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http://www.lcsun-news.com/las_cruces-entertainment/ci_15415439

07-01-10

Tunes: Puddle of Mudd headlines Street Fest

By Shaun Griswold/sgriswold@lcsun-news.com

Posted: 06/30/2010 09:52:49 PM MDT

The Great Flood of 1993 — the one that left countless people living near the Mississippi and Missouri rivers scrambling for higher ground — caused billions in damages, including leaving one Kansas City band's practice space drowned in mud.

The band, which would name itself Puddle of Mudd after the event, would climb out of that mess to become one of the most popular post-grunge rock groups of all time. Today, the band's résumé includes 7 million albums sold and plenty of No. 1 hits.

Puddle of Mudd drummer Ryan Yerdon joined the band in 2006. Although he missed playing with the band in their early, muddier days, he had to wade through the mud of 60 other drummers during auditions to replace longtime drummer Greg Upchurch.

"I went down for the audition, jammed with the band, it sounded good and everything clicked from there," Yerdon said.

With a recorded album and almost four years of touring with Puddle of Mudd under his belt, Yerdon has found his place. "You know what the tendencies are in playing with guys for a handful of years, you try to complement what they are doing," he said. "(Lead singer) Wes Scantlin and I have a great vibe."

Yerdon, Scantlin and the rest of the band — guitarist Paul Phillips and new bass player Damien Starkey — will headline day two of the Downtown Street Festival on Saturday in El Paso.

"We are excited to be in El Paso. It's an awesome city with fans who come out who are ready to rock," he

said.

The show is a precursor to the band's upcoming Carnival of Madness Tour. Puddle of Mudd will tour 27 cities in 39 days, mostly on the East Coast. The schedule is indicative of the band's constant road presence that has grown into a limitless, almost fixated, all-rock-all-the-time attitude.

"I think you're born with the passion. As success comes your way, it fuels the fire," Yerdon said.

When the band is not touring they are often in the recording studio. Their latest album, "Vol. 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate," was recorded from 2008 to 2009 during three different tour breaks. The band's fourth album holds true to their suggestive lyrics and hard riffs.

"After a tour we go home, record for five days, go back on the road go, home and record for two more days. It's a grind but music is my life," Yerdon said.

The outcome of the band's hard work is seen through the success of their albums.

Their 2001 LP, "Come Clean" went triple platinum, and included three No. 1 singles — "Blurry," "Drift & Die" and "She Hates Me" — on Billboard's mainstream rock and alternative list. Overall, Puddle of Mudd has produced 10 songs that have hit top 10 on the list, including two — "Spaceship" and "Stoned" — off their new album.

To prepare for life on the road, Yerdon said is is important to develop habits and routines in order to stay healthy and sane.

"It was different at first, not going home for nine weeks at a time. But I got used to it. The real preparation comes in the first two weeks of the tour," he said. "Normally, I sleep in late, wake up, drink a bunch of coffee, eat a bunch of fruit, keep up with fans on Facebook, do a light workout, warm up, do some reading, and have some fun with the guys before we go on stage."

In El Paso, Puddle of Mudd will play a 45-minute set. Yerdon said the band will play most of their singles, in order to keep the crowd happy and full of energy.

"We'll bring out our AC/DC cover of "Thunderstruck'," he said. "My favorite song of ours to play is "Psycho.' The song builds and explodes in the chorus. The energy of the crowd during that song is amazing."

Shaun Griswold can be reached at (575) 541-5448