Based on the tempestuous but affectionate relationship between sardonic lyricist Chris Difford and frontman Glenn Tilbrook, Squeeze quickly evolved from a group of quirky South London toughs into the closest thing the British new wave had to The Kinks. Powered by the boogie-woogie piano of original keyboardist (and future TV star) Jools Holland, Squeeze's early albums were filled with kitchen-sink stories about love and alcohol set to catchy pop tunes. After a brief mid-'80s hiatus, later albums were darker and more musically varied, but just as potent.