Duff McKagan's Loaded

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• Duff McKagan
• Velvet Revolver
• Axl Rose
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Since Velvet Revolver went on hiatus last year—you know, the band all the best G ‘n R alums formed after they got sick of Axl Rose’s megalomania— one-time G ‘n R bassist Duff McKagan (who writes a column for us here at SW) found himself with more time to concentrate on fronting his own band, Duff McKagan’s Loaded. Though McKagan’s best-known for manning the bass, he’s also a capable guitarist. If Loaded remains somewhat obscure, though, it’s probably because the band hasn’t put out a full-length record since 2001, what with Velvet Revolver sucking up most of Duff’s time and all. Upcoming Loaded album Sick will finally break that cycle. A rock and roll record with a metal edge, Sick is worth checking out, but if you’re expecting G ‘n R II, Sick will inevitably prove disappointing by default. While McKagan is just as skilled with six strings as he is with four, Loaded comes off less like arena rock and more like an enthusiastic garage band that’s still honing its sound. But that’s a hell of a lot better than sounding like an old, jaded musician who only continues making music in order to rake in the last few fallen leaves from that once-lush rock and roll money tree. Duff McKagan still loves what he does. And that, not name recognition, will make the difference between success and failure for Loaded.
Thu., April 9, 8 p.m., 2009