HOME | MUDDFANS | BIOS | VIDEOS | PHOTOS | LYRICS | AV LIST | DISC | ARTICLES

ARCHIVED HIGHLIGHTS/MILESTONES 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001

POM.COM | OFFICIAL POM MYSPACE | POM FAN PAGE MYSPACE | MY BLOG | GUESTBOOK

CONTENTS 2006 ARCHIVES:

News, synopsis of 2006, highlights and milestones, year in review, and tour schedule

THE BAND MEMBER SHUFFLE

NEW FACES - NEW MUSIC IN 2006

The multi-award winning modern rock band Puddle of Mudd may have appeared idle on the surface, but behind this poker-faced foursome, all was not quiet. Their creative gears had been grinding away while they wrote and recorded material for their highly anticipated third major record label release.

Since their inception in Kansas City, MO in 1993, some of the faces of Puddle have changed and as of the spring of 2006, Wes Scantlin remains entrenched as the lone recognizable identity from the early days when Puddle of Mudd was first chosen as their moniker. Beginning as a struggling band playing in Kansas City area clubs and bars and having paid their dues more than twice over, thirteen years later they have ascended the ladder of success starting at the bottom rung in the smallest of venues, climbing to headline their own tour as well as to the top where they had a center stage view from some of the world’s largest arenas as a support band for other major recording artists. It was a long time in coming, beginning with the infamous career changing backstage pass story of fate that befell Scantlin in a last ditch effort for a record deal.

Musician rotations over the last few years have included some of the band’s original co-founding members departing and returning over time and more changes were in store for the fans in 2005 as their long time drummer and guitarist spots had vacancies. Puddle had continued to tour throughout 2005 and into 2006 despite their lineup changes, doing what they do best, perform live shows with the same consistency since the release of their two albums Come Clean and Life On Display released on the Flawless Records imprint. Puddle of Mudd currently have appearances booked as they hit the road in the spring and summer of 2006 for several radio shows and city festivals, though some die-hard fans may wonder how their top hits will come off with the new players. Assuredly, the songs are fresh and tweaked, sounding familiar yet different with each member adding their own personal twitch, the band remains energized and are ready for the open road.

Scantlin continues to bring forth vocals that bite and lyrics that are sharp edged, letting the song speak for itself, you will either like it or you won’t, he makes no excuses for converting his life experiences to song. His skills as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter exude confidence, a stark contrast from the early days of Scantlin practicing in the basement of his parents’ home as a teenager. Doug Ardito, Bedford, MA native and Scantlin’s cohort from the early days of their Flawless Records deal, remains as the bass player who has evolved into new depths musically as time has passed, pushing the envelope and expanding his abilities beyond the days of his beginning interest in music over 20 years ago.

Joining the Puddle crew are Mark “Moke” Bistany (drums) and Christian Stone (guitar). Bistany had previous band experience with Ardito in the mid-1990’s with the band Cellophane, achieving some success before the group disbanded. Having previously worked the drum kit with bands Impellitteri, OTEP and others, Bistany is a versatile drummer who had the daunting task to fill the shoes left by Puddle’s previous drummer Greg Upchurch. He brings his unique style to the table and has stepped up without hesitation, relieving the fans that he was at home behind the kit with Puddle and he let his sticks do the talking, never disappointing concertgoers.

Stone, who had a long history with the band Campfire Girls, takes the guitarist spot left by Puddle’s long time associate Paul Phillips and more recently guitarist and Puddle co-founding member Jimmy Allen. With touring and two prior album releases under Campfire Girls (Delongpre and Tell Them Hi), Stone had developed a comfortable stage presence. The band later had the opportunity to open for Puddle of Mudd for a few shows in the summer of 2003, ironic that Puddle would cross his path a few years later and he would be a member. As a former lead singer, he has taken on double duty with backup vocals, a perfect accompaniment to Scantlin.

Between Scantlin, Ardito, Bistany, and Stone they bring 65+ years of musicianship to every show and to their next album. Their individual average of 15 years is more than many artists will ever have, with or without acknowledged success and speaks of their perseverance, drive, and a lifetime of dedication to their craft.

