Sick (Loaded album)

When singer and guitarist Duff McKagan began working on a new project with his former Guns N' Roses bandmates Slash and Matt Sorum in 2002,{{Cite web | last = Loftus | first = Johnny | title = Velvet Revolver Biography | publisher = Allmusic | access-date = October 6, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p651389|pure_url=yes}}}}{{Cite web | title = Former GUNS N' ROSES Bassist Confirms Collaboration With SLASH, MATT SORUM | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = July 13, 2002 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=4760 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020814160730/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=4760 | archive-date = August 14, 2002 }} he effectively put Loaded on hiatus the same year.{{Cite web | last = de Sylvia | first = Dave | title = Duff McKagan's Loaded Interview | publisher = Sputnikmusic | date = September 29, 2008 | url = http://www.sputnikmusic.com/feature.php?id=5403 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121211052701/http://www.sputnikmusic.com/feature.php?id=5403 | archive-date = December 11, 2012 }} Adding former Loaded{{Cite web | last = Stingley | first = Mick | title = Exclusive! Interview With Velvet Revolver Guitarist Dave Kushner | publisher = KNAC | date = July 14, 2004 | url = http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=3136}} guitarist Dave Kushner and Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland to the lineup, they formed the hard rock supergroup Velvet Revolver in 2003. They released their debut album, Contraband, in 2004 and the follow-up, Libertad, in 2007. Loaded reunited in 2006 to perform a benefit show for Jerry Allen's Cancer Fund{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED To Reunite For Benefit Concert | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = December 2, 2006 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63193 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070107142231/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=63193 | archive-date = January 7, 2007 }} and continued to play shows on occasion.{{Cite web | last = Rosen | first = Steven | title = Duff McKagan: 'I'm Influenced By Everything I've Heard' | publisher = Ultimate Guitar Archive | date = April 23, 2009 | url = http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/duff_mckagan_im_influenced_by_everything_ive_heard.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090426215607/http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/interviews/interviews/duff_mckagan_im_influenced_by_everything_ive_heard.html | archive-date = April 26, 2009 }} Knowing that Velvet Revolver's tour was ending, McKagan announced that Loaded were working on a new album.{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED To Release New Album This Summer | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = February 12, 2008 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=90599 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080218011309/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=90599 | archive-date = February 18, 2008 }}

Loaded rented a rehearsal space and wrote new material{{Cite web | last = Harris | first = Will | title = A chat with Duff McKagan | publisher = Bullz-eye.com | date = April 23, 2009 | url = http://www.bullz-eye.com/music/interviews/2009/duff_mckagan.htm}} including "Mothers Day," "I See Through You," "Sleaze Factory," "Flatline," and worked on older material such as "Sick," wrote in 2002, and "Wasted Heart," wrote in 2006–07. They began recording the album on June 4, 2008{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED, QUIREBOYS Confirmed For Italy's ROCK OF AGES Festival | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = May 27, 2008 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97831 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606051244/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=97831 | archive-date = June 6, 2011 }} with producer Martin Feveyear at Jupiter Studios in Seattle, Washington.{{cite AV media notes | title = Sick | others = Loaded | year= 2009 | publisher = Century Media Records | type = CD booklet}} The album was primarily recorded by the band, with Norman Baltzo, Greg Schroeder and Nate Schlermer providing horns on the song "Blind Date Girl," and was completed in less than two weeks, costing only $20,000. Loaded subsequently signed a deal with independent record label Century Media{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED To Release New Album Through CENTURY MEDIA | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = August 7, 2008 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=102388 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080811041821/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=102388 | archive-date = August 11, 2008 }}

{{listen |filename=Flatline.ogg |title=Flatline |description=A sample of "Flatline" from Sick. The band's first single from Sick, described by McKagan as a good radio song and the most "mainstream" Loaded were going to get.}}

On June 24, 2008, Loaded made Dark Days available for free download, from select websites, to help promote the band.{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN's LOADED: 'Dark Days' Album Available For Free Download | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = June 24, 2008 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=99640}} They began touring prior to the release of the album, touring the UK, Europe and Japan. They released an EP entitled Wasted Heart, featuring four songs from Sick as well as a bonus song, on September 22, 2008, to coincide with their European Tour. The band filmed and released a promotional music video for the song "No More" for the EP release. They also performed at the Italian music festival Rock of Ages, the Azkena Festival in Spain{{Cite web | title = HANOI ROCKS Confirmed For Spain's AZKENA ROCK FESTIVAL | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = July 18, 2008 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=101133}} and the Loud Park Festival in Japan.{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, ALL ENDS Confirmed For Japan's LOUD PARK Festival | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = September 24, 2008 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=105492}}

