The Tears
| Company type | Supergroup |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Brett Anderson, Bernard Butler |
| Defunct | 2006 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
Key people | Brett Anderson, Bernard Butler, Will Foster, Nathan Fisher, Makoto Sakamoto |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Tears emerged as an English rock supergroup in 2004, founded by former Suede members Brett Anderson and Bernard Butler. They were joined by ex-members of Delicatessen and Lodger, including keyboardist Will Foster, bassist Nathan Fisher, and session drummer Makoto Sakamoto. The reunion between Anderson and Butler sparked considerable excitement, with critics lauding their initial live performances and their only album, Here Come the Tears. The ensemble was short-lived, disbanding in 2006 as Anderson embarked on a solo career prior to Suede's 2010 reunion, Butler shifted focus to full-time producing, and Foster became a session player for the Fratellis.
History
Bernard Butler departed from Suede in 1994 amid reported musical disagreements and conflicts related to Anderson's lifestyle. Their separation attracted widespread media attention, with both parties publicly exchanging critiques. After nearly a decade without contact, the two reconnected effortlessly and established The Tears, a name inspired by a phrase from a Philip Larkin poem.
Their inaugural live show took place on 14 December 2004 at Oxford’s Zodiac venue. Early performances showcasing new songs received favorable reviews. Initially, Anderson dismissed the idea of performing Suede tracks but eventually included the B-side "The Living Dead" during an encore in April 2005.
The debut single "Refugees," released in April 2005, achieved a Top 10 position on the UK Singles Chart. Their album Here Come the Tears, recorded discreetly throughout 2004, was released on 6 June 2005 to generally positive critical reception but failed to break into the UK Top 10 Albums Chart. Anderson remarked that media attention on their reunion tended to overshadow the musical content. The group appeared at prominent festivals such as Glastonbury and issued a follow-up single, "Lovers," which reached number 24.
Although there were announcements regarding a second album and a European tour, these plans were ultimately abandoned after the band was dropped by their record label. In April 2006, Anderson declared a temporary break to avoid the conventional cycle of touring and recording. He completed his solo debut for release in early 2007, suggesting that a second Tears album was still intended. By August 2006, both the band's website and forum had been shut down. In 2007, Anderson disclosed that while work had commenced on another album, the band dissolved due to diminishing enjoyment. Butler retired from performing in 2008 to concentrate on production work. Anderson released three solo albums before Suede reformed in 2010.
Drummer Makoto Sakamoto died on 21 August 2018 after battling an illness, as confirmed by Bernard Butler via Twitter.
Members
- Brett Anderson – lead vocals
- Bernard Butler – lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals
- Nathan Fisher – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Will Foster – keyboards, piano
- Makoto "Mako" Sakamoto – drums, percussion (deceased 2018)
Albums
- Here Come the Tears (2005) – Peaked at No. 15 on UK Albums Chart