The Heavy

The Heavy are a rock band from Bath, Somerset, England, formed in 2007 and active since then. Their sound combines blues, funk, rock and soul, and they are also described as an indie rock band with strong soul influences. The group centres on Kelvin Swaby, who sings for the band.

Line-up

The Heavy consist of Kelvin Swaby on vocals, Dan Taylor on guitar, Spencer Page on bass and Chris Ellul on drums. Hannah Collins also plays keyboards in the group in an earlier line-up.

Early releases and style

Dan Taylor and Kelvin Swaby form the core of the band’s writing. Their early work includes the singles “That Kind of Man” and “Colleen”, which lead into the debut album Great Vengeance and Furious Fire. The album establishes their mix of fresh guitar riffs, hip-hop-influenced drums, heavy bass and Swaby’s soul-style vocals.

Breakthrough records

Their second album, The House That Dirt Built, brings them wider recognition and includes “How You Like Me Now?”. That single becomes their best-known song and is licensed for a major Super Bowl commercial, helping it spread internationally. The band later releases The Glorious Dead, a third album with a darker feel and more Southern Gothic elements, while still drawing on swampy rock, soul, garage rock and gospel.

Notable performances and reception

The Heavy perform “How Do You Like Me Now?” on Late Night with David Letterman, where the host asks them to play more, a first for the programme. They tour widely and are known for their live performances. Their music also appears in advertising campaigns, including Guinness Sapeurs and Pepsi, and they play major shows and festivals including Glastonbury and Fuji Rock.

International activity

The band achieve particular success in Japan, where they play Fuji Rock, reach number one on the alternative album chart on iTunes Japan and appear on the breakfast TV show Sukkiri. They also sell out Shepherd’s Bush Empire and re-record “How Do You Like Me Now?” with 50 Cent for ESPN’s coverage of NFL Draft Week. In the United States, “How Do You Like Me Now?” reaches gold status.

Background and identity

The Heavy say they are from the village of Noid near Bath, although no such place exists in England. The name is thought to be a pun on a UK pub campaign slogan. Despite that fictional origin story, the band is an English group rooted in the West Country music scene.