Puddle have a diverse history, with each other and former players that defines who they are personally and how they arrived at this place together in time. It's almost like they traveled individual yellow brick roads on an interstate map, a few degrees of separation between them that converged to one common point. As a band, they lay in wait, fermenting like a bottle of fine Dom Perignon until ripe and bubbly, ready to pop their cork as they take the stage to entertain their long time fans, their new fans, and those who happen to hear them by chance. With new ideas along with the old Puddle idiosyncrasies that aren’t broke and don’t need fixing, they represent a combination of what each member brings to the band as individuals and as a collaboration and exemplifies what it means to create music, Puddle of Mudd style.

As they continue with their humble roots with four Billboard Awards and two ASCAP Awards under their belt, and other well-deserved accomplishments the band begins a new chapter in their career and it will be interesting to watch as they continue to offer their contributions to the history of rock and roll as only Puddle can hope for, uncompromising of their artistic freedom and looking forward in 2006.

---

2006 HIGHLIGHTS AND MILESTONES

xx-xx Jimmy Allen departs POM
02-22 Loveline, Wes and Fred, Wes premieres Schizophrenic Psycho
03-09 Adam Carolla Show, Las Vegas, POM performs D & D
03-09 First appearance Christian Stone on guitar, ex-Campfire Girls
04-02 West Palm Beach, Wes two day solo show, charity event
04-18 LCE, Int’l, Wes does live stream for the fans from his kitchen
07-12 Attacker commits crimes, poses as Paul Phillips
09-02 Nascar Sony HD 500, Fontana, CA POM performs at race
09-xx POM enters the studio to record album, demo given go-ahead
09-16 America’s Most Wanted airs Paul Phillips imposter episode
09-18 Imposter captured, America’s Most Wanted updates capture
09-20 Doug collaborates with ex-Cellophane bandmate
10-17 Wes posts blog on POM's Myspace, recording in Colorado
11-08 Wes and Doug attend the 40th Anniversary of The Doors
11-17 Puddle performs in Darmstadt, Germany for the troops
11-21 POM.com launches their brand new website!
11-27 Wes posts blog on POM's Myspace, Germany was awesome!
11-xx Hit Parader Nov. - Wes ranks in two Top Vocalists Lists
12-04 Anti-music, Tunelab & Gauntlet report 3rd album finished

---

2006 YEAR IN REVIEW

 

Muddfans let the band know on their message board that they were excited about Puddle in 2006, waiting on the new album and with the possibility of watching the band on a full tour rotation perform not only with Wes, but with another original co-founding member, Jimmy Allen.  The MSN.com interview had created a buzz with the fans, something to look forward to and hopefully in the not too distant future.

 

Allen had posted on the band's official message board several times since rejoining the band and the snippets of news were much welcomed.  Any news was good news.  It was interesting to go back in time of sorts, with some pictures added by Allen to his side project's website, www.cutoutband.com, a rewind in Puddle time for those who weren't around in the band's beginning days in the 1990's.

 

On February 22, Puddle had a bit of a presence on the syndicated radio show Loveline hosted by Dr. Drew Pinsky and guest host Fred Durst as they fielded questions called in by the listeners.  Flawless label artist Scott Thomas from Ringside, Brian Bell from Weezer, and Wes were the guest hosts.  Wes' segment begins during the second hour and after taking a few calls we were soon hearing the acoustic version by Wes of a brand new, never performed live song, Schizophrenic Psycho.  It then made the set list in shows in the summer of 2006 and the fans were singing along to this fun, catchy tune, reminiscent of She Hates Me.  As always, Loveline provides the opportunity for some interesting comments by Wes and this time was no different, the show can be serious when it needs to be, and slightly comical as an occasion arises.

 

With the breath of a new song, the fans were hyped and the anticipation of concert dates was the topic of conversation.  Unbeknownst to the Muddfans, things were changing again behind the scenes.

