© Up-Load (UK) Ltd 2005/07

Kate James & Matt James

Levellers are celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. The band started their career in 1988 and have gained a reputation as one of Britain’s best live acts by their un-relenting commitment to touring and performing at festivals. They were recently honoured with the award for “Festival Feel-Good Act” at the 2007 UK Festival Awards, voted for by the public.

Levellers released a free double A-side single in March. The tracks ‘A Life Less Ordinary’ & ‘The Cholera Well’ are taken from the band’s forthcoming studio album, ‘Letters From The Underground’, scheduled for release in the Summer.

The singles are a true return to form for the band, comprising the best elements of the Levellers - rousing folk melodies, passionate lyrics and a classic punk rock sound. Recorded at their own Metway Studios in Brighton, both tracks are produced by Sean Lakeman (co-producer of Seth Lakeman’s Freedom Fields & Mercury Music Prize nominated Kitty Jay) and mixed by James Brown (Placebo, Nine Inch Nails, Jeff Beck).

2008 is going to be a busy year for the band as they celebrate their anniversary. After 3 ‘Beautiful Nights’ shows, including a sell-out Brixton Academy, they have announced a once-in-a-lifetime show at the Royal Albert Hall in September and a number of appearances at festivals and open air concerts throughout the Summer – including their own ‘Beautiful Days’ festival. The new album release will be followed by UK and European tours in the Autumn.

Levellers have ridden waves of huge popularity and chasms of widespread mistrust over the years. They have ignored fads, fashions and trends, and in doing so have existed alongside them. The original line-up still play with a passion and pride that, having seen off many of their early contemporaries, is setting a standard that many young pretenders find hard to match.

After 2 decades, it is time for the UK to be truly proud of one of its most enduring musical talents.