Puddle of Mudd at The District in Lafayette, LA

Nineties platinum-selling alt-rockers Puddle of Mudd stopped by The District, reminding everyone why they have been around for over twenty years.

Formed in 1991, Puddle of Mudd received their big break in 2001 with the release of their triple platinum selling album Come Clean, which spawned their hits “Blurry,” “Drift and Die,” and “She Hates Me.” The years following their initial success saw frontman and last original member Wes Scantlin involved in controversy, from canceled shows to accusations of lip syncing to arrests for disorderly or drunken behavior.

All of that, however, seems to be in the past. Scantlin has gone to rehab and gotten his life together, crediting his family and fans for the strength to get better. He has even promised fans new music from Puddle of Mudd. The band hasn’t released an album since 2011 so fans can hopefully finally get some fresh music from the band. In the meantime, catch them on tour to hear what made them big in the first place.

Lafayette’s local music scene was well represented. Paper Heart opened the evening. The crowd might have been light, but the boys really brought it. They played a mix of covers and originals and should not be disregarded as a local cover band. They really sounded great.

Next up was Bleach. Although their rap/rock sound is reminiscent of Rage Against the Machine, they have their own style and a great stage presence. It’s no wonder they have quite a local following. Lead singer Trevor Meaux jerked and jumped around the stage to the drummer’s every beat.

The Other LA played next and they were a huge surprise. Seemingly in the minority of not being aware of them, the crowd was noticeably larger and with good reason. Purple haired lead singer Aria Fowler was electric. She and the rest of the band had an infectious energy. It was hard not to get into it.

But Puddle of Mudd was what the people came to see. The wait was a little long between The Other LA and the main event. The crowd was getting a little antsy, but as soon as Wes and the guys took the stage, the wait was a forgotten memory. They started with their hit “Control” but surprised the crowd by breaking into the classic Black Sabbath song “War Pigs.”  True to themselves, Wes dedicated “Drift and Die” to the troops, telling them, “Thank you for kicking ass.” Admittedly, the doubt that Wes could hit those same notes lingered, but by the second chorus, he proved that he still has the voice.

As great as the show was, the crowd really made it special. They started singing “Psycho” before Wes could even start the first line. And they went nuts when they heard the first notes of “She Fucking Hates Me.” Phones were out in force and Wes and the band was almost drowned out by the voices in the audience. A beach ball was thrown into the air and the band would kick it back out when it would come on stage. The vibe was completely fun and wild and chaotic in all the ways that a live show should be.

The band ended the set with their huge hit “Blurry.” Wes left the stage before the very end, allowing guitarist Matt Fuller, bassist Michael Adams, and drummer Dave Moreno to really shine.

PUDDLE OF MUDD
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PAPER HEART
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BLEACH
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THE OTHER LA
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THE DISTRICT
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About Amy Breaux 18 Articles
Amy is a live event and street photographer from the heart of Cajun country. When she's not shooting festivals and shows, you can find her roaming the streets of New Orleans capturing the uniqueness of her favorite city on Earth.

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