SPIRAL
sci-fi lullabies
by
suede
(track by track)
published -
2025, quarter III
1997 release
b-sides compilation
share by ZsaZsa K.
(for revision requests, please contact
here)
context
Some of you may have caught on that I'm a shameless fan of the UK band called Suede. I was introduced to their music in the mid 90's by some Hollywood friends who happened to be in the know. It was love at first listen! I was instantly hooked by their unique sound, retro vibe, fashion sense, great hair, and stylized graphic design. There's quite literally no one and nothing comparable. Each member brings something really special to their collective energy & presentation [vocals - Brett Anderson, guitar - Richard Oakes, bass - Mat Osman, drums - Simon Gilbert, keyboards + backing vocals & guitar - Neil Codling (& a "must mention" is the original guitarist - Bernard Butler)].
I think it's safe to say they've accrued a bit of a cult following. Several fan clubs have existed over the last 30+ years. I'm proud to say I'm a member of The Insatiable Ones (IOs), a UK based group with members all over the globe. I'm one of the few of us here in Los Angeles and there are others scattered about California & the rest of the U.S. as well. Our sect has endearingly been unofficially labeled "The London IOs" but that's a story for another day (IYKYK). This community is among the most welcoming and caring groups I've ever been involved with (music or otherwise). We’re simply united under the common appreciation for all things Suede related.
The band has put out SO many timeless tunes that we diehards never tire of. It's not just nostalgia though, as they're still at it! We're all eagerly awaiting the Antidepressants album due to release in September 2025! The band understands our anxious anticipation so we've been temporarily appeased with several intriguing preview songs and music videos. To accompany the new music, they have 4 sold out shows lined up at Southbank Centre (+ 2 add ons as of their July 28th press release). Collectors scrambled to obtain MOJO magazine 382, featuruing Suede on the cover (alternate version Brian Wilson) + including a CD entitled The Outsiders (15 live, rare and/or unreleased gems from the Suede archive).
I never got to see them play in Los Angeles. Don't get me started about missing the November 2022 Palladium show - it's a sore subject for me. All was not lost, as the mishap did get me motivated to finally make a trip over the pond. I coordinated my 1st vacation to London around their schedule. I was lucky to finally see them live in December of 2023 (at Brixton Academy) & it was truly a life changing experience! They are gosh darn AMAZING!!! I cried tears of joy when I got back to my b&b.
Over the years, I've been asked to state my most loved Suede song. It's really impossible to select just one or even a top 10 list. If I had to recommend a starter for the Suede-curious, it would definitely be the Sci-Fi Lullabies (vol. I) album. This 1997 release is comprised of B-sides to their original singles. Apparently there was a fan club show to celebrate this record, where the set list was exclusively comprised of the Sci-Fi track list. If any of you attended that gig, I'm totally jealous!
I could ramble on about these guys forever (and if you've ever met me in person, you know this is 100% true), but I'd rather let their music speak for itself. If you have yet to discover Suede, please dive into this curated video playlist, created to spotlight some of their most gorgeous songs. I'm sure the existing Suede lovers will also find pleasure in re-visiting these show highlights. Enjoy!!!
P.S. This column was originally created as a "going away" gift for my fellow IO & wonderful friend, Lira, who is leaving L.A. soon. She'll understand why I opted to publish it instead of keeping it private. After all, being an IO involves recruiting new fans by sharing our passion and 1st hand experiences (spreading the gospel, so to speak).
pre-order
Suede's NEW album is coming soon!
ANTIDEPRESSANTS
scheduled release date
September 2025
Order your copy here!
[ suede's links ]
My Insatiable One
B side of
The Drowners (1992)
> Anderson/Butler
"... I've got this horrible feeling
On the escalator, they took it out on him ...:
To The Birds
B side of
The Drowners (1992)
> Anderson/Butler
""... So I'll sing to the birds there at my side
And I'll sing to the birds who will save my life ..."
Where The Pigs Don’t Fly
B side of
Metal Mickey (1992)
> Anderson/Butler
"... They're sparking up with someone, oh
They're covering their jumpers in roses ..."
He's Dead
B side of
Metal Mickey (1992)
> Anderson/Butler
"... She said I had the look of a son
With all the love and poison of London ..."
The Big Time
B side of Animal Nitrate (1993)
> Anderson/Butler
"... I watch the skyline for him to come
And when he comes along, we'll be gone ..."
High Rising
B side of
So Young (1993)
> Anderson/Butler
"... She called you from across the city
You hired a car to crawl ..."
The Living Dead
B side of
Stay Together (1994)
> Anderson/Butler
"... If I was the wife of an acrobat
Would I look like the living dead, boy? ..."
My Dark Star
B side of
Stay Together (1994)
> Anderson/Butler
"... And from the skyline shines
the lies of the government's singular history ..."
Killing of a Flashboy
B side of
We Are The Pigs (1994)
> Anderson/Butler
"... That you'll suffer for your sex
by the caravanettes, oh no ..."
Whipsnade
B side of
We Are The Pigs (1994)
> Anderson/Butler
"... Coast to coast, Side to side
shines the light of fine enlightened minds ..."
Modern Boys
B side of
The Wild Ones (1994)
> Anderson/Butler
"... yes the world calls my international
so let the decades die, let the parties fall ..."
Together
B side of
New Generation (1995)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... I saw you standing smoking counting stolen change
But I don't have the guts to complain ..."
Brentswood Boys
B side of
New Generation (1995)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... Where the karma comes with the kids and the cat food
You see Tina push the pram ..."
Europe Is Our Playground
B side of
Trash (1996)
> Anderson/Osman
"... From peepshow to disco,
from Spain to Camber Sands ..."
Every Monday Morning Comes
B side of
Trash (1996)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... Piss our money down the drain
And do whatever they say ..."
Have You Ever Been This Low
B side of
Trash (1996)
> Anderson/Oakes
*see live performance w/ next track listing
"... The taxis take you where you wanna go
Broken windows, endless television shows ..."
Another No One
B side of
Trash (1996)
> Anderson
"... She takes the blame, takes the pain
but the world smiles ..."
Young Men
B side of
Beautiful Ones (1996)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... Les says punk isn't dead
Mick is not impeccably bred ..."
The Sound of the Streets
B side of
Beautiful Ones (1996)
> Anderson
"... The cash machines are laughing
As plastic people passing ..."
Money
B side of
Beautiful Ones (1996)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... You thought you'd come and amaze me honey
Get rich get stitched get lonely ..."
W.S.D.
B side of
Saturday Night (1996)
> Anderson
"... Dressed as a cowboy in a permanent gag
It's sadder than it probably sounds ..."
This Time
B side of
Saturday Night (1996)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... The city sighs and cars collide
Oh we take the train ..."
Jumble Sale Mums
B side of
Saturday Night (1996)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... Jumble sale dads,
now she's packed her bags ..."
These Are The Sad Songs
B side of
Lazy (1997)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... These are the sad songs, the lies you've heard
These are the good times you keep inside ..."
Sadie
B side of
Lazy (1997)
> Anderson/Oakes
"... In the dead flowers
and the silent hours ..."
Graffiti Women
B side of
Filmstar (1997)
> Anderson
'... And they'll steal what they want
from who they want ..."
Duchess
B side of
Filmstar (1997)
> Anderson/Codling
"... And she sits alone by the telephone
But they won't call back again ..."
BONUS!
Fanclub B-Sides Gig (1997)
*almost full set
Of Related Interest
Rare 7" Box Set (2014)
*limited to 1,000 cds + 1,000 vinyl