MUSIC fans will be able to support Brecon’s foodbank charity at a gig at Theatr Brycheiniog this week.

Glen Tilbrook, the lead singer of Squeeze, is supporting foodbank charity The Trussell Trust on his current UK solo tour which stops in Brecon on Friday, November 2.

A collection point will be held at the theatre for music fans to leave items for the Brecon Foodbank. It usually needs savoury snacks, tinned potatoes and tinned meat, dried milk, sweet snacks and chocolates as well as items such as deodorant, nappies, washing liquid, powder and conditioner and strong carrier bags.

During the tour Tilbrook’s new four track EP will be on sale with all profits from it and merchandise, at gigs, going to foodbank charity The Trussell Trust.

In an interview with The Brecon & Radnor Express, ahead of the tour, Tilbrook said he wasn’t surprised to be told Brecon has a foodbank.

“I have to say that wouldn’t surprise me," said the London born and raised singer.

"All over the country people need that sort of assistance. Brecon is, I would imagine, no different to anywhere else in that respect. It is easy to fall through the cracks, it can affect people from all walks of life. You can be better off and still find yourself in a situation such as losing your house or your job, things can just go wrong, a tragic series of events which are horrible.”

A lack of compassion in Britain’s political leadership is blamed by Tilbrook for people having to rely on food donations and he thinks those who can afford it are willing to pay more in tax: “And those who wouldn’t stump up, well good riddance to them. It’s wrong to target people who are vulnerable.”

It is an issue Tilbrook cares deeply about and says: “I saw a documentary on the BBC iplayer, that was made in Scotland, about people using foodbanks and it was humbling and appalling at the same time. Appalling that people are in that situation now.

“We are driving people having a hard time into this crisis with Universal Credit and I just wanted to do something to help and the Trussel Trust do such a great job.”

That Tilbrook is using his platform to make a difference should be no surprise.

He took his chance to make his feelings on the country’s political direction known in 2016 when Squeeze played live at the end of Sunday morning political programme the Andrew Marr Show on which David Cameron had been a guest.

The then Prime Minister spoke about plans to redevelop so-called sink estates, prompting Tilbrook to hastily rewrite the lyrics to Cradle to the Grave, and sing: “I grew up in council housing, Part of what made Britain great, There are some here who are hellbent, On the destruction of the welfare state."

This Friday’s show in Brecon will likely feature songs from across Tilbrook’s 40 plus year career: “I don’t really have a set list, the great thing when you’re playing by yourself, you can make it up as you go along. It’s fun to do that and see what comes out.”

The musician always tours in his camper van and that will be no different this autumn so there will be no need for Tilbrook to ask his former Squeeze band mate, Jools Hollands, who has been a regular visitor to the Brecon Jazz Festival, for recommendations.

“I don’t think he uses a camper van,” was Tilbrook’s light hearted response about his former colleague’s approach to touring.

The music produced by Squeeze, who formed in 1974, reflected the lives and upbringings of founder members Tilbrook and lyricist Chris Difford, who had hits with Cool for Cats, Slap and Tickle and the 1979 release which encapsulated their ’kitchen sink’ style of pop, Up the Junction.

"It’s not about being professional Londoners, or cheeky chappies, it’s just we’ve come from a working class background."

Squeeze had split up and reformed in the 80s and 90s and reformed for a third time in 2007 and three years ago produced a critically acclaimed album, Cradle to the Grave, which also served as a soundtrack to the BBC comedy of the same name based on broadcaster Danny Baker’s autobiography.

Tilbrook, who grew up in Woolwich, recognises Baker as another who has brought ordinary London life to popular culture and speaks admiringly of the presenter who is equally adept at discussing sport or music.

"I’ve known him since we were both in our teens when I first bumped into him. People don’t know what a really great journalist he was when he wrote for the NME. He was one of the guys on that paper, at that time, that wasn’t afraid to say black music is great. There was a lot of snobbery about it, and it was seen as sort of second class, but he really supported it."

But they don’t just share a common background, Baker once dated an ex-girlfriend of the singer’s while both were still young men.

"I went ‘round her house, it was after we split up, and Danny was there and that’s how we met. We’re all still friends and my family went out to see her this summer, she lives in New York now."

Though rooted in London the songs Tilbrook and Difford penned have taken them all around the world and the songwriter says he isn’t surprised to have struck a chord with people far outside their manor: “I always think that local is universal.

“I think people always identify with a voice. It can be specific about what you know or experiences. Whenever art connects you don’t have to think will people in Brecon or Chicago get this? If it connects people will get it.”