Drummer Geoff Reading has left DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, the band led by VELVET REVOLVER/ex-GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan. He says in a statement, "The pressures of being in the 'Duff from GUNS N' ROSES' spotlight, while thrilling, have left me unable to get back to the performer I was pre-cancer, and unable properly provide for my family. This combination has plagued my mental recovery, and I need to take time now to focus on these things.

"The fellas have hired the great Isaac Carpenter [LOUDERMILK, GOSLING, OURS, THE EXIES] to fill in for the U.K. tour, with a warm-up show at the Chop Suey in Seattle on October 3. I wouldn't miss this show for anything. Isaac is an AMAZING drummer and I, for one, will be right there in front of the stage, with all you Capitol Hill hipsters, arms folded, judging them.

"Thank you all for the love and support you've shown me and LOADED."

For more information on the new DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED drummer, visit his MySpace page.

"Sick", the new full-length album from DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED, sold around 1,400 copies in the United States in its first week of release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The CD landed at position No. 43 on the Top New Artist Albums (Heatseekers) chart, which lists the best-selling albums by new and developing artists, defined as those who have never appeared in the Top 100 of The Billboard 200.

"Sick" was released in North America on April 7 via Century Media Records. An e-card for the CD, which was produced by Martin Feveyear (PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, KINGS OF LEON), is available at this location.

In addition to McKagan, LOADED features bassist Jeff Rouse (VENDETTA RED, ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE) and guitarist Mike Squires (ALIEN CRIME SYNDICATE).

LOADED released "Live Episode" (1999) and "Dark Days" (2001), before other commitments meant LOADED were put on the back burner to some extent, although they never split up.

DUFF MCKAGAN'S LOADED's five-song EP, "Wasted Heart", was released in September 2008 via Century Media Records.