Nick

Lead Vocals

 Nick was not always known as a singer - he was originally known for playing drums (from the age of 14) and worked in original bands as well as on the social  club scene .  Developing his longheld love of singing, Nick fronted three well known rock acts throughout the late eighties and nineties the bands being Sticky Fingers ,Nobody,s Fool and Axis. In 2003 Nick then put together Heavy Load ,thus creating one of the leading Free/Bad Co. tribute acts in the U.K.  

Favourite Free Track:          Heavy Load (no surprise there then!)

Favourite Bad Co Track:      Deal with the Preacher

Likes:                              Great Feedback (from the crowd not the speakers)

Dislikes:                           Tribute band wig wearers (mine's all my own work!)

Influences:                       Free (Doh!), early Whitesnake, Rainbow....

Favourite Singers:             Paul Rodgers, David Coverdale, Ray Gillen..........

Favourite Bands:      Free, Bad Co, Whitesnake, Rainbow, Badlands, any 70,s.........         

             Blackwell             

Guitar

 Blackwell started playing guitar when he was 11. Brought up on his dads record collection of music from the 60's and 70's Blackwell has a wide range of influences from Prog to jazz to soul to RnB , but found his real love with blues-rock bands like Free , Zeppelin , Deep purple and Cream. Since then Blackwell has played in many original bands playing guitar , singing and songwriting, appearing at venues all over the North-east , including the Sage Gateshead. Blackwell joined the band in early 2009 and fit in straight away with his raw bluesy guitar playing.

 Favourite Free track:   Woman

 Favourite Bad Co. track:   Ready for love

 Likes :  Gigging , Guitars , Gear ....and a Good song.

 Dislikes:  Guitarists who play for their ego and not for the song.

 Influences:  Jimmy page , Paul Kossoff , Richie kotzen , Eric Clapton , Andy Timmons , Slash , Robben Ford , Stevie Wonder , Jackson Browne .................too many to list.

 Favourite Bands:   Led Zeppelin , Bad Company , Free , Deep Purple, Whitesnake, Steely Dan, Slaves to Gravity , Alter Bridge , Mr.Big ......the list goes on and on.

               Andy              

Bass

 Andy started playing guitar at the age of 11 ,first on six string then moved onto bass.Over the years he,s played in many bands both cover and original all too numerous to mention.He,s gigged all over the place including a stint at the famous Marquee Club in London and even supported INXS on tour while playing in original band "Ra" in 1994. A great bass player Andy adds  his funk blues to the Heavy Load sound! 

 Favourite Free track:     I,ll be creepin       

Favourite Bad Co track:      Ready for Love   

Likes:         Warm  guitar                         

Dislikes :      Bad  Vibes                         

Influences:   Andy Fraser  ,Bootsy Collins , Jacko P to name but a few !                      

    Ross     

Drums

Rosco started learning how to play the drums at the age of 13. Although he used to play a toy drumkit to The Beatles at the age of 5. His parents introduced him to 60's/70's Rock,Blues and Soul music from a young age. Which has influenced his taste in music, and drumming style. Since the age of 18, Rosco has played with bands such as, Little Wing (Jimi Hendrix Tribute band) and Booger Red. Where he's supported John Power (former The La's & Cast) and Edgar Jones (former The Stairs). He also opened The Green Man Festival 2008. Now he's goin back to what he loves best..............................FREE!



Favourite Free track: Moonshine, Mr Big, Be My Friend etc.........

Favourite Bad Co: Bad Company/ Feel Like Making Love

Likes: Rockin on!!!!!

Dislike: Not Performing

Influences: Simon Kirke, John Bonham, Keith Moon, Ginger Baker, Mitch Mitchell..............................and Animal (The Muppets)

Favourite Artists: Free, The Black Keys, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Cream, WolfMother, Otis Redding, The Beatles...............................