By Eleni P. Austin
The British band Squeeze has been making music for half a century now. The nucleus of the band, songwriters Chris Difford and Glen Tilbrook first began collaborating as teenagers. Both sang and played guitar, once they added keys, bas and drums, they became a full-fledged band. They gigged around Great Britain and their debut, U.K. Squeeze arrived in 1978. It featured a couple minor hits, “Bang, Bang” and “Take Me, I’m Yours.”
Their next three records, Cool For Cats, Argy Bargy and East Side Story were hailed as watershed efforts, embraced by critics and fans alike, Chris and Glen’s crackling songcraft earned them comparisons to John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Droll and pithy (Lennon-esque) lyrics were matched by sunny, hook-laden (McCartney-esque) melodies on instant classics like “Up The Junction,” “If I Didn’t Love You” and “Tempted.” Their sound, awash in dayglo, New Wave colors, was a sharp synthesis of Power Pop, Pub Rock, Country, Psychedelia and Baroque Pop.
The band has continued to make excellent records and topped the charts throughout the ‘80s. All told, they have released 14 studio efforts, myriad greatest hits collections and a few live sets. Most recently, the band has returned to the recording studio, working on two separate albums. They are currently on tour, sharing a bill with Boy George. (Full disclosure: I have been a huge fan of this band since I saw them open for my spiritual boyfriend, Elvis Costello in early 1981. I own pretty much their entire oeuvre- yes, I said oeuvre- in a few different formats, including their Difford & Tilbrook collaboration up to their most recent stellar studio efforts, Cradle To Grave and The Knowledge. For me, their music has never gone out of style, it remains timeless) I recently checked in with Chris and Glen and asked them a few burning questions.
Eleni: Once you both got together and began writing songs, what were the bands, or artists that inspired you? What kind of songs did you aspire to write?
Chris: I listened to Todd Rundgren and Sparks. But mostly Lou Reed. I loved his voice and storytelling.
Glenn: I’ve been heavily influenced by T-Rex, Stevie Wonder, Sparks and Wings.
Eleni: Songs like “Up The Junction,” “Goodbye Girl,” “Pulling Mussels (From A Shell)” and “Labelled With Love” are the perfect confluence of deft melodies and nuanced narratives. It feels like your music would be perfect for one of those Jukebox musicals like Abba’s Mama Mia, or The Go-Go’s Head Over Heels. Have you ever considered doing something along those lines?
Chris: It’s too late in the game for that now, but we did have a shot at a musical in 1984. It was fun to be involved in, and I always wanted to repeat the idea.
Glen: Thank you, that’s kind of you to say. We did do a musical in 1984 called Labelled With Love, which ran for six weeks at the Albany and that was when Steve Wright was drumming with us.
Eleni: One of your best-loved albums, East Side Story, was produced by Elvis Costello. Do you guys think you will ever collaborate again?
Chris: I doubt it, but I would love to.
Glen: Working with Elvis was an incredible experience. I’m extremely happy to be producing with our bass player, Owen Biddle. But you never know what the future will bring.
Eleni: I know last fall, you were headed back into the studio, intent on making an album of new material, as well as a second effort that would concentrate on older songs you had written, but never recorded. Can you tell me how those projects are progressing and when they will be released?
Chris: So far, we have one in the bag and the other on hold until maybe next year. I’m very proud of the recordings, it’s been an emotional journey.
Glen: Yes! We have been in the studio since the end of February, writing and recording. When Chris and I first met, we weren’t really performing shows, so we would just write and write and write. The old songs were on a demo tape. We were surprised by how well-formed they were, and it inspired more writing. This is some of the most exciting music we have ever produced. Feeling very proud and excited for everyone to hear both albums. We’ve recorded two albums, but will split them up. The record, Trixie’s, was written in 1974! 50 years ago! We will be releasing those songs next year. It is amazing. The other record, equally amazing, will be released in 2026.
Eleni: For better or worse, Squeeze has always been considered New Wave music. Even though you have embraced a variety of styles over the years, Country, Music Hall, Sinatra-flavored ballads and breezy Power Pop, just to name a few. Are you okay with that easy categorization, or do you feel it limits your music?
Chris: For me, we have always sounded like Squeeze, pigeon-holing the band never worked very well, timeless old pigeons we are.
Glen: I think it’s difficult to categorize us, to be honest. As you said, we have written in various styles over the years. We are evolving. We are producing the best stuff we ever had and it’s more than Power Pop, I think.
Eleni: Finally, what inspires you these days? Are there any books or music, theatre, television or films that you are currently passionate about?
Chris: Classical music and Jazz, there is so much to learn, more than I could ever learn from much younger music. Co-writing new songs is something I enjoy and there I find inspiration always.
Glen: We take inspiration from our environment and external influences such as the newspaper. For example, one of our new songs, “One Beautiful Summer” is written about an elderly couple that found love late in life, in an assisted living place. We might not have written something like that 50 years ago. I regularly put myself in good places to enable creativity. Going to exhibitions, Art clubs, various music performances. It’s important to not get stuck wherever you are.
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Squeeze And Boy George At The Show, Friday August 23, 2024 Show starts at 7:30pm. 32250 Bob Hope Dr. Rancho Mirage, Ca. aguacalientecasinos.com/entertainment. Squeeze will also be at Pappy & Harriet’s Monday, August 19, 2024 Doors Open At 7pm/Show at 8pm. 53688 Pioneertown Rd. Pioneertown.
