Squeeze

"Squeeze was a quality group that always had interesting material. They did well, and sold records for years as catalog, but we never sold with them what we wanted to: 'Tempted' came close, and 'Black Coffee In Bed' was great, but they never gave us that one big song. Still, they were a clever, tremendous band that would make any label proud to have them, as we were."--Jerry Moss

Squeeze's first album was released as U.K. Squeeze because there was another band in the U.S. named Squeeze.

"I think there have been times when A&M has been ready to push us, and we haven't delivered the right record. Or there have been other times, earlier on in our career, when we delivered to the right record, but A&M didn't know quite what to make of us," Glenn Tilbrook told Dave DiMartino.

The only 5-inch vinyl single issued by A&M was 'Another Nail in My Heart/If I Didn't Love You' by Squeeze.

In Britain, the "Goodbye Girl" single was first issued as a limited edition of 10,000 units with the world's first three-dimensional sculptured sleeve.

The single "Cool for Cats" was A&M Records biggest selling single in Britain to date in 1979. By May it sold more than 500,000 copies. 

From 1972 to 1980, Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook wrote between 600 and 900 songs.

ARGYBARGY (1980)

Argybargy took almost four months, Difford told Billboard. The focal sound of the album was layered keyboards featuring Jools Holland. Holland left the band after this album because he was offered a solo artist contract with A&M Records.

EAST SIDE STORY (1981)

East Side Story took three weeks to record. This time the emphasis was on lead and rhythm guitar. Paul Carrack took over keyboards.

The group disbanded in November 1982. Difford told Billboard, "It no longer was the Squeeze that had been. There comes a point with most bands when you realize that you are no longer progressing. It may have been overfamiliarity, but things weren't working. It becomes very sad, and because we were on the brink of success, there was the temptation to stick it out, and hope for the best. But, musically, it wouldn't have worked."

Difford and Tilbrook went on to record a self-titled album for A&M Records. The album did not sell well and Squeeze was reformed in 1985.

For Babylon and On, A&M released its first ever 3-inch promotional CD.

Squeeze were dropped from A&M in 1990 after Frank did not sell well.

SOME FANTASTIC PLACE (1993)

In the band's line-up was Paul Carrack returning and Pete Thomas on drums. 

The album marked Squeeze's return to A&M Records. Glenn Tilbrook told Billboard, "Howard [Berman, managing director of A&M U.K.] had said that if ever the chance came up, he regretted that we'd gone ad would like to get us back. The band's got a new charge of energy which shows on the record, and the record company [is charged] too. Hopefully, all the points are going to converge." Brad Pollak (A&M U.S. product manager) said, "You have veterans here who've worked almost every Squeeze record made, and they are fanatical fans. We're very excited to have them back, we're going to work to the bone to get this on the radio, and remind people who wrote that song 'Tempted' and 'that one about pulling mussel from something.'" Chris Difford said, "It's like phoning up distant cousins, because they know you, you know them, you've spoken many times on the phone, and they really want you to be successful because you're now back in the fold and they were really pissed off in the first place when you were dropped. Now they've got you back, they really want it bad, and they're going to prove it."

"Everything In the World" was worked in the album-alternative, album-rock and alternative radio with its video serviced to MTv and VH1. All this was followed by a promotion with Top 40 radio. The band supported the album with tours of the U.K. and the U.S. from October through December. 

In Britain "Third Rail" was a Top 40 hit. 

OFFICIAL PROMOTION BY A&M RECORDS

East Side Story press release 
East Side Story U.K. press release Squeeze: Cool For Cats
Squeeze: The Squeeze 10-Inch
Greatest Hits presss release

Some Fantastic Place Tour: Third Rail Live at KBCO

 
Copyright by Al Marks. Used by permission.