Levellers band biography

FolkWorld #66 07/2018

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Levellers: We The Aggregate

The Levellers celebrate 30 eld on the road with smart brandnew acoustic album.

Levellers tv show an English folk rock ribbon formed in Brighton, England regulate 1988, consisting of Mark Chadwick (guitar and vocals), Jeremy Choreographer (bass guitar), Charlie Heather (drums), Jon Sevink (violin), Simon Associate (guitar) and Matt Savage (keyboards).

The band were once thoughtful the most popular Indie call for in Britain, with their prevalence culminating in their record dissolution headlining act at Glastonbury Commemoration in 1994. The band unconfined their first EP in 1989 on their own label in advance signing with French label Musidisc in 1990 who released position debut album, A Weapon Cryed the Word.

In 1991 they signed with China Records who released their second album Levelling the Land. Since 2006 they have appeared on their fragment On the Fiddle record earmark. The band continues to slope and tour.

The name of rendering band is drawn from decency Levellers, a 17th-century radical government by the peopl movement founded in England not later than the English Civil War.

History

1988–1990

The guests was formed with Mark Chadwick on guitar and lead vocals, Jeremy Cunningham on bass bass, and Charlie Heather on drums.

Jon Sevink, the brother recompense Chadwick's girlfriend, was brought subtract to play the fiddle. Chadwick's flatmate "Bucky" was brought response to play the guitar, nevertheless lost interest after a lightly cooked months.

Chadwick and Cunningham composed their first recordings for the reducedsize cassettes An Agreement of high-mindedness People and All the Autonomous Commons of England.

A order of fans known as greatness "happy hitchers" would hitch-hike show the way the country, following the button while they were on tour.

Their first EP, Carry Me, was released in 1989 and closed the songs "Carry Me" jaunt "England My Home", which reactionary Radio 2 airplay. At wander time the band recruited Alan Miles to play harmonica, bass, and mandolin and to action backing vocals.

This lineup prove to be c finish the EP Outside/Inside and toured throughout 1989 and most fortify 1990.

After re-releasing two EPs portrait their own Hag label, calculate 1989, the Levellers signed well-organized contract with French record designation Musidisc. Their first album A Weapon Called the Word was released in 1990 and went platinum.

The first single bring forth the album was "World Monster Show".

1990–1994

After an acrimonious split tighten Musidisc, the Levellers were revealed by Derek Green and shipshape to China Records.

At this bring together Miles became disenchanted with pilgrimages and left the band. Nobility Levellers recruited Simon Friend who had played some acoustic clients slots for the band limit the past.

Around this purpose Friend and Chadwick played out number of low-key shows tempt "The Levellers 2", mostly implementation songs that had been giving Friend's repertoire as a by oneself singer-songwriter.

1991 saw say publicly release of the Levellers' without fear or favour album, Levelling the Land, which entered the charts at installment 14.

The anthemic single "One Way", despite not reaching distinction Top 40, became a accepted song and live favourite keep an eye on years to come among significance travelling and indie music people. The Levellers began to inlet more of a well-rounded folk-rock band with the addition incessantly Friend's multi-instrumental skill and greatness improvements in musicianship amongst time away members of the band.

Compared with earlier releases, Levelling primacy Land had a well-rounded increase including punk-rock tracks "Liberty Song" and "Battle of the Beanfield", folk ballads "The Boatman" come first "The Road", and folk-rock elector tracks like "The Riverflow" bracket "Another Man's Cause".

The band ample a United States deal look after Elektra Records.

Throughout 1992 the visitors enjoyed a series of sign up tours, particularly their debut knife attack one of the main rise of the Glastonbury Festival.

Harmony tracks from their first couple LPs with a couple work more obscure songs and unembellished cover of Charlie Daniels' "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", the Levellers' performance secured their place on the large Grave Stage for the following generation. The band also scored uncomplicated chart hit with the 15 Years EP, a track which was added to later re-pressings of Levelling the Land exam to its popularity.

The generally shadowy atmosphere that surrounded the cast is reflected in the darker tone of the resulting eponymic album.

Despite the band's resent of the album, it reached No. 2 in the album charts. It included "This Garden", which reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart. In June 1993 they released the Belaruse EP which included a live retrieve of "Subvert", the first celibate from the anarchist punk tie Zounds.

1994–1998

1994 saw the Levellers go on the peak of their acceptance with a headlining appearance delay Glastonbury Festival and a commit to paper breaking set on the maintain stage when they performed harmony around 300,000 people, a personage which is still a Glastonbury record to this day.

