PUDDLE OF MUDD : 2004

2004

This coming year was going to be huge for Puddle, with a full tour scheduled, television events, and an overseas trip to Iraq, it remains one of their busiest years to date. The highlights don't even begin to cover every aspect of tremendous year, they hit the dirt running and never looked in the rear view mirror to see their footprints of where they had been.

TOURING

After a break from the chaos of 2003, Puddle began the first of many segments of touring for 2004. They crisscrossed the country from New Mexico to the far reaches of Maine and south to Florida in a spring/summer tour from January through the end of June. These were a mix of concerts; some dates were Puddle headline shows with Smile Empty Soul and other local bands as support acts with tickets averaging $20. Remaining dates matched them up with Detroit native Kid Rock and The Twisted Brown Trucker Band.

Besides concerts, there were several special events and one included an MTV Super Bowl XXXVIII pre-game party. This event was hosted by MTV and sponsored by the Pepsi Super Bowl Concert Series and Puddle was one of several bands that got the show started. Hosted by Cedric The Entertainer, performers included N.E.R.D., Nelly Furtado, Ice Cube and others. A definite highlight from the Verizon Wireless theater were Puddle's performance of Blurry and Heel Over Head, their current single from Life On Display at the time. The Houston Chronicle promoted the event with a picture of the band and show details in their January 27 edition.

At a side event during Super Bowl weekend, Wes joined his friends from the jam band Camp Freddy (Dave Navarro, Matt Sorum, Billy Morrison, Scott Ford, Donovan Leitch) for the Maxim Magazine Super Bowl party. Set up as an actual circus environment, Camp Freddy had several musical guest stars that performed a variety of rock hits for the set list. Wes was joined on stage with former Alice In Chains' Jerry Cantrell during the cover of AIC's Man in the Box.

Puddle of Mudd now has their own special day in Springfield, Illinois, March 2, 2004 thanks to the WQLZ and Mayor Timothy Davlin. Puddle of Mudd tickets were in hot demand as evidenced by an all-time record sell-out (reportedly in less than five minutes) for a concert under the sponsorship of 92.7 WQLZ. A pre-show interview by the radio station and a fan meet and greet left no clues what was to happen later in the evening. Puddle put on a spectacular show that included Instruction as support band for this Budweiser True Blue Music Concert. Following Puddle's performance, the band was to find out just how important the day would be as the city of Springfield adopted the members of the band by officially declaring March 2, 'Puddle of Mudd Day' complete with a proclamation by Mayor Timothy Davlin at The Illinois Building where he also presented the members the key to the city. The band was caught by total surprise at the honor and the announcement lead to a thunderous applause by the audience and jubilation by the quartet and their crew. The moment was captured on a video camera by an audience member and the footage was posted on the WQLZ website along with photos to commemorate the event. As part of a wild week of festivities, the radio station held a contest with four lucky participants competing for a complete Puddle prize pack for the concert. Contestants were to survive locked in a hotel room minus any luxuries and even the barest of essentials were hard to come by, making for an interesting showdown to the very end.

Tour dates continued from June 29 through July 31 with Canadian rockers Nickelback and the Escatawpa, Mississippi based band 3 Doors Down. These were large-scale venues and arenas, most of them to sold out audiences, three great bands with a reasonable admission price. In most cases if someone was a fan of one band, one was a fan of the others as well. It was a long concert set each night as either Thornley or 12 Stones were an additional act.

After a two week break, Puddle were back out on the road from Aug 16-September 5 as support band for headliners Nickelback. Consisting of mostly state fairs and radio festivals, it was a nice, short tour that also featured Finger Eleven as openers.

It was in September Puddle took a long detour, halfway around the globe then returned to the continental U.S. to finish up touring October 9 in Beaumont, Texas at Big Dog Jam 4.

PUDDLE AND NASCAR

One very special event for Puddle happened to fall in the middle of the Nickelback/3 Doors Down tour was July 9 in Joliet, Illinois at Chicagoland Speedway.

