The Shop All major credit cards accepted!!       Download us on iTunes

******* Dates for your diary ********

Germany and Denmark in August!!!!!!

Neuerkerode, Wolfsberg, Germany 28th Aug
Boljefabbrikken, Copenhagen, Denamark 30th Aug
Arts Festival, Arhus, Denmark 31st Aug







4th September St Barbabus Community Fete, Bow, London www.stbarnabascommunityfete.org



25th September Hurst Festival at Hurspierpoint - 1.30pm



www.hurstfestival.org

*** REVIEWS *** REVIEWS *** REVIEWS ***

The Enterprise, Camden 8th July



What a cracking night! And a hot one too... you could see the sweat running down the walls! Camden Calling are a great group of people who help homeless and vulnerable people access the arts and music scene in London... and take them out for a pint now and then. This was one of their legendary club nights at The Enterprise in Camden... with superb sets from Dee Kay and the stunning Priscillas (we need a look!)among others... we had to do the business!! It's always been one of my musical ambitions to win over a packed Camden pub... and we were cooking (quite literally!) Highlight for me was seeing complete strangers singing along to "We Love George Michael". Simon, out amongst the audience as usual, had his crack out, and is now threatening to remove his trousers... save it for Copenhagen mate! Two girls came over after and said hello, "You were even better than when we saw you at the Keswick Rugby Club"... how bloody cool is this... an audience that follows us from Cumbria to Camden, and sings along to the hits!!!!


Stay Up Late Scotland Tour, May 2010



Glasgow G2, 19th May

Edinburgh Roxy, 20th May

Sterling Tolbooth, 21st May

We were met off the plane by Keith, John Paul and Dougie from C-Change, sporting their "Stay Up Late Scotland" t-shirts.... a meticulously planned mini tour with a few other bits to do...and the t-shirts looked fab!

First stop was Glasgow and the G2 - great venue, BIG sound and fantastic crowd. Many words of support after from people who found us "inspiring" and "fooking awesome!"

On our way to Edinburgh, we stopped to do an interview for C-Change videos - talking about what we do and promoting the SUL campaign. Then a presentation to a group of local service users and staff - very random, as per usual. Most people liked what we were saying about the campaign - however, one staff member didn't seem to get it though and said, "That's all very well, but I need to finish by 10pm." ... some way to go, we feel...

A quick sightsee of the beautiful town of Edinburgh, and it was on to The Roxy for a sound check. We were pointed towards a curry house attached to the local mosque, and we feasted for under a fiver... lovely!

Gig was great, and a truly memorable set from Brainstorm who had only got together a couple of weeks earlier - a real happy and UP vibe on stage - watch out for them - they're SPECIAL!! Also great were The Hotliners, one of the many top bands you can find on the Wild Things compilations - released by Heavy Load on "Get In Or Get Out" records... nice

Simon was getting some regular girl attention after the gig, however her mum and sister were standing over her like bouncers, and were clearly cramping his style... Brainstorm tried to get us out clubbing, but forgot we're no "boy" band (Stay Up Late my arse!) A few beers after and we were off to bed... it's a young man's game this!!

Next morning we stopped off at Brainstorm's hang out for a jam. High lights were some very bad versions of Honky Tonk Woman and Move It. One of their lead singers really wanted to do some Tom Jones, so he wasn't too impressed...

Last stop was The Tolbooth at Sterling where the film was shown, followed by a gig. The small but very enthusiastic crowd helped to make a perfect end to one of the Load's best ever experiences. Thanks so much Keith, John Paul, Dougie, Hannah and Natalie for a great time... we're coming back!!


No Limits Festival, Berlin, 25 Oct.



The Load in Berlin... how amazing is that!?! We got to our hotel on the Friday so we had the whole weekend to enjoy the city. We were in Mitte, in the old East Berlin, just round the corner from the festival, and in a very cool area with loads of cafes, interesting shops and a flea market to explore.... and every morning we were treated to a harp player over breakfast.... nice!

