The Levellers (UK)
The Levellers burst onto the music scene in the late eighties at the height of Thatchers reign, 'Folk-Punk' grabbed the zeitgeist as punk had done in the seventies, it identified a whole dissafected slice of society that was at odds with the governments repressive stance on anyone who didn't fit into their mould. Just listen to 'Battle of the Beanfield' to get an idea of what was going on. Perhaps their key to success is the way they can marry biting lyrics to decidedly upbeat music. Thatcher may be gone but the world we live in now is no safer - The Levellers are more relevant than ever.
A band that can play the main stage at Glastonbury and still play acoustic sets to a pub full of fans, the Levellers have never lost the things that made them special; storming live performances, superb songwriting and a conscience. To date they have sold over 6 million records and performed to over 10 million people worldwide.
The Levellers have stayed close to their Brighton roots (they met there in a pub apparently), by buying their own studio and business premises at the Metway - Free studio time and access to professional production facilities has given a variety of bands their chance to record and go on to further success.
Back in the early noughties they band realised thet the festival scene had become another victim of the corporate sponsorship machine, so rather than rolling over in submission they instigated their own festival that would recapture the laid back vibe of the free festivals that the government stamped on. Beautiful Days was born as a showcase of old and new acts that could capture the hearts of a festival crowd, combined with family friendly facilities and events it has become one of the highlights of the year.
2008 marks twenty years of the Levellers. Their fierce independence has always defied pigeonholing or convention, the re-issue of their back catalogue with expanded packaging and bonus tracks reveals them as one of the best indie bands England has produced. In those twenty years they've sold over 1 million albums, played live to over 3 million people and had 14 Top 30 singles. Their energy shows no sign of flagging either, they play 29 festivals in 2007 including Fflam, Bestival, Rock Ness, Wychwood and their own Beautiful Days.
Line-up:
Mark Chadwick - lead vocals, guitar
Simon Friend - vocals, guitar, mandolin, harmonica
Jon Sevink - violin
Jeremy Cunningham - bass, artwork
Charlie Heather - drums
Matt Savage - keyboards, backing vocals
Steven Boakes - didgeridoo, dancing, kilt
