

While
fans may have spent the past few months sitting around waiting for the
next incarnation of Velvet Revolver, Duff McKagan has not. The legendary
Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver bassist put together his latest
lineup of Loaded and went on a brief UK/Euro tour. Life's easier when
your band doesn't suffer from lead-singer-itis. And the songs are good
too. McKagan and his Seattle-based band put this 5-song EP together to
have something to sell on the tour and hold fans off until a full length
disc comes out next year. Only 7,000 copies were produced. They play
hard rock with a post-punk alt rock sensibility, McKagan switching out
his bass for a 6-string and songwriting and lead vocal duties. The fun
shows. The CD kicks off with Sleaze Factory, a straight-ahead rocker
with good hooks. No More and Executioner's Song are good too, but I
especially like IOU. Like Sleaze Factory, IOU's chorus sticks in your
head for days after, leading you to replay the entire EP again and
again. The last song, Wasted Heart, is a love letter of sorts to his
wife. Duff's one to know: It's much better to sing thanks for someone
having saved your wasted heart than another observing "You Can't Put
Your Arms Around a Memory". Consider yourself lucky, too.
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