Squeeze performing during the 50th Anniversary Tour at the Moody Amphitheater Waterloo Park in Austin, Texas on August 27, 2024, with Glenn Tilbrook, Chris Difford, Simon Hanson, Stephen Large, Steve Smith, Owen Biddle, and Melvin Duffy. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Squeeze is an English rock band formed in London in 1974, gaining prominence during the new wave era of the late 1970s. They continued recording into the 1980s, 1990s, and 2010s. Known for bridging classic British guitar pop with post-punk, Squeeze drew inspiration from The Beatles and The Kinks. Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the band's principal songwriters, were often compared to Lennon and McCartney for their clever, literate lyrics and traditional pop songwriting, though they never achieved the same level of fame.
The band’s early hits like "Take Me I'm Yours" and "Up the Junction" found success in the UK, but it took until 1987 for them to break into the U.S. Top 40. Despite their modest commercial success in the U.S., songs such as "Another Nail in My Heart" and "Tempted" became new wave classics, contributing to the platinum success of their compilation *Singles 45's and Under*.
Chris Difford (guitar, vocals) and Glenn Tilbrook (vocals, guitar) formed the band after meeting through an advertisement. They soon added pianist Jools Holland and drummer Paul Gunn, naming themselves Squeeze after a Velvet Underground album. Their early sound, more pop-oriented than their pub rock contemporaries, earned them a contract with Miles Copeland's BTM label. After initial setbacks, including a failed debut single release, the band worked with John Cale on their first EP, *Packet of Three* (1977), leading to a deal with A&M Records.
Their 1978 debut album, *Squeeze*, had moderate success, but it was their second album, *Cool for Cats* (1979), that solidified their place in the UK music scene with two Top Ten singles. Throughout the 1980s, the band released several critically acclaimed albums, with *Argybargy* (1980) and *East Side Story* (1981) earning praise for Difford and Tilbrook's sophisticated songwriting. Despite these successes, the band struggled with lineup changes and the pressures of constant touring, leading to a brief disbandment in 1982.
Difford and Tilbrook reunited Squeeze in 1985, and the band found renewed success with albums like *Babylon and On* (1987), which included their biggest U.S. hit, "Hourglass." However, their commercial fortunes declined by the late 1980s, and further lineup changes followed. Despite these challenges, Squeeze continued to record and tour, releasing albums into the 1990s and beyond.
In 2010, Squeeze re-recorded many of their hits for the album *Spot the Difference* and continued touring. In 2015, they released *Cradle to the Grave*, their first album in 17 years, followed by *The Knowledge* in 2017. Despite the lineup changes over the years, Difford and Tilbrook remain the core of Squeeze, continuing to create music that resonates with fans old and new.
Fan reviews:Setlist for the show at the Moody Amphitheater Waterloo Park
Squeeze was awesome. Their music was really good live. I really enjoyed how they remixed some of their songs, like Pulling Mussels from a Shell. Would love to see them again!
Squeeze is the tightest band, in addition to Glen's brilliant lead guitar playing and Chris's driving rhythm guitar, they featured an energetic, multi-instrumental keyboard player blowing the roof off of the arena with piano, organ, and accordion riffs. The drummer covered the driving and varying rhythms of Squeeze's unique song catalogue with precision and flare. The percussionist added depth and melodic rhythms on his bongos and with his high harmonies on vocals. The talented bass player was in synch with the amazing rhythm section. Chris and Glen's unique blend of high-low vocals along with harmonies provided by members of the group were perfection. And the anchor of all is the unique and continued superlative song writing of Chris DIfford and Glen Tilbrook. Squeeze filled every second of their performance with nothing short of perfection. Why is this band not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
Squeeze never disappoints! I have been going to see Squeeze since my first show in 1981 and they are always rock solid. They played all of my favorite classics and the new tunes held their own.
A fun show with Squeeze! Their performance was just fun and, for lack of better words, rockin'! They are real musicians who can jam and play and perform. What a fantastic performance. I knew it was going to be good, but I didn't realize that it was going to be a memorable night of music. They played all their other hits, Black Coffee in Bed, Cool For Cats, Tempted, and others, and introduced us to some beautiful new songs. I would highly recommend seeing them, just for a wonderful performance that will get you off of your chair and singing along.
Awesome band! I wasn’t familiar with Squeeze but OMG they blew me away with their songs and awesome energy. Amazing musicians, guitar playing, I am an official fan and can’t believe I missed out all these years!
Fabulous show! Amazing that 70 year + year old guys can rock it hard. Chris and Glen were spectacular as was the rest of the band. They started shot out of a cannon, didn't slowed down and finished strong, without any dead spots. Best show I've seen in a long long time. Had VIP status which was great.
Excellent show by Squeeze! This was my first time seeing Squeeze live and they sounded great. They played all of their hits as well as some new songs.
- Take Me I'm Yours
- Hourglass
- Labelled With Love
- Up the Junction
- One Beautiful Summer
- In Quintessence
- Annie Get Your Gun
- If I Didn't Love You
- Another Nail in My Heart
- You Get the Feeling
- Trixie's Hell on Earth
- Slap & Tickle
- Goodbye Girl
- Pulling Mussels (From the Shell)
- Is That Love
- Tempted
- Cool for Cats
- Black Coffee in Bed
Squeeze was the main act at the Moody Amphitheater Waterloo Park with guests Boy George. They continue across the United States, Canada, and Europe with the last stop at the Roundhouse in London, England on November 22, 2024.
Squeeze
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Photos by Ralph Arvesen
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