NME is running a "shock" piece today inferring that former Suede guitarist BERNARD BUTLER is threatening to leave the music business following his release from Creation Records. Creation, which closes shop this June with the retirement of founder Alan McGee, was unable to find a new home for Butler and released him from contract. An obviously emotional Butler joked with an NME reporter about sacking it all to become a snooker player. Butler went on to say, "I wrote a lot of new material and then got dropped so I thought, 'Fuck it'. That is all I can say." A spokesperson for Creation told NME that Butler should have an easy time finding a new record deal. Meanwhile, Bernard's second solo album, "Friends and Lovers," issued on Creation late last year, has suffered in the charts - which is being blamed on the dying label's inability to property promote the release. (In other words, don't worry - ol' Bernie will find a new home - he's likely just blowing off some steam.)