Brett Anderson and Justine Frischmann met

Brett Anderson and Justine Frischmann met in 1988 while studying at University College London and became a couple soon afterward. Together with Anderson’s childhood friend Mat Osman , they believed they had the foundation for a band and spent hours daily playing songs by Roxy Music , The Smiths , David Bowie , and The Cure . After concluding that neither Anderson nor Frischmann had the skills to be a lead guitarist, the band placed an ad in NME in the magazine’s 28 October 1989 issue seeking to fill the position: “Young guitar player needed by London-based band. Smiths, Commotions , Bowie, Pet Shop Boys . No Musos. Some things are more important than ability. Call Brett.” The ad attracted nineteen-year-old Bernard Butler , who soon auditioned to join the band. They settled on the name Suede. Initially lacking a drummer, the band used a drum machine . Despite Frischmann’s efforts as the band’s de facto manager, they primarily played small-scale gigs around Camden Town in London.