Puddle of Mudd at the RISE ABOVE Fest 2012

Meadowbrook Pavilion, Gilford, NH
September 3, 2012
Review by Bridgette
Photos by Micah Gummel.
To view the entire collection of photography from this event, visit the NECR photo gallery HERE.

Puddle of Mudd
From Kansas City, MO, but also calling Jacksonville and Boston home, Puddle of Mudd is a band that has crossed more music genre lines, than the power lines that exist between these states. With hits like “She Hates Me,” “Drift and Die,” and “Blurry”  at #1 in the US Mainstream Rock Singles category alone, the band has sold over 7 million albums. Six albums in their catalog include two independent releases and four major labels, one of them was the first of  Limp Bizkit’s front man, Fred Durst’s label – Flawless Records. With a recent compilation collection “re:(disc)overed” which hit the merch outlets last August (2011), Puddle of Mudd as an alt-metal act, is a busy band that seems to be always in flight.
Meet Puddle of Mudd
Wesley Reid Scantlin (vocals/guitar)
Doug Ardito (bass guitar/backing vocals)
Christian Stone (guitar/backing vocals)
Shannon Boone (drums)
Adam (Dizzi Devereux) Latiff (guitar/backing vocals)
Wesley shouted to the wildly applauding RISE ABOVE crowd, “Ladies and Gentlemen, we will not be performing at all, unless you get up and stand up and have a good time!” The crowd stood up. “Control” had taken over. Puddle of Mudd was finding people, calling them out – “You guys better stand up!” “Out of My Head”  had Wesley huddled around his mike, as catchy hooks and rockin looks, sent us some multi-dimensional rock with a punk-metal edge.
The song, “Famous,”  fired people up as they started to clump together to rock out in the mosh pit. I saw a pair of fans escorted out by security, people were unraveled, everybody screaming.

Puddle of Mudd at the RISE ABOVE Fest, 2012

Wesley sat on the stage platform to “Drift and Die.” The Puddle of Mudd members were throwing bandannas and water bottles. Fans were so happy to hear their favorite Mudd songs live. The house lights came on and someone from backstage told Wesley to get down from his platform. He did not comply quickly, but continued to address the crowd while he was being directed otherwise.  “Away From Me” and “I’m So Sure” brought the party back on line and all the band were having a great time. “Psycho” lead the crowd clapping.
“Blurry” started off with a running bass line from Doug Ardito, that came through and the crowd went crazy, everyone was grooving.  “Will you shove it in my face?” Band members came to the edge of the stage, this night belonged to the fans. This crowd was in their zone.

Puddle of Mudd at the RISE ABOVE Fest, 2012

“Thank you so much! We’re Puddle of Mudd! We’re out of here!”
“She Hates Me,” had everyone singing and waving – belting out the uncensored version. The Puddle of Mudd members jumped up and down the platforms, waving to the audience, as strobes and drums from Shannon Boone swept over the crowd.
“We Love You!” Wesley screamed.
And just as quickly as the set had started and gas-lit this audience, Puddle of Mudd were gone, off to their next conquests across the country.

Puddle of Mudd at the RISE ABOVE Fest, 2012

Puddle of Mudd Set List:
Control
Out of My Head
Famous
Drift and Die
Away From Me
Stoned
Psycho
Blurry
She Hates Me