Although Neil Codling has been a part of the band for about a year now, I didn't know who he was until a month or so before 'Coming Up' was released. Maybe it's because I resided another continent last year, but I hadn't heard the slightest thing about the new 22-year-old member of Suede. According to an article in 'Select', not one of the other members can remember asking him to join either. Because he was Simon's cousin and a Suede-fan, he was allowed to be present as they demoed songs. Mat: "We're quite insular as a band. We don't even allow people to hear tapes of us playing. But Neil was... pretty clued up. I don't even know how we knew that. Almost from the way he looked and the way he talked." And I almost believe that Neil was born to be in Suede with that style of his. Dressed in black, smoking cigarettes. A lot like Brett... Like a lot of other people I know, I started out hating him. When I saw him sitting by his keyboard with legs crossed, looking incredibly bored (and ridiculous), I wondered why in the world they put him there. My strong belief that they would never disappoint me turned into doubt. Had Suede gone absolutely mad? I would have to wait until the concert in October to change my mind about Neil. After that he was a new idol of mine (well, almost). I loved his arrogant attitude on stage. The same attitude that annoyed the hell out of me before. And I noticed what his backing vocals did for the songs. He left the stage last, but not least. I thought he was the coolest. And he is cool. Born in Stratford Upon Avon 1973, Neil comes from a rather wealthy family. He was a pupil at the King Edward V school, and in October 1992, he left for Hull to study English and Drama at university. He graduated with a 2:1 and moved to London, where he was living round the corner from the studio where Suede were currrently rehearsing before the recording of their new album. The band liked Neil a lot, especially Brett, who found him hilarious. They invited him to play with them on the album sessions. Brett also suggested Neil try writing songs. That resulted in 'Starcrazy' and 'The Chemistry Between Us', which the others found incredible. 'Starcrazy' was made in three hours after one of his two-day fasts, with the demo being almost as good as the record. Suede fans first were acquainted with Neil at London's Hanover Grand in January as he lined up with the band for their annual fan-club show. They played an entire set of new, unreleased songs - the first time this had happened since 1992. And Neil did fairly well, being a newcomer to the whole concert-thing. We haven't seen the last of Neil yet. I think he can have a lot to offer Suede, and I'm sure he'll surprise us time and again.