ABOUT THE BAND - BAND PROFILES
Simon Friend
BIRTHDAY?
17TH MAY
SIBLINGS?
THREE
BIRTHPLACE AND BEYOND?
LONDON, THE EARTH, THE COSMOS
FOOTBALL TEAM?
NOT REALLY
FIRST RECORD BOUGHT?
LEO SAYER
INSTRUMENTS?
GUITAR, BANJO, MANDOLA, MANDOLIN, BAZOUKI, TRUMPET, HARMONICA, DOUBLE BASS HARP ETC.
FIRST BAND JOINED?
SPEED LIMIT
MUSICAL HEROES?
LED ZEPPELIN/ BLACK SABBATH
FIRST GIG YOU WENT TO?
LEO SAYER
FAVOURITE LEVELLERS GIG?
THE NEXT ONE!
FAVOURITE LEVELLERS SONG?
CARRY ME
NEW AMBITIONS?
TO KEEP IT REAL!
Is your fan base: a) getting older (like me!) b) staying at about the same age c) can't remember what age they are! (Francis Baring)
Probably B but we seem to attract all ages.
Do you have a ritual that you always do, before to go on stage? (David Anne)
4 Pints of lager
My question to the Levellers would be "Do you do weddings, and if so, will you do mine for free next year?" (Paul Beattie)
No…only divorces!
If you were to meet George Bush, what would you tell him? (Minou and Xander)
I’d tell George that he’d be better off doing the E.S.F than trying to run a country
Which one of you now sells the "Big Issue"? (Shaun)
Probably me
Over the last 15 years your lyrics have been an inspiration to people like me who want to help create a peaceful, happy world again. In spite of all the hope, evil appears to be at its zenith with the rising tide of violence, moral corruption and materialism. Do you still have a role to play in addressing the urgent need of our times or have you said all that needs to be said? Do you think we want a better world badly enough? (Mick)
Everybody has a role to play in addressing the needs of our times. To quote John Lennon “ If the world wanted peace instead of a new TV then there would be peace”
If you had to choose a new name for the band what would it be and why? (Jeni)
Spinal Tap!
The Fish Brothers next LP....Fishy Fingers.... Goes quadruple platinum. You are asked to support them at their own festival.... Fishy Days. How do you feel about it? (Anon - probably one of the Fish!!)
Crabby
Have you ever considered blistering heat and the opportunity to wrestle crocodiles a good enough reason to do a pub tour in Australia? If not, why not? (Steve)
Surely good beer and beautiful scenery is a better reason.
I'd like to ask if there have ever been any Spinal-Tap sort of moments on tour? Has anything really amazing and embarrassing ever happened? (Matthew Rowland)
Can’t remember
A few years back, you guys did a Drunk in Public gig at Kelly's Bar in Leamington Spa (I think it was '99 or 2000). I was a student journalist at the time and, under the pretence of doing a very shoddy interview with Simon, I managed to gatecrash the lock-in after the show.
It would have been a great night, but unfortunately I was too smashed and stoned and ended up passing out on a bench in the middle of the bar for nearly two hours. Is this the most unprofessional performance by a member of the press at one of your shows, or have there been worse examples throughout the years? (Adrian Mather)
There was a guy from the NME who wrote a live review of a gig at the then town & country club in London who obviously wasn’t at the gig cos he got songs and the instruments wrong! That has got to be the most unpro thing I have ever heard of but what do you expect from such an unpro bunch of c**ts?!
Over the years do you recognise faces in the crowd from previous concerts? I like to think that you do. (Kim Terris)
Yeah loads.
Which character in ‘finding Nemo’ is most like you? (Andy Mitchell)
I’ve Got to be Nemo cos he’s ginger!
What was the most rebellious thing you did at school? (Andy Mitchell)
Smoking pot!
One evening after having a heavy night of being mashed, we all got the munchies, a regular occurrence; only being poor there was no proper food in the fridge or cupboards. The food that was available was mainly covered in mould, this didn’t put a mate of mine off. We made him a bowl of food which consisted of: cereals, beer, whiskey, Tabasco sauce, ketchup, mouldy bread, coffee granules, rice, mouldy jam, gone off milk, fag ash, salt, pepper, tikka sauce, mouldy cheese and what ever else we could find in the cupboards, it was then mircowaved and he was given a small amount of money to eat five table spoons full. He was then sick. My boyfriend, Tim paid him 9 pence to eat his sick and we now have video footage.
My question is, a) if u were that mashed would u do that? b) Would u need to be paid more than 9 pence (not that I want to make a deal)? And c) have u done anything like this before. (Karina Bowden)
Call yourselves mates?
Do you get approached in the street much by fans and asked to sign autographs and pose for pics etc and do you mind? Or do you take it all in your stride as international music stars? (Dick (Richard) Bennett)
Sometimes but I don’t mind it.
If u weren't in the Levellers would u be a fan? (Daisy Chain)
I used to be a fan before I joined the band anyway so …yeah!
In your opinion, what makes for a truly great Festival experience? (Rob Monfea)
Sunshine, beer and the Levellers!
What are their thoughts on Kazaa etc? Does the notion of people getting Levellers songs for nothing piss you off or make you satisfied that simply more people are hearing your material? (Ally)
People have to realize that making records costs money and though I wish I could, I can’t give away things for free
If a movie were to be made of The Levellers whom would you most like to play your part and why? (Or who do the other band members think would best play your part and why?) (Liz Woof)
Uma Thurman cos she’s hard!
If the situation were to arise, would you ever play a gig before the royal family? (Craig)
No, They’d have to support us!
Of the caricature drawings done has anyone been offended or thought "yep that's them down to a tea" offending other band members. (Bob Davidson)
I don’t think anyone’s been offended.
What’s your fav type of cheese? (Mig)
Good old Cheddar
Do you find your views of the worlds political problems have changed with time? (Andy Parkin)
Not really – Just a bit more exasperated.
If you could cook any 'celebrity' who would it be, how would you cook them and which 'celebrity' would you serve them to? (Leanne)
Nemo in a little ginger and garlic and I would serve him to Uma Thurman
If any of the band were flicking through an adult magazine!! And saw a pic of another Levellers mum, in the readers wives section, would they tell that person that they had seen their mum in said mag? (Karl Liszewski)
Piss off and die you sick fucker!