For greater than 50 years, the British pop/new-wave band Squeeze has created beautifully crafted songs like “Tempted” and “Hourglass,” written largely by lead vocalist/lead guitarist Glenn Tilbrook and vocalist/guitarist Chris Difford. Trixies, the group’s first new album in eight years, consists of songs written in 1974 (when each have been youngsters) and placed on cassette as demos carried out totally on piano. A free assortment of tales/tunes set in a nightclub, it was influenced by idea albums and rock operas of the mid ’70s, and the 2026 model is carried out by the whole band together with producer/ bassist Owen Biddle.

VG spoke with Tilbrook about creating Trixies and his underrated expertise as a lead guitarist.

Had you and Chris talked in regards to the Trixies songs through the years and thought of correctly recording them?
Once we wrote the songs, we have been actually excited by it and all our pals appreciated it, however they have been the one individuals who ever heard them. As a author, it’s important to keep it up. We didn’t have a deal, didn’t have wherever for the songs to go. Even when we did, we couldn’t have performed them correctly; our expertise as writers was means forward of our capability as musicians. Now, we will apply our expertise and data to what we needed the songs to sound like as a band.

However did you suppose the songs have been good? Your folks thought so…
I didn’t have that sense of ourselves. We sounded good, and we have been higher than I assumed on the time. The songs are a few of our most-mature ever.

How a lot did you tweak the preparations?
I’d say all besides two are just about as we did them. The one actual change was on “You Get the Feeling” to offer it a more-skippy beat. It was very blues-based after I wrote it as a result of that’s what I used to be listening to.

Was there different music that influenced you and Chris whenever you wrote the songs?
I can undergo the observe itemizing and [recall] my melodic sense of writing at that time; for nearly each music, I can say, “That was influenced by that….” “Something However Me” is a really Roxy Music-influenced music. On “Why Don’t You” and “Hell on Earth,” there’s a really massive Sparks affect. On “The Place We Name Mars” there’s a large David Bowie affect. I believe you’ll be able to see that. However, then once more, (the songs are) nothing like every of these folks. I don’t suppose we sound like them, however I can hear these influences come via loud and clear.

Why did you determine to do Trixies now?
The final album we did, The Data, was in 2017. I keep in mind speaking to a pal on the record-company facet, and he stated to me, “The Data is a superb album, however what’s the story?” The story is so vital. It’s a present to have the songs [on Trixies], and for them to now be 51 years previous… I can’t consider a greater story. You couldn’t make it up.

Owen Biddle got here to Squeeze from The Roots in 2020. Why did you may have him produce?
His musicality and ears are unbelievable. Additionally, Owen can take a look at us from the surface, and I believe that’s nice. I labored very carefully with him and by no means heard him make a improper name. It’s nice to have somebody who can bridge the hole between myself and Chris.

Squeeze is understood for tight, catchy songs, however whenever you play reside, you narrow free with prolonged guitar solos.
Jimi Hendrix was my gateway into guitar – the primary particular person I used to be conscious of who performed so fantastically. His influences turned my influences. That great instrumental part he did at Woodstock – the Wes Montgomery octave enjoying and all that stuff – simply hit me. I can let it rip reside in a means that I don’t on data as a result of my enjoying continues to be blues-based. That’s actually the place it comes from. From our second album (1979’s Cool for Cats) onward, there’s one or two songs on every the place I might write the solo, be taught it, and play it as a part of the music – not an improvised factor. I appreciated enjoying the solos in “One other Nail in My Coronary heart,” “Black Espresso in Mattress,” and something written as part of the music.

Which electrical guitars did you play on Trixies?
I used my black ’66 Telecaster; it has a B-Bender and I like that guitar to demise. It’s been my important guitar since 1986. I additionally performed a ’66 ES-345 and an ES-125. I go away the Tele at residence now as a result of the Fender Customized Store made one for me with a B-Bender. I can’t inform the distinction. – Bret Adams

This text initially appeared in VG’s March 2026 concern. All copyrights are by the creator and Classic Guitar journal. Unauthorized replication or use is strictly prohibited.