Squeeze have always been one of my top combos from the 1970s and 80s. I saw them many times over the years including a memorable gig at the legendary Bottom Line in New York (where I introduced them onstage to a rather quizzical Big Apple audience!), and also at the Albany in their native Deptford around the release of the classic Argybargy album. Such memories. Cool for some cats eh?
I got to meet up with the songwriting nucleus of the band, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the other week when the guys were rehearsing at Glenn's studio in Blackheath. insightful look The occasion? A special acoustic session followed by a Q&A at Borders in Charing Cross Road to coincide with the release of a new book entitled Squeeze: Song By Song (Sanctuary Publishing). | "I guess we forget that at one time these guys were being mentioned in the same breath as Lennon & McCartney..." |
Written by Chris and Glenn with author Jim Drury, it's an insightful look at the life and times of south east London's finest with the duo giving a fascinating account of the stories behind all the songs they wrote together. It also paints a riveting picture of their many ups and downs. Of which there were many...!
I guess we forget that at one time these guys were mentioned in the same breath as Lennon & McCartney, Marriott & Lane and Ray Davies. highlight Like all the great London bands of the past, they simply wrote about the world they grew up in and gave us some of the finest 'kitchen sink' songs this side of The Kinks.  | Difford and Tilbrook 'simply wrote about the world they grew up in..." |
The highlight of the interview was getting to see and hear Chris and Glenn perform an acoustic version of their very first hit 'Take Me I'm Yours'. Boy, did the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention during those few minutes!
Here's hoping they stay close and I wouldn't be too surprised if they end up working together in the future. And soon-ish too. Here's hoping anyway... useful links
squeeze fansite
chris difford
glenn tilbrook
(The BBC cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites) more music
free cd and dvd offers
live reviews index
my interview vault
| 
WATCH
Listen live
Click through amazing shots of London from high up in a helicopter!