The Levellers... what's your opinion?

[Master Ray]

Apologies if anyone's brought this up before, I don't seem to remember anyone doing so...   

A band I'm rather fond of, seen them many times live and they're always great, who seem to be somewhat wrapped up in NMA's history, not least because their support slot on the Impurity tour seemed to be one that not only grabbed them a lot of fans from this community but gave them a push-up into bigger venues that paved the way for them to become (briefly) the darlings of the indie-press... that whole violin-rock thing that NMA were doing in T+C and Impurity (see also The Wonder Stuff) didn't hurt.  Of course, that thing didn't last but they've kept up a solid following since then and I know there are quite a few NMA fans who still follow them!  And The Levs have that hugely popular 'Beautiful Days' festival (that NMA have played at several times) which attracts some great acts, I should make it to that event one day!

But there are some naysayers and I can also see why they might think that.  They haven't, IMO, progressed in the same way that NMA have, into different sounds and musical genres and experimental stuff, just for the hell of it.  Is that a bad thing?  I've met NMA fans who think every album should sound just like T+C or NRFTW or whatever and they're not arsed about the band doing anything new.  Which is OK, you know what you like,right!  But The Levs have only put out three albums in the last twelve years and when you see them live, probably 60% of the set will be from the first three albums.  Playing on past glories..?  As I mentioned earlier in this paragraph?

I still hugely enjoy this band, I'd love to hear what other regulars or newbies on this Forum think of them.  The Levs and NMA are playing on July 01st in Manchester Castlefield Bowl!  I know a couple of other people here are going...  anyone here love them or hate them or are indifferent?  What are your favourite albums or tunes?  Am I just talking bollocks as usual?   

[Pol]

Don't really know enough to give a defined opinion of them but will say what I think.

Spent most of the 90s and beyond disliking them , had the wrong opinion that they were basically a nma rip off band.  Previous threads have stated there more along the lines of pogues etc kinda of agree with that tho Shane is a better song writer n they have swapped the Irish element for a west country one .
Picked up levelling of the land a few years back and thot it was good tho I put it on the mp3 n gave the disc away .

Will agree with the progress factor tho I heard there newer stuff,  so a bit unfair.

Two reasons why I'm not going to Manchester . 1 - it's outdoors.  Weather?  Sound quality?  2 - NMA aren't the headline

Anyway back to the levz.  I think there a decent get pissed sign along band but nothing more .

[Isaac(Black Eagle Rising)]

I will be simple.I like some albums and been to Levs gig only for one time and it was really gig we enjoyed,danced and had a really good time.But lyrically Levs don't get me.Never did.I have a problem with that 'anarchy" thing.Exploited's anarchy is more friendly to me.As Mr Sullivan said,I don't believe in message music.Zeitgeist,A Weapon..Levellers and Leveling The Land are albums I like and sometimes I give a listen.

[Master Ray]

Don't really know enough to give a defined opinion of them but will say what I think.

Spent most of the 90s and beyond disliking them , had the wrong opinion that they were basically a nma rip off band.  Previous threads have stated there more along the lines of pogues etc kinda of agree with that tho Shane is a better song writer n they have swapped the Irish element for a west country one .
Picked up levelling of the land a few years back and thot it was good tho I put it on the mp3 n gave the disc away .

Will agree with the progress factor tho I heard there newer stuff,  so a bit unfair.

Two reasons why I'm not going to Manchester . 1 - it's outdoors.  Weather?  Sound quality?  2 - NMA aren't the headline

Anyway back to the levz.  I think there a decent get pissed sign along band but nothing more .

Hmmm, bit vague there Pol?     Tell us what you REALLY think!   

No worries, mate, not your cup of tea, I was expecting reactions like that.  I can think of a certain mutual friend who thinks the same!  And as to Shane... a rare genius.  Apparently he's in a wheelchair nowadays but, heck, he was given six months to live in about 1991!

Anyone else got opinions about this band?

[Red]

Saw them on Impurity tour and loved them so got into them in a big way

Saw them loads around the early to mid 90's

Love the early stuff though

Hello Pig is the absolute bollox!!!

Havent seen them much over the years since though, but went to Lincoln last year to see the Levelling The Land 25th Anniversary (let's cash in on past glories) gig

My personal opinion is that if Ferocious Dog and Gaz Brookfield hadn't been the support I don't think they would have sold out as many dates as they did

Not too bothered about seeingthem in July but whatever happends we'll have a good day

[Anna Woman von NRW]

Was a big fan through the first 3 albums then kinda lost interest, just didn't seem to hold my attention anymore, never sensed development or something new. Seen blinding gigs, good gigs, and also a few bad ones but never indifferent ones. Beautiful Days was always a brilliant weekend notwithstanding the usually shite weather.