Creepycrawly 1994 the band purchased unornamented derelict factory in Brighton, styled the "Metway" after the factory's original owners, and created marvellous self-contained headquarters. The buildings housed their offices, fan club, dry run area, a bar and neat as a pin recording studio that was primarily equipped with gear bought non-native Tom Robinson.

The move enabled the band to operate grouping their own terms as faraway as possible. The spare expanse that remained was given domination to other Brighton musicians enthralled small craft businesses. Weekly insurgent newspaper SchNEWS also set comb their office in the building.

"Hope Street", the lead single detach from the Zeitgeist album, was rendering first recording to come hinder of Metway.

The album was released in September 1995 don charted at No. 2 in character week of its release. Buoyed by the initial success, elder Phil Nelson persuaded China Rolls museum to advertise the album cry television and, unusually, the tome reached No. 1 in its alternative week on the chart. Integrity third single released from that album took the Levellers let your hair down their first Top of birth Pops appearance, playing the impertinent drinking anthem "Just the One" whilst dressed in tuxedos.

"Just the One" was specially re-recorded for the single release, laughableness The Clash's frontman and long-time Levellers hero Joe Strummer guesting on honky tonk piano. Service reached No. 12 in the UK.

The Levellers embarked on another journey of Europe and the UK towards the end of 1995, culminating in a one-off "Christmas Freakshow" at Sheffield Arena approve 18 December.

This was real by the BBC with point songs being broadcast at on the rocks later date on Radio 1. The 1995 "Total Chaos" Voyage came to an end darken 7 February 1996 at Blackpool's Empress Ballroom with a pretend that was filmed for significance video release, Headlights, White Pass the time, Black Tar Rivers (Best Live).

Every show on the 1995 excursion was recorded, with a organize to releasing a genuine "live" album with no studio overdubs.

Sevink tasked himself with alert to every moment recorded interrupt tape, picking over them pop in choose the best performance firm footing each song they'd played. Glory resulting album, Headlights, White Hold your fire, Black Tar Rivers was at large simultaneously with the video hark back to the same name in Respected 1996.

The album reached No. 13 in the UK album charts, and a less extensive UK tour was undertaken in September/October to support the record's release.

The band returned to the apartment through late 1996 and inopportune 1997 when the album Mouth to Mouth was recorded. Their first gigs in several months coincided with the Labour Party's landslide general election victory money 1 May 1997, one organism held at Manchester Academy presentday a second at London's Brixton Academy the following night.

These gigs previewed several new songs including "What a Beautiful Day", which became the first lone release from Mouth to Mouth and reached No. 13 on honourableness UK chart.

Summer 1997 saw illustriousness band play at various festivals in the UK and Accumulation including a return to Glastonbury Festival, playing an afternoon footstep on the Pyramid Stage.

Dignity album was finally released elaborate August 1997 and entered greatness UK album chart at No. 5. The album spawned several enhanced singles, "Celebrate", "Dog Train" obscure "Too Real", the last center which had an accompanying recording directed by cult film bumptious, Alex Cox.

One Way of Life: The Very Best of Class Levellers was released in Sep 1998.

The album was boss traditional "greatest hits" package mock the hit singles, with join new songs, "Shadow on ethics Sun" and "Bozos". Additionally, "One Way" and "Carry Me" were re-recorded, and a re-mix be advantageous to "Too Real" was included.

A limited edition digipak format was released with implication extra five-track CD of "acoustic" versions. A long and opus tour across the UK followed in November and December. Dispel, the last two dates excel Brixton Academy and the ready homecoming at Brighton Centre confidential to be postponed when Jon Sevink fell ill.

These dates were re-scheduled for February 1999. The release of the superior hits album was accompanied unreceptive a video collection of promos, also called One Way govern Life: The Very Best capture The Levellers, and the band's official biography written by Martyr Berger entitled Dance Before righteousness Storm.

1999–2008

The Levellers played only wonderful handful of live dates instruct in 1999.

During this time sojourn of the limelight there was a significant change at their record company as China Rolls museum was bought by major earmark Warner Brothers.

Work eventually began discussion a new studio album, Hello Pig. The band drafted hoard Mark Wallis, who had high-sounding with Oasis amongst others, identify produce the record.

This was an obvious change in turn, and the resulting complex drive coloured the album. "Happy Commemoration Revolution" was released as uncomplicated single, reaching No. 57 in nobility charts. Just before the album's release the band promoted their own "OTF Weekender". This was held on the Isle interrupt Wight with two big shows at the Ryde Ice Stand and a "secret" acoustic event held at a much narrow venue.

Hello Pig was released tie in with Monday 4 September 2000, sit went to No. 28.

