Wes Scantlin

{{Infobox person

| name = Wes Scantlin

| image = Wes Scantlin 2011 (cropped).jpg

| alt = Scantlin singing onstage

| caption = Scantlin in 2011

| birth_name = Wesley Reid Scantlin

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|6|9}}

| birth_place = Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.

| children = 1

| spouse = {{marriage|Jessica Nicole Smith|2008|2012|end=div}}

| occupation = {{flatlist|

Singer
musician
songwriter

}}

| years_active = 1990–present

| module = {{Infobox musical artist|embed=yes

| background = solo_singer

| genre = {{flatlist|

}}

| instrument = {{flatlist|

Vocals
guitar

}}

| label = {{flatlist|

Flawless
Geffen
Hardknocks
Mudd Dog
Pavement
UMG
V&R

}}

| current_member_of = Puddle of Mudd

}}

Wesley Reid Scantlin (born June 9, 1972) is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. 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.

Early life

Wesley Reid Scantlin was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on June 9, 1972.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_pbECYPYlZcC&dq=wes+scantlin+1972&pg=PA202 | title=Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008 | isbn=9780898201741 | last1=Whitburn | first1=Joel | year=2008 | publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation }} He attended Park Hill High School in Kansas City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kansascity.com/entertainment/article300003.html|title=Puddle of Mudd gets homecoming welcome from big Midland crowd|first=Noah|last=Homola|date=May 16, 2014|website=The Kansas City Star|accessdate=May 22, 2023}}

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 who was born in 1997.{{cite web |url=http://www.puddleofmuddfanpage.com/scantlin.htm |title=Puddle of Mudd : Wes Scantlin : Lead Singer : Guitar |publisher=Puddleofmuddfanpage.com |access-date=January 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202213718/http://www.puddleofmuddfanpage.com/scantlin.htm |archive-date=February 2, 2012 |url-status=dead }} He married Jessica Nicole Smith in January 2008,{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-signs-divorce-papers-with-two-smiley-faces/|title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Signs Divorce Papers With Two Smiley Faces|access-date=September 22, 2012|date=February 9, 2012|author=Graham Hartmann|website=Loudwire }} and they divorced in May 2012.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-frontman-wife-attempts-to-throw-out-prenup-during-divorce-proceedings/ |title=Puddle of Mudd Frontman's Wife Attempts to Throw Out Prenup During Divorce Proceedings |website=Loudwire.com |date=February 9, 2012 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}

Legal issues and controversies

In March 2002, Scantlin and his then-fiancée, actress Michelle Rubin, were 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.{{cite web|last=Goodman |first=Abbey |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452833/20020311/puddle_of_mudd.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020603231451/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452833/20020311/puddle_of_mudd.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 3, 2002|title=Puddle of Mudd Frontman Arrested After Fight With Fiancee – Music, Celebrity, Artist News |publisher=MTV |date=March 11, 2002 |access-date=January 4, 2012}}

During a show in Toledo, Ohio, on February 22, 2004, Scantlin's bandmates walked off the stage in frustration after he admitted to the audience that he was too intoxicated to continue after only four songs.{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/puddle-of-mudd-singer-speaks-out-on-toledo-incident/ |title=Puddle Of Mudd Singer Speaks Out On Toledo Incident |website=Blabbermouth.net |date=March 5, 2004 |access-date=August 11, 2015}}

File:Wes Scantlin.jpg

On September 4, 2012, 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.{{cite news|url=http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-09-04/news/33587232_1_flight-attendant-flight-crew-la-bound-flight|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130061647/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2012-09-04/news/33587232_1_flight-attendant-flight-crew-la-bound-flight|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013|date=September 4, 2012|access-date=September 22, 2012|title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrested for antics during flight|work=New York Daily News|author=Ethan Sacks}}