Our first job for the weekend, after staying up very late and enjoying 'The Freak and The Showgirl', was a photo shoot outside the Reichstag holding up the Stay Up Late banner with our guitars. Great shots from Morgan, and a new Jim/burlesque inspired tune composed on the steps - "Lovely Ladies"... nice. The next day we found an accordian at the local flea market going for a song, and the perfect sound for our new tune...

Some more shows, some more bars and some more beers, and it was our turn to do some work. Our gig was the end of festival party, and everyone there was up for a big night. There was definately something in the air - I think we all had a feeling it was going to be a wild one, but it went way beyond. Simon spent most of the gig singing amongst the crowd and being sprayed in true punk style with beer and water. The dance floor turned into an ice rink and he was on his back sliding up and down with mic in hand - You can't get more punk!!! Mat and Julie joined us for 'I Fought the Law', and more beer spraying, and by the time it came to finish, the crowd wouldn't let us get off the stage. Friendly complaints came later from the organisers - apparently we hadn't played very long, and they were used to bands playing till dawn. I quickly pointed out they had just got our best ever performance, so 'Shut It'. Si's support worker, Mark, said it was THE best gig he had ever been to, and was later telling everyone, "I support him!" Michael saved the day an hour or so later, and did an impromptu drum solo, and earned himself a solo(!)gig with Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz - apparently they're going to do a drum-off with some added burlesque routines.... god help us!

Said it before, but... can it get any better than this?

Thanks Mark and Claire for joining in the fun, and get well soon Palmer.


Bethnal Green Community Festival, London 6th Sept Supporting The Blockheads!

This review captures everything that we're about -
thanks Alexis:
Alexis Petridis meets Heavy Load
The Guardian, Saturday September 13

*** AWARDS ** AWARDS ** AWARDS!!! ***

The Load pick up Broadcast Now Diversity Award for the film "Heavy Load" (presented to Met Films)


Alan Carr gets some Heavy Love...


.. and Paul and the misses do some serious ligging

AND... we also won a
DADA Community Arts Award (presented to the band)



DaDa are a fantastic and innovative disability arts organisation based in the North West of England - we were lucky enough to play at the DADA Fest 2008 in Liverpool. This is amazing for us, and great recognition to win this award.

Thanks to everyone for voting for us - we're over the moon!!


*** Wild Things Volume 2 - OUT NOW!!***



Following the success of last year’s CD ‘Wild Things – sounds of the disabled underground Vol.1’ we’ve decided to bring out Volume 2. This time it's a double CD and features artists from all over the world. We're really excited about this one - some incredible tunes!
This release is again on our own ‘Get In Or Get Out’ record label, and all proceeds will go towards furthering the work of our Stay Up Late campaign (please see www.stayuplate.org for more details). Greenbelt Festival have helped to sponsor this release through the Trust Greenbelt initiative.

BUY YOUR COPY HERE FOR JUST £10 (DOUBLE CD)

Disability On-Line Review by Colin Hambrook (many thanks)

Have a listen to the music and join the party:

http://wild-things-music.com/

Check out this great radio podcast from Shut Up And Listen featuring loads of Wild Things artists:

*** Brand New Stay Up Late website ***



The Stay Up Late campaign is really gathering momentum and international support - click the logo and check what's happening in your area, and find out how you can get involved. If you want to Stay Up Late, get in touch with us - we've got loads of leaflets and green cards you can use to tell your support staff when you're planning your next big night out.


Get Us...

Rosetti sponsors Heavy Load with Adam Black guitars

JJ Hudson sponsors Heavy Load with catwalk T Shirts

...rock!







************** THE FILM ***************







www.babelgum.com - the Load take Manhatten (video)

LA Times Review

New York Times Review

The Brink Review - by our original bass player Paul H

Hesterglock's 'Shut It' Review

Pop Muse Review

The Guardian, Society - Wednesday, 5th March

* My Space *

Have a look at our My Space page. Not only can you hear a selection of our tunes, but you can also meet our strange friends from all over the world. It's a strange world, isn't it....?

www.myspace.com/heavyloaduk