YFB March Issue- Music- Fully Loaded: The Band {Risse C}

Any Wednesday you are in St. Lawrence Gap, McBrides is the location to be part of the Reggae Experience compliments the band ‘Fully Loaded’. Since their inception in 2008, the name has become synonymous with reggae music in Barbados and across the region, being the choice for the major reggae shows both as headliners and backing band to local and international artistes.

In 2011, guided by their mantra ‘Upliftment through music', Fully Loaded continues to win the hearts of fans. The band is currently working with Grammy award winning Barbadian Jimmy ‘Senya’ Haynes  and the up and coming music maven Fabian ‘Minim’ Worrell  in the production of tracks for their upcoming album, which includes the unreleased track  ‘Freedom of Speech’ and the previously released tracks ‘Gunman’, ‘Soldier’, ‘Shine the Light’. Listening to their music you will instantaneously hear a sound which exudes positivity, inspiration and love. The original tracks not only warm the heart, but leaves you with food for thought, as one can easily identify on a very personal level and witness what's happening in today's society oozing from the lyrics.
 
Don’t make the assumption however, that this is just another reggae band. ‘Fully Loaded’ is versatile to say the least, fusing different genres into their performances, you are sure to hear some pop, R&B, soca and even a tinge of rock at any given time during a set. With lead vocals by Buggy Nhakente, Simon Pipe on guitar, David Haynes on bass, Daniel Medford on vocals and keyboards, Mikey Ross on keyboards, Jamal Browne on drums, Tabitha Johnson & Vanessa Lee on background vocals and Kevyn Callender as the sound engineer, expect to see roles being switched with smooth transition, truly showcasing that the band is Fully Loaded by name and by nature.

In an industry where the part is deemed better than a whole, many potential bands have been dissected due to persons being interested in specific members, and this rings true to Fully Loaded as well. However, this is embraced and viewed as contributing to the individual development of each member, which can only have positive results across the board. Members fully support each other in solo ventures, giving their support whenever and wherever needed. With regard to the support that local music is given in Barbados by radio stations and deejays alike, the band has seen much improvement over the years, but believe that the incorporation of local music into the regular rotation of international tracks will “showcase that our local productions are truly up to par and sometimes surpass international productions”.

 An integral part for reggae shows such as ‘Reggae on the Hill’, ‘The Barbados Music Festival’, ‘The Beres Hammond Show - 2 Worlds Collide’, plus the ‘Queen Ifrica & Tony Rebel’ show, they are more than experts on the treatment of local artistes at shows and events. Once a controversial talking piece by many other artistes, the members are of the same opinion that the situation has improved with some promoters, but they “cannot wait to see the day when all artistes on every show, no matter where they are from, receive the same good quality treatment from all promoters.”


In essence, Barbados’ future as being one of the premiere sources for reggae music in the world is a bright one, with bands like ‘Fully Loaded’ at the helm, the course is well charted and the success is just on the horizon.