Chris Difford (left) and Glenn Tilbrook of Squeeze. Photo by Dean Chalkley.
Squeeze w/ Adam Ant & Haircut 100 | 09.25.26, 7:00pm | St. Louis Music Park (750 Casino Center Dr.) | All ages | $32.75–$178.88
During his six-decade music career, there is little that Chris Difford has not done. The singer, songwriter, and co-founder of Squeeze remains a prolific force in pop music.
Many of the songs he’s penned, including “Up the Junction,” “Cool for Cats,” “Black Coffee In Bed,” “Take Me I’m Yours,” “Tempted,” and “Labelled With Love,”are classics filled with witty observations and literary flair.
These songs, paired with Glenn Tilbrook’s melodies and arrangements, have made Squeeze a celebrated musical tandem. Having constantly evolved since their inception, the band’s mix of post-punk pub rock, new wave, and power pop has been spread across sixteen albums.
Outside of Squeeze, Difford has hosted podcasts and released five solo albums. He also has written songs for other prominent artists, including Wet Wet, Elton John, and Elvis Costello. In 2017 he published his memoir, Some Fantastic Place.
In March of 2026, Squeeze released their latest album, Trixies, an album that he and Tilbrook began recording when they were teens. Difford and his bandmates are currently on tour with Adam Ant and Haircut 100.
Difford spoke with The Arts STL ahead of Squeeze’s upcoming appearance in St. Louis on September 25.
The Arts STL: How does it feel to be back out on the road for this tour?
Chris Difford: As I get older, it gets tougher to be on the road. But the excitement of that 75 minutes on stage makes it worthwhile. Although I do feel some anxiety about being away from home for such a long time.
How did your latest album, Trixies, come about?
It was originally written in 1974, and we rehearsed it. But it never really worked with the band, so we shelved it and put it to bed. Then two years ago, our producer Owen Biddle was listening to the demos, and he said, “Well, this would make a great album.”
He was right. He did a fantastic job of producing what you hear now. It’s amazing the kind of experience that is provided on stage when we play these songs.
Did playing these songs from 1974 in the present make you look back at your career and your process of creating music?
Yes. What I heard was two young guys who were writing songs constantly, totally enamored with each other — at the beginning of a relationship.
I found it a very emotional journey to be in contact with those two young guys.
What’s your process for writing?
Well, that’s a good question. The songwriter in me isn’t around as much as he used to be. But when he does come around, I really enjoy his company.
If I had more time, I would spend more time writing rather than touring, because it fills a particular part of my soul. That is a very special thing.
But, you know, there must be a time for writing. For the last 52 years, I’ve never found it. Back in the early days, when we were writing things like Trixies, for instance, and the first Squeeze album, we never really collaborated. We did what we did and never had a discussion. That was the magical process.
But as I got older, and had life outside of Squeeze, I discovered there were other ways of writing. I learned to respect those ways and bring them into the way I write.
Overall, I would say my process for writing has changed quite a lot, particularly in the last five years.
How did the tour with Haircut 100 and Adam Ant come about?
God knows. We had a tour already booked with Madness, which would have been a fantastic experience for us both. But I think it was very difficult for them, with so many of them in the band, to be away for a long period of time and travel. So it didn’t happen.
But then our agent found out that Adam Ant was not busy and wanted a tour. So, we took that on board. And I’m really excited about Haircut 100. They’re friends of mine, so to have those guys on the road is going to be nice.
What is the secret of keeping a band together for 50 years?
I don’t know if there is a secret. We’re a nine-piece band. I think it may be to have everyone deliver what’s required of the songs and for the performance. I think that’s all you can ask for. We’re not a band that socializes particularly.
We’re not like U2, unfortunately, or the way that R.E.M. used to be, which is a great shame because growing up, that’s what I wanted. I wanted to be in a band that communicated on that kind of group level. Glenn and I are like mum and dad, and we have the kids, and they get on stage, and they play the songs, and they’re brilliant.
What do you think the legacy of Squeeze is?
Everybody who has had a career in the music industry or in tennis or cricket or whatever, they have a peak experience, a peak point. And, for a lot of people, our legacy is songs like “Pulling Mussels (from the Shell)” and “Tempted.” Beyond that, I’m not sure. When I look out at the audience, those are the songs they’re really looking for.
Are you surprised at how audiences still react to you, even to this day?
They respect us when we do songs from Trixies, of course, but they don’t react in the same way that they would to the memory of “Black Coffee in Bed” or “Take Me I’m Yours.” And I understand that.
I’ve been on tour myself with Elvis Costello recently, and when he plays “Pump It Up” or“New Amsterdam,” I’m completely gone. You know, that’s exactly what I want to hear. And then if he plays something obscure that I’ve never heard of, I kind of get a bit bored.
But I think with the new stuff, I’m interested in hearing how it translates live. I’m very excited about that.
I think it would be very nice to tour on the catalogue, but doing new stuff is awesome. It sounds like the album.
One of the things that’s been said about Squeeze is that you and Glenn have a dynamic like Lennon and McCartney. Does that comparison bother you? Or is that like a badge of honor?
It doesn’t bother me. Recently, I heard somebody saying that Paul McCartney was the leader of the band, the leader of the Beatles, and Glenn is the leader of Squeeze. So, if anything, he’s the Paul, and I’m the John. But I don’t have those songs that John Lennon would have.
But I understand how people would get us linked to those two, and I think Glenn is like Paul.
When I watch the documentaries, I can see Glenn. He’s a perfectionist. He’s up for it. He’s dedicated. I suppose I’m quite happy just to go to bed and shout for peace.
How has sobriety affected you as an artist? Has it awakened you creatively or taken you in a different direction?
After 34 years of sobriety and working hard at it even now, I find that it really teaches me more about the patience of being in a band and speaking when it’s the right time and not just going gung-ho into a conversation. It also helps you with making sure that you know what you’re talking about and to have your needs met. That’s very difficult in a band.
In this era of digital and A.I. music, what do you think is a specific human element that technology doesn’t capture?
I think it’s obvious, really: it doesn’t capture the space around people’s voices, the emotions. It just doesn’t capture humanity. It could never do that, I don’t think. Or make mistakes. I think it’s important to make mistakes when you’re recording a record. If you make a mistake, own it and have it there, and don’t cover it up. The world is not perfect.
Do you think you’re going to put out any more solo music?
There is an album online called 50 Years that I put out earlier this year. It is a look back at the 50 years that Glenn and I have been together. Apart from that, I’m really looking forward to recording my jazz record. Sometime after these tours.
After the tour, what is next for Squeeze?
Glenn and I are, as we speak, working on a new album, and I’m not sure what it consists of or what it sounds like, but it’s in safe hands. | Rob Levy
Squeeze plays at the St. Louis Music Park (750 Casino Center Dr.) on Friday, September 25 at 7:00 pm, with Adam Ant and Haircut 100.
The show is all ages, and tickets range from $32.75 to $178.88. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.ticketmaster.com/. For more information on the band visit https://www.squeezeofficial.com/