In May 2013, Scantlin was arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly dragged his ex-wife Jessica Nicole Smith and pulled her by the arm or shirt.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/wes-scantlin-arrested-alleged-dui-fleeing-cops-article-1.2305854 |title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrested for alleged DUI, fleeing from cops |work=New York Daily News |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=November 19, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1561515/puddle-of-mudds-wes-scantlin-arrested-for-domestic-abuse-report |title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Arrested for Domestic Abuse: Report |publisher=Billboard |date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=August 1, 2013}} In July, he was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on charges of felony vandalism after he used a buzzsaw and sledgehammer to destroy property on his neighbor's patio.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-arrested-vandalism-buzz-saw-sledgehammer/ |title=Puddle of Mudd's Scantlin Arrested for Vandalism With Buzz Saw |website=Loudwire.com |date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.syracuse.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2013/07/wes_scantlin_arrest_puddle_of_mudd_utica.html |title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin explains buzz saw-wielding arrest ahead of Utica concert |website=Syracuse.com |date=July 29, 2013 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-arrested-vandalism-buzz-saw-sledgehammer/?trackback=tsmclip |title=Puddle of Mudd's Scantlin Arrested for Vandalism With Buzz Saw |website=Loudwire.com |date=July 25, 2013 |access-date=April 3, 2016}}

During a show at Trees Dallas on April 16, he threw a microphone and beer into the audience, and appeared 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.kegl.com/articles/s-you-should-see-330053/puddle-of-mudd-singer-in-dallas-12265018/ |title=Puddle of Mudd singer in Dallas concert meltdown |publisher=Kegl.com |access-date=May 8, 2014}}

On January 16, 2015, Scantlin was arrested at Denver International Airport after taking a joyride on a baggage carousel and entering a restricted area.{{Cite news|url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/wes-scantlin-told-off-after-his-fake-car-bomb-plot-backfires|title=Wes Scantlin told off after his fake car bomb plot backfires|work=loudersound|access-date=June 12, 2018}} During a show on April 2, he smashed his guitar, headphones, and part of the drum kit before walking out.{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-smashes-gear-walks-out-mid-performance/|title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Smashes Gear Onstage + Walks Out On Fans Mid-Performance|work=Loudwire|date=April 3, 2015 |access-date=April 11, 2015}} On April 15, he was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport.{{cite web|url=http://www.scrippsmedia.com/tmj4/news/Puddle-of-Mudds-Wes-Scantlin-arrested-at-Milwaukee-Airport-299827161.html|title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrest at Milkwaukee Airport|work=Today's TMJ4|access-date=April 15, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150416143101/http://www.scrippsmedia.com/tmj4/news/Puddle-of-Mudds-Wes-Scantlin-arrested-at-Milwaukee-Airport-299827161.html|archive-date=April 16, 2015}} 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.[https://cch.state.mn.us/pcchListOffenders.aspx]{{dead link|date=May 2020}}{{cite web |last=Cherveny |first=Tom |url=http://www.wctrib.com/news/3805621-puddle-mud-singer-plays-jail-house-blues-olivia |title=Puddle of Mudd singer plays jail house blues in Olivia | West Central Tribune |publisher=Wctrib.com |date=July 27, 2015 |access-date=August 11, 2015 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162129/http://www.wctrib.com/news/3805621-puddle-mud-singer-plays-jail-house-blues-olivia |url-status=dead }} On August 5, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Sturgis, South Dakota.{{cite web |url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-arrested-dui-south-dakota/ |title=Wes Scantlin Arrested for DUI in South Dakota |publisher=Loudwire.com |date=August 6, 2015 |access-date=August 11, 2015}}

