Classic English New Wave band, Squeeze, are currently on tour.
However, this is no ordinary tour; the band are celebrating the momentous 50 years of the band’s existence. I was lucky to attend a concert on this landmark tour.
Each nearing 70 respectively, the legendary songwriting duo Difford and Tilbrook seem as youthful and lively as ever.
You would have thought it was still 1974 and two 19-year-olds were bouncing around the stage.
While the lineup of musicians has changed throughout the years, now featuring hypnotic drummer Simon Hanson, bassist Owen Biddle, keyboardists Paul Carrack and Stephen Large and percussionist Steve Smith, the essence of Squeeze remains what it was 50 years ago.
Starting out in 1973 as a songwriting partnership between Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the latter writing music and former being a lyricist, Squeeze have helmed 15 studio albums, 4 live albums, 1 extended play and 34 music videos as of this date.
They have always felt like the black sheep of the English new wave scene, always feeling like they deserve more success than they ever received.
That is not to say that they are unsuccessful- with founding member Jools Holland being an extremely successful solo musician and television presenter; most notably being the face of ‘Later Live...’ and the iconic annual ‘Hootenanny’.
They have also had 3 singles and albums in the Uk Top 10 Charts, lasted 14 weeks in the top 10 with ‘Up the Junction’ and have a record of an album maintaining the in the top 75 for a whopping 124 weeks.
Despite never reaching their deserved number 1 spot, Squeeze have accumulated a mass cult following over the years and still see great success from all ages today.
Their unique mixture of New Wave synth, elements of Pink Floyd’s ‘Wall-of-sound' vibe and The Beatles’ melodic ditties leads to a glorious creation of quintessentially English sounding music; comparable in my mind to bands such as XTC.
Speaking of XTC, similarly Squeeze has had influence on many bands and artists throughout the years: their sound being very evocative of Britpop (particularly bands like Pulp and Blur) and being a direct source of inspiration for the Britpop movement of the 90s.
I feel it is important to reminisce about bands such as Squeeze and celebrate their longevity and success over the years.
The band is half a century old- a feat not many acts can claim to achieve.
Just as impressive is their maintained quality and influence on the wider music scene throughout the years.
From their self titled debut, released in 1978, to 'Spot the Difference', released in 2021, the quality of Squeeze has been maintained and the band's reputation honoured.
The band has always held a special place in my heart as they are my mum’s favorite band- and have been since the 70s.
I imagine it is a comforting thought for the band and their die-hard fans (which there are many of) to know that there are people with personal connections and deep-rooted emotional ties to their favorite band that will continue to love Squeeze’s output.
