SOURCE:  http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040729/FEAT0106/407290408/1010

07-29-04

July 29, 2004

Puddle of Mudd embraces the basics

By Keith Ryan Cartwright
Special to The Clarion-Ledger

Sometimes it's not about the grandiosity of the performance as much as it is the music that's being played.

Following the surprise success of Come Clean and the arduous task of recording their much anticipated follow up, Puddle of Mudd took a moment to catch their collective breath and scale things back, even if it was for just a few weeks.

"We really wanted to get back into small clubs because we don't get to play there much anymore," singer-guitarist Wes Scantlin said.

"We wanted to go out and have a blast, and play our songs for the diehard fans."

Since then the California band — in spite of sagging album sales — have been playing festivals and radio-sponsored concerts as a small part of a much larger package, and now have a supporting slot on the road with Nickelback and Three Doors Down.

Their latest album, Life on Display, was released last November.

While the first single, Away From Me, began playing on rock and alternative radio back in mid-October, it failed to have the same impact as Blurry, which earned them an ASCAP award for most played song of the year and led to four Billboard nominations.

In making their way to Jackson, the band will do so in support of its latest single, Heel Over Head, another of their straight ahead post-grunge anthem-like rock tunes.