The phoenix to stagger from the burning wreck of Danny McCormack’s well-loved punk ‘n’ roll car crash The Yo-Yos, London’s own Loyalties are a fitting warm-up for the punkier sounds which Duff McKagan plies on his days away from Velvet Revolver.

Stories of hard luck and hard drinking taken from debut So Much For Soho are just audibly appreciated by the early comers, quite respectable when you note the buzz amongst the crowd doesn’t lift above this restrained hum until we’re quite some way into Loaded’s set.

It’s always a slightly unsure atmosphere that pervades these gigs populated by punters more curious about a headliner’s past high-profile exploits than what they may receive tonight.

Banks of camera phones capture the action as a smiling McKagan ploughs into selections from recently re-released album Dark Days, and aggressive new EP Wasted Heart, for the pleasure of what must be one of the most intimate venues he’s graced in some time. Predictably though things liven up when we come to a closing quartet of ‘Attitude’, ‘It’s So Easy’ and ‘77 standards ‘New Rose’ and ‘I Wanna Be Your Dog’, for which Loaded are joined by Damned founder Brian James, aptly ending this diverting romp through a rock icon’s punk roots.

photo: londontourpix