Puddle of Mudd rocks for all ages

By Amanda Marsh | Friday, May 28, 2010 | Categories: Music, Johnson City

Puddle of Mudd has been cranking out catchy rock anthems like “Blurry” and “She Hates Me” for almost a decade. Currently on tour to promote their latest album release, the band will stop in Johnson City on Wednesday, June 2.

West Walnut Street, near the East Tennessee State University campus, will be closed from 6 p.m. to midnight to accommodate for the all-ages outdoor concert at Chrome, which starts at 7:30 and features opening acts Adelitas Way and Shaman’s Forest.

“I would rather play in front of 300 people having the best time of their lives, than a mass of people who are jaded and judging your every move,” said Puddle of Mudd guitarist Paul Phillips when asked about performing at a location such as Johnson City compared to Chicago or Los Angeles.

Phillips started out playing in the Jacksonville, Fla., music scene where he got to know Fred Durst, who rocketed to success with Limp Bizkit. Phillips says Durst wanted to sign his band, but it was falling apart. It wasn’t long before Durst called Phillips and asked him to come to Los Angeles and try out for a band originally out of Kansas City, Mo. called Puddle of Mudd.

Needless to say, Phillips got the gig and the group’s first major-label release, “Come Clean,” hit stores in 2001. Four singles were released off the album including “Control,” “She Hates Me,” “Drift & Die,” as well as “Blurry,” which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Phillips left Puddle of Mudd during the early recording stages of the third record “Famous,” due to creative differences, but reunited with frontman Wes Scantlin, bassist Doug Ardito and drummer Ryan Yerdon for “Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate,” which came out in December 2009.

True to the title, Puddle of Mudd’s newest album has an “opposites attract” feel. Their first singles, “Spaceship” and “Stoned” both adorn those catchy guitar riffs, not to mention Scantlin’s grunge-infused voice that Puddle of Mudd is known for.

There are also some sweet, solemn rock ballads on “Volume 4,” including “Keep it Together,” “The Only Reason” and “Better Place.”

When it comes to writing these popular tunes, Phillips says things haven’t changed much since Puddle of Mudd’s first album. “It hasn’t got harder or easier [to write],” he said. “We always try to keep it somewhat guitar heavy. We just write about everyday stuff everyone is going through and focus on the vocal melody. We grew up on Nirvana and power pop. If it’s something that sticks in your head and stays with you for a little while then it makes a good song.”

Being that Nirvana is one of Scantlin’s favorite bands, Puddle of Mudd will occasionally cover a few of their songs such as “Breed” and “About a Girl.” They also do a rendition of AC/DC’s “TNT.”

“We play heavier, putting the ‘puddle’ stamp on it, even though we are playing their song,” Phillips said. “The crowd has a blast and they love it.”

Considering the fact that it’s been almost 10 years since their first songs hit the airwaves, Puddle of Mudd is finding that the ages of their fans is continually widening.

“There are fans who have grown up with us and those who are just getting into ‘Psycho’ and ‘Spaceship,’ Phillips said. “We even have moms and dads bringing their kids.”

Fans are also showing off their guitar and singing skills through Puddle of Mudd covers they post online. “It’s pretty crazy,” Phillips said. “I do get on there and check that stuff out. I find our stuff, and see if I sounded good that night.”

If you would rather catch Puddle of Mudd live, instead of online the day after, tickets for the June 2 show are $25 in advance at www.ticketalternative.com or $30 at the door.