Level 42... They've still got it!

Level 42... They've still got it!

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onyx39

Original Poster:

11,109 posts

149 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Just got back from seeing them live in Guildford. I've been lucky enough to see them at about half a dozen venues over the years, from Wembley Arena downwards in size. I've always rated Mike Lindups voice more than Mark Kings, but they were both awesome tonight. We'll work checking them out on their remaining dates.

S7Paul

2,103 posts

233 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Saw them at Southampton on Monday (for the 10th time). I always reckon it's worth the ticket price just to watch Mark play - everything else is a bonus. For me, there was a little too much new stuff in the set list, but still well worth going. The current drummer also helps inject a bit more oomph into the faster songs.

Big Pants

505 posts

140 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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First band I ever saw live. Oxford Apollo, probably 1979. Saw them 8 or 9 times over the next decade, but not since.

Funnily enough I spent a happy couple of hours on YouTube with them a few weeks ago, looking for a great clip of "Love Games" for the "Favourite Bassline" thread. And you know what YouTube's like... After several liver versions of Love Games I spent a while doing intensive Level 42 nostalgia resarch and was then tempted to switch allegiance to "Hot Water" for that thread. Never did end up posting. Got distracted by a lengthy but mildly interesting Mark King documentary.

Still got a warm place in my heart for Level 42, although the massive teenlove I had for them has faded a touch.

Simes205

4,527 posts

227 months

Thursday 23rd October 2014
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Is Pete Ray Biggin still on drums?? He's all over it, awesome player.
What's even more mental is that level 42 were his heros back in the 90's. he got to meet them and even play their drum kit!!

http://youtu.be/urdl1Qw7f5I

onyx39

Original Poster:

11,109 posts

149 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
onyx39 said:
Just got back from seeing them live in Guildford. I've been lucky enough to see them at about half a dozen venues over the years, from Wembley Arena downwards in size. I've always rated Mike Lindups voice more than Mark Kings, but they were both awesome tonight. We'll work checking them out on their remaining dates.
a short video I took on the phone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feJGzMOtbZ8

GoBig

376 posts

172 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Simes205 said:
Is Pete Ray Biggin still on drums?? He's all over it, awesome player.
What's even more mental is that level 42 were his heros back in the 90's. he got to meet them and even play their drum kit!!

http://youtu.be/urdl1Qw7f5I
Pete's a great player.

Pity this clip has terrible sound, but if you know the song you will get the idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6uLGKdQVw

With these feet

5,728 posts

214 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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Saw them Tuesday in Bexhill, no more than 200 there I'd guess.
Still enjoyed them but disappointed they didnt play Chinese Way...

Their new stuff is pretty decent as well, still got their original sound.

Simes205

4,527 posts

227 months

Friday 24th October 2014
quotequote all
GoBig said:
Pete's a great player.

Pity this clip has terrible sound, but if you know the song you will get the idea.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB6uLGKdQVw
Yep seen that before.
Saw Pete play with incognito a couple of years back, awesomeness.


Ganglandboss

8,294 posts

202 months

Friday 24th October 2014
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I saw them in Manchester and they were fantastic! Some of the fans were a little scary though. There's a little pub at the side of the venue right near the stage door. I was sat outside the pub and there was a bloke with an SLR camera talking about their movements (as in where they are - I didn't think he was quite creepy enough to pick through Mike Lindup's turds).

All of a sudden there was a hiss and the door opened on one of the buses. Pete Ray Biggin energed with two blokes and he ran over and papped him. He then held his hand out to shake it and he ignored him. I can't help feeling if he had gone over, offered his hand and spoke to him he might have stopped, as opposed to running over and firing a massive flash in his face.

I was about 14 rows back but I managed to find an empty seat on the second row by the aisle. There have been a few comments on Facebook about overzealous security guards making people sit down - Mark King said "I want you to dance and take loads of photographs"

I particularly enjoyed Kansas City Milkman, and Build Myself a Rocket. Oh, and I shook MK's hand at the end! biggrin

Mastodon2

13,818 posts

164 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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Amazing band and Mark King is a hell of a player. When he us using his Status basses, there are few bassists getting better tone.

onyx39

Original Poster:

11,109 posts

149 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
quotequote all
Ganglandboss said:
I
I particularly enjoyed Kansas City Milkman, and Build Myself a Rocket. Oh, and I shook MK's hand at the end! biggrin
Funny you should mention Kansas City Milkman. I've been a fan since the days of World Machine and onwards, and although I own the earlier albums, some I have never played. I had therefore never heard it.

Will be getting back catalogue out this weekend!

With these feet

5,728 posts

214 months

Saturday 25th October 2014
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For me the Early Tapes are the best and least heard. The majority are instrumental, but highlight just how good MK is, if not the best bass player around.

Im still astounded at his speed considering he's been playing for so long!

Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Mastodon2 said:
Amazing band and Mark King is a hell of a player. When he us using his Status basses, there are few bassists getting better tone.
Aye, I used to love playing Level 42 on my old Status.


Ganglandboss

8,294 posts

202 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Baryonyx said:
Mastodon2 said:
Amazing band and Mark King is a hell of a player. When he us using his Status basses, there are few bassists getting better tone.
Aye, I used to love playing Level 42 on my old Status.

I saw one of those in the Bass Centre in Castlefield Manchester. It wasn't cheap, but they wanted less than I thought they should have been asking. I kick myself for not buying it.

The Kingbass looks awesome though - I'm planning to treat myself to the Paramatrix model when I've worked out how to fund it!


Baryonyx

17,990 posts

158 months

Sunday 26th October 2014
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Yes, I always wanted a Kingbass but never got round to getting one. I did come close to doing a deal on a Standard once, and made enquiries with money waiting on a really nice Artist only to find out it had been sold when I got in touch.

I was never as much of a fan of the mk2 Kingbass though, it didn't look as good and the sound was less satisfying to my ears. I saw Mark live using both the Mk1 and Mk2 Kingbasses, I have to say the mk1 had the better tone.

AmiableChimp

3,674 posts

236 months

Wednesday 29th October 2014
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Saw them in Glasgow 2 weeks ago and they did not disapoint!

Pretty much 2 hours non stop.

My mate bought the new Sirens EP album - only 6 songs on it or something, but then each one is about 7 minutes long biggrin