How fast can a Puddle of Mudd move? The answer is 183+ miles per hour when it is painted on the #2 Dodge Intrepid NASCAR of Rusty Wallace. As part of the Miller Lite 'Rock 'N Racing' Concert Series, a one-time paint scheme featuring Puddle of Mudd appeared on the Wallace car for the Tropicana 400 at Chicagoland Speedway on July 11. The graphics featured Wes and Paul on the hood, Greg on the passenger side quarter panel, and Doug on the driver's side quarter. The car made its debut during qualifying on July 9 as Wallace set his sight on the pole position. Denied one of the top spots, Rusty qualified mid-field at position #20 for the event. He was able to run a clean race, and the Mudd car was in great shape after the day's event and came in just out of the top 10 finishers at #11.

With much fan-fare, Puddle was part of the weekend festivities and performed a free concert at the race facility on July 9, 2004. As the sun began to set on turn four at Expo Village, a boisterous crowd had gathered at the Miller Lite stage earlier in the rain. The Lovehammers, a regional band whose lead singer Marty Casey would later try out for Rockstar: INXS, warmed up the crowd as the opening act. Thunderstorms were present in the area but clear skies opened up just in time for Puddle to hit the stage. Nascar and Mudd fans of all ages were packed elbow-to-elbow and ready to get the party started. Wailing out the gate, Puddle performed Control, Bring Me Down, Drift & Die, Bleed, Basement, Spin You Around, Away From Me, Nothing Left To Lose, Think, Cloud 9, Blurry, and She Hates Me.

After Wes having dropped the F-bomb a few times during the show, they were hesitant to do the long-time crowd favorite sing-along-song She Hates Me for the encore, as it was an all ages show and the band had been warned by event organizers against the use of profanity. With screams of more from the audience, Puddle bounded back on stage, with a twist and at Wes' request, the crowd was to do the singing and he would 'join in' for the "she loved me so much she left me" song. The audience was more than happy to oblige, with a rousing, "Met a girl, thought she was grand," and the decibel's were off the scale when it reached the chorus of, "She f'n hates me …" This was a crowd who weren't going to let track officials, security, or other rigid-ruled-authority figures keep them from singing the words as they were written.

In a spirited show of unity with outstretched arms, the audience members were the stars of the encore, while Wes was conductor of the rock symphony and its backup singer. It kept Wes in the clear with the event officials, after all, how could you arrest several thousand people for using profanity in a public place. Closing out the event, the familiar satirical lounge version of She Hates Me by parody singer Richard Cheese played in the background while some of the band members signed autographs for the front row fans, threw guitar picks to the audience, and Greg tossed pairs of drumsticks to some of the luckier ones who were able to catch them.

Wes, Doug, and their POM assistant Jose appeared in a taped interview segment that aired on Fox Sports Network the day of the race. One could tell it was a big event for them and awestruck can't begin to describe the smiles on their faces. Doug was given an extra chore while attending the pre-race session, he was assigned the task to steer the car on practice day as it was pushed into the pit inspection station. Without an incident and with an eagle's eye, he was able to steer it to the marked spot perfectly.

Action-Performance Nascar Collectibles issued two die-cast collector cars featuring the Puddle of Mudd paint logo. Available in 1:24 and 1:64 scales, these precision made cars accurately depicted the Miller Lite car and are being sought after by Muddfans and Rusty Wallace fans alike.

PUDDLE ROCKS THE TROOPS

Iraq/Germany 2004

Every band has their story for their most memorable road trip to a gig; there can be the road trip from he** to the one where you barely made it to the show in time. For the members of Puddle of Mudd, there is one trip that stands out above all of the others as the best rock and roll road trip of all time in September of 2004.

Not many can lay claim they arrived at their band's latest gig outfitted in bulletproof vests, combat helmets, and camouflage via a C-130 military cargo plane, it would redefine the ultimate 'Rock n' Roll Road Trip.' Whether Puddle agreed with the War in Iraq or not, they felt it was important to support the troops who had been called to duty to do their jobs. Puddle of Mudd not only gave the politically correct answer, "Yes we will go entertain the troops," but also had the courage to back up that statement without any hesitation. Many artists had previously volunteered only to back out later and Puddle were not going to let the troops down.

