I missed Duff McKagan’s Loaded the last couple of times the band swung through town. But last night I finally caught the outfit, which also includes local boys Jeff Rouse and Geoff Reading. (Didn’t catch whether guitarist Mike Squires was from Pierce County, but he sure had some sweet looking guitars. But I digress.) And now I think I actually like Loaded better than McKagan’s bread and butter, Velvet Revolver. For starters, Duff is charismatic and way funnier than Scott Weiland (though my editors would prefer I not post his funniest and raunchiest jokes. See me at Hank’s or the Parkway and I’ll tell ya.) And I also like that the band skews more towards the punky/alt-rock end of the spectrum, reflecting Duff’s roots in Seattle. (Little known fact: He was the Fastbacks’ drummer briefly before he got famous with Guns N’ Roses.) Songs the band played from its forthcoming album and EP were solid, including lead single “No More,” the Tom Waitsey ballad “Wasted Heart” and a bluesy rocker called “Dust and Bones.” And Loaded’s choice of covers was impeccable, with the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and, after the crowd begged for one more, the Misfits’ “Attitude.” That’s not to mention the Guns song he treated us to. “Hope you f----- dug it," McKagan declared as the set was winding down. "Here’s a little present for you.” Then his band took a bow with Guns’ “It’s So Easy,” tied with “My Michelle” for my favorite track on “Appetite for Destruction.” Thanks, Duff! But, dude. I just noticed that all your bands' names invoke firearms. What’s up with that? And by the way, not only was Loaded pretty killer …
ERNEST JASMIN

… but it turned out that yesterday’s rumors about “The Cupcakes” were true. Peeps at the Kitchen were treated to a surprise performance by reunited cult rock band Sweet Water, which was billed under that fake name. The Seattle outfit played a few songs from a new album that will apparently be out in a couple of months. And by the way, if you missed the action Friday, you can catch up with the band next Saturday (Aug. 30) at Bumbershoot.
ERNEST JASMIN