Live Review: Duff McKagan's Loaded, Fozzy & Danko Jones

Having only previously toured in 2004, Danko Jones and his fellow Canucks will have to build an Australian fan base from the ground up. However, the trio seem fine with that. Regularly place them in front of the unconverted, even with such a modest crowd and just 30 minutes, and said following will grow exponentially. Their sweaty, abrasive hard rock and the main man's amusing, unique audience interaction were sure-fire winners, as was a Sabbath-infused I Think Bad Thoughts.

Perhaps it was a combination of a Monday night and festival hangovers, but punters were initially a tad subdued for Fozzy. The hard rockers/metallers didn't seem bothered; they just had to work harder to garner the desired response, airing several cuts from latest disc Sin And Bones alongside anthemic Enemy. This emphasised that although WWE superstar and lead singer Chris Jericho is ringleader, their true linchpin is guitarist/songwriter Rich Ward, who in addition to being a fireball of energy also provides a vital vocal counterpoint.

Numerous other Sidewaves happening meant just a few hundred folks ventured out for this show and the atmosphere was somewhat muted. Although, for someone who has ruled stadiums and arenas as part of Guns N' Roses and Velvet Revolver, Duff McKagan seemed delighted to be tearing through an hour-plus set with his Loaded bandmates. The material is solid, if unremarkable (Dead Skin and Cocaine standouts) but McKagan has grown into the frontman role. His lack of on-stage ego (even amusingly referring to the sound guy by first name) and tales of over-indulgence during decades past endeared him further. Danko Jones enthusiastically assumed vocal duties for Gunners' You're Crazy, before a widely applauded It's So Easy closed matters. The overall vibe meant this gig won't go down as a classic, but all bands were up to the task.