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This "Post-Grunge" band was formed after the slide of the Seattle grunge scene. With a top ten breakthrough debut album, "Come Clean" selling over 5 million copies world-wide, and with three top charting singles, they looked set to carry the grunge flag forward into the new decade.

Biography

1993 - The band was formed by vocalist Wes Scantlin in Kansas City, Missouri. the band were named from a rehearsal spot on the banks near the Missouri, that frequented flooding - hence "Puddle of Mudd".

1994 - They release their first album, ironically entitled, "Stuck" in 1994 on V&R records. Recorded in Lawrence city, Kansas the album contained seven tracks. However, the album did not give the band the break they were looking for, despite Scantlin’s continued persistance in distribution around radio stations, and record labels.

1997 - Not to be deterred, the band record and release a second album titled, "Abrasive" on Hardknocks records. This time the album had eleven tracks. Scantlin was convinced that the lucky break was just around the corner, and had faith in the band and his own songwriting. He continued to promote the band at every opportunity, often handing out albums himself. Soon his hard work and tenacity would gain the result he was hoping for, but maybe just a little too late to keep the band together.

1998 - With the band still not achieving success or a major label signing, the band decide to go their separate ways. Only Wes Scantlin now remained, and was about to quit himself, when he managed to get a demo tape into the hands of Fred Durst, ("Limp Bizkit"). Durst liked the tape and contacted Scantlin only to find out the band was already split. He arranged for Wes to fly to LA for an interview. Durst lined up a replacement guitarist, Paul Phillips and drummer [ ] both from Jacksonville, Florida. After some hard work, Scantlin and the band produce a new demo tape of songs. Durst is impressed with the results, and finally signs them to his new label, "Flawless" records, (Geffen).

Josh Freese, ("A Perfect Circle"), replaces [ ] on drums to record tracks for the band’s new album. Greg Upchurch is ultimately hired as the band’s official drummer.

2001 - August , and the bands first major album "Come Clean" is released on "Flawless" records, produced by John Kurzweg and mixed by Andy Wallace, ("Nirvana", "RAGM", "Screaming Trees"). The album was an instant hit, and peaked on Billboard at #9. It spawned three hit singles, "Control", "She Hates Me", and "Blurry", (these songs still achieving major airplay even today).
Despite the instant success, the band were criticised for taking vocal and style influences from previous grunge meisters "Nirvana", and "Alice in Chains". It can be said the album does sound somewhat like these bands, with even a dash of "Soundgarden" thrown in. Yet, despite the negative jibes by some reviews, the songs had created their own success, and besides, why not take influence from such great forerunners?

The band's single "Control" was used for the "World Wrestling Entertainment" series "Survivor".

June. The band are surprisingly dropped from a forthcoming tour supporting "Creed" planned for January 2002. This is despite confirmation by both parties that the support tour would go ahead. Rumours have it, that the reason involved a previous fallout between Creed singer Scott Stapp, and Fred Durst, although this was not officially confirmed.

2003 - The band release their follow up album titled "Life on Display", again on Flawless records. This album was rather less well received and peaked on the billboard chart at #20, yet still sold around half a million copies. Without the hit singles of the previous album, and maybe high expectations, this album's songs did not have the same urgency and spark as it's forunner.

2004 - January. The single "Nothing left to loose" is chosen for the WWE's "Royal Rumble" series. February. Wes Scantlin is arrested is at his own gig at the ‘Headliners club' in Toledo, Ohio. Puddle of Mudd played only four songs, and with Scantlin apparently too drunk to perform, his fellow band members gave up and left the stage. Scantlin attempted to continue on his own?! but was then arrested later by police for shouting abuse at the audience. He was later released without charge.

February. The band begin touring with "Kid Rock", with first date at Fort Worth, Texas - Feb.19th. This is in addition to their headline tour dates which sees them through to the end of March.

March. Despite the appalling performance, (or rather lack of), in Toledo, Puddle of Mudd bounce back in Springfield, Illinois. They are even presented with a key to the city by the mayor Timothy Davlin, who proclaims, "I declare that this day forth should be known as Puddle of Mudd day", (flashback - "The Simpsons"). Apparently the band had received the honour as their concert had completely sold out in five minutes, a new record for Springfield.

The band release new single "Heel over Head".

September. The band are invited by US Troops to play for them, and they accept, performing to 1,500 troops stationed in Tikrit, Iraq. This is not as strange as it may sound, as US artists and bands are often requested to play for troops stationed abroad, yet most politely decline, have other commitments or even cancel at the last moment.

2005 - Paul Phillips quits the band. February. Greg Upchurch joins Mississippi band "3 Doors Down", temporarily, for their tour, and replaces drummer Daniel Adair.

2006 - May. Puddle of Mudd will be performing at the "Rib America Festival" concert in St. Louis, headlining on Saturday May 27th, with support from "Candlebox", and veteran rockers "Montrose". The festival also features Peter Frampton, (May 26th), and "Kansas", (May 28th).

For more details see "Rib America" website

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