A co-ed quintet from the outskirts of Bath, England,
the Heavy draw influence from funk, soul, blaxploitation film soundtracks, and the gritty garage rock of
the Sonics. Guitarist
Dan Taylor and vocalist
Kelvin Swaby became friends in the 1990s, bonding over a shared appreciation for vintage R&B and
Jim Jarmusch films. Joined by bassist
Spencer Page, drummer
Chris Ellul, and keyboardist
Hannah Collins, the two launched their own act --
the Heavy -- and began combining
Taylor's distorted guitars with lo-fi samples, horns riffs, stomping percussion, and soulful
Prince-styled vocals. The photogenic band made its studio debut in 2007, releasing several singles on the London-based Ninja Tunes label before issuing the full-length
Great Vengeance and Furious Fire that fall. An American release followed in early 2008 on the newly minted +1 Records. ~ Andrew Leahey, All Music Guide