| CD REVIEW Loaded (Duff McKagan’s) |
 |
|
Band: Loaded (Duff McKagan’s) Loaded (also known as Duff McKagan’s Loaded) is a Seattle based “supergroup”, originally formed in 1999 by singer/ bassist/ songwriter Doug McKagan (formerly of Guns ‘n’ Roses), guitarists Michael Barragan (ex-Plex) and Dez Cadena (of, a.o. Black Flag), and drummer Taz Bentley (formerly of The Reverent Horton Heat). That same year the band released the live debut album Episode 1999: Live. That first episode lasted into the year 2000, when McKagan found himself left on his own, recruiting guitarists Mark Fain and Dave Federer to continue rehearsals without a drummer for a while. In 2001 Geoff Reading (of New American Shame and Green Apple Quick Step fame) took on that role, by which time Fain had already quit. The new outfit released the album Dark Days in late 2001, but when Loaded returned to the Washington state venues at the beginning of 2002, it was with a line-up comprising McKagan (who’d now switched to guitar) and Reading, plus guitarist Mike Squires (formerly of Alien Crime Syndicate and Nevada Bachelors) and bassist Jeff Rouse (also of Alien Crime Syndicate, with additional tenures with Vendetta Red and Sirens Sister). Later in 2002 the band was put on a hiatus upon the formation Velvet Revolver, where McKagan joined his old Guns ‘n’ Roses pal, guitarist Slash. However, the band never quite split, playing annual Christmas charity shows in Seattle. And when they got together again around Christmas of 2007, the quartet started talking seriously about recording an album together. As a prelude to that full-length, September 22, 2008, already saw the release of the 5-track Wasted Heart EP (containing a first version of the title track, three more songs off the album, and exclusive track “Executioner’s Song”) issued in a limited amount (1,000 copies of 12-inch red vinyl, and 7,000 copies on CD) through the Century Media label. After the release of that EP the band set out on a tour, which apparently has already taken the foursome through the UK, Europe, and Japan, servicing the US after their return to the States in late October. So now there’s the new full-length, and I have to admit it’s an entertaining slab of groove-laden Hard Rock. McKagan has a slightly hoarse/nasal voice with a very specific signature (somewhat reminded me of The Saints during “Blind Date Girl”, a feeling enhanced by the fact that that song also has some saxophone worked in…but it works equally as well in the album’s ballad, “Mothers Day”) which is very pleasing to the ear, and the frequent backings are well done! Don’t expect any ego-tripping lengthy guitar solos, but plenty of good lead work in function of the song! Sure, this ain’t no brain-wrecking album needing careful analization to be understood, but it’s good clean fun Hard Rock with enough groove to be catchy! Get a whiff of Loaded’s music at myspace.com/loaded, where you’ll find a webisode of the UK leg of the band’s tour of last year and a video for “No Shame” alongside a bunch of songs (5) off Dark Days (samples of àll tracks off the first two albums available on separate music players) and “No More” off the new one (at least the last time I checked; situation may have evolved for the band to include more material off the new album on their MySpace player). No idea what live promotion the band has planned (no info given), so I guess you’ll just have to keep yourself informed by regularly checking the band’s MySpace or official website (duff-loaded.com). 87/100 Tony. |