From June 2008 the band released several promotional webisodes, five on the making of "Sick" and one of the 2008 U.K. tour.{{Cite web | url =http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/loaded-webisode-1-available/| title =LOADED: Webisode #1 Available | date =14 June 2008 |access-date = November 1, 2013|publisher = Blabbermouth.net}}{{Cite web | url =http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/duff-mckagan-s-loaded-u-k-tour-webisode-available/| title =DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED: U.K. Tour Webisode Available | date =8 January 2009 | access-date = November 1, 2013|publisher = Blabbermouth.net}}

Following the release of Sick, Loaded toured the United States, South America,{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED: South American Dates Announced | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = September 29, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=127809 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091002234536/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=127809 | archive-date = October 2, 2009 }}{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED Live In Argentina: Watch Performance Right Now | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = November 7, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130004 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606055819/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=130004 | archive-date = June 6, 2011 }} and Europe. They released one single, "Flatline," though it failed to chart. In June 2009, the performed at Download Festival in the UK{{Cite web | title = HATEBREED, VOIVOD, IN THIS MOMENT, SUICIDE SILENCE Confirmed For U.K.'s DOWNLOAD Festival | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = April 20, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118480 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090504103433/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118480 | archive-date = May 4, 2009 }}{{Cite web | title = UPDATED Download Day Splits Revealed! | work = Metal Hammer | date = April 21, 2009 | url = http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/download-day-splits-revealed/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090424033824/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/news/download-day-splits-revealed/ | archive-date = April 24, 2009 }} Rock am Ring and Rock im Park in Germany, Rockfest in the United States,{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED Joined By COREY TAYLOR At Kansas City's ROCKFEST | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = May 31, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121062 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606055728/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121062 | archive-date = June 6, 2011 }} and the Sauna Open Air Festival in Finland.{{Cite web | title = Ex-HANOI ROCKS Singer Performs With DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED At SAUNA OPEN AIR; Video Available | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = June 6, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121486 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100207193503/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=121486 | archive-date = February 7, 2010 }} They joined Mötley Crüe on their tour of Europe,{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED To Support MÖTLEY CRÜE On Select Dates | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = March 26, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=116927}} as their support band, before joining Black Stone Cherry on their tour of Europe and the UK.{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED To Support BLACK STONE CHERRY In U.K. | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = June 24, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122490 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110606054719/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=122490 | archive-date = June 6, 2011 }}

Sick was released in Europe on March 20{{Cite web | title = Sick: Duff McKagan | publisher = Amazon.co.uk | access-date = January 10, 2011 | url = https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001T6FVS0}} and in the United States on April 7, 2009.{{Cite magazine | title = On the Road: Loaded |magazine=Classic Rock |page=100 | date = September 2008}} It entered the U.S. Billboard Top Heetseakers charts at #43 in its first week,{{Cite web | title = DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED: 'Sick' First-Week Sales Revealed | publisher = Blabbermouth.net | date = April 17, 2009 | url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118300 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120908191249/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=118300 | archive-date = September 8, 2012 }} selling over 1,400 copies.

The iTunes Store edition of Sick included two bonus tracks: non-album track "Roll Away" and an instrumental version of the single "Flatline."

A Limited Deluxe Edition of Sick was released the same day as the standard Europe release. It included a bonus DVD of 2008 Loaded's show at The Garage in Glasgow, Scotland, a promotional music video of "No More" and the five of the band's Webisodes, with the addition of the UK Tour Webisode. This edition of the album was re-released on 20 May 2011, following the band's signing to Eagle Rock Entertainment.{{Cite web | title = Sick Reissue | website = Discogs | date = 12 March 2012 | url = http://www.discogs.com/Duff-McKagans-Loaded-Sick/release/3162016}}{{Cite web | url =http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/duff-mckagan-s-loaded-sick-special-edition-detailed/| title =DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED: 'Sick' Special Edition Detailed | date =9 May 2011 | access-date = November 1, 2013|publisher = Blabbermouth.net}} This edition also featured a new album cover, which was previously used only on limited edition LP versions of the album{{Cite web | url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/duff-mckagan-s-loaded-four-special-customized-versions-of-sick-to-be-released/| title =DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED: Four Special Customized Versions Of 'Sick' To Be Released | date =13 August 2009 | access-date = November 1, 2013|publisher = Blabbermouth.net}} The iTunes edition was also updated.

