The Levellers
In 2003 members of the Levellers played an acoustic gig at the Twa Tams pub under the name Drunk in Public.
"In the late 80s Folk-punk Was About as fashionable as a pair of your dad's old Y Fronts. As far as most people were concerned -and especially those music weeklies -punk was finished, spent, completely zonked out. It wt deader than Monty Python’s parrot. Only it wasn’t. Like many forms of roots music re-popularised in the 80s - like reggae and country -folk in its new. punk-inspired form was not about to lay dorm and die when interest shifted elsewhere. And the reason us simple: ordinary people liked it too much. It is essentially rebel music. Not rebellious in the sense that it directly challenged governments or shocked or outraged the moral majority, but because it provided A warm and welcome refuge for disaffected revellers who liked it because it provided a warm and welcome refuge for young disaffected revellers, who liked its vague anti-establishment stance and its emphasis on friendship and fun.
As a result hippy-ish punky raggle-taggle had unwittingly become the focus of a groundswell of political and moral frustration. However, when the Pogues - the central axis of the movement, though never champions of the more hippie elements began their slow decline with 1989's peace and love album folk-punk lost its leaders. Sensing the end of an era, but not, strangely. the beginning of another one. Journalists put the lid on the whole phenomenon. and began looking north to the indie/dance sounds emanating from Manchester. This is why, sadly, they missed out on the Levellers early years and the whole subculture and loyal live following that had since grown up around them. Make no mistake - the Levellers are massive. They score top 10 albums and singles, they play huge sell-out concerts across Europe and whether they like it or not they are the figurehead for the crusties and travellers the anarcho punks and hippies, the festival lovers and bean- butter eaters, the young and disenfranchised and the just plain bonkers.
Students love em. In the summer of 1992 at the Glastonbury Festival they played to the biggest stage front audience the event had ever seen, and only then did the music papers start to wonder what the hell they were missing out on, and only then did the band decide that they didn't need the publicity the music weeklies were now willing to afford them. Touch! For the leaders the of vast underground movement, the Levellers have fairly prosaic origins. They began life in early 1988, when bassist Jeremy Cunningham and drummer Charlie Heather met up with fiddler Jon Sevink and guitarist/singer Mark Chadwick two regulars at their Brighton local - the Eagle. Charlie and ex art student Jeremy were veterans of local indie bad the Fence (though they don’t like to boast about the fact) who’d achieved some recognition with Frozen Water/Exit issued on the Brighton-based label the previous year (HAG 1 5/87 500 only £30). Following that groups demise a few months earlier, the pair were thinking of giving up music altogether, as indeed was Mark who was feeling equally respected after his split with another gang of local wannabees Sweet Dragon. But following a short period of musical inactivity the foursome’s interest in performing was rekindled by, among other Inspirations the raucous folk -punk local Brighton act McDermott's Two Hours whose gigs were attracting a wide cross-section of music fans hell-bent on drinking copious amounts of alcohol and generally having a good time.
Not averse to the odd pint and a good ole hoe down themselves the lads decided to start their own folk inspired group though they were keen to use it positively. as a vehicle to address contemporary social issues. Echoing New Model Army's choice of name they christened themselves the Levellers after a radical section of Oliver Cromwell's Civil followers who advocated republican politics End the freedom of worship Within z short time the group had penned t fresh set of folky originals- and with the help of OE second guitarist the mysterious -Bucky embarked on a series of local gigs. Their ability to marry rousing melodies to a robust weave of clattering drums and punchy guitars s immediately won them following and before long they were playing to larger crowds than their erstwhile influences. Although like the proverb - Murphy’s McDermott's Two Hours couldn't have been too bitter - especially s the Levs covered their sprightly 'Dirty Davey' on their eponymous, self titled third album.
