and attended by prominent figures, including former Smiths singer [[Morrissey]]. A gig at the ULU in October 1991, which caught the media's attention, marked Frischmann's final performance with the band.<ref>Barnett, p. 63–64</ref> ''NME'' journalist John Mulvey, the first to write about Suede, attended the show. He noted, "They had charm, aggression, and... if not exactly eroticism, then something a little bit dangerous and exciting."<ref name="Independent1">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/now-you-see-them-its-been-a-long-time-since-there-was-a-pop-phenomenon-like-this-frenzied-fans-rhapsodising-reviews----suede-it-seems-might-be-the-future-of-rock-and-roll-then-again-they-might-not-1499016.html|title=Now you see them...|last=Leith|first=William|work=[[The Independent]]|date=21 March 1993|access-date=21 October 2018|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104070324/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/now-you-see-them-its-been-a-long-time-since-there-was-a-pop-phenomenon-like-this-frenzied-fans-rhapsodising-reviews----suede-it-seems-might-be-the-future-of-rock-and-roll-then-again-they-might-not-1499016.html|url-status=live}}</ref>