 

March 9 in Las Vegas, NV was Puddle's first concert date for the year.  As part of Kurt Busch and Miller Lite Racing Presents Rock 'N Racing Series, Puddle were part of the pre-show bonanza on the Adam Carolla Show airing live from The Palms Hotel & Casino the afternoon before the concert.  Adam, Rachel Perry, and Dave Dameshek tried to reign in the variety of guests during interview segments, games, and just the general insanity that comes from hosting a show with a live audience.  Puddle was announced and went live on air with Drift & Die acoustic.  Later that evening at The Palms' club Rain, California based band Van Stone provided the opening act entertainment.  Soon enough, Puddle gave the fans a taste of Mudd, with their hits and other songs from Come Clean and Life On Display as well as a full-on-electric rendition of Schizophrenic Psycho.  The fans had to do a double take; it was not Jimmy Allen on guitar.  The new guitarist was introduced as Christian, and soon word spread the new player was Christian Stone, former member of Campfire Girls.  Duane Betts who had also appeared on a segment of Puddle's 2005 DVD release Puddle of Mudd: Striking That Familiar Chord, made a guest appearance on stage during the band's set on Drift & Die.

 

Any official news has been very scarce on Allen's departure. Once again Puddle fans have to be respectful, it is one of those things if they want the fans to know, they'll tell us.  We have to wish Allen well wherever the road takes him.  From his time as a co-founding member of Puddle in the early days, to his rejoining the band, and into 2006, one fact remains.   He has an incredible songwriting talent as evidenced by ASCAP Awards for Blurry and She Hates Me, two of Puddle's most popular hit songs, as well as writing with other established musicians and future stars on the horizon.  Cutout Band remains Allen's current project and best wishes for success go out to him while nurturing that endeavor.

 

March typically brings warmer weather to the south but that was not the case March 24 in Baton Rouge, LA at the Lousiana State University campus.  The daytime was pleasant but once the sun went down, feet-numbing cold set in where Puddle were part of Student's On Target Groovin' On The Grounds. 

 

The LSU parade lawn was the perfect venue for Students on Target 'Groovin' on the Grounds' annual event promoting health and wellness by offering alternative choices for lifestyles and entertainment. Their mission statement of alcohol awareness may seem ironic among college campus life, yet they find a balance in promoting the message in an enjoyable atmosphere without falling into the typical pitfalls of concert entertainment vices. The atmosphere was relaxing and laid back with students and visitors to the campus attending the wellness activities, football, and Frisbee throws as well as those who came for the free concerts with a variety of artists to please anyone's palate and was a great success.

Local battle of the bands winner A Soup Named Stew kicked off the concert night and it was evident they had a fan following. They were a fun band, similar to Sum 41 and Green Day, in a complimentary way. The lead really plays up to the crowd and was very entertaining. The other band members were interactive with the crowd as well, a nice band. Next, platinum recording artist Josh Turner brought a country twist to the college campus - he had a loyal following in the audience. Lyfe Jennings filled the last opening spot, an inspirational hip-hop-rapish artist who delivered heartfelt messages via song. Corey Mack - a comedian who performed between equipment changes, kept the intermissions from being boring.

Finally Puddle and then the crush begins. A big push by the college kids as the fans made their way towards the stage and the front was already a packed house.  An ocean of fans, nothing but heads as far as one could see.

The thunder and lightning music starts because we all know by now the rain brings the Mudd. Though it was already 34 degrees by 10:45PM when Puddle took the stage, Wes and Co. soon had everyone warmed up. Wes shed his toboggan and it was time to rock from the top of our heads down to our frozen toes.  Some may wonder how many in the audience were fans of POM and knew their other material besides their five mega-hits but it was evident there were some diehards as shouts for Spin You Around and some album cuts of other songs were being yelled by the crowd to be played by the band. The crowd sang loud as only LSU fans can, welcome to Cajun Country.

 

Wes was exceptional, even the cold couldn't seize those vocal cords as he belted out the set list: Away From Me, Control, Abrasive, Stressed Out, Bleed, Spin You Around, Drift & Die (with Duane Betts guest guitarist), Schizophrenic Psycho, Spin You Around, Out Of My Head, and She Hates Me (in no particular order).  The entire band withstood the cold temps to deliver the tunes to an audience who had stood in freezing weather to rock to the Mudd. 