From the outset the Levellers had enrolled the support of Hag Records' boss Phil Nelson an M A student at Sussex University who’d started the label with the money from his British Academy grant Now acting as their manager he began helping the band to get gigs across the South where the group promoted themselves with a brace of demo tapes. The first, entitled ‘All The Free Commons Of England’ featured a handful of studio tracks while the second ‘An Agreement For the People’ coupled a further five demos with several songs recorded at a one off gig in Amsterdam. Unsurprisingly these are the feathers in the cap of any self-respecting Levs fan and today tend to change hands for around £20 apiece By early 1989 the Levellers who by this time were gigging with a vengeance had sold around 500 copies of each tape and were keen to immortalise their t talents on vinyl. Nelson's Hag Records was still up and running so with their manager’s help the group splashed out on a session at the Old Barn in Croydon with s view to putting out a 12- EP in the spring with producer Phil Vinall at the controls the Levellers taped what would become a lasting jewel in their crown ‘The Last Days Of Winter’ a frantic jumpy call to arms on which Mark spits out his manifesto of positive pacifist action against a backdrop of furious rattling drums and wheeling guitars and violin. Strangely the group thought ‘Last Days’ was inappropriate as a lead track and returned to Brighton to record the equally striking ‘Carry Me’ together- with two more songs ‘What’s In My Way’ and the chilling ‘England My Home’ with producer Mark Waterman. On its release in May 1989 the ‘Carry Me’ EP caught the attention of Cathi Unsworth at Sounds who gave it s glowing review. ‘It even got a couple of plays on Radio 1 recalls Phil Nelson despite the fact it contained the line too f**ked to fight. I don't think anyone noticed that. Within a few weeks, all 1000 copies had been sold out.
Around this time. the Levellers hitched up with Charlie Myatt which proved to be an important step forward in the group's bid to develop a wider fan base. He'd only been an agent for a short time when we met him. but he came down to Sussex to see us and was immediately bowled over with what we were doing, explains Nelson. He became a very close ally, especially over the next couple of years when record company interest was nil and folk-punk was regarded s the least popular music around. We got ignored, and Charlie and I were the two people bottling away against this tide of indifference
With Charlie quickly securing dates on the prestigious UK college circuit and, further afield in Scotland. Ireland and Holland the lads decided that fifth member was required to flesh out their sound - Bucky' having disappeared several months earlier, after only a few weeks with the band. The job was offered to Alan Miles. A skilled mandolin player and guitarist. whose presence added further texture and warmth to ever developing songs like I Have No Answers and Barrel Of A Gun. Come the late summer, and the Levellers were itching to record again. Following the success of the First EP, Phil Vinall was recalled to the mixing desk, and the group laid three tracks appearing on the Outside Inside' EP, issued in October 1989. This 12" captured the Levs in a belligerent mood, with the stomping, Motown folk-punk of the title track doing nothing to suggest a musical mellowing. Even so, the band still nurtured a quieter side, which surfaced most clearly on Hard Fight', an acoustic lament that underlined the Sowing strength and maturity of Mark's vocals, and confirmed the Levellers' growing anti-establishment stance. With Outside Inside' repeating the success of Carry Me', the band were beginning to attract the independents. though none could offer the level of financial support the Levellers required. Then a friend suggested that they approach the French label. Musidisc. which had just set up offices in London. To their surprise, Musidisc were eager to sign them and, what’s more. appeared to have s genuine liking for their music.
We had to take their offer seriously, explains Nelson, because we just didn't have the money to record on album. We thought we knew enough between us to make a relationship work, so we signed to them for what was to be a three-Album deal. In the events the agree ment resulted in only one. In the early months of 1990, the band entered Loco Studios in Wales with Waterboys producer Phil Tennant, to tape the songs which would later appear on their debut Album, 'A Weapon Called The Word’ Initial sessions were a success, spawning fresh versions of tracks like Carry Me, Outside Inside and 'I Have No Answers', as well its a bath of newies including No Change and Blind Faith. While Tennant's Production embedded a gentle sheen to the vintage material. Mark's forthright vocal delivery and the band's death rattle exuberance lent the recordings an air of urgency and honesty, reflecting their live energy and funkiness. Issued in May, the album split critical opinion, though those who liked it revered its brash earthly music and message "And the band are still pleased with it", adds Nelson.
For a taster single, Musidisc lifted the opening track, the barnstorming back-to-basics rocker "World Freak Show" but, due to admin problems, it didn't appear until June. The group were understandably peeved, especially as the label used two (now already available) album tracks as B-sides. They could now do little except watch the 45's sink without a trace. To make matters worse, Alan Miles had quit the bans a few weeks earlier, ground down by the relentless live schedule, leaving them with the task of finding another accomplished folk instrumentalist to fill the gap.