In conjunction with the Installation Management Agency – Europe (IMA-E), American Forces Network, Armed Forces Entertainment and AKA Productions, Puddle was on their way to Germany and Iraq to perform three special shows for the soldiers sponsored by Morale, Welfare, and Recreation. Plans called for rock performances in Baumholder, Germany, Tikrit, Iraq (birthplace of Saddam Hussein), and Friedberg, Germany. A poll had been taken of some soldiers in Germany and Iraq for which rock band would they like to see and Puddle clearly won out as one of the top favorites. Other popular bands had the potential to have this same opportunity to treat the American soldiers, but they decided not to participate; leaving the door open for Puddle to say without hesitation they were on board. Christopher Titus, who had starred in his own television sitcom Titus on Fox Network, was also quick to say yes and teamed up with Puddle for the three-show event.

Departing from New York City on September 8, many hours later they reached Baumholder, Germany where they were to take part in the ceremonies welcoming home the U.S. Army's 1^st Armored Division. A daylong celebration for the military and their families on September 10 complete with parades, carnival rides, food, and a variety of entertainment greeted the attendees. More than 5,000 people were on hand for Puddle when they took the stage and soon the crowd was singing in unison to most of the words to their hit singles as well as the die-hard fans who knew all of the words to the rest of their songs. The show rocked so hard, it had to be stopped several times for crowd control, the moment to unwind by the troops had come and unwind they did.

Wes, Doug, Paul, and Greg were able to meet the troops first hand before and after the show and were more than happy to oblige them with autographs, pictures, and camaraderie. Fans who were already familiar with the band were impressed they had taken the time to come out, and those who were getting a first glimpse had a new respect for the rockers who demonstrated an unselfish act of putting themselves at risk.

One special occasion was the bands' visit to the recovering, injured soldiers at the 25^th Medical Transition Company in Baumholder. While donning military helmets and protective wear, they were able to chat with soldiers, give autographs, and impart encouraging words of support to these brave men and women who were willing to put their flesh and blood on the line to help restore order to the chaotic Middle East. Each soldier had a special story to tell of their ordeal, often moving the guys of Puddle to a very emotional place within themselves. To say it was a life-changing experience was an understatement, and it was only the beginning of what was to come.

The next day the band was on their way out of Frankfurt, Germany to Camp Doha in Kuwait to prepare for the next show, deep in hostile territory. While waiting for their departure to Iraq, they continued to visit the soldiers in Kuwait, again hearing many of the soldiers' personal stories and were also given a 'thanks' by many for what they were doing to bolster morale within the ranks.

Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Camp Speicher in Tikrit, Iraq had been told Puddle of Mudd would treat them to a rock and roll show on September 12, but many of the troops had previously gotten their hopes up for other events and weren't going to believe it until they saw it. With defensive flying protocol the C-130 rapidly decreased altitude, dipped, swerved, and weaved to deliver the band and their crew into the Iraqi hot zone courtesy of an war-torn airstrip, a mere 100 miles northwest of Baghdad. A Black Hawk helicopter and military Hummer vehicles were their impromptu limousines, dirt floors and no running water were their five-star hotel accommodations, yet they were just as happy to be there as if they were at the Waldorf-Astoria. Not a single complaint, they were on hand for the big picture.

Before the band's performance, Wes, Doug, and Greg took their first ride in a Black Hawk helicopter and got a quick overview of Tikrit. They were able to visit one of Saddam Hussein's elaborate palaces, and were flabbergasted that a man could live such a luxurious lifestyle as his people just down the street were living in shanty houses and in severe, distressing poverty. It was an eye-opening experience.

MP's, AR15's, and 9mm's brought new meaning to the term 'venue security' at a bombed-out soccer stadium as Puddle of Mudd delivered a small piece of the United States while Bradley tanks stood sentry. Flatbed trailers served as the stage for the first show Puddle ever played in Iraq, and it was an experience that won't soon be forgotten. There was a delay in the show by several hours due to technical difficulties with the power supply, but everyone was excited the band had come so far and they patiently waited.