 

Whoever were worried about Puddle and what they are going to do next or if they will hang together long enough for the third album should have no worries. Puddle were reignited; like someone put a firecracker 'where the sun doesn't shine' and they aren't going anywhere. They lit a fire under themselves and after word spread the first shows with the new players were great, the fans figured it would be worth waiting around for them to make a big boom with the next record.

 

A full band set would have to wait.  On April 8-9, Wes participated in two solo acoustic performances in the Beach Ball Festival charity event in West Palm Beach, Fl.  This event raises much needed monies for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and included other performers throughout the weekend.

 

By early May, Puddle were set up to do a round of summer radio station sponsored shows.  One in particular, May 6, Jackson, MS at the 93.9 WRXW and Miller Lite Crawfish Festival at the state fairgrounds.  It rained, for 5 hours straight it poured the rain at the fairgrounds. Not just a drizzle, or wimpy raindrops but gigantic, butterbean sized rain by the bucket load released from that Cloud 9 Wes sings about.  The rain finally clears about the time Puddle takes the stage.  The set list:  Control, Away From Me, Abrasive, Out Of My Head, Bring Me Down, Drift & Die, Stressed Out, Schizophrenic Psycho, Blurry, and She Hates Me, in no particular order and might be missing a song or two.  They didn't deliver the same old tunes, oh no, this band has been doing some serious practicing and revamping just a twitch some of their first hits and delivering them refreshed leaving us wanting more and the word 'wow' comes to mind.

 

With many compliments to the audience for sticking around in the rain, Wes noted it was crazy that it rained all day and now that POM was coming out, it stopped. I think Wes could make Jackson his second hometown, with his Southern-esque improvisational skills and funny euphemisms he delivered but he has to nail the correct pronunciation of "YAW'LL" and all would be good. Doug and Christian urged the audience more than once to get those hands up in the air and clap to the beat of the band… with the crowd obliging.  Moke was high atop the platform, making it hard for us to see him, but he clearly enjoying the audience.

 

The rain brings the Mudd, and then the Mudd almost welcomed in a baby, yes, a baby. Close to the end of Puddle's set, a sooner-than-expected-mom-to-be who was at the concert was moved to the side of the backstage area under the care of paramedics where she was in labor and transported by ambulance to which one has to assume impending delivery at a medical facility.  There have been a lot of things at Puddle shows in the past, even a marriage proposal, but this had to be a first for the band.

 

Ten shows continued from May to August from Baltimore, St. Louis, Birmingham, Norfolk, El Paso, Comstock, Cadott, Louisville, and ending at Summer's Last Blast in Dubuque, IA.  The last show scheduled was on September 3, at the Nascar event, the Sony HD 500 at California Speedway in Fontana.  As part of the Miller Lite Rock 'N Race Series, Puddle performed a pre-race show on the newly opened grounds on the midway, California Fan Zone.  Jim Belushi and the Sacred Hearts along with Julie Roberts were part of the grand opening of the fan-friendly environment.  Despite the heat, Puddle fans were complimentary in their reviews of the show, which included Puddle's basic repertoire plus the new song Schizophrenic Psycho.

 

As the band took a breather and rested after the short summer tour, a new threat arose to cause strife to the Puddle of Mudd name, but most importantly to the reputation of former guitarist Paul Phillips.

 

It seems Paul Phillips had a new admirer only it wasn't so flattering.  Beginning back in June of 2006, a man had been representing himself specifically as Paul Phillips, guitarist of Puddle while committing crimes and assaults on women in the Illinois area.  It wasn't until the show America's Most Wanted profiled and reenacted the crimes that the perpetrator was apprehended and the fans became aware of just how serious this issue was.  Within a few days of airing on nationwide FOX stations on September 16, the alleged suspect was caught in Nashville, TN, barely capturing him hours before he was to be released from a mental facility September 18.  It brought an end to the drama for Paul, who was targeted for unknown reasons, and can rest knowing there is no doubt he had become an unwitting victim.

