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

********** Heavy Load Live ***********
******* & Dates for your diary ********

Thursday 16th Feb
Avondale Centre, Montefiore Road, Hove.
We're helping Grace Eyre launch their new venue at the Avondale Centre, Montefiore Road, Hove on Friday 17th Feb at their Valentine Ball - Simon will be spreading the LOVE...


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Friday 17th Feb
Blue Starfish Club
Stoke Abbott Rd. Assembly Halls Worthing
7-10pm, £4 on the door (carers free)


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Friday 16th March Richard Attenborough Centre, Leicester

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****** WHAM, The Album, OUT NOW ******

This is our best work to date... a seminal moment!!!!!!!
Future classics include, "Everything is Bollocks", "I ain't got no DLA", "Julie's Beard", "Sexy Films", "Lovely Ladies", "That's not my name"...

Just £7.00 from our shop

Read this great review at clic



Get down to the shop -
and keep the Load on the road

The Shop

All major credit cards accepted!!

Online "World Music Festival"

Are you an artist with a learning disability?
We need a picture for an internet based ‘music festival’ happening next year.

Wild Things is a series of compilation CDs showcasing musicians with learning disabilities from around the world. Following on from the success of Vol 1 (2008) and Vo1. 2 (2010), we are launching Vol 3 in the Spring of 2012.

This year we will be launching the release with an online ‘World Music Festival’. This will be part of the Stay Up Late website and will be a picture/map of an imaginary music festival. When visitors click on the pictures of the various tents and stages they will then be linked to video performances of participating artists.

What we need:
- A drawn picture (either in black and white or colour)
- The picture needs to show a picture of a music festival, viewed from above.
- There need to be 6 different stages or tents in the picture.
- There also needs to be one smaller tent (the radio tent).

The project has been inspired by the Olympic games so the winning picture will need to somehow show:
- We are welcoming the world
- Show that people from different countries and cultures are involved.

Please provide your image on an A3 sized piece of paper.

Please note:
We will not be able to accept any pictures that show any links to the Olympic games (due to licensing reasons). This therefore means:
- No Olympic rings
- Nothing that looks like the Olympic logo
- No mention of 2012.

The winner
The winner’s image will be the one that we judge captures the mood of a ‘World Music Festival’, shows that people from different countries are involved, and will work best on our website.

The winning artist’s picture will be used as the main image for the ‘World Music Festival’ and also appear in printed materials.

Please click here for the rules about entry (PDF)
Please click here for the easier to read rules (PDF)

For more info, and to submit entries contact:
Paul Richards, Stay Up Late,
2 Bell Lane, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1JU
p.richards@southdownhousing.org
01273 405840
Closing date for all entries – 31st Jan 2012 www.stayuplate.org




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Musicians with learning disabilities needed for next Wild Things compilation!
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Wild Things Volume 3 will be released next year. We’re particularly wanting to feature musicians from Asia and Africa so if you know of anyone please put them in touch. And if you want to subit a tune, here's the application forms to download:

Wild Things applicaion (PDF)
Wild Things applicaion (Word)

Good luck!!

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** New Single **

Ever thought it's OK to use the word retard, as a joke, or as an insult?... well it's not! So Shut It! Especially you so called celebrities and entertainers (yes we're talking about you Vinnie Jones, Davina McCall, Frankie Boyle...). Words like Spaz and Retard have been absorbed into British and American culture thanks to crap Hollywood and TV producers. Boycott, complain, tell your mates it's not OK... Loads of people find these words hugely offensive, and this release is in support of The National Hate Crime Campaign.
With thanks to Dekay (www.camdencalling.org) for the inspired rap, and The Tings Tings for their support in this release. Peace, Respect! Heavy Loaders
PS one week only "special" price of 49p from Bandcamp
Released 20th June 2011

“They call me ‘retard’, but I'm a riot, 'Joey Deacon', always the same, that's not my name, that's not my name, that's not my name.” Download here:

We've just joined Bandcamp and put most of our tunes up there at bargain prices... including our theme tune for the BAFTA nominated "Cast Offs" - a dramedy mockumentary that follows a group of six disabled people sent to a remote British Island for a fictional reality show. Plus some special remixes from Australia's electrotastic Tra La La Blip, Heavy Load's guitarist Mick's attempt at sounding like the Prodigy, and some other great surprises (!!).... 5 Tracks all for £1!







