SQUEEZE – Spot The Difference

As teenagers on the South London Scene in the 1970s, friends Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook formed Squeeze, the pioneering UK band that saw them dubbed ‘The New Lennon and McCartney.” Championed early on by the Velvet Underground’s John Cale, who produced their debut EP, Packet Of Three,” Squeeze established their position as one of Britain’s most beloved bands with 1979’s Cool For Cats, setting off a career that would spawn decades and produce hits in the UK and abroad.

Now, some 35 years later, Squeeze have re-recorded 14 of their classic tracks for Spot the Difference, an album of all their  hits re-recorded in a way so painstakingly faithful to the originals that they challenge you to “spot the difference.” The album will be released August 3 in the US through Anchor and Hope Music. This SMMC DIgital Pre-Order Tour Edition is available worldwide and will include exclusive behind the scenes video footage and photos from the band members themselves updated weekly throughout the tour. It comes preloaded with a brand new version of “Loving You Tonight” and the full album will be unlocked on August 3rd.

The quality of these “new” tracks cements the band’s legacy, not only serving as a reminder of how great those songs were but how compelling they sound today.

Along with Elvis Costello and Nick Lowe, Squeeze was one of the UK New Wave scene’s few US success stories, with “Tempted” (which appears on Spot The Difference, with Paul Carrick reprising his vocal) becoming a massive hit in the States.  Albums like Argybargy and the Elvis Costello-produced East Side Story led to a spate of UK hit singles which made their way to discerning music fans in the States: “Pulling Mussels from a Shell,” “If I Didn’t Love You,” “Black Coffee In Bed,” “Up The Junction,” “Goodbye Girl” and others.

As befits one of the UK’s most beloved acts, their witty, kitchen-sink lyricism and clever takes on modern relationships continue to influence current artists such as Mark Ronson, Kasabian, Lily Allen and Razorlight, to name just a few.  Squeeze’s impressive catalog, with its evergreen, universal appeal, sounds as vibrant as ever on Spot the Difference, with new fans and old flocking to the band’s live shows.

Chris Difford’s lyrics and Glenn Tilbrook’s music have survived everything over the years, from the ever-changing musical landscape to their own internal reshuffles and acrimonious breakups – but Squeeze is here to stay, still going strong and still loving every moment.

CHRIS DIFFORD  - Cashmere If You Can

Cashmere If You Can”  is a real departure for Chris. Its his third solo album, and by far the best. As an artist, Chris has never been so vibrant. And although Chris is often noted for his lyrics – having won two Ivor Novello Awards – his baritone voice has rarely sounded so rich as it does here. As well as regular collaborator Boo Hewerdine, Chris has enlisted the services of Leo Abrahams, who has produced or written with Brian Eno, David Byrne, Brett Anderson, David Holmes & Carl Barat. The results have energised his music and given the whole album a rock-pop sheen reminiscent not just of Squeeze at their best or The Kinks but also shows the contemporary likes of Brendan Benson, Supergrass and Razorlight – all of whom owe a debt to Chris – how it’s done.

“I am really excited about this. It ‘s a real treat to be the first person to do it… I feel like the first man on the moon. Sort of. I hope you enjoy it too. See you on Saturday!”

GLENN TILBROOK AND THE FLUFFERS – Pandemoneum Ensues

In 2003 Glenn announced that he was going to work with a bunch of Fluffers. No doubt this caused some confusion among the tunesmith’s legion of devotees. But anyone fearing that their hero had entered the porn business, in some bizarre form of mid-life crisis, was quickly availed of their worries. Fortunately The Fluffers in question were not expected to arouse male appendages on camera. No, the only instruments these plucky folk would be required to caress were the keyboards, bass, and drums. Phew!
Enter a trio of exciting young musicians who would form the exciting combo who have grown in the clutches of Mr T’s warm bosom over the past five years, taking his solo material into a new dimension.

On keyboards is ‘ennobled’ Northern Soul-loving Stephen ‘Lord’ Large. His Lordship had spent his formative years in the Electric Soft Parade, before leaving in 2002 for pastures new. Offstage Lord Large is mild-mannered, witty, and self-effacing. On stage the man is transformed into a rock monster, a showman who riffs off his fellow Fluffers, and is allowed generous room by Glenn to show off his vast array of skills to stunned audiences. The man takes little encouragement at a show’s finale to jump on top of his keyboards and play them with his buttocks. I wonder if his insurance company knows about that.

On bass since 2004 is the sultry, classically-trained Lucy Shaw. Having played with an extraordinarily varied array of talent over the years, from Luciano Pavarotti through Katie Melua to Paul McCartney, Lucy adds panache to what has become a rhythm section as tight as a gnat’s chaff.

Her partner in crime is former Death in Vegas and Dogs D’Amour drummer Simon Hanson. Simon is not quite as sultry, much as he tries. But his high-energy work behind the sticks helps knit together the band’s melodic, punchy sound. Simon’s confident, ballsy drumming makes Simon a 21st Century Gilson Lavis – although his bricklaying skills aren’t quite as good.

From the Keith Moon School of Drumming, Simon’s high-energy instrumentation is worth a close look, when you can take your eyes away from the three livewires frontstage. He’s also a walking joke book and fine off-stage comedian. Just don’t get too near his lethal shirt cuffs if you bump into him after a show, or he might have one of your eyes out. The daft sod.

Now this 2010 Digital Edition Exclusive to SMMC comes all at once, loaded with the full album for your immediate enjoyment – and also features 6 previously unreleased recordings – demo’s, acoustic sessions and even a remix.
In 2008 Glenn and The Fluffers released their first single ‘Binga Bong’, a smooth, assured debut track, ahead of 2009’s long-awaited album ‘Pandemonium Ensues’. Be prepared to be blown away by the best Fluffers in town!