Love and Poison is the official biography of the English alternative rock band Suede

Suede (band)

Suede are an English alternative rock band from London, formed in 1989. The group's most prominent early line-up featured singer Brett Anderson, guitarist Bernard Butler, bass player Mat Osman and drummer Simon Gilbert. By 1992, Suede were hailed as "The Best New Band in Britain", and attracted...

. The book, written by long-time band associate David Barnett, reveals the real stories behind singer Brett Anderson

Brett Anderson

Brett Lewis Anderson is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the band Suede. After Suede disbanded in 2003, he briefly fronted The Tears, and has released four solo albums...

's battle with drugs, his relationship with Elastica

Elastica

Elastica were an English alternative rock band that played punk rock-influenced music. They were best known for their 1995 album Elastica, which produced singles that charted in the US and the UK.-History:...

's Justine Frischmann

Justine Frischmann

Justine Elinor Frischmann is an English singer and guitarist, best known for being the lead singer of the now defunct band Elastica...

 and the subsequent feud with Blur

Blur (band)

Blur is an English alternative rock band. Formed in London in 1989 as Seymour, the group consists of singer Damon Albarn, guitarist Graham Coxon, bassist Alex James and drummer Dave Rowntree. Blur's debut album Leisure incorporated the sounds of Madchester and shoegazing...

 after she started stepping out with Damon Albarn

Damon Albarn

Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...

.

Also covered in great detail is Bernard Butler

Bernard Butler

Bernard Joseph Butler is an English musician and record producer. He first emerged in the early Britpop era with Suede. He has been hailed by some critics as the greatest guitarist of his generation, as well as one of Britain's most original and influential guitarists...

's departure from the group, which includes accurate diary entries from drummer Simon Gilbert. The recruitment of 17 year-old schoolboy Richard Oakes

Richard Oakes (guitarist)

Richard Oakes is an English musician and songwriter, best known as the guitarist and occasional pianist and backing vocalist of the English band, Suede.-Early life:...

, as well as keyboard player Neil Codling

Neil Codling

Neil John Codling is an English musician. He is best known as the keyboardist for the alternative rock band Suede.-Early life:...

's struggle with illness and the band's final years are explained thoroughly. One writer wrote that: "The story of why their last two albums were such a mess, for instance, is far more interesting than either record."

Compiled from hours of interviews with the band members and also featuring Frischmann, Mike Joyce and Ricky Gervais

Ricky Gervais

Ricky Dene Gervais is an English comedian, actor, director, radio presenter, producer, musician, and writer.Gervais achieved mainstream fame with his television series The Office and the subsequent series Extras, both of which he co-wrote and co-directed with friend and frequent collaborator...

, the book also contains previously unpublished photographs. Butler refused to be interviewed for the book.

The book was awarded 'Book of the Month' by The Observer

The Observer

The Observer is a British newspaper, published on Sundays. In the same place on the political spectrum as its daily sister paper The Guardian, which acquired it in 1993, it takes a liberal or social democratic line on most issues. It is the world's oldest Sunday newspaper.-Origins:The first issue,...

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