Puddle of Mudd

{{Infobox musical artist | Name = Puddle of Mudd | Img = Puddle of Mudd.jpg | Img_capt = | Landscape = yes | Background = group_or_band | Origin = Kansas City, Missouri, USA | Genre = Hard rockAlternative rockPost-grunge | Years_active = 1992–1999 They have released 2 independent and 4 major albums, with their latest being in December 2009.

History

Early years

Puddle of Mudd was formed on September 13, 1992 in Kansas City by Wes Scantlin (vocals/rhythm guitar), Sean Sammon (Bass), Kenny Burkett (Drums) Jimmy Allen (lead guitar). The name was inspired by the Missouri River flood, which inundated the band's practice space, and left the floor a big "puddle of mud". The group's first album, Stuck, was released in 1994 on V&R; Records. The album, of entirely original compositions, was produced by PoM and E.J. Rose, and recorded at Red House Studio in Lawrence, Kansas.

Minus Jimmy Allen, the group released a second album, Abrasive, in 1997 on Hardknocks Records. It had eleven tracks, all written by the band, three of which would eventually make it on to Puddle of Mudd's first major label release. These would be the only two albums that exhibit a dirtier, grungier sound, compared to the semi-polished sound of later work. Differences of opinion and other factors led to the break up of the original Puddle of Mudd by early 1999, leaving Scantlin as the only original member.

The group then embarked on a European and American tour as the opening act for Godsmack & Deftones and were also part of the Family Values 2001 tour, alongside the Stone Temple Pilots, Linkin Park and Staind.

Copies of the album were selling well. It was certified Triple Platinum in the U.S. by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on January 31, 2003, and as of late 2006 total sales worldwide were in excess of 5 million copies.

Life On Display

Puddle of Mudd's follow up, Life on Display spawned three singles "Away From Me", "Heel Over Head", and "Spin You Around". The album sold below high expectations. Although shortly after its release, the record was certified gold and to date has sold over 706,000 copies. Some suggested this was the primary cause of drummer Greg Upchurch's jumping ship when 3 Doors Down came looking for a new drummer. Marisa Miller appears in the music video for "Spin You Around". "Away From Me" was featured in The O.C. in 2004. The song "Nothing Left to Lose" was the official theme song of WWE's 2004 Royal Rumble.

Famous

On October 9, 2007 the band released their third major label record, Famous. The first single, "Famous", was leaked through the band's myspace and radio in July before the CD hit stores. Another track "Merry Go Round" was released as though ITunes before the official release as well. The following single "Psycho" garnered immense popularity, radio play and topping both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Hot Modern Rock Tracks charts for 9 weeks. "Livin' on Borrowed Time" and "We Don't Have To Look Back Now" were the final singles released.

Their song "Famous" was the WWE One Night Stand 2007 official theme song and was also featured in the video game WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008, as well as UFC 2009 Undisputed.

Vol.4 Songs in the Key of Love and Hate

In 2009, former Guitarist Paul Phillips rejoined the band after replacement Christian Stone was let go on good terms. Around this time the band recruited "Famous" producer Brian Howes to begin recording a new record in Vancouver. Prior to the new album's release, band members said the album's name would be called "Jacket on the Rack". However it was changed to . Released on December 8, it has gone on to sell around 100,000 copies. The first single Spaceship was released in October 2009.

The band has been heavily touring for the past year and expected to take a few months off in late summer. On February 10, 2010, a new song, "Shook Up the World" was released. The song was written for Team USA, for use in the 2010 Winter Olympics. All proceeds from the song will go to TeamUSA. Although intended for release during the Olympics, the deadline was missed.

Recently, the band has parted ways with bassist Doug Ardito on good terms. Ardito has been with the band for eleven years. Former Jacksonville "Burn Season" front man Damien Starkey will take his place.

Icon

On October 15, 2010, Puddle Of Mudd’s announce the first best-of collection, ICON! ICON is a new series of artist compilations and POM's that was released on November 2. Featuring 12 hits including “Famous,” “She Hates Me,” “Psycho,” “Blurry,” “Control,” and 7 more hit songs.

Connection with Fred Durst

Due to the notoriety surrounding how the band was signed with Durst, the band is often asked regarding their relationship with him. Singer Scantlin blasted Durst in an interview in 2004 with Canada's chart magazine. He stated, "He doesn't write our songs, he doesn't produce our songs, he doesn't do anything for us. He doesn't do our videos anymore. He doesn't do anything for this band. I don't know what he's doing, I don't know what the guy's like. All I know is that he's like Mr. Hollywood guy, Mr. Celebrity. Like, 'I don't hang out with anybody except Hollywood celebrities'. Every single fucking interview I've ever fucking done, I get asked about that fucking guy..." He added, "And for me to do interviews all the time and be asked about this certain individual... People think he writes music with me or something. He does not do that. I just don't get it. We have nothing in common. He doesn't even call us, he has his assistant call us to congratulate us on our record. Yeah, that's how pathetic he is." Scantlin spoke recently about how the band interacts or doesn't with Durst saying, "...don't know."... "I haven't spoken to that guy for a long time. I tried to say hi to him but he didn't want to say hi, so whatever! I was trying to be a nice guy. We had a falling out for a while. Everything is fine. He's doing his thing." On 6th January 2011, Durst attempted to get back in touch with Scantlin via a tweet on his official Twitter page. "Who knows Wes from puddle of mudd? I wanna connect w him again. Let me know." Scantlin's reaction to this is not yet known.

References

In the animated TV Show Adventure Time Jake said he rolled in a puddle of mud to gain his stretching powers and Finn said "Like that band?".

In the video game Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, "Blurry" was played on 2 occasions. One is in the hidden intro and the second is during the ending credits.

Members

Wes Scantlin – Vocals, rhythm guitar (1992–Present)

Paul Phillips – lead guitar (1999–2005) (2009–present)

Ryan Yerdon – Drums (2005–present)

Damien Starkey – Bass guitar (2010–present)

Former members

Doug Ardito – Bass guitar, backing vocals (1999–2010)

Christian Stone – guitar, Backing Vocals (2006–09)

Greg Upchurch – drums (2000–05)

Jimmy Allen – lead guitar (1992–96),

Sean Sammon – bass guitar (1992–99)

Discography

;Studio albums

Abrasive (1997)

Come Clean (2001)

Life on Display (2003)

Famous (2007)

(2009)

Awards and Nominations

MTV Video Music Awards

American Music Awards

References

External links

Record Label website

Official RSS Feed

Puddle of Mudd on Demand

Category:1990s music groups Category:Musical groups established in 1992 Category:Kerrang! Awards winners Category:Musical groups from Missouri Category:American post-grunge musical groups