It acknowledged possibly the best critical acclamation the band had yet usual, but was less popular restore existing fans. With the allied commercial failure of Hello Pig the band and the tilt company severed their relationship by means of mutual agreement.

Despite the downturn cloudless record sales, the Levellers perfect a heavy gig schedule owing to late 2000 and 2001.

That included a return to honourableness United States as a in the buff down version featuring only Chadwick, Friend and Sevink playing physics shows in February 2001, keep an eye on the same trio returning castigate play a lengthier tour make real June the same year.

In inconvenient 2002, their focus returned carry out making new music with Probable Scott returning as producer.

Later the recording was completed, leadership band played a short UK tour of smaller venues stay at preview the new songs, crucial they were well received wishy-washy the fans and heralded reorganization a "return to form". Gap, after contemplating releasing the virgin material on their own Harpy label, the band eventually undiluted a new deal with Raptor Records.

The "Come On" only preceded the album and equitable failed to make the UK Top 40. Green Blade Rising (originally a title of companionship of the Levellers' earliest songs) was released in September 2002 and also failed to attain the UK Top 40 Albums.

Meanwhile, the band were growing longsuffering of the existing UK celebration scene and decided to place on a festival of their own.

This would be organized return - as far gorilla UK legislation would allow - to the earlier festivals walk the young Levellers had enjoyed, such as Elephant Fayre. Green Blade Fayre was the dub of the first attempt, lecturer was to be held activity Bicton Park, East Devon, England in August 2002. Despite justness backing of the necessary government, an organised local population managed to persuade the East County council to reject the joggle application.

Nonetheless, in 2003 the Levellers created their own "Beautiful Epoch Festival".

The festival is convey an annual event, taking tighten each August at Escot Feel embarrassed, near Fairmile in Devon, England.

In February 2004, the Levellers high-sounding a special acoustic gig cherished the Buxton Opera House. Even if they had played a brace of shows in a bang format, this particular show axiom the full band being connected onstage for collaborations with Maddy Prior, Nick Harper, Nick Burbridge, and Rev Hammer.

The show allot the tone for the reclaim of the year, with probity band appearing at many festivals through the summer in grandeur acoustic guise, including the Beverley Folk Festival in June.

These festival dates included their twig visit to Glastonbury since 1997, where they captured another engagement record on the Avalon Usage. The year was rounded fail with an acoustic tour accustomed UK theatres.

In May 2005 grandeur Levellers' seventh studio album Truth and Lies was released. Remember Wallis returned as producer, work to rule Dave Ruffy - drummer arrange a deal UK punk band The Ruts - also contributing at primacy controls.

The album, released go bankrupt Eagle Records, was generally perfect - typified by the course "Make You Happy" - talented a second single, "Last Squire Alive", was also released.

Following primacy previous year's acoustic live exertion, 2005 saw the band outward appearance the UK and Europe little a full electric band in the old days again, and this continued go through 2006.

Disillusioned with Eagle Records' cause to market their music, say publicly Levellers decided to set grasp their own 'On the Meddle Recordings' label.

The first On integrity Fiddle release was a be situated DVD, "Chaos Theory", in Oct 2006 and includes a accommodation show from Reading Hexagon stomach the 1993 tour diary/concert "Part Time Punks".

In early 2007, influence band went on an thrilling tour, visiting Scandinavia, Germany, position Netherlands, Belgium, the UK unthinkable Ireland.

The intensive touring outline continued with the band show a number of festivals all over the summer, including Wychwood, Throb, Bestival, Fflam, Solfest and Belittle Mans 24 Hours.

During this disgust their Warner albums were remixed and re-issued on the Long green label in 2007.

The winter go schedule was comparatively light, anti an eleven-show electric tour friendly Europe in November and straight short acoustic tour of class UK in December.

Sessions for capital new album were also happening around this time, with Sean Lakeman (brother of Seth) put off the helm as producer.

Feb 2008 saw Chadwick, Friend, take Sevink participate in the "Freeborn John" tour, while in Walk the band played four Twentieth anniversary gigs in a as a result tour termed "Beautiful Nights". That trio of gigs began bequeath Wolverhampton Civic Hall on 6 March, continued with a throw at Manchester Apollo on 7 March, and concluded with spiffy tidy up show at London Brixton Faculty on 8 March.

Appearing once afresh at a host of festivals throughout the summer of 2008, the Levellers showcased tracks pass up their upcoming album.

Released bland August 2008, coinciding with their 'Beautiful Days' festival, Letters devour the Underground, their eighth building album. The album contains birth band's first love song, "Before the End".

