Courtesy of Century Media
Loaded, 4/9 at the Crocodile
Related Content
More About
Duff McKagan's Loaded ~ Thursday, April 9
Since Velvet Revolver went on hiatus last year—you know, the band all the best GN'R alums formed after they got sick of Axl Rose's megalomania—one-time GN'R bassist Duff McKagan found himself with more time to concentrate on fronting his own band, Duff McKagan's Loaded. Though McKagan (who, full disclosure, writes a column for SW) is 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 GN'R II, Sick will inevitably prove disappointing by default. While McKagan is just as skilled with six strings as with four, Loaded comes off less like arena rock and more like an enthusiastic garage band 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 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. With Acid Angels. The Crocodile, 2200 Second Ave. 8 p.m. $10 adv. SARA BRICKNER
Fresh Espresso ~ Thursday, April 9
Say what you want about Mad Rad, but good Lordy, what doesn't kill them only seems to make them stronger. Like badass atomic cockroaches with a major ear for beats and an uncanny knack for generating buzz, these kids take whatever seems to explode around them and turn it into even more musical "White Gold." Now falsetto king and producer extraordinaire PSmoov (and co-conspirator Rik Rude) are expanding the MR empire with his killer side project Fresh Espresso. A slightly more straight-ahead hip-hop project, Fresh Espresso's approach is tight, fresh, and referential all at once. The track "Diamond Pistol" plays like a loving Jay-Z tribute, while the party jam of the year, "Vader of the Rap Game," comes complete with "Mr. Roboto" samples (yeah, that's right, Styx, wanna make something of it?). Perfecting a formula that's equal parts brilliant and crazy, the Mad Rad crew seem set to provide just the scene shake Seattle needs. With Gran Rapids, Mad Rad. Columbia City Theater, 4916 Rainier Ave. S., 723-0088. 8 p.m. $5. MA'CHELL DUMA LAVASSAR
The Roots ~ Thursday, April 9
You never know what you're going to get when you see the Roots in concert. The band has more than 15 years of material to draw from, and 10 albums full of hits that often keep audiences dancing from the start of their concerts until the last note is played. They wear the title "legendary" thoroughly well not just because they're one of the best hip-hop groups of all time (which they are), but because they're one of the best bands of the 20th century, period. It's no secret they recently started working as the house band on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon—a sort-of-precarious gig that initially set the Internets on fire with anticipation and angst. I've watched a couple of episodes (the band sports tuxedos and full late-night regalia), and the Roots don't seem nearly as out of place as Fallon does. They're always the masters of the ceremony wherever they go, and their short stint in the Pacific Northwest this week will be no different. Expect a party-rocking set as diverse and genre-crossing as anything you've ever seen within the hip-hop realm. I've heard them cover GN'R's "Sweet Child o' Mine" and Lil Wayne's "A Milli" back to back, if that gives you a clue. Paramount Theatre, 911 Pine St., 467-5510. 8 p.m. $35. All ages. JONATHAN CUNNINGHAM
Britney Spears ~ Thursday, April 9
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, break out those low-rise pants, because Britney Spears' circus is coming to town. Under the big top (OK, the Tacoma Dome), she'll crack the whip as ringmaster for what could easily turn from sexy sideshow to complete freak show. Will she deliver the goods, or should we brace ourselves for an in-person taste of Brit's crazy tabloid antics? At this point no one really knows what to expect, which makes it all the more exciting. If an MTV.com review of Spears' Pittsburgh show is to be trusted, we do know one thing for certain: Female audience members will outnumber male. I'm predicting an older audience than that of Spears' previous tours; tweens have forsaken Spears for the likes of the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus, and Spears' oldest fans are well out of grade school. See, unlike Miley, we're actually old enough to remember when Brit was still dating Justin. You know, when she wasn't a girl, but not yet a woman. Thing is, since the "I'm a Slave 4 U" video, we haven't been virgins either. So don't be afraid to get dirty, Britney: By this point, it's safe to say that most of your fans are ready, willing, and totally legal. With the Pussycat Dolls. Tacoma Dome, 2727 E. D St., 253-272-3663. 8 p.m. $35–$96. All ages. KASSI RODGERS
