Formed back in 1988 the Levellers have been a regular on the festival circuit for many a year since and 2016 is no different, bass player and founding member Jeremy Cunningham kindly took time out from pogoing around on stage to speak to Mr Teeth ahead of their performance next month at Portsmouth’s own Victorious Festival.
So as we’ve entered festival season, how have you been spending it so far?
“Well, mostly playing festivals! In between times I’ve been mainly doing artwork for re-issues of old Levellers albums- especially “Levelling the Land” which is a whole box set.”
You’re playing Victorious Festival next month (in my home of city of Portsmouth), have you heard much about the festival?
“I know about the fest, know the name but I’ve never been before.”
How will you go about picking the set-list, will it be greatest hits or any surprises?
“It’s always greatest hits for festivals- we learned that a long time ago! The surprises come when we fuck it all up haha… The knife edge of live music. Keeps it chaotic and fun.”
Is there anyone on the Victorious line-up you’re particularly looking forward to seeing yourself?
“Yeh man, the Coral. Awesome band.”
Having played here several times over the years and given you’re only based down the road in Brighton, do you get to spend much time in Portsmouth?
“Not really these days but I did spend a fair amount of time in Portsmouth back in the day. Had a good friend at art college there. Still remember our skint days in a basement flat on Alhambra rd….”
Other than playing, what’s the best thing about being on tour?
“Getting everything paid for you haha! Meeting interesting people – happy days.”
Jeremy Cunningham live @ Worthing Assembly Hall 2014 (photo by Mr Teeth)
You’ve also of course been heavily involved in Beautiful Days for over ten years now, how much are you (as a band or individuals) involved in the actual running of the festival?
“We don’t actually run it. God forbid! We play, which is what we’re good at- and stagger about the site making fools of ourselves, which we’re also pretty accomplished at and contribute to the general ambiance.”
During your time as a band you have also been very politically minded, is this still the case and given the current state of the country what’s your opinion on the build-up (and indeed fall-out) of the EU referendum?
“Yep we’ve always been political, Thatchers generation an all- we had to be. We spend a good deal of time in Europe (and the world), consider ourselves to be good Europeans, campaigned to “remain”, so yeh the referendum result doesn’t sit well with us! But it’s democracy…”
On a lighter note your recent greatest hits album featured a couple of reworking’s of old singles with special guests in Frank Turner, Bellowhead, Imelda May and Billy Bragg, is there any one else you’d like to collaborate with?
“The Libertines and Neil Young for me.”
What about anyone you’d like to hear record their own cover of the Levellers?
“I’d love to hear Bill Withers do “Before the end”.”
As for new songs, when are you due to head back into the studio?
“We’ve been writing new songs for a year now, got some good stuff and some rubbish we thought was good at the time haha! Plenty to write about though that’s for sure! Work in progress as they say… “
…and finally when will there be a new album out?
“Next year for sure. We aiming to record next Jan/Feb so will be out ASAP after then, fingers crossed.”
Levellers – band photo