Fortunately, a replacement appeared in the form of Simon Friend an established musician on the accoustic/folk circuit, who brought to the band several of his own compositions which were quickly incorporated into their set. With Simon in tow, the group headed on a European tour with New Model Army who's lead singer, Justin 'Slade The Leveller' Sullivan had previously worked with Simon. It almost ended in disaster when bassist Jeremy lost the use of one arm. However, by drawing on Simons talents as a multi-instrumentalist, the band were able to honour their commitments as the all-accoustic 'Levellers II", who have since been revived to rescue gigs in the event of power failure etc.
In October 1990, a second Musidisc single appeared, coupling the anthemic 'Together All The Way', witha claustrophobic, hypnotic version of 3 Friends, judiciously smothered in an intense cacophony of violin, electric mandolin and pumping dance rhythms. In some quarters it was hailed as the first acid-folk record. Scary or What!!" - Record Collector 1994.
This information sourced from http://www.levellers.co.uk/www/lev_home.php?page=100155&v=1
Discography below.
Cat No. Title
SINGLES
Hag HAG 005 CARRY ME / WHATS IN THE WAY / THE LAST DAYS OF WINTER /ENGLAND MY HOME (12"E.P. Initial 1,000 copies have a Brighton contact address on sleeve & different label design. 5/89. Later repressed)
Hag HAG 005 OUTSIDE INSIDE / I HAVE NO ANSWERS (7. Promo only. 500 pressed. 89)
Hag HAG 125 OUTSIDE INSIDE / I HAVE NO ANSWERS / BARREL OF A GUN(12" with insert. Initial copies have a Twickenham contact address. 10/89)
Musidisc 105577 WORLD FREAK SHOW / BARREL OF THE GUN (Acoustic) (7". 5/90)
Musidisc 108938 WORLD FREAKSHOW / BARREL OF THE GUN (Acoustic) WHAT YOU KNOW (12". 5/90)
Musidisc 106897 TOGETHER ALL THE WAY / THREE FRIENDS (Remix) (7". 10/90)
Musidisc 106896 TOGETHER ALL THE WAY / THREE FRIENDS (Remix) CARDBOARD BOX CITY / SOCIAL INSECURITY (12" Last 2 tracks credited to Levellers 2 . 10/90)
China WOK 2008 ONE WAY / HARD FIGHT / LAST DAYS OF WINTER (7". 9/91. No.51.Cassette 9/91)
China WOKT 2008 ONE WAY (Factory mix) / ONE WAY (Album version) / LAST DAYS OF WINTER / DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA (12". 9/91)
China WOKCD 2008 ONE WAY (Factory mix) / ONE WAY (Album version) / LAST DAYS OF WINTER / DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA (CD. 9/91)
China WOK 2010 FAR FROM HOME (New version) / WORLD FREAK SHOW (Live) (7". 12/91. No. 71 Cassette. 12/91)
China WOKT 2010 FAR FROM HOME (New version) / WORLD FREAK SHOW (Live)/ THE BOATMAN (Live)/THREE FRIENDS (12". 12/91. CD.12/91)
Musidisc 105577 WORLD FREAK SHOW (Remix) / WHAT YOU KNOW (7". 1/92)
Musidisc 108936 WORLD FREAK SHOW (Remix) / WHAT YOU KNOW / BARREL OFTHE GUN / THREE FRIENDS (12". 1/92)
Musidisc 108932 WORLD FREAK SHOW (Remix) / WHAT YOU KNOW / BARREL OF THE GUN / THREE FRIENDS (CD. 1/92)
China WOKX 2020 15 YEARS / DANCE BEFORE THE STORM / RIVERFLOW (Live) / PLASTIC JEEZUS (12" CD.Cassette.10" Picture disc. EP. 5/92).
