FOR the first time in almost 20 years, Squeeze’s Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook will be heading out on the road as a duo with ‘The At Odds Couple’ tour that will see them present their songs and story in a unique way.

The 12-date tour will visit Newcastle Theatre on Thursday (November 13) and York Opera House on November 17 for a show that will celebrate their enduring music and partnership. Matt Westcott spoke to them.

Matt: How did the At Odds Couple tour come about?

Chris Difford: We sat down together and started to share the same idea, we wanted to tour together and play our songs in a different way for people, it's the Odd Couple plus.

Glenn Tilbrook: Totally. We haven’t done this for a long time. And it’s really nice to do it now that we share such a huge respect for one another.

Matt: The title would suggest that sometimes, as in all relationships, you have had your differences, would that be true and how does this manifest itself?

Difford: Yes, we have had our ups and downs, it’s true to say, but now we are in the ups and it’s knowing how we hurt each other that keeps us where we are.

Tilbrook: We’re very different people. On stage now, I have about three cooling fans, and Chris has a heater. Opposites attract.

Matt: The gigs are going to be as much about the stories behind the music as the music itself, how comfortable are you in opening yourselves up in this way?

Difford: Very comfy, I like the idea of revealing the backstory of our songs, even if I have to make it up.

Tilbrook: Ha, ha. Sometimes he can’t remember what he wrote it about. It’s a chance for people to feel like they’re really getting to know us, which I really like.

Matt: Will audience participation be as much part of the experience as anything else?

Difford: Yes I hope so, sing, clap and be part of the show by asking questions into the roving microphone.

Tilbrook: Yes, the man that is in The Golden Cape will encourage questions at points of the show. You can feed off the crowd and if they’re really up for it, it makes for a whole different show.

Matt: How exciting is it to be playing the as yet unrecorded songs and do you look at them differently now to how you did previously?

Difford: It’s fun to play older songs as well as newer ones it's what everyone wants from us. Fun.

Tilbrook: I’m excited for people to hear the unrecorded songs.

Matt: Which is more important to the make-up of Squeeze - the music or the lyrics and why?

Difford: Squeeze is Glenn and myself mostly; the lyrics are part of the raft made up by melody, which keeps us afloat.

Tilbrook: Can’t say fairer than that.

Matt: You are also working on new material. How has the process changed over time and what inspires you now compared to back in the day?

Difford: It’s much the same, lyrics come first mostly but we are open to change because change breeds new.

Tilbrook: Like that time you got someone else to write the music to your lyrics?

Both laugh.

Matt: If the pair of you had met only yesterday, do you think you would have been thinking this is something that could last as long as or longer than some marriages?

Difford: Not sure how to answer this one, it's been a long marriage and here we are, still in two pieces.

Tilbrook: Two very together, connected pieces.

What are your future plans?

Difford: Album, tour album tour, sleep.

Tilbrook: Tour album tour. Tour.