On January 10, 2016, Scantlin tried to re-enter the Hollywood house he had lost via foreclosure the previous year, and was arrested for destroying property inside the residence.{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2016/01/10/wes-scantlin-arrested-house-vandalism/ |title=Wes Scantlin: Busted for Trashing the House ... He USED to Own! |website=TMZ.com |date=January 10, 2016 |access-date=February 3, 2016}} On April 2, he was arrested at his Los Angeles home.{{cite web|author=Posted , August 4, 2015, by Trisha Bee |url=http://fox6now.com/2015/08/04/sheriffs-office-releases-report-on-puddle-of-mudd-frontman-wesley-scantlins-april-arrest/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804182906/http://fox6now.com/2015/08/04/sheriffs-office-releases-report-on-puddle-of-mudd-frontman-wesley-scantlins-april-arrest/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 4, 2015 |title=Sheriff's Office releases report on Puddle of Mudd frontman Wesley Scantlin's April arrest | FOX6Now.com |date=August 4, 2015 |access-date=May 30, 2020}} In February, during a concert in Northampton, Pennsylvania, he berated the sound manager and threatened to call the "Kansas City Mafia" on him before ending the show early.{{cite web|url=https://www.mcall.com/entertainment/lehigh-valley-music/mc-puddle-of-mudd-singer-wes-scantlin-has-another-meltdown-during-concert-at-the-gin-mill-in-northampto-20160219-column.html|title=Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin has another meltdown during concert at The Gin Mill in Northampton|last=Moser|first=John J.|website=mcall.com|date=February 20, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2019}} On April 30, he was arrested for missing a court date. 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.{{cite web|url=http://radaronline.com/photos/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-concert-no-show-drunk-on-flight-photos/photo/1331639/|title=Wasted! Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Misses Concert After Getting Drunk On Flight|date=August 16, 2016|access-date=August 24, 2016|archive-date=August 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828035923/http://radaronline.com/photos/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-concert-no-show-drunk-on-flight-photos/photo/1331639/|url-status=dead}} On August 23, his neighbors called police after witnessing him rigging a fake bomb onto his vehicles in an attempt to deter thieves. 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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/entertainment-news/214607/Wes-Scantlin-sparks-bomb-scare-with-car-stunt|title=Wes Scantlin sparks bomb scare with car stunt|accessdate=May 22, 2023}}{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/puddle-of-mudd-wes-scantlin-visit-from-bomb-squad/|title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Gets Visit From Bomb Squad|website=Loudwire |date=August 23, 2016 }}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2017/09/10/wes-scantlin-arrested-gun-charges-puddle-of-mudd-concert-cancelled/ |title=Puddle of Mudd Singer Wes Scantlin Arrested on Gun Charges |website=TMZ |date=10 September 2017| access-date=22 May 2023}}

During a tour of England in October 2017, Scantlin apologized to the audience in Doncaster for his previous behaviour and admitted to struggling with addiction. He then announced his sobriety and began playing the song "Uh Oh", which he had written to address his problems.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDog51dBcCg|url-status=dead|title=Puddle of Mudd doncaster 2017 Wes bizarrely apologises for walking off stage last year|publisher=YouTube|access-date=May 30, 2020|archive-date=March 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306234137/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDog51dBcCg&gl=US&hl=en}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzTui6-R4UU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/hzTui6-R4UU| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|title=Puddle of Mudd Wes Scantlin Interview - Sober & Recovered |date=June 16, 2019 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=May 30, 2020}}{{cbignore}}

On February 20, 2023, Scantlin was arrested for misdemeanor trespassing after again showing up to his former Hollywood home that he lost years earlier due to foreclosure. According to the home owner, he refused to leave when asked and threatened her maid, prompting the homeowner to call the police. He was initially held on $1,000 bond, but was later released on personal recognizance.{{Cite web| url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/puddle-of-mudds-wes-scantlin-arrested-again| title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Arrested Again| website=Blabbermouth.net| date=24 February 2023| access-date=19 March 2023}}

On August 3, 2024, Scantlin was arrested after being pulled over in his black Hummer H2 for a traffic violation in Burbank, California. Officers said they found out he had an active warrant from a previous case for allegedly having a weapon at an airport. They asked him to get out of the car, but he refused; after several attempts, a crisis negotiator came to negotiate, but he still refused. Pepper spray and pepper balls were then deployed. Scantlin was then booked at the jail for the outstanding warrant and the new charge of resisting arrest.{{Cite web| url=https://www.tmz.com/2024/08/03/puddle-mudd-wes-scantlin-arrested-swat-standoff-swat-pepper-balls| title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrested after standoff w/ SWAT| website=TMZ| date=3 August 2024| access-date=3 August 2024}}

On March 15, 2025, Scantlin was arrested for felony domestic violence and drug charges in Torrance, California.{{Cite web |title=Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Arrested For Alleged Domestic Violence, Drugs |url=https://tmz.com/2025/03/15/puddle-of-mudds-wes-scantlin-arrested-domestic-violence-drugs/ |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=TMZ |language=en}}