Is It Something in the Books That You Read?
Were you lucky enough to attend one of the As One book talks? If you were, you'll know the evenings were filled with great stories, laughter and plenty of insights into the Suede's next life journey. If not, Mike Harris takes us back to the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
*Yeah, the title is a bit of an obscure lyric. Not sure One hit to the body' from A New Morning is many fan's favourite 😏
The Next Life
A warm Monday evening finds me at Cheltenham Literature Festival for a discussion about Rodge Glass' As One book. Hosted by no less than Stuart Maconie, an English radio DJ and television presenter, writer, journalist, and critic
Rodge, Mat and Neil sat down for an enjoyable hour to discuss the book and a brief gallop through the history of the second life (next life?) of Suede, from the Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall to Antidepressants and the tours with the Manics.
All-Areas Pass
There were a few hundred there, and I spotted a few IOs among the more local literary types.
With general probing from Stuart, Rodge gave some background to his history with the band and the remarkable access he was given to their process over the last few years while researching the book (an all-areas pass, it would seem. We're not jealous at all) .
He also spoke about the extensive interviews that helped him document Suede's journey from the Teenage Cancer Trust show onwards.
Avoid Spoilers
I won't talk too much about the book, as I'm sure most of you will have read it by now and it's already been reviewed on these pages.
I preordered ages ago, but when I found out about, and got tickets for this talk, I managed to restrain myself from reading it to avoid any spoilers for the event. This was quickly put right - it's a great read.
Hypodermic Needle in the Haystack
Mat looked relaxed and engaging as usual. Neil, much quieter, but his comments (and quotes from the book) are some of the most memorable.
Brett being able to 'Find the hypodermic needle in the haystack' after the lyricist's move to rural Somerset being a stand out.
The Magic of the Wow
The chat about the Teenage Cancer Trust show had me scurrying home and digging out my DVD to remind myself of the magic and the 'Wow!' glances across the band members as the response of the audience (sadly not including me) showed many out there still cared about this band and that they may have another future.
A Fan but an Author Too
Rodge is clearly a fan, but an author too and crucially, not a music journo (no 'Sonic Cathedrals of Sound' as Stuart pointed out, and he would know!) and I think this reflects in his writing.
None of his other books are about music, but are on a variety of subjects. His approach reminded me a bit of Shane Meadows' and his Stone Roses film, 'Made of Stone'.
Not Frozen at 25
Mat mused on Suede's ability to grow, both with the fans and the world around them, not being frozen at 25 or whatever age the first flush of fame comes, something many bands seem to struggle with.
A Revelation or two!
A brief Q&A wrapped things up, the revelation (to me anyway) that the friendship with The Manics was initially started through Bernard, and perhaps more obviously that each set list is agonised over for hours and days by Brett and the band respond with thumbs up emojis!
Time To Sign
The hour was over all too quickly and was followed with a signing session. All four (Stuart sat in) were chatty.
I blurted something about me having visited the acoustic mirrors on the cover of the book and the Sci Fi Lullabies expanded edition, a little while before the release of the Wastelands video (filmed nearby) and that I had parked my car in the street the free runner runs around in the video. Polite 'Oh reallys' from Mat and Neil.
When I last met the band at a signing (AF, Oxford) I asked why they don't play This World Needs A Father live - "Because we have better songs" answered Brett - I must up my game when meeting the band!
A Reminder That Suede are a Band
One thing I enjoyed about the evening was it was a reminder that Suede are a band, and although Brett can sometimes be the focal point (e.g. Graham Norton from 16/10/26), the others make the band the band they are - still producing new, great, non-nostalgic music loved by many.
Neil said when the discussion turned to suede's time in the mainstream being over: 'No one cares about your tenth album'. I think he's wrong, and the Mercury Prize nomination panel would seem to agree with me, and I'm sure many of you do too. Fingers crossed for Thursday 22nd.
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