Who is Simon Gilbert?
Short Answer:
Drummer. Archivist. Britpop’s metronome.
Long Answer:
Full Name
Simon Gilbert
Born
23 May 1965, England. Older than most of Britpop, and more consistent than all of it.
Occupation
Drummer. Timekeeper for Suede since 1990. Former punk, reluctant public figure, and the man behind the kit for every Suede record. Also moonlighted in Bangkok with Futon during Suede’s lost years. As you do.
Known For
Third longest-standing member of Suede, after Brett Anderson and Mat Osman. Joined before they had a record deal, stayed after the comeback, and never once stole the spotlight. Played every Suede gig from toilet circuit to festival headline. Brought in Richard Oakes by accident and Neil Codling by blood. That’s recruitment with flair.
Voice
Rarely heard. But when he speaks, it’s usually dry and deadpan.
Family
Cousin to Neil Codling, Suede’s keyboardist.
Came out publicly in the 1990s, quietly and gracefully.
Career Highlights
Joined Suede in 1990, after hearing a demo at work from a then-unknown Ricky Gervais.
Played on every Suede album.
Mistook a Richard Oakes demo for early Suede.
Went to Bangkok during the Suede hiatus and joined Futon.
Helped resurrect Suede in 2010 with the Royal Albert Hall gig. They never looked back.
Archivist behind Suede: The Insatiable Ones.
Signature Look
Slightly aloof. Always composed.
Signature Move
Playing the most dramatic songs of the decade while barely breaking a sweat.
Public Image
The drummer who never courted chaos but played right through it.
Wry, unflappable, and impossible to rattle.
Open about his sexuality without making it a press gimmick. A quiet icon, if you were paying attention.
Legacy
Provided the backbone for every Suede incarnation, from sleaze-glam to art rock resurrection.
Helped shape the band without needing the spotlight. Proof that brilliance doesn’t always need volume.
Still drumming, still present, still essential.