 

It is now early October and while we are still waiting on that elusive third Puddle album, rest assured it is in the works.  News that the band was definitely in the studio was relieving to the fans.  On the band's Myspace page on October 17, Wes had this to say when posting a blog update at Puddle of Mudd Myspace

 

"HEY EVERYBODY OUT THERE ITS WES FROM PUDDLE IN THE STUDIO IN COLORADO JUST LETTIN' ALL KNOW THAT THE NEW RECORD IS ALMOST FINISHED AND I CANT WAIT TO UNLEASH IT TO ALL WHO HAS WAITED I KNOW I HAVE BEEN WRITING LIKE A MADMAN FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS AND WE HAVE NARROWED IT DOWN TO AN UNFORGETTABLE AND SERIOUSLY AWESOME RECORD I HOPE YOU WILL ALL ENJOY IT AND THANKS FOR ALL THE KILLER MESSAGES THAT HAVE BEEN SENT TO THE MUDD SPACE."

 

One has to assume the album release is still several months away but it is well on its way to becoming a reality.  Between mixing, pressing, printing inserts, and promotional work to prepare, the spring of 2007 seems likely.

 

Till the time comes and a release date is announced for the new album, as fans we can support a few other projects in the works by Doug Ardito and former Cellophane band mate Shannon Crawford – Monster In The Machine, former guitarist Paul Phillips' new band Operator,  Puddle co-founding member Jimmy Allen with his group - Cutout Band, and Greg Upchurch - 3 Doors Down.

 

We look forward to the rest of the year with Puddle; you keep us on our toes waiting with anticipation, like a kid on Christmas Eve. Strive to make your music the best that it can be, deadlines may come and go, but once a disc is out there for review, it's out there, you can't take it back and make changes. Get it the way you want it, we'll wait.

 

Best of luck with the recording process and also in trying to live your lives as ordinary people.  Everyone deserves a bit of normalcy, even rock stars.

 

(c) POMuddRockOn Karen 2005 & 2006. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year in review.

---

Puddle of Mudd Tour Schedule 2006

 

03-09    Rain at The Palms/Las Vegas, NV/Van Stone

03-24    LSU/Baton Rouge, LA/ Groovin On The Grounds/A Soup Named Stew/Lyfe 

            Jennings/Josh Turner

04-08    Beach Ball Festival/West Palm Beach, FL/Wes/Adassa/Joe/Inner Circle/Sugar 

            Hill Gang

04-09    Beach Ball Festival/West Palm Beach, FL/Wes/Adassa/Joe/Inner Circle/Sugar 

            Hill Gang

05-05    Memphis in May Beale St. Music Festival/Memphis, TN/Lovehammers/Three 6 

            Mafia/Various 

05-06    MS Coliseum/Miller Lite Crawfish Festival/Jackson, MS/Staind/Fivepoint/Dark 

            New Day   

05-18    Power Plant Live/WIYY/Baltimore, MD, Preakness Celebration/40  Acres/ 

            Voodoo Blue

05-27    Soldier Memorial Park/Rib America/St. Louis, MO/Virgin Millionaires/ 

            Montrose/Candlebox

06-16    City Stages/Birmingham, AL/Trapt/Shinedown

06-24    10^th Annual Lunatic Luau/KNOR/Norfolk, VA/Saliva/Buckcherry/ 7Mary3/ 

            Nonpoint/Days of the New

07-02    El Paso, TX/2006 El Paso Downtown St. Festival/10 Years/Days of the 

            New/Soil/7Mary3/Faktion

07-14    Comstock Fest/Comstock, NB/Johnny Lang/Ted Nugent

07-21    Rockfest/Cadott-Eau Claire, WI/Kid Rock/7 Mary Three/George 

            Thorogood/Various

08-25    Kentucky State Fair/Louisville, KY/Hour Cast

08-26    Summer's Last Blast/Dubuque, IA/Jabherbox/Johnnie Trash

09-03    Nascar Sony HD 500/California Speedway/Fontana, CA/Jim Belusi & Sacred 

            Hearts/Julie Roberts

 

11-17    22nd Signal Brigade Homecoming/Darmstadt, Germany