The Levellers: We didn't think we'd still be here

Mark Chadwick didn't for one moment imagine that he'd be standing here today.

When he started his band, The Levellers, he imagined that they might be on the road for 10 years. If they were lucky, they'd last a year or two longer. But a 25th anniversary? Not on your life, sir.

And yet, remarkably, the nation's favourite travellers' band are celebrating their silver anniversary after a successful quarter century.

The band, who will headline Shrewsbury's Buttermarket tonight have survived fashion and remained perennially popular.

This summer, they've played gigs around the UK and starred at a number of festivals including Bearded Theory, Volksfest, Isle of Wight Festival, Grassington, Lusty Glaze Beach and Cambridge Folk Festival.

Following their Shrewsbury date, they'll play at Camp Bestival, Cropredy, Lakefest and Beautiful Days, among others.

Their tour is not the only form of celebration this year. The band also released a new five-track EP in aid of War Child, called The Recruit Sergeant. It was mixed by Matt Lawrence, best known for his work with Mumford & Sons, Grinderman and Emile Sande.

Mark said: "We didn't think we'd be here now, really.

"We had a 10-year plan, if I'm honest. But it's all gone in the blink of an eye.

"We've been on the road all summer and we'll be playing the festival set when we come to Shrewsbury. It'll be the best of what we do."

It's relatively easy for Mark to put his finger on some of the reasons for The Levellers' survival. In an age of manufactured, here-today-gone-tomorrow X factory wannabes, The Levellers are a real band. They are skilled musicians and they write songs with an edge. They are, for want of a better phrase, still keeping it real after all this time.

"I think things change constantly. You'd expect that during the number of years that we've been together. But I think one of the main reasons why we've survived is that people like to hear a little bit more substance. They like a bit more in their lyrics, if you know what I mean.

"I think that probably says something about us, but it also says something about the state of music these days."

Back in the day, The Levellers were nothing more than a raggle taggle traveller band, playing festivals and illicit gatherings, as well as concert halls up and down the UK. Having formed in Brighton, they took their name from the democratic faction of Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army.

They enjoyed a series of early successes, with EPs like Carry Me and England My Home.

Their debut album, the perspicaciously-titled A Weapon Called the Word, was followed by their stunning Levelling The Land, which became a huge hit.

A series of similar successes followed, with their fourth album, Zeitgeist, reaching number one. Their first six albums all went gold.

But the band learned that in order to survive, they needed to diversify. "These days, we do the lot," added Mark.

"We run our own studio, run our own festival and label and we record. We enjoy showcasing new people too.

"The festival and the live show always features emerging artists. We feel as though we need to help them. We needed a helping hand when we got started." Mark isn't planning to slow down.

If anything, he works harder now than he ever did.

He's found it easier, too, to keep going. "It's what I do. When we're not touring, we never stop.

"To be honest, the older we get the easier it's become, particularly as songwriters. I think the pressure is lifted. You get to know more about what you are doing. You take a more expansive approach, you're no longer frightened."

The band's gig at The Buttermarket is likely to play to a big audience and venue owner Martin Monahan is looking forward to tonight's set.

"We're delighted to have secured a date on the Levellers tour, they have been, and still are, one of the best live bands around, and we're expecting it to be a sell-out.

"We're certainly going to be putting Shropshire back on the map with some great live music of all different genres."