Wes Scantlin

Wesley Reid Scantlin (born June 9, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and only constant member of rock band Puddle of Mudd. He was named one of the "Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists" by Hit Parader.

Wes Scantlin
Scantlin performing in May 2009
Background information
Birth nameWesley Reid Scantlin
Born (1972-06-09) June 9, 1972
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • guitar
  • bass
  • piano
Years active1990–present
Associated acts


Career

Scantlin formed Puddle of Mudd in 1991. They released their debut EP Stuck in 1994, followed by a demo album called Abrasive in 1997. Four years later, the band added three new members and released their debut album Come Clean. In 2003, they released their second album, Life on Display. Their third album, Famous, was released in 2007, followed by Songs in the Key of Love & Hate in 2009 and Welcome to Galvania in 2019.

Scantlin sometimes tours with Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, joining Cantrell in playing acoustic renditions of Alice in Chains songs. He was also one of the musicians who participated in Alice in Chains' reunion tsunami benefit show, and was one of many artists who worked with Carlos Santana on his album All That I Am for the song "Just Feel Better". The song was recorded twice with both Scantlin and Steven Tyler, but only Tyler's version appears on the album.

Personal life

Scantlin has a son named Jordan (born 1997) from a previous relationship.[1] He married Jessica Nicole Smith in January 2008.[2] They divorced in May 2012.[3]

During an October 2017 show in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Scantlin apologized to the audience for his on-and-offstage behaviour in previous years and admitted to struggling with addiction. He then announced his sobriety and began playing the song "Uh Oh", which he had previously written to address his problems.[4][5]

Controversies

In March 2002, Scantlin and his then-fiancée, actress Michelle Rubin, were both arrested for allegations of domestic violence after witnesses reported seeing the couple fighting on the side of California's Highway 126 while on their way to a video shoot. Several witnesses reported seeing Scantlin forcing Rubin into a Jeep Cherokee driven by an unknown third person. Scantlin and Rubin were released after posting $20,000 bail each.[6]

During a February 22, 2004 show in Toledo, Ohio, Scantlin admitted to the audience that he was too intoxicated to continue after only four songs. Frustrated, his bandmates walked off.[7]

On September 24, 2007, Scantlin was banned from Graceland after entering an off-limits swimming pool.[8]

On December 11, 2011, Scantlin was pursued by the IRS for non-payment of back taxes in the region of $60,000.[8]

On April 4, 2012, Scantlin was arrested for cocaine possession, driving under the influence, and driving without a license in Culver City, California. He agreed to attend rehab to erase his potential five-year jail sentence.[8] On September 4, he was arrested for drunk and disorderly conduct on a cross-country flight from Boston to Los Angeles. The plane had to make an emergency landing in Austin, Texas, where Scantlin was charged with public intoxication.[9]

In May 2013, Scantlin was arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly dragged his ex-wife and pulled her by the arm or shirt.[10] In July, he was arrested on charges of felony vandalism after he used a buzzsaw to destroy property on his neighbor's patio.[11][12][13]

On January 4, 2014, Scantlin was sued by American Express for non-payment of debt.[8] During a show at Trees Dallas on April 16, he threw a microphone and beer into the audience, as well as appearing to threaten and attempt to physically attack members of the audience. He also received criticism as he appeared to be lip-syncing during the performance.[14]

On January 16, 2015, Scantlin was arrested at Denver International Airport after taking a joyride on a baggage carousel and entering a restricted area.[8] During a show on April 2, he smashed his guitar, headphones, and part of the drumkit before walking out.[15] On April 15, he was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.[16] On July 26, he was arrested in the early morning after leading sheriff deputies on a high-speed chase in excess of 100 mph through Renville County, Minnesota. He faced a felony charge of fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and two gross misdemeanors of driving under the influence, but the charges were dropped.[17][18] On August 5, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Sturgis, South Dakota.[19]

