Known to the world as bass player for GUNS N' ROSES McKagan (real name Michael McKagan) had cut his teeth in his native Seattle with numerous Punk bands prior to his relocation to Los Angeles. Duff debuted wiuth THE VAINS before moving on to THE LIVING before becoming drummer for THE FASTBACKS. Further acts included SILLY KILLERS and CANNIBAL and FARTZ, the latter two bands as guitarist. He was back on the drums with TEN MINUTE WARNING before teaming up with future GUNS N' ROSES drummer Steven Adler in ROADCREW.

At the height of GUNS N' ROSES global domination McKagan embarked on a solo project in 1993 and was assisted in the recording of the 'Believe In Me' album by a host of names. Included on McKagan's album were GUNS N' ROSES colleagues guitarists Slash and GILBY CLARKE, drummer Matt Sorum and keyboard player Dizzy Reed, LENNY KRAVITZ, the legendary figure of JEFF BECK and SKID ROW men SEBASTIAN BACH and Dave 'Snake' Sabo.

McKagan assembled a fresh band for a proposed second album combining former BLACK FLAG and RED KROSS guitarist Dez Cadena, PLEXI guitarist Michael Barragan and REVEREND HORTON HEAT drummer Taz Bentley. The quartet, with guesting Gunners Slash and IZZY STRADLIN' alongside FAITH NO MORE's Mike Bordin, cut the 'Beautiful Disease' album. However, record company politics shelved the album. Undeterred McKagan rebilled the band LOADED and set about touring. A live 1999 album resulted.

In 2000 the bassist would found THE RACKATEERS with Wayne Kramer of MC5, drummer Stewart Copeland of THE POLICE and BLONDIE's Clem Burke. Brian James of the DAMNED also contributed to the resulting 'Mad For The Racket' album. He would also score a production credit for the debut EP from tattooed wild wenches BETTY BLOWTORCH.

McKagan also found time to operate a laid back lounge duo titled THE GENTLEMEN with erstwhile PRESIDENTS OF THE USA bassist Dave Dederer. Yet another arm of the bassist's arsenal would be ZILCH. Seeing a September 2001 Japanese release, the ZILCH project included DANZIG's Joey Castillo, CYPRESS HILL's Sen Dog, Todd Youth of MURPHY'S LAW and Ian Astbury of THE CULT.

The ex-gunners collective would be making news with Slash, McKagan and Matt Sorum uniting with BUCKCHERRY members Josh Todd and Keith Nelson for a set at the Los Angeles Key club on April 29th 2002 as a part of tribute concert for the late OZZY OSBOURNE / MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Randy Castillo. As if the band line up alone was not enough Steven Tyler of AEROSMITH joined the ad hoc band onstage for an encore of 'Mama Kin'.

Achieving major commercial success a second time around, McKagan would re-forge links with GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash to found VELVET REVOLVER.