Level 42 is an interesting British jazz-fusion group formed at the Isle of Wight, in 1979. They had several major UK and international hits during the mid 1980s and 90s. The group has now released its first album, "Level 42".
The band was named after a number in an arcade game, "Noughts and Crosses", where you can only move to the right if you're on level one, forty-eight. The band was formed by Geoff Barrow, Steve Lamacq and Michael Biss. Each of them played different instruments or played with the band as a three-piece.
Barrow was the lead guitarist, while Lamacq and Biss played keyboards. All three had previously played in various groups and were not particularly known for their technical ability.
The group's debut single, "Level Forty-Eight", was recorded at the BBC studios in Maidstone. It was later recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. The music was recorded in the original mono, as most of the songs were recorded for the album in mono.
The first single from the album was "Level Forty-Eight", which is considered to be a great album track. "Level Forty-Eight" was a major hit throughout the UK.
Level 42 is not the only band from the UK to have a song that is used in the movie "Men in Black". The band is also linked with another group from the UK called "Piggyback". The two bands formed the popular British rock group "The Police".
One of the songs from Level 42 is "Pigs in the Bed". This is also an early song, recorded in the early 70s, when the band were still starting out. The lyrics are about drug abuse and alcoholism. It was written by Biss and is a very heavy metal-type song.
It has been said that Biss sings on "Level 42" better than any other member of the band
Other than that it is a great album that has a lot of fun and good tunes.
Barrow did not like to talk much about his past with the band. He would only say that he had been involved in some sort of drug abuse and alcohol abuse as a teenager. There are rumors that he is gay, but it has never been proven.
Another thing that was never said about Barrow is what happened to the others when they left the band. Biss has said that Biss, Mike Smith and Geoff Barrow were the only ones left. of the three.
Barrow has said that the other two were forced out because they refused to give up alcohol and drugs, while playing heavy metal music. After this they were banned from playing with the group. They were told that they would only play in England under supervision.
In a recent interview with Guitar Player, Bass said that he and Smith have been friends for many years. and that he is "totally" supportive of Smith. They will continue to play together. when asked about the other three, he said he does not want to speak about them.
In the interview Biss mentioned that when he left the band he did not want to leave his guitar behind. He said that he thought he would go and sell it on eBay to make some money. He did not take any lessons for the guitar but he had a friend who was able to teach him.
Biss did not have the best start to a band but he eventually grew into the band and they became a big hit. Level 42's "Piggyback" album was actually the biggest selling album at the time and sold millions of copies.