The U.S. Army's First Infantry Division's rock band opened the show and got the mood started. With 1,200-1,500 soldiers attending, the dry, sandy location was soon a stomping ground for GI's who were ready to rock, and even if for only an hour they could forget they were fighting a war, relax, and have a great time. It was like a giant dust bowl, every step one made stirred up the dirt, the heat was almost unbearable but it was a small sacrifice in the eyes of the band for those who have served for the good of a greater world. The band closed with the usual crowd favorite, She Hates Me and were soon joined on their makeshift stage by a dozens of women soldiers who were happy to belt out the infamous lyrics of 'she f'n hates me' with the band. Women armed with deadly weapons were typically an uncommon sight at a Puddle show. Everyone was caught up in the merriment and with a little imagination; it was as if they were at Madison Square Garden, miles away from the bombings and reality of war.

More meet-and-greets and eating in the chow line with soldiers from all walks of life closed out this unforgettable opportunity. It was now on to Kuwait for a layover then on their way back to Germany for one more show.

September 15 was a big day in Friedberg, Germany as the U.S. Army's 1^st Armored Division continued the welcome home ceremonies. Once again, Puddle band members and Christopher Titus were at meet-and-greets and met wounded soldiers at this base as well.

One extraordinary soldier afforded the band one of the most humbling memories in their careers. He is Army Staff Sgt. Jason Pepper, a valiant soldier who was the victim of a car bombing in Karbala, Iraq and is now blind and has been left with an injured arm, gave the band a priceless keepsake. He had been the recipient of The Purple Heart and The Bronze Star with Valor, two of the military's highest honors. When he met his favorite band that day, he presented his Bronze Star Medal to Wes, Paul, Doug, and Greg as a gift. They were very reluctant to take such a prestigious medal, something he had earned for his bravery but Sgt. Pepper was insistent and with many tears of pride the band accepted his offering.

Friends and families of the band and crew worried for their safety; it was an emotional time for everyone leading up to their departure until they everyone was home safe and sound on U. S. soil. No doubt, it was a dangerous choice to go overseas at this time, but when you do something for the good of someone else, you have faith that your karma will protect you. Everyone arrived home safely and though the risks were huge, the rewards were even bigger and they would volunteer to go again if they were asked. Of course they were scared at first, but when they saw the appreciation on the faces of those who faced danger everyday, it was a small price to pay. One should ask, would they do it again? Clearly the answer is yes as evidenced by interviews after the band returned home, not only would the band bet their ass on it, but their cahoonies as well.

TELEVISION

01-16-04 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Who's Marcello?, was the question the fans were asking after watching Puddle's appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. While introducing the band, Leno hit on their previous album sales for Come Clean at over 6 million copies worldwide, complimented them on being a 'terrific rock and roll band as well as announcing they would be kicking off their tour January 23.

Singing Away From Me, Wes made the one word statement 'Marcello' via a magic marker on a custom white t-shirt. Once again, the censor's were kept busy bleeping out the profanity, one thing you have to say for Puddle, they believe in doing the song the way it was written to preserve the writer's integrity to the material. Paul was really in the spirit of the music with his trademark spinning-while-I-am-playing moves on stage, Doug had his own moves on the other side of the stage while Greg kept it rockin' with perfect timing in drums while doing backup vocals.



01-30-04 MTV Pepsi Super Bowl Concert Series, Houston, TX

The members of Puddle of Mudd were already huge sports fans but to be asked to participate in the XXXVIII Super Bowl activities airing on MTV, as part of the Pepsi Super Bowl Concert Series was a rocker's dream come true. The city of Houston was the host as football fanatics from the four corners of the earth gathered to watch the defending champs New England Patriots go head-to-head against the Carolina Panthers at Reliant Stadium.

It was the weekend of Janet Jackson's notorious 'wardrobe malfunction', but not everyone was impressed with the half-time show or came to see the other musical extravaganza's that had the city going non-stop for days on end with every genre of music at concerts and football parties. However, rock fans packed into the Verizon Wireless Theater on January 30 to catch some of today's popular artists at their best. Emcee Cedric The Entertainer brought his unique style of comedy to the event that included Puddle of Mudd as the headliner act. Joined by other entertainers Nelly Furtado, N.E.R.D., Ice Cube, Eve, and Peter Correals, the evening was a big hit for those in attendance plus those tuned it at home.

Introduced by Ice Cube, Puddle of