{{Music ratings

| rev1 = About.com

| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web | last = Grierson | first = Tim | title = Loaded - 'Sick' Review | publisher = About.com | access-date = November 17, 2010 | url = http://rock.about.com/od/reviews/fr/LoadedSick.htm}}

| rev2 = Allmusic

| rev2Score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{Cite web | author = Thomas Erlewine, Stephen | author-link = Stephen Thomas Erlewine | title = Duff McKagan's Loaded - Sick Review | publisher = Allmusic | access-date = November 17, 2010 | url = {{AllMusic|class=album|id=sick-r1504006/review|pure_url=yes}}}}

| rev3 = Artistdirect

| rev3Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web | last = Sciarretto | first = Amy | title = Album Reviews: Sick by Loaded | publisher = Artistdirect | date = April 27, 2009 | url = http://www.artistdirect.com/music/review/0,,5289639,00.html}}

| rev4 = Billboard

| rev4Score = (positive){{Citation | title = The Billboard Reviews: Albums | volume = 121 | issue = 15 | page = 33 | magazine = Billboard | date = April 18, 2009 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Wvih8wnKvXwC&dq=%22Duff+McKagan%27s+Loaded%22&pg=PA33 | access-date = 2011-03-01}}

| rev5 = Blogcritics

| rev5Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{Cite web | last = Beaumont | first = Chris | title = Music Review: Duff McKagan's Loaded - Sick (p. 2) | publisher = Blogcritics | date = May 5, 2009 | url = http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-duff-mckagans-loaded-sick/page-2/ | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130414074110/http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-duff-mckagans-loaded-sick/page-2/ | archive-date = April 14, 2013 }}

| rev6 = The Boston Globe

| rev6Score = (favourable){{Cite web | last = Morse | first = Steve | title = Album Review: Duff McKagan's Loaded, 'Sick' | work = The Boston Globe | date = April 13, 2009 | url = http://www.boston.com/ae/music/cd_reviews/articles/2009/04/13/duff_mckagans_loaded_sick/}}

| rev7 = Exclaim!

| rev7Score = (negative){{Cite web | last = Carman | first = Keith | title = Duff McKagan's Loaded - Sick | work = Exclaim! | date = June 2009 | access-date = 2011-05-10 | url = http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/PopAndRock/duff_mckagans_loaded-sick}}

| rev9 = Ultimate Guitar Archive

| rev9Score = (7.7/10){{Cite web | last = Sciarretto | first = Amy | title = Sick Review | publisher = Ultimate Guitar Archive | date = February 13, 2008 | url = http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/reviews/compact_discs/loaded/sick/index.html}}

}}

Sick was met with generally positive critical reviews. Most reviewers noted punk influences on the album and offered some comparison to that of McKagan's former band Guns N' Roses. Tim Grierson of About.com said that the band "will appeal to those who wished GNR had just kept making albums like Appetite for Destruction until the day they died" noting "[t]he emphasis is on brawling guitar riffs and three-minute songs" but "occasionally McKagan slows down the tempo for bluesy ballads." Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic stated that the album "doesn't necessarily rock with abandon" that "it's a bit too precise, a bit too clean for that" but "it does have a kick and spirit, enough energy to power through the somewhat pedestrian songwriting." Amy Sciarretto, reviewing the album for both Artistdirect and Ultimate Guitar Archive, compared McKagan's and Guns N' Roses singer Axl Rose vocals, noting a similarity between the two while stating the songs "Sick" and "Sleaze Factory" "blend Los Angeles glitz, Sunset glam and grunge, Seattle-inspired guitars" and "are kicked up by the punk rock intensity." Steve Morse of The Boston Globe notes Iggy Pop, Ramones and Lou Reed influences on the album, stating the "highlights are the riff-laced love songs with a domestic edge." Chris Beaumont of Blogcritics said that Loaded "come together as a solid unit, delivering the goods" on the album.{{Cite web | last = Beaumont | first = Chris | title = Music Review: Duff McKagan's Loaded - Sick (p. 1) | publisher = Blogcritics | date = May 5, 2009 | url = http://blogcritics.org/music/article/music-review-duff-mckagans-loaded-sick/}} He continued, stating that the songs "may not be the greatest, but there is an inviting quality about them that encourages listeners to just rock along for the ride" and noted that they "giv[ed] off a feeling of experience grounded by youthful energy."

