OVER the last 20-plus years, one man has remained constant in the line-up that is Level 42 - Mark King.

From 1980 until he finally secured the rights to the band name in 2001, he's been the lead singer, taking songs like Running in the Family and Something About You to the top of the charts.

Now, on a Greatest Hits Tour, he's coming to The Anvil.

The performer in him has been there a long time: "I started playing on the Isle of Wight in pubs and clubs at the age of 11. It had a fantastic musical scene because it was smaller. I was always able to earn money and could come home and pay a bit of rent, which can't help but add credibility to your wanting to be a musician.

"I knew what I wanted to do from the age of nine when I got a drum kit. I was always very driven, writing songs as a teenager, but it was lucky that I lived with my mother and she was quite supportive. There was no family history of music but, of course, she's as proud as anything."

Now that he's a father of four, are any of his progeny showing signs of following the legacy?

"Na, I'm always toe-curlingly embarrassing as a dad. But I understand now that the luxury of being able to have a goal is amazing. My kids don't really have any idea of what they're going to do, and if you don't know, how can you just go and do it?

"I feel so sorry for people who can't get a vocation. They are interested in my music and love it to bits, but none of them wanted to be in it as a profession. As I see it, the world needs a few more plumbers and electricians anyway."

Level 42 have been lucky never to either have overnight success or drop from fame.

"In one respect, it's not nice to be untrendy, but in another way, it's best because you don't lose out when the trends change. We've had line-up changes, but that's about as much as I'd put up with. We had a slow build, which probably helped.

"When we started, the Polydor contract was a flippin' run of the mill.. you know. If you do quite well, you get five albums, which is a lot. We were indulgent and self-conscious to begin with, but moved from nothing to selling four or five million albums, so the investment paid off. And I believe artists now aren't being given that same chance."

Forming in 1980, did they feel a pressure to conform to the mood of that moment?

"It was when bands still had punk-esque aggressive names, the Sex Pistols and such, so as an antidote to that, we chose our name, very calm - 42 is the answer to life, the universe and everything in The Hitch Hiker's Guide To The Galaxy."

Would he ever consider an '80s reunion show? "That, I find slightly toe-curling. I don't think it's the best light. Anyone can do what they want to do but I wouldn't and I wasn't approached, thank goodness.

"In the end, there's always new talent out there - you just have to nurture and develop it. I've no judgement about the world of pop music.

"Although it did bother me when I was 14 and Bay City Rollers were on the Top of the Pops while I was listening to David Bowie, The Beatles and Bob Dylan."

Ah, I can empathise there. It's a parallel to my own present dilemma.

So is he glad to be back on stage?

"If I go more than about six weeks without performing, I do get irritable. It's not that I'm an exhibitionist, though. In fact, I'm probably quite a private person.

"The day before a tour begins, I have very little energy - my body is stockpiling it. Then the day of the gig, I've got no energy at all. Then there it all is, up on stage.

"I follow my own star, make the music that is turning me on.

"Music is my life - it's what I do and I ain't gonna stop!"

Level 42 (pictured) will be appearing at The Anvil on November 21. Tickets, priced £22.50, are available from the box office on 01256 844244.