Brad Heald

Brad Heald
Birth name Brad Heald
Born 3 March 1983 (1983-03-03) (age 28)
Origin Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genres Alternative rock, Garage rock revival, Post-grunge, Indie rock, Neo-psychedelia
Occupations Musician
Instruments Bass, Electric guitar, vocals
Years active 2006–present
Associated acts The Vines, Red Riders
Notable instruments
Fender Jaguar Bass
Fender Precision Bass Cole Clark Hollowbaby Hofner Galaxie

Brad Heald (born 3 March 1983, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia) is the current bass guitarist in the Australian garage rock band The Vines and the current guitarist of Sydney band Red Riders. He officially replaced Patrick Matthews, the previous bass guitarist of The Vines, who left during the Annandale Hotel performance in 2004 where Craig Nicholls reportedly kicked a photographer. He jonined the band in July 2006, making his first appearance with the band at Splendour in the Grass followed by Reading and Leads festival. He was originally in the Sydney local band D'Arcy. His first connection with the band was when he met Ryan Griffiths at a local house party.

Biography

Heald first joined The Vines in 2006 as a bass guitarist and toured the Vision Valley album. His debut album with the group, Melodia, was released in 2008.[1] By November 2008, The Vines' vocalist and lead guitarist, Craig Nicholls, was debilitated by his Asperger's syndrome and the band's tour was cancelled.[2] By December, Heald was performing on lead guitar with Red Riders and in February 2009 started recording their next album.[3]

In 2009, he has been known to perform DJ sets occasionally along with Vines drummer Hamish Rosser in various club,festivals and opening for live acts including Ratatat and Tame Impala.

His favourite music includes The Kinks, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Blur, The Strokes, The Black Lips and The Pixies. He is an avid surfer who regularly surfs breaks around his hometown, Cronulla. Brad plays Fender Basses, Cole Clark guitars and Ampeg amplificaion.

In November 2009, Heald was back with The Vines on bass guitar for a performance supporting You Am I and The Vines were recording tracks for a new album.[4]

References

  1. ^ Mai, Stephen (2008). "The Vines". MTV Australia (MTV Networks Asia Pacific). http://www.mtv.com.au/music/artists/the-vines/#bio. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  2. ^ "The Vines cancel tour as Craig Nicholls's condition worsens". The Australian (News Limited). 17 November 2008. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/the-vines-cancel-over-singers-health/story-e6frg6nf-1111118061311. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  3. ^ "Interview: Red Riders". BBM (What Media?). http://www.bbmlive.com/index.php/Celebrity-Interviews/interview-red-riders.html. Retrieved 12 February 2010. 
  4. ^ JackT (16 November 2009). "The Vines stage a comeback". Local News (FasterLouder.com.au). http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/news/local/21381/The-Vines-stage-a-comeback.htm. Retrieved 12 February 2010.