On January 10, 2016, Scantlin tried to re-enter the house he had lost via foreclosure the previous year, and was arrested for destroying property inside the residence.[20] On April 2, he was arrested at his Los Angeles home.[21] In February, during a concert in Northampton, Pennsylvania, Scantlin berated the sound manager and threatened to call the "Kansas City Mafia" on him before ending the show early.[22] On August 16, he was caught drinking just before a flight to Louisville, Kentucky. He was removed from the flight and had to cancel a scheduled performance in Louisville.[23] On August 23, Scantlin's neighbors called police after witnessing him rigging a fake bomb onto his vehicles in an attempt to deter thieves from entering them. The mock explosive, consisting of wires attached to the car motor and a gas tank, caused the bomb squad to be called and four surrounding buildings to be evacuated.[8][24][25]

On September 9, 2017, Scantlin was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he tried to board a plane with a BB gun. His bail was set at $850,000.[26]

Discography
Main article: Puddle of Mudd discography

References
  1. "Puddle of Mudd : Wes Scantlin : Lead Singer : Guitar". Puddleofmuddfanpage.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  2. Graham Hartmann (February 9, 2012). "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Signs Divorce Papers With Two Smiley Faces". Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  3. "Puddle of Mudd Frontman's Wife Attempts to Throw Out Prenup During Divorce Proceedings". Loudwire.com. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  4. "Puddle of Mudd doncaster 2017 Wes bizarrely apologises for walking off stage last year". YouTube. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  5. "Puddle of Mudd Wes Scantlin Interview - Sober & Recovered". YouTube. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
  6. Goodman, Abbey (March 11, 2002). "Puddle of Mudd Frontman Arrested After Fight With Fiancee – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved January 4, 2012.
  7. "Puddle Of Mudd Singer Speaks Out On Toledo Incident". Blabbermouth.net. March 5, 2004. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  8. "Wes Scantlin told off after his fake car bomb plot backfires". loudersound. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  9. Ethan Sacks (September 4, 2012). "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrested for antics during flight". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  10. "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Arrested for Domestic Abuse: Report". Billboard. May 14, 2013. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
  11. "Puddle of Mudd's Scantlin Arrested for Vandalism With Buzz Saw". Loudwire.com. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  12. "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin explains buzz saw-wielding arrest ahead of Utica concert". Syracuse.com. July 29, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  13. "Puddle of Mudd's Scantlin Arrested for Vandalism With Buzz Saw". Loudwire.com. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  14. "Puddle of Mudd singer in Dallas concert meltdown". Kegl.com. Retrieved May 8, 2014.
  15. "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Smashes Gear Onstage + Walks Out On Fans Mid-Performance". Loudwire. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  16. "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrest at Milkwaukee Airport". Today's TMJ4. Archived from the original on April 16, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  18. Cherveny, Tom (July 27, 2015). "Puddle of Mudd singer plays jail house blues in Olivia | West Central Tribune". Wctrib.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  19. "Wes Scantlin Arrested for DUI in South Dakota". Loudwire.com. August 6, 2015. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  20. "Wes Scantlin: Busted for Trashing the House ... He USED to Own!". TMZ.com. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  21. Posted 12:40 pm, August 4, 2015, by Trisha Bee (August 4, 2015). "Sheriff's Office releases report on Puddle of Mudd frontman Wesley Scantlin's April arrest | FOX6Now.com". Archived from the original on August 4, 2015. Retrieved May 30, 2020.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. Moser, John J. "Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin has another meltdown during concert at The Gin Mill in Northampton". mcall.com. Retrieved December 14, 2019.
  23. "Wasted! Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Misses Concert After Getting Drunk On Flight". August 16, 2016.
  24. "Wes Scantlin sparks bomb scare with car stunt".
  25. "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Gets Visit From Bomb Squad".
  26. "Puddle of Mudd Singer Wes Scantlin Arrested on Gun Charges".
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