NOT that the Levellers have ever needed an excuse to go wild, but this year they have had a pretty good reason to celebrate — their 20th anniversary.

Whereas some bands rarely manage to stick around past their third album, the Brighton-based folk-punk band is still one of the finest live acts around.

Devon fans have a special affinity with the band because it is here the Levellers hold their annual music festival, Beautiful Days. This summer was its sixth year at Escot Park, near Ottery St Mary, and as ever tickets sold out months in advance.

Next month sees the Levellers return when their latest tour stops off at the University of Exeter's Great Hall on Thursday, December 4.

Before their arrival, lead singer and guitarist Mark Chadwick spared a few minutes for a telephone chat with the Echo.

Speaking as though he had woken up from a heavy night, Mark said "It's a miracle really," when I asked how the Levellers had managed to stay in the music business so long.

He said: "We did want to mark the anniversary. We did a couple of special gigs; we did one at the Royal Albert Hall in September, but nothing else in particular.

"We played Brixton Academy, which we like to do, and that was it really, and the new album I suppose, was done more or less to coincide."

Earlier this year, the Levellers released Letters from the Underground. It was produced by Sean Lakeman, brother, producer and band member of Devon folk star Seth Lakeman, and is released on the band's own label, On The Fiddle.

Themes include everything from war, government and the media to betrayal, life choices and broken dreams. With one of the songs entitled Burn America Burn you can understand why it has been described as the band's most politically resonant album for a decade.

Mark said: "We did it quite quickly. It was an easy birth for an album. It's definitely quite cross. We just wanted to tell decent stories that are about what's going on in the world, which is folk tradition really."

The album conveys the passion, energy and conviction that shot the band to fame in its early years, times that have surely been reflected on during the anniversary year?

"It's not a good idea to do that," laughed Mark. "Sometimes it feels like a marriage. You get very used to each other. When you look at photographs you notice the changes. They can be a bit of a shock.

"There's millions of highlights we've had. Headlining Glastonbury a couple of times and starting our own festival are some.

"This year it did rain a bit again but people don't seem to mind so much, and it was not as bad as some festivals. I enjoy every year more than the year before.

"We won't start thinking about next year's festival until after Christmas."

Until then there is still more to celebrate. The hard-working band has been touring venues and festivals all over Europe and will end the year on a high with a UK tour.

It will give the new songs from the album an airing, as well as old favourites from their hit-rich rabble-rousing back catalogue.

"The Great Hall is a good vibe for us," said Mark. "It should be a good night. People who know us know to expect something lively and no standing about. It keeps us fit.

"If you want to see a band who really mean it, rather than a band that are confused, or in artistic turmoil, you'll love us."

Next year the band will be concentrating on Europe, where the Levellers also have a big following.

Mark said: "It's something different to do. You've got to spread yourself out a bit. Audiences are quite similar wherever we go. They tend to get the idea to jump around as much as possible."

Tickets for the Exeter gig cost £19.50. Details: 01392 263518.