freshly squeezed

Freshly Squeezed: A Juicy History of the Genre

Forget your fancy fruit juice, because Freshly Squeezed isn’t about your breakfast beverage. It’s a vibrant subgenre of music, born out of the punk and new wave scene of the late 70s and early 80s, with a distinct, energetic, and sometimes downright goofy flavour.

The Roots of the Squeeze:

Freshly Squeezed music is a mix of punk’s raw energy, new wave’s synth-driven sound, and a healthy dose of pop sensibility. It’s fast, it’s catchy, and it’s full of witty lyrics that often poke fun at societal norms or just plain make you smile. Think of it as the musical equivalent of a vibrant fruit salad, bursting with flavour and a little bit of weirdness.

The Big Squeeze:

Some key bands that helped define the sound of Freshly Squeezed music include:

• The Go-Betweens: These Aussie pioneers of “jangle-pop” brought their unique brand of bittersweet harmonies and catchy melodies to the forefront of the scene.
• The Smiths: While Morrissey’s lyrics often dealt with melancholia, the band’s music itself was infused with that signature Freshly Squeezed energy.
• The Buzzcocks: This British punk band leaned into the poppy side of the genre, crafting songs with hooks so infectious they’d make even a grumpy old man want to tap his foot.
• The Ramones: Though often classified as punk rock, the Ramones’ simplistic melodies and catchy choruses definitely laid the groundwork for Freshly Squeezed music.

The Squeeze is On:

Freshly Squeezed music isn’t just about the sound; it’s also about the personalities and quirks of the musicians themselves. These bands brought a sense of humour and playfulness to the music scene, often with hilarious results:

• The Go-Betweens’ Robert Forster: Once confessed to having a love for “bad food” and even wrote a song about it, which, according to him, was “a protest against the food-snobs who were obsessed with kale and quinoa.”
• The Smiths’ Morrissey: While known for his dark lyrics, Morrissey also had a reputation for his eccentric behaviour, once even writing a letter to the Queen complaining about the way she treated her corgis.
• The Buzzcocks’ Pete Shelley: He wasn’t afraid to experiment with different genres, even going as far as recording a disco song that, according to him, “became a huge hit in the gay clubs.”

The Squeeze Continues:

Though the heyday of Freshly Squeezed music may be over, its influence can still be felt in modern music. Bands like The Vaccines and The Drums carry the torch, offering fresh takes on the genre while still keeping the spirit of the original bands alive. So next time you’re looking for a vibrant and energetic musical experience, give Freshly Squeezed a listen. You might just find your new favorite band.

Funny Fact: The lead singer of The Go-Betweens, Robert Forster, once said, “I think the best way to write a song is to just start singing and see what happens.” And that’s pretty much the essence of Freshly Squeezed music: just let loose, have fun, and squeeze out whatever comes to mind.