Not sure if I would go and seem them nowadays, maybe if I was looking for a nostalgia trip. Impossible to put my bias to one side but I can never seem them as headliners over NMA - just not good enough.

[Bunny]

Ok. Loved Zeitgeist and Levelling the Land but switched off after that. They will forever be tied with NMA but in my humble opinion, not a patch. I think theyre headliners in name only, but then I might be biased. Id imagine fanbase will be not too disimilar sizewise. I dont buy into the pseudo-anarchy side of it but I respect them for some of their songs. I think itll be a good show. And a day before me birthday!!

[Master Ray]

Anna... there is rather a lot of good stuff after the first three albums (Mouth To Mouth and Zeitgiest are damn good albums) but you're right.  Much as I enjoy their stuff personally they are somewhat 'preaching to the choir' nowadays.  Nothing to remotely match Winter or BDAW.  But heck, that same choir keep showing up and have a good time, the band make a living, so fair enough!

Red... funny you said that, 'Hello Pig' is the one Levs album that I didn't like at all when it first came out!  Haven't listened to it since then, but I'm always happy to reappraise something so I'll check it out, always respect your opinions mate!

Bunny (damn, I can't get used to calling you that  ) looking forward to seeing you at that summer gig.  Get on Youtube and check out tunes that you're not familiar with, you might some tunes you like.  And, yes, in an ideal world NMA would be headlining this big one-day festival... but in an ideal world we'd have a competent government, Trump would be working at a petrol station in Bumfuck, Iowa and I'd be married to Jenna Coleman.   

[Bunny]

MR...you know my first name, Ill accept it! Im sorry but Jenna Coleman is mine!
I will check some of the later stuff out as I said I just got a feelng it wont register. Maybe its just one of those things where a band hits its hiatus and fades off? But I guess some folks will love everything theyve ever done

[Master Ray]

OK... here's a few later tunes from the Levs...

What A Beautiful Day

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SKS_xcBS5w

Truth Is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmlYo9iCr20

Alone In The Darkness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GHRSzm8mf0

Too Real

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGu9MayJKPM

Just The One (the version with Bellowhead...)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn8qwmABIIQ

Come on

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wav7yo39jFo

[Red]

Anna... there is rather a lot of good stuff after the first three albums (Mouth To Mouth and Zeitgiest are damn good albums) but you're right.  Much as I enjoy their stuff personally they are somewhat 'preaching to the choir' nowadays.  Nothing to remotely match Winter or BDAW.  But heck, that same choir keep showing up and have a good time, the band make a living, so fair enough!

Red... funny you said that, 'Hello Pig' is the one Levs album that I didn't like at all when it first came out!  Haven't listened to it since then, but I'm always happy to reappraise something so I'll check it out, always respect your opinions mate!

Bunny (damn, I can't get used to calling you that  ) looking forward to seeing you at that summer gig.  Get on Youtube and check out tunes that you're not familiar with, you might some tunes you like.  And, yes, in an ideal world NMA would be headlining this big one-day festival... but in an ideal world we'd have a competent government, Trump would be working at a petrol station in Bumfuck, Iowa and I'd be married to Jenna Coleman.   

I must apologise, I've made a typo

Hello Pig is absolute bollox not THE absolute bollox

Sorry for misleading you and any others who thought I was mad saying it's a great album

[Master Ray]

      

Yeah, I was wondering about that!  Well, that's one less thing I have to do tomorrow!   

[jez pike]

The Levs have got to be my 2nd favorite band,must've seen them 30/40 times,and my Levellers T shirt collection is trying to catch up with NMA.I shall be ahappy boy at the Manchester gig in the summer.

[Master Ray]

The Levs have got to be my 2nd favorite band,must've seen them 30/40 times,and my Levellers T shirt collection is trying to catch up with NMA.I shall be ahappy boy at the Manchester gig in the summer.

Glad you like them Jez... others aren't so keen, so I'd be interested in you elaborating a bit if you have time?  Favourite albums, songs, why they're your second favourite band etc?

Nearer the time, perhaps some talk of arranging a meet, I know a few folks who are going?   

[jez pike]

I've always loved "folk/rock/punk" whatever,its the mix of acoustic guitars with fiddle(or flute-Jethro Tull),a few years before the Levs made it i used to follow a great Liverpool band called Gone to Earth,they split up just as the Levs were making it,i went to see them in Cornwall and a poster for the week after said"If you like Gone to Earth,you'll love The Levellers!"A few other similar bands were Tower Struck Down and You Slosh.My favorite album has got to be Levelling the Land,that is their "Thunder and consellation"as for favorite track mmm Battle of the Beanfield sound like a song NMA never recorded,some of the more modern stuff like Chollera Well are great,but also love quiet ones like Men-al-Tol.They are playing my home town,Preston in 3 weeks so i shall report back,by the way have you listened to my band Deadwood Dog?,please check us out.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyl75jHCRjs