Personal life Geoff Reading was born on February 23, 1968, in
Rochester, New York and was raised in both
Huntington Beach, California and
Edmonds, Washington before eventually settling in
Seattle,
Washington. Reading, recently engaged, currently resides in
Tacoma, Washington where he's raising his son, having moved from Los Angeles, California, and writes a column for WeeklyVolcano.com.
Early music career (1989–1997) Reading first starting playing drums in his early teens and was taught by neighborhood friend
Mike Mongrain. Years later, Mongrain recommended to his former bandmate, local guitarist Scott Wade, that he invite Reading to join his band
Sledge to which Wade responded by visiting Reading on his 21st birthday. Prior to joining, the group had recorded a new album with
Columbia Records however it remains unreleased. He played at numerous shows with the group, including a show in Seattle where front man Tyler Willman destroyed various equipment on stage, before the group disbanded. On March 26, 2010, Reading performed with Green Apple Quick Step, whose lineup consisted of members Tyler Willman, Dana Turner along with singer Christa Wells and Reading's former Loaded bandmate
Mike Squires, at the ''Hell's Kitchen'' in
Tacoma, Washington.
New American Shame (1999–2000) Following the departure of previous drummer Jack Stringham, Reading joined New American Shame in 1999. The first single from the record was "Under it All", and a tour of the US, and Japan
Loaded (2001–2002, 2008–2009) In late 1999, early 2000, McKagan decided to form a new project, with no title at this point, with drummer Geoff Reading, formerly of
Green Apple Quick Step and
New American Shame, and singer
Mark Lanegan, formerly of the
Screaming Trees. They recorded a number of songs before Lanegan left to join
Queens of the Stone Age. After being convinced by Reading to take over lead vocals, to add to the material they already had. Also for recording, they brought in guitarist
Dave Dederer formerly of
The Presidents of the United States of America, producer
Martin Feveyear, who also performed keyboards on the album, and they recorded the album at Jupiter Studios in
Seattle,
Washington. McKagan performed the bass on all tracks as well as guitar and the piano on the song "Misery". Former
Nevada Bachelors and
Harvey Danger guitarist
Mike Squires was also invited to record additional guitar parts on the album. In June 2001, McKagan announced that the album would be titled
Dark Days and that it would be released under the moniker Loaded rather than using his own name for the project. According to drummer Geoff Reading, the band initially did not have a name and settled on Loaded when it came close to their first show: Dark Days was released in the US and Japan in July 2001. It was later released in Europe in July 2002. Loaded announced three dates at the
House of Blues taking place in
Anaheim, California,
Las Vegas,
Nevada and
West Hollywood, California in November. Before these shows, Squires officially the group as lead guitarist and was joined by
Alien Crime Syndicate bassist
Jeff Rouse. In January 2002, Loaded announced a string of dates in the US and Japan. During one of the shows, in Los Angeles, Loaded were joined onstage by
The Cult duo
Billy Duffy and
Matt Sorum, also formerly of Guns N' Roses. After these shows, Squires left Loaded to join bandmate Jeff in Alien Crime Syndicate and was replaced by former
Wasted Youth and
Electric Love Hogs guitarist
Dave Kushner. When Loaded went on a semi-hiatus, still playing shows occasionally, following the formation of
Velvet Revolver both Squires and Jeff returned to the group. In December 2006, the group reunited for a special benefit show for Jerry Allen's Cancer Fund. Supporting Loaded that night were Top Heavy Crush and Jeff Angell of Post Stardom Depression. In February 2008, while on tour with Velvet Revolver, McKagan announced that Loaded were planning on releasing a new album in the summer. During the United Kingdom leg of Velvet Revolver's tour in April, McKagan stated that Loaded were to enter the studio in late April. After a few jam sessions, Loaded began recording what would become
Sick with
Dark Days producer
Martin Feveyear at Jupiter Studios in
Seattle. They released a series of
Webisodes during this time featuring footage from the recording sessions for the group's new album which was completed in less than 2 weeks. After signing a deal with
Century Media, the band changed their moniker to Duff McKagan's Loaded to help promote the band further and an
EP,
Wasted Heart, was released September 22, 2008, to coincide with their European Tour.
Sick was released on March 20, 2009, in Europe and April 7, 2009, in the United States where it placed at number 43 on the
Billboard Heatseekers Chart selling 1,400 copies. Loaded toured in support of
Sick playing dates in the United States and appearing at several European festivals such as
Download in the United Kingdom,
Rock AM/IM in Germany and they also supported
Mötley Crüe on their European tour. In September 2009, Reading announced his departure from the band and at the same time he informed everyone that his replacement was
Isaac Carpenter formerly of
Loudermilk,
Gosling and
The Exies:
Other projects In 2002, Reading formed the group The Disciples, that later went on to become
The Chelsea Smiles, that signed to
Capitol Records. The group's lineup was rounded up by
Christian Martucci, formerly of
Dee Dee Ramone's band,
Todd Youth, formerly of
Danzig and
Howie Pyro who had also played with Danzig and
D Generation. They toured Japan before securing the deal with Capitol, and played a show at the
Viper Room in Hollywood, California supporting the group Metal Shop, who have since changed their name and are now known as
Steel Panther. During the show, Reading met
Tony Alva. Reading also performed in former
Beautiful Creatures guitarist
DJ Ashba's solo band as well as some session work for the group Black Chihua Hua, whose record was produced by
Joey Santiago. == Discography ==