{{track listing

| total_length = 49:50

| all_writing = Loaded, except where noted

| title1 = Sick

| length1 = 2:51

| title2 = Sleaze Factory

| length2 = 3:47

| title3 = Flatline

| writer3 = Trey Bruce, Brian Howes, Duff McKagan

| length3 = 3:02

| title4 = IOU

| length4 = 3:36

| title5 = The Slide

| length5 = 3:10

| title6 = Translucent

| length6 = 3:08

| title7 = Mother's Day

| length7 = 3:50

| title8 = I See Through You

| length8 = 3:57

| title9 = Forgive Me

| writer9 = Bruce, Loaded

| length9 = 4:12

| title10 = No Shame

| writer10 = Bruce, McKagan, Mike Squires

| length10 = 3:32

| title11 = Blind Date Girl

| length11 = 5:10

| title12 = Wasted Heart

| note12 = electric version

| length12 = 4:57

| title13 = No More

| writer13 = Bruce, McKagan

| length13 = 4:33

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Bonus tracks on 2009 iTunes edition

| title14 = Roll Away

| length14 = 4:59

| title15 = Flatline (Instrumental)

| note15 = B-side to "Flatline" single

| length15 = 3:01

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Bonus tracks on 2011 iTunes edition & CD+DVD reissue edition

| title14 = Roll Away

| length14 = 4:59

| title15 = Wasted Heart

| note15 = acoustic

| length15 = 4:33

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Deluxe Edition DVD - Live at The Garage, Glasgow, UK, Sept. 22, 2008

| title1 = Sick

| title2 = Queen Joanasophina

| writer2 = McKagan

| title3 = IOU

| title4 = No More

| title5 = Dark Days

| writer5 = McKagan

| title6 = Superman

| writer6 = McKagan

| title7 = Sleaze Factory

| title8 = Executioners Song

| title9 = 10 Years

| writer9 = McKagan, Gilby Clarke

| title10 = Translucent

| title11 = I Wanna Be Your Dog

| note11 = The Stooges cover

| writer11 = Dave Alexander, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton, Iggy Pop

| title12 = No More

| note12 = promo video

| title13 = Webisode #1

| title14 = Webisode #2

| title15 = Webisode #3

| title16 = Webisode #4

| title17 = Webisode #5

| title18 = UK Tour Webisode

}}

:All information is excerpted from the album's stated information.{{cite AV media notes | title = Live at The Garage | others = Loaded | year= 2009 | publisher = Century Media Records | type = DVD back cover}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

;Loaded:

• Duff McKagan - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, bass guitar on "Mother's Day"
• Geoff Reading - drums, backing vocals
• Jeff Rouse - bass guitar, backing vocals, lead vocals on "Translucent"
• Mike Squires - lead guitar, backing vocals

;Additional personnel

• Norman Baltzo - horns on "Blind Date Girl"
• Greg Schroeder - horns on "Blind Date Girl"
• Nate Schlermer - horns on "Blind Date Girl"

;Bonus DVD credits

• Dave Meehan - director
• Martin Feveyear - concert audio mixing, mastering
• Julie Briscoe - DVD authoring
• Paul Hurt - location audio
• David Ellison - camera
• Chris Moorcraft - camera
• Jake Meehan - camera
• Scott Johnson - camera
• Viv Quick - camera

{{col-2}}

;Production

• Martin Feveyear - production, engineering, mixing, mastering, additional percussion
• Jon Ervie - assistance
• Stewart Shank - assistance
• William Brown - assistance
• Steve Joh - A&R
• Rick Canny - management
• Brian H. McPherson Esq. - legal
• Jenna Adler - US booking agent
• Ian Sales - Europe/UK booking agent
• Beth Sabbagh - accounting
• Christel Layton - accounting
• Terri Beverford - accounting
• Craig Howell - art design, layout
• Lance Mercer - photography

{{col-end}}

{{Reflist|2}}

{{Loaded (band)}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sick (Loaded Album)}}

Category:2009 albums

Category:Loaded (band) albums

Category:Albums produced by Martin Feveyear