China WOKMC 2034 BELARUSE / SUBVERT (Live at Trancentral) / BELARUSE RETURN (Cassette. 6/93)
China WOKCD2034 BELARUSE / SUBVERT (Live at Trancentral) / IS THIS ART / BELARUSE / IS THIS ART / BELARUSE RETURN (CD. 6/93.12"Gatefold)
China WOKP 2039 THIS GARDEN (Single version) / LIFE (Acoustic version) (7" Picture disc. EP. 10/93.Cassette. 10/93)
China WOKT 2039 THIS GARDEN (Single version) THIS GARDEN (Marcus Dravs remix)/ THIS GARDEN (Banco De Gaia remix) / LIFE (Acoustic version) ( 7". 10/93)
China WOKCD 2039 THIS GARDEN (Single version) / LIFE (Acoustic version) / THIS GARDEN (Banco De Giai remix) / THIS GARDEN (Marcus Dravs remix)/ (CD. 10/93)
China WOKCD 2042 THE JULIE EP (New version) / LOWLANDS OF HOLLAND / ENGLISH CIVIL WAR / WARNING (Live)(CD 2/5/94)
China WOKMC 2042 THE JULIE EP (New version) / LOWLANDS OF HOLLAND / ENGLISHCIVIL WAR / 100 YEARSOFSOLITUDE (Live) (Cassette.2/5/94)
China WOKT 2042 THE JULIE EP (New version) / LOWLANDS OF HOLLAND / ENGLISHCIVIL WAR / 100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE (Live) (7" Limited clear vinyl. 2/5/94)
China WOKX 2042 THE JULIE EP (New version) / LOWLANDS OF HOLLAND / ENGLISHCIVIL WAR / WARNING (Live) (10" limited picture disc. 9/5/94)
China WOKCD 2059 HOPE ST / MILES AWAY / LEAVE THIS TOWN / BUSKING ON HOPE ST
China WOKP 2059 HOPE ST /MILES AWAY / LEAVE THIS TOWN / BUSKING ON HOPE ST
China WOKMC 2059 HOPE ST / MILES AWAY/ LEAVE THIS TOWN / BUSKING ON HOPE ST
China WOKCD 2067 FANTASY (CD5) / SARAS BEACH / SEARCH LIGHTS / MILES AWAY
China WOKP 2067 FANTASY (7" Picture disc) / SARAS BEACH / SEARCH LIGHTS / MILES AWAY
China WOKMC 2067 FANTASY (Cassette) / SARAS BEACH / SEARCH LIGHTS / MILES AWAY
China WOKCD 2076 JUST THE ONE EP / DRINKING FOR ENGLAND / THE PROMISE / YOUR OUSE China WOKCD 2082 EXODUS / ANOTHER MANS CAUSE / LEAVE THIS TOWN / P.C.KEEN
China WOKMC 2082 EXODUS / ANOTHER MANS CAUSE / LEAVE THIS TOWN / P.C.KEEN
China WOK(7") 2082 EXODUS / ANOTHER MANS CAUSE / LEAVE THIS TOWN / P.C.KEEN
China WOKMC 2088 WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY/ BARROOM JURY/ ALL YOUR DREAMS
China WOKCD 2088 WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY/ BARROOM JURY/ ALL YOUR DREAMS
China WOKCDX 2088 WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY/PRICE OF LOVE/HANG ON TO YOUR EGO/ GERM FREE ADOLESCENCE
China WOKCD 2089 CELEBRATE / RAIN & SNOW/ SEA OF PAIN/ SURVIVORS
China WOKCDX 2089 CELEBRATE / MEN-AN TOL/ 4+20/ RING OF FIRE
China WOKMC 2020 DOG TRAIN / LAST DAYS OF WINTER/CARRY ME/WHATS IN THE WAY
China WOKCDX 2020 DOG TRAIN / HARD FIGHT/OUTSIDE INSIDE/BARREL OF A GUN
China WOKCD 2091 TOO REAL/STEVE OSBOURNE RADIO MIX/MORCHEEBA MIX/INDIAN ROPEMAN FUTURE OF SOUND MIX/LEAN FIDDLER MIX/MORCHEEBA INSTRUMENTAL/BLISS FAKE MIX(cassette, 12 lp)
China WOKCD 2096 BOZOS/DONT YOU GRIEVE/PLASTIC FACTORY
China WOKCDR2096 BOZOS/NEW YOURK MINING DISASTER 1941/SUPERCHARGER HEAVY MENTAL MIX
China WOKCD 2102 ONE WAY/ANGEL/WINDOWS
China WOKCDX2102 ONE WAY (new version)/ENGLAND MY HOME/I HAVE NO ANSWERS
East west EW218CD HAPPY BIRTHDAY REVOLUTION/SURPRISINGLY EASY!.../BEST PART OF THE DAY(cassette)
East West 218C Cassette HAPPY BIRTHDAY REVOLUTION