******* Frankie Boyle Is Fueling Disability Discrimination *******

Comedian Frankie Boyle and Channel 4 are censured by media regulator Ofcom for broadcasting offensive "jokes" about Katie Price and her son Harvey.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12957309
Channel 4, however, have refused to apologise... tossers

<<<<< THE STORY OF JULIE'S BEARD >>>>>

When we got back from playing the No Limits Festival in Berlin, everyone was asking Simon, "How'd it go?", but all he could recall was the "Talking 'gina"...
We'd gone to see Mat Fraser and Julie Atlas Muz in their version of Beauty and the Beast, and the story was narrated by Julie's fanny on a big screen, with Mat's voice. It was really quite impressive; Julie had fashioned a mostache and monocle, and was animating 'herself'. At the 'climax' of the show, we were given roses to throw at Mat and Julie.. and so a song was born:

Julie's got a beard that talks to me
Julie's got a beard that talks to me
Julie's got a beard that talks to me
And I'm so happy it talks to me

We've got roses up our noses
We've got roses up our noses

Julie's got a beard that talks to me
Julie's got a beard that talks to me
Julie's got a beard that talks to me
And I'm so happy it talks to me


***** BBC OUCH! Talk Show Jingle *****

Soon to be aired...Check it out, and let us know if it reminds you of another song...

download here


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

28th Aug - Neuerkerode, Germany
30th Aug - Bolsjefabrikken, Copenhagen, Denmark
31st Aug - Arhus Festival, Denmark



After a night in Belgium, our first gig was at the village of Neuerkerode, near Wolfsberg in Germany - a community of 800 people with learning disabilities, and an extraordinary history of surviving the war. We were greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and a well organised and well attended festival, which we were headlining. It threatened to rain all day, but the skies didn't open up until we got on stage. Despite that, many people stopped to watch us, and we delivered a major dose of energy to the proceedings. Thanks Peter for a great gig - hope we'll see you and The Mix in the near future...

Made our way up to Denmark the next day, taking a ferry crossing and arriving in Copenhagen for the evening. The next day we had time to look around the city, enjoying the boats and the cafes in the harbour. Michael insisted on his own table in the cafe - he'll be wanting his own tour bus next! We tried to find the Little Mermaid, but she'd been lent to Shaghai for a few weeks...

The gig that night at Bolsjefabrikken was everything we'd hoped for... and more. The punk squat/club was in a disused industrial area, and covered in amazing graffiti art. Great bunch of people, and the atmosphere was one of organised and friendly chaos... the bar was a ramshackle pirate ship, and there was an open fire burning old bits of timber... the scene was set!! We were ably supported by the garagetastic John D Band (a mutual love for farm machinery - we're true commrades now!), and after some scenes from the film were shown, it was our turn to turn it on... A truly memorable gig with Si out amongst the punks, bearly singing at all, creating a buzz and excitement that develped into a mosh pit and a group at the front, hailing our legendary front man. Thanks so much Pedro and the The John D Band for making it happen!!

We got back to the farm at Arhus so late it was early. 4am... Stay Up Early!! And after a little sleep, we made our way to the festival in the town centre. In stark contrast to the night before, this was a seriously professional arts do with a stage we could lose each other on. After some fairly gentle performances, we took to the stage as the headliners... not sure if Arhus were quite ready for us, but there were enough people enjoying it, and we certainly were!! Thanks Brian for having us on the bill - hope we'll see you soon.

Shattered but smiling, we made our way home via ferry from Esbjerg to Harwich...The mini Scandinavian tour a success!! Thanks to Susie for coming along and joining in the fun!!


John D Band and Heavy Load backstage at Arhus

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 £5!! (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