The ecstasy of the revolutionary spirit
Aisha - 21.11.2008 17:00
“There’s only one way of life, and that’s your own that’s your own that’s you own!”
Green anarchist grandfathers the Levellers in concert in Paradiso, 19th of November 2008.
Because I was supposed to go to India for half a year this week (I’m still going, but postponed my trip), a good friend of mine decided to surprise me and bought tickets to go and see a band that I've been listening to for most of my life. Raised by a punk stepfather, with an Anarchist sign tattooed on his wrist, my first introduction into music as a preteen consisted of bands like Conflict, Fugazi, Nomeansno, The Dead Kennedy’s and so on. Being a great music lover my stepdad would sit by the radio with me every Wednesday to tape new music from a progressive Dutch radio station (VPRO). I remember hearing that first hit of the Levellers as clearly as I remember hearing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” of Nirvana one day. Both those songs changed my life for good:
“There’s only one way of life, and that’s your own that’s your own that’s you own!”
(Levellers, One Way)
Well sung and well said in a world full of fundamentalism and intolerance. And for me as a youth, a real good message to grow up with. Through all my life the merry, jubilant and inspiring songs of the Levellers, have pulled my through many a rough patch. And now, for the first time, I was actually going to hear and see them live.
Levellers were founded in 1988 and have since brought out about 14 albums. Cholera Well, the last album, is a typical Levellers album. In all respects they’ve stayed 100% true to their style and message. Songs like the title song musically remind you of Celtic tribal dances and merry summer feasts in the meadow, drums, bonfire, beer and all. Which is a of course in shrill contrast with the content of the song, and for that all the more powerful. It’s a bit like Zack de la Rocha (Rage Against The Machine) singing “Your anger is a gift”. Luring your body into dancing, your adrenaline flowing, leading you into a kind of revolutionary ecstasy when you realize you also agree with what he’s actually saying. The feeling of revolution, that’s what I got when listening to Levellers live. A revolution of permaculture, anti-consumerism, green anarchism, ecocommunities and squatting. A revolution that, fortunately enough, still lives among many young people nowadays and is so powerfully voiced in their lyrics. It sure reminded me of that desire to live a free life, the dream I had as a teen, when I first heard that violin and Mark Chadwick’s melodic voice.
Levellers are called one of the best live bands ever, and after this concert I couldn’t agree more. No matter how much these guys have aged, no matter the bolt spots on their heads, no matter sometimes the whole show, after all this time, seems a little bit of a routine for them. No matter all that: you can feel they still believe in their songs and the energy that radiates from that made at least my belly swarm with butterflies. They played lots of classic songs from the first, (and in my opinion) best album. And of course of the last album, which is a little indie masterpiece in its own right. They needed about two songs to get into it. But especially once the didgeridoo was on the stage, played by a guy in bright fluorescent war paint, the party really started. (Funny to see Mark secretly miming the “danger” of their Digi-friend on the stage to one of the other band members, as the guy in his enthusiasm almost knocked over the band members and musical equipment) I was real hard to sit still, so why even bother. Away with those chairs and take your dancing partner by the arm (if you’ve got the space)!
It was really hard to see them leave, after only one encore (why do annoying bands just keep on coming back and the ones who really get better by the minute while playing, seem to leave it after only once?). Which was smart, ‘cause they literally leave you begging for more. Levellers are a band you could really book for a whole night of dancing, like the French tribal musical magicians Kaophonic Tribu. This is the kind of music I at least will never get tired of. These guys have stolen my heart and inspired me once more. So let’s sing along:
“This is your world
But we say no way
I won’t go
A life less ordinary is the one I choose
Far away from the souls still healing
We rise with the sun
To the hope of freedom”
(Levellers, A Life Less Ordinary)
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