Loaded (band)

This article is about the hard rock band founded by Duff McKagan. For other uses, see Loaded.

Loaded
Loaded performing in 2008
Loaded performing in 2008
Background information
Also known asDuff McKagan's Loaded
OriginSeattle, Washington, United States
GenresHard rock, punk rock
Years active
  • 1999–2002
  • 2006–present
Labels
MembersDuff McKagan
Mike Squires
Jeff Rouse
Burke Thomas
Past membersMichael Barragan
Taz Bentley
Dez Cadena
Geoff Reading
Dave Dederer
Dave Kushner
George Stuart Dahlquist
Websiteduff-loaded.com

Loaded (also known as Duff McKagan's Loaded) is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington, formed in 1999. Since 2001, the band's line-up has included vocalist and rhythm guitarist Duff McKagan (Velvet Revolver and Guns N' Roses), lead guitarist Mike Squires (formerly of Nevada Bachelors and Alien Crime Syndicate) and bassist Jeff Rouse (formerly of Alien Crime Syndicate, Sirens Sister, and Vendetta Red). Since 2009, Isaac Carpenter (formerly of Loudermilk, Gosling, and The Exies) has been the band's drummer, replacing Geoff Reading (formerly of New American Shame and Green Apple Quick Step).

McKagan first formed Loaded to be his touring band in support of his unreleased solo album Beautiful Disease. The first lineup included Michael Barragan (formerly of Plexi), Dez Cadena (formerly of Black Flag), and Taz Bentley (formerly of The Reverend Horton Heat). The band disbanded before the end of 1999. After working on new material with drummer Geoff Reading, Loaded was reformed in 2001, adding guitarist Mike Squires and Jeff Rouse to the line-up, though both were briefly replaced by guitarist Dave Kushner (Velvet Revolver, formerly of Wasted Youth and Electric Love Hogs) and bassist George Stuart Dahlquist (formerly of Asva and Burning Witch) in 2002.

Following McKagan and Kushner's involvement in "The Project" that later became Velvet Revolver, Loaded were put on hiatus, though they still played shows on occasion. Following the departure of Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland from Velvet Revolver, Loaded returned from hiatus in 2008 to record and release their second album. The following year, Reading left the group and was replaced by Isaac Carpenter. To date, Loaded have released three studio albums, Dark Days (2001), Sick (2009) and The Taking (2011), one extended play called Wasted Heart (2008), and one live album called Episode 1999: Live (1999).