Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin talks 'Famous'
He admitted he didn't really care what his band's new album was named, just as long as it hit stores. So Scantlin relegated the task to those around him. (The eventual title was "Famous," taken from the song of the same name.)
"We were just kind of like, 'Name it whatever you want to name it,'" Scantlin said through one of his many yawns. "We just want it to come out."
The album title's exposure, as well as the Missouri band's tour with Nickelback, helped push the title track on the air. Puddle of Mudd's "Famous" was also the WWE One Night Stand 2007 official theme song, and it is featured in the videogame WWE Smackdown versus Raw 2008 as well.
Now, radio listeners are hearing the next single on the air, the quirky "Psycho," which opens with the lyric "Maybe I'm the one/ Maybe I'm the one who is the schizophrenic psycho." Scantlin showed some attachment to that song.
"'Psycho' is one of those little ditties that just pops out of nowhere," Scantlin said. "When I write songs, they are either (a) really good or (b) they suck and I throw them away."
Formed in 1993 in Kansas City, MO, Puddle of Mudd initially reached rock radio in the early 2000s with the song "Blurry," which reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 in the United Kingdom. The album from which it came, "Drift and Die," reached triple platinum and produced the subsequent single "She Hates Me."
The band--Scantlin, bassist Doug Ardito, lead guitarist Christian Stone and drummer Ryan Yerdon--scored two more hits from its next album, "Life on Display." "Away From Me" and "Heel Over Head" helped bolster sales to a paltry 650,000 copies. "Famous" peaked at No. 27.
The group plans to follow "Psycho" with the ballad "We Don't Have to Look Back Now," the album's hit apparent.
"Yeah, that song is going to be the next single," Scantlin said. "I found that out a couple days ago. I'm pretty stoked to hear that. It's pretty good song. It was pretty much a no-brainer. I knew it was a hit when I wrote it."
Scantlin sounds exhausted but he perks up when asked about "Famous'" producer/musician Bill Stevenson of the Descendents and Black Flag fame. Stevenson is primarily known for his work with indie bands.
"He worked very, very hard," Scantlin said. "He's actually a really talented musician all around. But he's actually one of the hardest-working guys I've ever actually met. He just works. That's all he does."
The same could be said for Puddle of Mudd. Scantlin keeps it fresh by changing up the set list every night and sticking to his regimen.
"I get enough sleep. Eat the right diet and try to stay healthy and stay alive," he said. "I feel really good about it."
April 2008
17 - Wantagh, NY - Mulcahy's Rock 'n' Roll Sports Bar
18 - Mechanicsburg, PA - West Shore Hardware Bar
19 - Richmond, VA - Richmond Raceway Complex
21 - Knoxville, TN - Valarium
22 - Nashville, TN - Wildhorse Saloon
25 - Baton Rouge, LA - Baton Rouge River Center
29 - Odessa, TX - Dos Amigos
30 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
May 2008
2 - Las Vegas, NV - Hard Rock Hotel and Casino
3 - West Hollywood, CA - House of Blues
Puddle of Mudd returns to the road in January [December 2007]
New Releases, July 31: Korn, Common, Kidz Bop Kids [July 2007]
Nickelback expands summer tour [June 2007]
Briefly: Drowning Pool, Steve Vai, Moby, Puddle of Mudd [June 2007]


Nonpoint leads 'Most Wanted' trek
Def Leppard maps mid-summer run with Billy Idol
O.A.R. looks at 'All Sides'
Coldplay launches world tour in North America
Weekend Ticketing: Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Def Leppard, Celine Dion, Carrie Underwood
Los Lonely Boys support forthcoming album
Ted Nugent unleashes summer tour dates
My Morning Jacket slips into touring outfit
Tina Turner confirms arena tour
Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd join forces this summer
Lucinda Williams maps headlining shows around John Mellencamp tour


More Acts Announced For CMAs
Skillz Readies New Album
Eddy Arnold Dies At 89
LiveDaily Weekend: Madonna, Tina Turner, The Police, Spoon and more
LiveDaily Song of the Day: The Submarines - "You Me and the Bourgeoise"
Ousted 'Idol' Contestant Jason Castro Cites 'Inexperience'
Josh Groban Concert On The Big Screen
Taking Back Sunday Welcomes New Member
T.I. Readies New Album
LiveDaily News Break, May 8: Santana, Staind, Blake Shelton and more

