Heavy Load were an English

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

band, described by ''The Sunday Times'' in 2009 as "possibly the most genuinely punk band touring today". Its members met at Southdown Housing, a

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

assisted-living community for people with mental health issues and

learning disabilities Learning disability, learning disorder, or learning difficulty (British English) is a condition in the brain that causes difficulties comprehending or processing information and can be caused by several different factors. Given the "difficulty ...

, and were a mix of service users and staff. The band composed the theme for the

BAFTA The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA, ) is an independent trade association and charity that supports, develops, and promotes the arts of film, television and video games in the United Kingdom. In addition to its annual awa ...

-nominated film ''

Cast Offs ''Cast Offs'' is a BAFTA-nominated comedy-drama mockumentary that follows a group of six disabled people sent to a remote British Island for a fictional reality show. The series is made up of six episodes, with each episode concentrating on one ...

'' and is itself documented in the film ''Heavy Load''. The band were also the founders of the charity Stay Up Late, a campaign seeking to improve the social lives of people with learning difficulties by calling for more flexible staff hours. Stay Up Late is a national charity promoting full and active social lives for people with learning disabilities. Heavy Load split in September 2012 with a final gig in London's

Trafalgar Square Trafalgar Square ( ) is a public square in the City of Westminster in Central London. It was established in the early-19th century around the area formerly known as Charing Cross. Its name commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, the Royal Navy, ...

as part of the Paralympic festivities. Simon Barker died suddenly on 10 August 2017.

Band members

* Simon Barker, vocals * Jimmy Nichols, guitar and vocals * Paul Richards, bass guitar * Mick Williams, guitar and vocals * Michael White, drums

Albums

References

External links

* * {{Authority control English punk rock groups English musical quintets