There’s a lot more to Duff McKagan than being an ex-member of Guns and Roses, but I’m sure this status helps when promoting his solo projects. Nonetheless, his very own Loaded lives up to all expectations on record as well as live. In fact, in some ways they outshine the past with an uncompromising sound while still able to deliver spirited hooks that will last for generations.
Danko Jones from Canada opened proceedings with a powerful set that threatened to upstage the headline act. Lead singer, and the band’s namesake Danko, has a speaking voice that commands respect and would probably compel even Chris Jericho to back away in an argument, let alone his singing abilities. When confronted by an overly enthusiastic crowd dweller proclaiming his respect for the man, Danko replied, “Now I feel comfortable. Thank you for making us feel comfortable. Can we play some fucking songs now?”
“First Date” was a particular highlight of their set. As Jones explains, “It’s about kissing a girl on the first date. Well, we wrote it like that to get played on the radio. It’s really about fucking!” His vocal delivery would make even James Hetfield piss his pants then recoil in terror at the indiscretion. He’s not all grunt though, delivering some soulful lines with the best example being during “Just a Beautiful Day”. Afterwards, he exclaimed, “Keep doing what you’re doing. What you’re doing feels great. Applause feel great.” He then demanded another two rounds, all of which were heartily delivered. He then suggested a third round would be excessive. They applauded anyway.
Fozzy, fronted by meathead Chris Jericho was next on the menu, but it seems they weren’t too organized and appeared to have missed the pre-show sound adjustments. This latent sound check kind of killed the vibe after Danko’s ferocious set. I’d heard Jericho fronted the band, but I wasn’t really too interested in checking them out prior to tonight’s show (admittedly due to the association). My pre-show research left me decidedly unimpressed, and the show didn’t do much to bolster my opinion. They’re loud, really loud, and that’s about it.
Near the beginning of their set, Jericho let out a god almighty Bruce Dickinson style falsetto that almost had me impressed, but it seems he may have blown his voice during the effort as the following vocal product was decidedly thin, like too little butter spread over too much bread. Most of the crowd seemed not to be getting all that into it either, whereas with Danko Jones, people were right up the front, hammer and tongs. I came to the conclusion that perhaps Fozzy should have played first.
The group I befriended seemed rather disdainful of the band’s efforts too. I was going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say “Sandpaper” was the highlight of their set; but was it, really? In reality, it was when they walked off stage. I classify this as big, dumb, but not much fun.
Sorry Duff, I know you probably like them as you invited them to support you, but I just don’t get it despite being a fan of heavy music. I respect Jericho as a showman with fierce attitude, but not in this setting. And that’s not to say I’m a wrestling fan. I find it a farce, but I can understand and appreciate it more than him fronting a band. At the same time, the band behind him was solid, spirited, and by no means sub-standard, but they should turn their sound levels below eleven and write something tasteful. I enjoy music far heavier than this so it’s not like I’m soft, but this band just didn’t melt my butter.
By this time, we were well and truly ready for Duff McKagan’s Loaded. A Soundwave attendee suggested that if the set was anything like the festival show, the first song would be “Sick”, and so it was. “Are you ready to get sick” shouted Duff as he launched into the number, sending the crowd into frenzy. “Executioner’s Song” from Loaded’s latest album The Taking followed, once again drawing considerable kudos.
Soon, Duff was crowd-surfing while still managing to play his guitar as lead guitarist Mike Squires blew his nose and spat in between various fingerings. Squires’ amp then began to play up and Duff suggested the crowd should make it feel welcome by proclaiming, “Hello Mike Squires Amp”. This may have helped somewhat, and with the amp feeling well and truly included, the band launched into “Lords of Abaddon”. Duff then recalled a friend asking him whether he remembers all the times he’s been in Australia. “Of course I do”, but then, recalling his drug infested youth, he did admit that he can’t remember how he once got from Port Douglas to Sydney on a tour with GnR before launching into the most appropriate “Cocaine”. He then dedicated the classic “So Fine” to “Chris Jericho trying to kiss me”. As a Gunners stalwart who was too young to be allowed to their shows, I never thought I would ever get a chance to see such a song live, let alone what was soon to follow.
“Patience” was then given a new lease of life in what was a lyrically stripped back version and a bit heavier than the original ballad. Soon, Duff switched to bass for the final three or four tunes with Danko Jones once more gracing the stage to deliver a killer rendition of “You’re Crazy” from Appetite For Destruction fame. The coup de grâce came in the form of “It’s So Easy” which left classic fans (which made up the main portion of the audience) satisfied, but still wanting more. A lot of people started heading out of the venue, but a few stuck around to see if there would an encore. Soon enough, it was clear there wouldn’t be and we began our walk through the sandstone precinct that is Sydney University.
