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Puddle Of Mudd
How Puddle Of Mudd landed on Fred Durst's Flawless label: Scantlin laid a demo on Durst - out of the blue (bumrushed him). They were the first act signed to Flawless.
Groups before Puddle Of Mudd: Upchurch was in Eleven with Chris Cornell and Ardito played with Cellophane.
Fantastic pre-fame jobs: Not likely, unless being a dishwasher is the ultimate gig. Both Scantlin and Upchurch clocked in for that one. Scantlin also did time as a construction worker and cook. Upchurch moved on to house painting (not as easy as it looks). Ardito fumbled his way through grocery bagging and pizza delivery gigs. Only Phillips held a semi decent job - manager of a record store.
Puddle Of Mudd's influences: Alice In Chains & Pantera. On the next tier there's Queen and Radiohead.
Where Puddle Of Mudd formed: A wet spot in Missouri (actually just Kansas City).
What do St. Joseph, MO, Concord, MA, Brunswick, GA and Houma, LA, have in common? Each was the birthplace of a Puddle Of Mudd member. Scantlin - St. Joe and raised in K.C. Ardito - Concord. Phillips - Brunswick and raised in Jacksonville, FL. Upchurch - Houma but grew up in Kingston, OK. Tough break.
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"Life On Display" had two hits, "Away From Me" and "Heel Over Head." It sold in the neighborhood of 600,000 copies. Apparently, that wasn't enough for Upchurch who left to join 3 Doors Down. Then creative differences with Scantlin led to Phillips' departure. But before the two packed it in, Puddle Of Mudd recorded a live set, "Striking That Familiar Chord," at San Diego's Key Club in late '04. The album was released the following spring. Also, Upchurch and Phillips were replaced by drummer Ryan Yerdon and guitarist Christian Stone.
While on the road in '07, the group made a tourist stop at Graceland (the late Elvis Presley's estate). For tens of thousands, Graceland is an interesting if generally uneventful nostalgia trip. But Scantlin was the exception getting himself banned "for life." While wandering through the grounds, he decided to jump into a private pool. "I just wanted to take a dip," quipped Scantlin a little bit later. He was dragged out of the pool by very unhappy security personnel. A few days later, everything was back on track with the release of "Famous," featuring the uptempo but melodic "Psycho," which nailed the top spot on the Active Rock Radio chart in early '08.
"Come Clean," Puddle Of Mudd's debut album Rocks with "Control," "Nobody Told Me" and the less dense but charging "Bring Me Down." "Drift and Die" and "Never Change" are more ballad oriented but not embarrassing. Overall, a strong start.
For '03's "Life On Display" Puddle Of Mudd kicks it out on several tracks including opener "Away From Me." But it's the change-of-pace songs "Change My Mind" with the acoustic guitar and the pop oriented "Spin You Around" ("turn your world upside down") that have the most immediate appeal.
With a new line-up Puddle Of Mudd widens their aperture on "Famous" - ranging from their core post-Grunge/Alt. Rock to a little left of Bon Jovi. That latter drift may strike some as lame. To their credit POM pulls it off but still, it is what it is. If the '70s "Psycho" or "We Don't Have To Look Back," which could have come straight out of Jersey, don't do it, there's a lot that will.
Scantlin gives a Kurt Cobain-ish reading to the line "so you wanna have a good time" on "Merry Go Round" then uses "Radiate" to channel Layne Staley.
The title track comes out roaring and snarling all the way. "It Was Faith," "Moonshine" and "I'm So Sure" keep the faithful from grousing too loud.
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