I love to see all the connecting threads when poking around the history of music from the 80's. There are so many recognizable people in the industry that pop up here, there, and everywhere, linking everything together. Such is the case with today's Retro Spin.
Despite not having a band, Chris Difford stole 50p from his mother's purse in 1974 and placed an advertisement to put a card in a local sweetshop window to advertise for a guitarist to join his group. Glenn Tilbrook would be the only person to respond. The two began writing songs together, and soon added Jools Holland on keyboards, and Paul Gunn as their drummer.
In the early years, they performed under several names, which included Captain Trundlow's Sky Company, and Skyco. However, they would eventually adopt the name Squeeze, a tribute to the Velvet Underground album of the same name.
Gilson Lavis joined in 1975, replacing Gunn on drums. Additionally, bassist Harri Kakoulli would be added to the lineup. Together, they became part of the local scene, which included Alternative TV and Dire Straits.
Initially they would sign to Miles Copeland III's BTM Records, but the label would go under in 1976. This resulted in their early singles and debut EP, 1977's Packet of Three, being released on Copeland's other label, Deptford Fun City label, an affiliate label of I.R.S., ironically also co-founded by Copeland with Jay Boberg in 1979. Apparently, the man has owned many labels, and it's quite a messy pile to sift through.
Side note: Miles Copeland III had a brother in the industry. You may have heard of him, Stewart Copeland, drummer for The Police.
Velvet Underground co-founder, John Cale, would be brought in to produce the band's 1978 self-titled debut. However, the songs he worked with the guys on would be deemed uncommercial, and their self-produced tracks, Take Me I'm Yours and Bang Bang would ultimately become their first hit singles.
Because of an already existing banded called, Tight Squeeze, for releases outside of the UK, the band was required to adopt the name, UK Squeeze. This would be something that would stick with them through 1985's Cosi Fan Tutti Frutti.
While the original lineup would return to the studio to record their second album, 1979's Cool For Cats, Harry Kakoulli would be fired shortly thereafter, with no public explanation ever being given. He would be replaced by John Bentley. The new lineup of Difford, Tilbrook, Holland, Bentley, and Lavis would record and release 1980's Angrybargy, their most popular album to date at the time, and the one which garnered them their first Billboard 200 album, peaking at number seventy-one.
Holland would depart in 1980, wanting to carve out a solo career. However, this wouldn't be something which would come immediately for him, nor be as successful as his time with Squeeze. It wouldn't be until 1987 that he formed Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Holland would be replaced by Paul Carrack.
For their 1981 album, East Side Story, Carrack would be handed a microphone by producer Elvis Costello and asked to re--record the lead vocals on the Difford and Tilbrook penned, and initially sung by Tilbrook, Tempted. The song would later become a staple of the decade and be the one the band was predominantly remembered for. However, the reality of it was that the song would actually chart the lowest of all their Billboard Hot 100 hits, which only included three. Tempted would peak at only forty-nine.
Further, not being written by Carrack, he would only be paid for recording the song. All royalites would go to Difford and Tilbrook. It wouldn't be until he re-recorded the song in 2010 for his own retrospective album that Carrack would get royalties, but only if his version is used over Squeeze's.
Part of the problem with writing all of the above, is that it detracts me from actually listening to the album. As a result, East Side Story really only got attention from me when I remembered it was on.
While mildly paying attention to it, I did conclude that it was essentially more of where their debut left off. That's not necessarily a bad thing. In Quintessence, Tempted, Picadilly, and Labelled with Love were the standout tracks for me.
Wanting to pursue his own solo career aspirations, Paul Carrack would leave the band after the album's release. He'd be replaced by Don Snow, and this revised lineup would record 1982's Sweets From A Stranger. Negative reviews, burnout, and stress from constant touring would come to a head, and the band would break up. But fear not, their story wouldn't end there. But we'll pick up there tomorrow for that story.
Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.
Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.
No comments:
Post a Comment