SUEDE and overkill are two words which have gone hand in hand since

the band first burst into the limelight.

That was with a stupendous debut single, The Drowners, almost 12

months ago.

But unlike most others who have greatness thrust upon them by the

music press, the London quartet have so far lived up to all the hype

and, as yet, have not disappointed the growing army of people who regard

them as the most important band to emerge in Britain this decade.

To date, they've only released three singles, though. Is everyone

getting just a little over excited?

Lead singer Brett Anderson remains calmly aloof from the bouquets of

praise which Suede have been receiving during the last year, almost as

if preparing himself for the backlash.

Media

''The attention the band has received has, at times, seemed to us a

bit over the top,'' he admits.

''But we haven't gone looking for it. It's the media which has come to

us, so they must see something special in Suede which they don't see in

others. It's all quite amusing really.''

The four-piece have just signed a big licencing deal with Sony which

allows them to remain on their original indie label, Nude. Suede seem to

have grown up in public very quickly.

''We get the best of both worlds with the record deal. It's nice to

get a bit of cash behind the band from a major, but, by the same token,

I don't think it's healthy for bands to ditch the label which gave them

an initial break at the first possible opportunity.

''That contract also means we remain in control of all aspects of our

future, even down to the artwork we use on releases.''

Having followed up The Drowners with their first chart success, Metal

Mickey, Suede went from highly-touted indie band to major league players

with their latest single, Animal Nitrate, which crashed straight into

into the UK Top 10 in its first week of release.

That earned them a last-minute invitation to play at the BRITS Awards

ceremony, although it's most thought they should have been there in

person anyway as winners of the Best Newcomers category.

Debut

With three critically acclaimed singles behind them, the band's

forthcoming debut album will be keenly anticipated.

''I'm sure they'll all be dying to slag it off, saying we're just a

singles band not capable of producing a complete album of great songs,''

says Anderson.

''But I want each song to stand on its own merits.''

Albums suggest that there are a few songs which have been thrown on as

fillers because the band weren't capable of coming up with a dozen

really good ones.

''We take the same care and attention with every song we write and

that's how it should be.''

The live dates they've played would appear to bear that out, with

Suede launching an assault from song one and not letting up until the

finish. Prepare to be astounded when they play at the Plaza on April

1st.

Hold on to your hats

folks, it's fabulous

Why Wendy

is grateful

to wee Elvis

AN unlikely meeting of minds has resulted in the release of a new

album by ex-Transvision Vamp singer, Wendy James (right).

Her old combo were best known for Wendy's pouting rather than their

music - although in fairness, they released a couple of great pop

singles - so Elvis Costello must have been surprised when she asked him

to write material for her new solo project.

Not only did Elvis agree to talk, he actually penned the entire album

for James!

Novelty

Now Ain't The Time For Your Tears is a lot better than you might

imagine, although one suspects Costello enjoyed the novelty aspect of

the writing a bit much and got carried away at times.

Or he might just have ploughed through years of his old demo tapes and

sent Wendy all the songs he considered too naff for his own usage!