Farewell Heavy Load!

Published by Joanna Fitzgerald-Gibson for Southdown Housing Association Ltd in Communities and also in Housing

Heavy Load played their last gig yesterday (4 Sept 2012) as part of the BT London Live Paralympic celebrations at Trafalgar Square.

The band, described as East Sussex's answer to the Ramones, is made up of musicians with and without learning disabilities.

Lead guitarist, Paul Richards, is the Service User Co-ordinator at Southdown. Southdown's Chief Executive, Aideen Jones, said: "It is a huge honour for Heavy Load to be invited to play as part of the Paralympic celebrations.

We are all very proud of Paul and what the band has achieved over the last 16 years. They have broken new ground for people with learning disabilities who enjoy attending live music events.

"Their Stay Up Late campaign was an unprecedented success and gave many more people access to evening gigs." Stay Up Late’s work will continue unaffected.

The band decided to call time after drummer Michael White said he wanted to take a break from being in a band.

Paul Richards said “We always said that we’d split up due to ‘musical similarities’ but in the end we’ve decided it’s best to go out while we’re still having fun".

Heavy Load achieved much in their time together, including starring in a movie, playing gigs across the world, appearing at 2 Glastonbury Festivals, making a Channel 4 theme tune and recording 3 albums.

But the split may not be the end of Heavy Load: “Who knows one day we may just do that most rock ‘n roll of things – the big come back!” the statement added jokingly.