Armed with little more than a biography, Tan Ling Ai talks to British alternative pop band Suede comes away charmed. Having never heard of the English alternative-pop band Suede before except for the fact that its single , Animal Nitrate, is a favourite with a friend who had studied in Britain & that it had been around quite a while, I set out to do some research.

While that resulted in some insight into the 5-piece band, there were still some gaps to fill. Then a representative from Sony Music cautioned that lead singer Brett Anderson could be hard on an interviewer who wasn't familiar with the band. Fortunately, Anderson turned out to be a sweetheart. It was 11 a.m. in London & Anderson had already done a phone interview with another local publication.

He was still fresh & chirpy & all set to answer more questions. " The band was formed about a decade ago in London, " said Anderson. "Why did we get into music ? It was the most obvious thing to do. The band was started by me & a few schoolmates who loved music."

"But ever since then, we have lost & gained a few members along the way. Our current line-up is not the one we started out with but Suede is still Suede." When asked what he would be toaday had he not chosen to be a singer all those years ago, Anderson cheekily replied: " A bitter man " , laughing at his own reply.

Then he said : " I am glad I chose music because I have enjoyed myself. Growing up, I heard & saw a lot of acts on the radio & telly & they always made me think…" I can do that! " ( Me- this is so clichéd , everbody says this) , so I finally decided that I should & I did ! "

According to Anderson he & the rest of his mates- Richard Oakes (guitar), Simon Gilbert (drums), Mat Osman (bass) & Neil Codling (synthersisers)- drew musical influences from a number of famous bands, including The Pretenders.

However, their lyrics are written from personal experiences. " When we sit down to do a song, we compose the music first. Once we have the notes & melodies, then we put in the words. There is something deep & emotional about composing a piece of music that you to put words to….so music is always first."

On being labelled an alternative-pop band, Anderson said " I have been a big pop fan & I don't know why we have been labelled an alternative-pop band, because I have always thought we were a mainstream band." Well, whether it's alternative-pop or mainstream-pop, Anderson certainly has nothing to complain about. The band's latest album, the 13-track Head Music has done extremely well, selling by the millions to date. (Me- Oh, is that really true ?)

They also have a legion of loyal fans everywhere, including in Asia, who are waiting anxiously for them to make their promotional appearances. " I would be lying if say that when I started out, I did not expect us to be rich & famous," said Anderson. " But now that I have grown older, I realise that fame isn't important. (Me- hmmm?!) It's writing something meaningful that will survive you, which people will remember & cherish forever, that is more important." (Me- tell me, is 'She lives in a house, she stupid as a mouse' meaningful ?)

"When people come up to me & tell me how they feel about Suede's music or that the lyrics touched them in a personal way, I feel quite proud & good that I have done something which will be remembered." How does he feel about the mushrooming of British bubble-gum pop bands that are in it for instant fame & money ?

"There are 2 parts to the music industry," he said. " The music part & the business part. The boybands & girlbands are under the business part & I am happy that they are doing well. But quite frankly, I couldn't be bothered with that. I am not a businessman or a corporate person, just a guy in a band writing & playing music for music," he concluded.

Well, Suede will be coming to our shores soon. The band's Asian tour kicked off in Japan on September 15th & will move ot Taiwan (cancelled), Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore & Australia before ending in Malaysia with a concert at the Putra World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur on October 11th. (also cancelled)

The album Head Music is available in all leading music stores in Malaysia - & some of the tracks- the quirky Elephant Man, the funky Electricity, the sobering Everything Will Flow, the spunky She's In Fashion, the unique Eastern-Western fusion piece Indian Strings & the sad He's Gone- are worth a spin. (Me- don't miss out ' Down ')