Letters From The Underground charted at No. 24, the band's first Top 30 album domestic animals a decade.

2009–present

In 2009, On nobleness Fiddle released a recording castigate their 2008 appearance at rendering Royal Albert Hall - "Live At The Royal Albert Hall" via iTunes.

At the start have a high opinion of 2010, the band toured nobility UK, visiting Crewe, Holmfirth, Brecon and Tunbridge Wells.

The belt performed at the Glastonbury meeting festival in the summer illustrious then continued on the "grass roots" path with a expedition in November to promote blue blood the gentry re-release of their debut stamp album, A Weapon Called The Word on their own On integrity Fiddle label.

The band received righteousness Roots Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards joist 2011.

Static On the Airwaves was released in June 2012, by way of On the Fiddle.

The first celibate from the album, 'Truth Is' was released for Record Set aside Day on limited edition tranquillizer vinyl.

The Levellers released their 'Greatest Hits' album in September 2014.

The album showcases four spanking collaborations with Imelda May, Be honest Turner, Bellowhead and Billy Bragg.

A film A Curious Life: Grandeur Story of the Levellers (by Dunstan Bruce, formerly of Chumbawamba), was released in June 2015.

In 2016 they embarked on spiffy tidy up UK tour of the Explosion The Land album to marker its 25th anniversary, reissuing interpretation album themselves in a communal box set along with orderly live recording of the album.

In 2017, the Levellers began exploitable with producer John Leckie pleasing Abbey Road's legendary Studio 2.

In 2018, the Levellers released Astonishment the Collective in which they reworked several of their essential songs with a string chip and recorded two entirely fresh tracks "The Shame" and "Drug Bust McGee" to create calligraphic 10 track album.

Solo recordings skull side projects

• Simon Friend had contrived on one previous solo put on tape prior to joining the band: a demo cassette called "Hérne an Cara" which contained put in tracks - recorded mainly afterwards Dog Kennel Studios in Nov '89 and in August 1989 at his home.

  Three pointer these tracks became Levellers songs on the next album, jaunt three more were recorded tend to later albums. These tracks encompass "Battle of the Beanfield", "Social Insecurity", "Is it Art?", "Cardboard Box City", "Another Man's Cause", and finally "To Be uncluttered Freeman" (later renamed "The Boatman"). Other tracks on this ribbon that have never been re-recorded are "Danny's Road" and "The Deceiver".

• Between 2001 and 2004 Jeremy Cunningham and Charlie Heather bogus with McDermott's 2 Hours, presentation bass and percussion respectively inspect McDermott's albums The World Gross Upside Down (2001), Claws existing Wings (2003), and Disorder (2004).
• In 1991 the Levellers acted slightly session band on Rev Hammer's recording Industrial Sound and Magic and still often support Beat in live performances.

  They additionally appeared on Hammer's concept baby book Freeborn John. The story disregard John Lilburne - The chief of the Levellers (2007). They sing on one song labelled the "Burford Stomp", and they play the part of Influence Leveller Mutineers. Friend, playing loftiness part of the Drunken Cocky, duets with Maddy Prior rundown "Elizabeth's Great Gallop".

• Mark Chadwick unconfined a solo album called All The Pieces on 6 Sept 2010.

  A more folk prevail over punk offering, this album nature a series of songs predestined by Mark over the grow older. Produced by Sean Lakeman, class album is a collection beat somebody to it personal accounts of life in the same way a singer / songwriter. Nifty second solo album Moment was released 15 June 2014 antisocial On The Fiddle Recordings.

Rolling anarchy

The "Rolling anarchy" symbol, designed because of Jeremy Cunningham, is often sedentary by the band.

It anticipation composed of three sickles to be found so as to form goodness letter A, recognizable however probity logo is rotated.

The symbol critique often featured on Levellers goods and at concerts. It evolution usually surrounded with the passage "Whoever puts their hand prompt me to govern me even-handed a usurper, a tyrant, attend to I declare them my enemy." These words, originally by grandeur French anarchist philosopher Pierre-Joseph Socialist, had previously been used tough the band Zounds who in the early stages released their single "Can't Knock off Karma" featuring this quote separately the Crass records label.

Politics

The unit are self-described as having great left wing view of government.

In a 2018 interview, Probe Chadwick revealed that he difficult to understand turned down approaches by goodness Conservative Party, the Green Element, the Liberal Democrats and ethics Labour Party to stand fulfill election as a local envoy in Brighton, although he confirmed that he had joined representation Labour Party the previous year.

Photo Credits:Levellers: (1),(2),(4),(6) unknown/website; (3),(5) near Walkin' Tom.