Neil Codling

Suede

Codling joined Suede as a keyboardist and backing vocalist in the autumn of 1995, during the recording of their third album, Coming Up. His first appearance with the band was at a secret fanclub gig at Hanover Grand on 27 January 1996, and his first public performance followed in September 1996. For the 1999 album Head Music, his role expanded considerably, and he co-wrote many of its songs. He also played rhythm guitar during live shows. Together with Richard Oakes, Codling contributed to the band's pop and electric sound, which helped produce two UK number-one albums: Coming Up and Head Music. On 23 March 2001, Codling left Suede due to his chronic fatigue syndrome. In December 2004, he performed a show with his musical project Barry O'Neil, a duo with Harriet Cawley. He later played keyboards on tour with Natalie Imbruglia in 2005. In April 2007, he played keyboards for two Brett Anderson solo concerts in Germany, marking the first reunion since leaving Suede. In 2009, Codling joined Penguin Cafe and continues to play with the orchestra. He reunited with his former bandmates for three UK Suede concerts in 2010, and the band continued occasional gigs worldwide through 2010 and 2011. In 2013, Suede released Bloodsports, their first album in 10 years and the first in 14 to feature Codling; he co-wrote eight of its ten songs. The 2016 album Night Thoughts included eight writing credits from Codling, and he co-produced it with Ed Buller. For the 2018 album The Blue Hour, Codling co-wrote nine songs and co-produced with Alan Moulder. On 16 September 2022, Suede released Autofiction, on which Codling co-wrote five of its eleven songs.