Bernard Butler is a British musician and record producer from Stamford Hill, North London, who is known for his work in rock and indie music. Born in 1970, he first gains wider recognition in 1992 as the guitarist in Suede, where he co-writes and plays on every track until he leaves the band in 1994 during the recording of their second album, Dog Man Star.

Suede and early success

Butler becomes part of Suede at a moment when the band emerges as a major force in UK pop music. His role includes guitar and songwriting across the group’s early material, and his departure follows personal tensions within the band.

McAlmont & Butler and solo work

After leaving Suede, he forms McAlmont & Butler with David McAlmont. The duo releases the singles “Yes” and “You Do”, followed by a compilation album, The Sound of McAlmont and Butler, after the split. Butler then releases two albums under his own name, People Move On and Friends and Lovers, before McAlmont & Butler reunite for a second album, Bring It Back, and the singles “Falling” and “Bring It Back”.

The Tears and later projects

Butler later forms The Tears with former Suede bandmate Brett Anderson. The band’s debut album, Here Come The Tears, is produced by Butler and includes the singles “Refugees”, which reaches number 9 in the UK charts, and “Lovers”. His other groups include Butler, Blake & Grant, Jessie Buckley & Bernard Butler and The Venus in Furs.

Production, collaborations and film work

Alongside his own releases, Butler plays on and produces records for Sparks, Edwyn Collins, Aimee Mann, Neneh Cherry, Tim Booth of James, Manic Street Preachers, Eddi Reader, Hopper, Roy Orbison, Bert Jansch and The Libertines. He creates the soundtrack for the 1997 film The James Gang and appears on the Velvet Goldmine soundtrack alongside Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood of Radiohead. He also plays live with The Cranberries, Paul Weller, Teenage Fanclub and Manic Street Preachers.

Recognition

His production work on Duffy’s debut album Rockferry brings him the Producer’s Award at the 2009 BRIT Awards and Producer of the Year at the 2008 Music Producers’ Guild awards.