bernard butler
Although he wasn't a singer, Butler realized early on that he had to play guitar. While listening to the work of Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Butler captured his techniques and added his own trademark style. "He's pretty much the reason why I started playing," says Butler. "I learned to play by listening to Smiths and Joy Division records."
Butler's unique style arrived at its full potential on Suede's 1993 debut full-length. He departed the band after their second release and soon
began working with numerous other artists, including a brief sttint with
The Verve circa 1996. "Before they started recording Urban Hymns the
plan was that Richard [Ashcroft] would be making a solo album," says
Butler. "But he didn't have a guitarist. A few of his producers
recommended me. We had a great time for about five days. The reason it
didn't work with me was because me and Richard are both song writers and
that doesn't work."
As for the gossip writers in the British music papers, such as NME and Melody Maker, Butler is well aware of their objective. He finds that media in the United States is more respectful of his work. "In the U.S. people talk about this record rather than theory and gossip. In England it's kind of stilted against my criminal record."
Fortunately, his past is ignored by teenagers across the globe. "I went to Spain last week and I was mobbed by 14-year-old girls. It was frightening."
And though he has been playing mostly acoustic shows on his first tour, the kids still find it enjoyable. "To see young people getting into something that was different from a rock group is really wonderful to see," says Butler. "People always presume that if you're young you want teenage pop music and when you're older you want mature adult music. I think that's bullshit."