Eagle EHAGXS001 COME ON/HOOLIGAN/TRANQUIL BLUE
Eagle EHAGXA001 COME ON/WELCOME TO TOMORROW/VANISHED
Eagle EHAG7001 COME ON/WELCOME TO TOMORROW
Eagle EHAGXS003 WILD AS ANGELS/GALAHAD/ADULTERERS BLUES/WILD AS ANGELS VIDEO
Eagle EHAGXA003 WILD AS ANGELS/AMERICAN AIR DO/ BURN
Eagle EHAG7003 WILD AS ANGELS/GALAHAD/ADULTERERS BLUES
Eagle EOTFXS303 MAKE U HAPPY/ NOT IN MY NAME
Eagle EOTFXA303 MAKE U HAPPY/ PRISONER/ WHAT YOU KNOW(LIVE)
ALBUMS
Musidisc 105571 WEAPON CALLED THE WORD (3 different colours of sleeve. 5/90)
Musidisc 105572 WEAPON CALLED THE WORLD (5/90)
China WOL 1022 LEVELLING THE LAND (9/91)
China WOLCD 1022 LEVELLING THE LAND (9/91)
China WOLCDL 1022 LEVELLING THE LAND (Reissue, add 15 years. 9/91)
China WOL 1035 SEE NOTHING, HEAR NOTHING, DO SOMETHING (2/93)
China WOLCD 1035 SEE NOTHING, HEAR NOTHING (2/93)
China WOL 1034 LEVELLERS (8/93.)
China WOLCD 1034 LEVELLERS (8/93)
China WOLCD 1064 ZEITGEIST (CD5)
China WOL 1064 ZEITGEIST (LP)
China WOLMC 1064 ZEITGEIST (Cassette)
China WOLCD 1074 BEST LIVE - HEADLIGHTS, WHITE LINES, BLACK TAR RIVERS
China WOLMC 1074 BEST LIVE - HEADLIGHTS, WHITE LINES, BLACK TAR RIVERS
China WOLCDX 1074 BEST LIVE - HEADLIGHTS, WHITE LINES, BLACK TAR RIVERS
China WOLCD 1084 MOUTH TO MOUTH
China WOLCDX 1084 MOUTH TO MOUTH
China WOLMC 1084 MOUTH TO MOUTH
China / Jive 0522152 ONE WAY OF LIFE BEST OF THE LEVELLERS
China / Jive 0521732 ONE WAY OF LIFE BEST OF THE LEVELLERS
China / Jive 0521734 ONE WAY OF LIFE BEST OF THE LEVELLERS
East West 851 HELLO PIG
East West 8573-84339-4 HELLO PIG (cassette)
East West 319 LP HELLO PIG
Eagle EHAGCD002 GREEN BLADE RISING
Eagle EHAGLT002 GREEN BLADE RISING
Eagle EOTFCD302 TRUTH & LIES
VIDEOS
ChrysalisCHV 1037 THE GREAT VIDEO SWINDLE (Live at Glasgow Barrowlands) (11/92)
Warner063015407-3 BEST LIVE - HEADLIGHTS, WHITE LINES, BLACK TAR RIVERS
DEMO CASSETTES
(Own label) ALL THE FREE COMMONS OF ENGLAND(6 tracks,500 only. Sold at gigs. 2/88)
(Own label) AN AGREEMENT OF THE PEPLE (10 tracks. 500 only. Sold at gigs. 2/89)
Social Insecurity
Well it's another social worker
In his government disguise
Sitting behind his bullet-proof glass
Trying to tell me ´bout my rights
And i don't like the way that he's
Asking me these questions
I can read between the lines
And i don't think that i can trust you
With the story of my life
Another communication
That will bring you to your knees
The genocidal maniacs
They're doing just what they please
We've gotta move these mountains
´Couse they're standing in the way
If it's in the name of progress oh yeah
We can make it pay for our
Social insecurity
They'll try to take my history
Away from me
Social insecurity don't look at me
They'll try to take my life
Well it never seems so tragic now
As the dawn breaks into day
But they're staring at the tower block
Where the green field once laid
All the mighty rivers are full of
Factory decay
Is this just some small price that you have
Learned to pay for your
Social insecurity
They'll try to take my history
Away from me
Social insecurity don't look at me
They'll try to take my life
This is your democracy
This is your bureaucracy
Well i call it damned hypocrisy
If you'll ask me
I´ll tell you ´bout your life
|
