Bernard Butler Gives Blessing to Suede Reunion

Original Suede guitarist Bernard Butler has spoken of his disappointment for his former alma mater in light of the news that they are to reform for this year's Teenage Cancer gig at the Royal Albert Hall. Despite leaving the band in 1994 before the completion of Suede's second album, 'Dog Man Star,' a lot of press attention has focused on Butler's absence, an approach that he finds baffling.

Talking to BBC 6 Music, Butler said, "It's a shame for them that my name gets dragged into it to try and stir something up. The honest answer is that I haven't been asked to do it. I saw [singer] Brett [Anderson] the other night socially and it's not really something we're going to go on about. So, it's all in people's fantasies and imaginations really."

Since his departure, Butler has gone on to carve out a successful career as a solo artist and, more notably, as a producer. His production credits include work with the Libertines, the Cribs and most successfully, award-winning Welsh chanteuse Duffy. More recently, Butler has been working on Kate Nash's as-yet-untitled second album.

Suede will reform with Butler's replacement Richard Oakes who played on the albums 'Coming Up', 'Head Music' and 'A New Morning'.

Butler was keen to stress his best wishes for Suede's comeback, saying: "They were a really successful band and I was with them for five minutes, relatively, to the history of the band. And they get along fine."

He added, "I think they'll manage this on their own. I think it's a good idea. It's a great charity and I'll be on the front row chucking peanuts at them."