Drummer Justin Welch Temporarily Joins Suede

Former Elastica drummer Justin Welch has joined Suede as a temporary replacement for drummer Simon Gilbert. A message posted on the official Suede forum last week confirmed that Gilbert would be taking a break after contracting tuberculosis.

“We are sorry to report that Simon Gilbert has contracted tuberculosis, a condition that is only treatable with a prolonged period of antibiotics and rest,” the message read.

“Because of this he is unlikely to be able to perform with Suede at the forthcoming shows in Copenhagen and Barcelona.

“However, both Simon and the band feel that these shows must go on and thus the group will be rehearsing with long-term friend of the band Justin Welch to make sure that this can happen.”

It continued: “Simon wants everyone to know that he is receiving great care and that he is sure that his recovery will be as speedy as possible.”

Welch briefly played in Suede in their earliest days, where he met future Elastica frontwoman Justine Frischmann, who was in Suede until 1991.

Elastica split in 2001, a year after the release of second album The Menace.

Keyboard player Neil Codling, who joined Suede for third album Coming Up in 1995, confirmed that the band had been rehearsing with Welch.

“This tweet comes to you from the rehearsal rooms in North London where Suede and Justin Welch are busy recreating the golden years of Britpo[p],” Codling wrote on Twitter today.

Suede play a series of UK shows this autumn in support of comeback album Bloodsports.