Wes Scantlin
| Wes Scantlin | |
|---|---|
 Scantlin performing in May 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Wesley Reid Scantlin |
| Born |
June 9, 1972 Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Associated acts | |
Wesley Reid "Wes" Scantlin[1] (born June 9, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and the only remaining founding member of the American post-grunge band Puddle of Mudd.
Early life
Scantlin was born in Kansas City, Missouri.[1] He graduated from high school in 1990 from Park Hill High School in Kansas City.
Career
Scantlin has been the guitarist and lead singer for the rock band Puddle of Mudd since they released their debut album, Stuck. They released their next album Abrasive in 1997. Four years later, with the addition of three new members, Come Clean was released in 2001. In 2003, the band released Life on Display. Then they released the album Famous in 2007. Most recently Puddle of Mudd released Vol. 4: Songs in the Key of Love & Hate in 2009. The first single off the album was "Spaceship".
Scantlin sometimes tours with Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell, playing acoustic Alice in Chains songs. He was also one of the musicians that participated in Alice in Chains reunion tsunami benefit show. Scantlin was one of the many artists who worked with Carlos Santana on his album, All That I Am, specifically on the song "Just Feel Better". The song was recorded with Scantlin and Steven Tyler; however, Tyler's version appears on the album.
Scantlin has been ranked in the Top 100 Heavy Metal Vocalists by Hit Parader (#96).
Scantlin was influenced by groups such as AC/DC, Aerosmith, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Van Halen.
Personal life
Scantlin has a son, Jordan, born in 1997 from a previous relationship.[2] Scantlin married Jessica Nicole Smith in January 2008.[3] The couple filed for divorce in 2011, and the divorce was finalized in May 2012.[4][5]
Legal troubles and controversy
Scantlin has had many run-ins with the law over the years, including arrests for several of his controversial acts.
Arrests
Domestic violence
In 2002, he and his then fiance actress Michelle Rubin were both arrested for allegations of domestic violence after witnesses reported seeing the couple, on their way to a video shoot, fighting on the side of Highway 126 in Piru, California. Several witnesses reported seeing Scantlin forcing Rubin into a Jeep Cherokee driven by an unknown third person. Scantlin and Rubin were both arrested and booked at the Ventura County jail and were released after posting $20,000 bail each.[6]
In May 2013, Scantlin was arrested on domestic violence charges after he apparently dragged his ex-wife and then pulled her by the arm or the shirt.[7]
Intoxication
On September 4, 2012, Scantlin was arrested while traveling on a cross country flight from Boston to Los Angeles because he was intoxicated. The airplane had to make an emergency landing in Austin, Texas. He was charged with public intoxication.[8][9]
On April 15, 2015, Scantlin was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct at the Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[10]
On July 26, 2015, Scantlin was arrested in the early morning hours after leading Renville County (MN) sheriff deputies on a high-speed chase in excess of 100 mph. Scantlin is currently facing a felony charge of fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and two gross misdemeanors of driving under the influence of alcohol.[11]
On August 5, 2015, less than one month removed from his last arrest, Scantlin was arrested in Sturgis, South Dakota for driving under the influence.[12]
On August 16, 2016, Wes was caught drinking just before a flight to Louisville, Kentucky. He was removed from the flight which caused him to cancel a scheduled performance in Louisville.[13]
Home troubles
In 2013, Scantlin was arrested on charges of felony vandalism after he used a buzz saw to destroy some property that was on his neighbor’s patio.[14][15][16]
On January 10, 2016, he tried to re-enter the house he lost in foreclosure the previous year, and was arrested for destroying property inside the residence.[17]
On April 2, 2016, Wes was arrested at his Los Angeles home following a standoff with 30 armed police officers.[18]
On August 23, 2016, Wes wired up two cars to try to deter thieves who were breaking into his car by attaching a radio to the underside of one vehicle with wires leading to the motor, while the second had wires leading from one door to the petrol tank. This resulted in neighbors reporting the incident to the police.[19][20]
Onstage incidents
During a 2004 show at the Headliners night club in Toledo, Ohio, Scantlin took the stage with his band, but after only four songs admitted to the audience that he was too intoxicated to continue. Frustrated, his bandmates walked off the set, leaving Scantlin by himself on stage.[21]
On April 16, 2014, Scantlin had an on-stage meltdown during a show at Trees Dallas, in which 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.[22]
During a live performance on April 2, 2015, Scantlin had a meltdown, smashing his guitar, headphones and part of the drummer's kit.[23]
References
- 1 2 "Wes Scantlin". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd : Wes Scantlin : Lead Singer : Guitar". Puddleofmuddfanpage.com. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ↑
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd Frontman's Wife Attempts to Throw Out Prenup During Divorce Proceedings". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ Graham Hartmann (February 9, 2012). "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Signs Divorce Papers With Two Smiley Faces". Retrieved 2012-09-22.
- ↑ Goodman, Abbey (March 11, 2002). "Puddle of Mudd Frontman Arrested After Fight With Fiancee – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Arrested for Domestic Abuse: Report". Billboard. May 14, 2013. Retrieved 2013-08-01.
- ↑ Ethan Sacks (September 4, 2012). "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrested for antics during flight". New York Daily News. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ↑ Eleanor Gower (September 5, 2012). "Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin arrested after 'fight over alcohol on flight, forcing plane into emergency landing'". Daily Mail. Associated Newspapers Ltd. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin arrest at Milkwaukee Airport". Today's TMJ4. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ↑ Cherveny, Tom (2015-07-27). "Puddle of Mudd singer plays jail house blues in Olivia | West Central Tribune". Wctrib.com. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
- ↑ "Wes Scantlin Arrested for DUI in South Dakota". Loudwire.com. 2015-08-06. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
- ↑ "Wasted! Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Misses Concert After Getting Drunk On Flight". August 16, 2016.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Scantlin Arrested for Vandalism With Buzz Saw". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin explains buzz saw-wielding arrest ahead of Utica concert". Syracuse.com. 2013-07-29. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Scantlin Arrested for Vandalism With Buzz Saw". Loudwire.com. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ "Wes Scantlin: Busted for Trashing the House ... He USED to Own!". TMZ.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- ↑ Michallon, Clemence. "Puddle Of Mudd's Wes Scantlin sees 30 armed police officers storm his LA home | Daily Mail Online". Dailymail.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
- ↑ "Wes Scantlin sparks bomb scare with car stunt".
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Gets Visit From Bomb Squad".
- ↑ "Puddle Of Mudd Singer Speaks Out On Toledo Incident". Blabbermouth.net. 2004-03-05. Retrieved 2015-08-11.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd singer in Dallas concert meltdown". Kegl.com. Retrieved 2014-05-08.
- ↑ "Puddle of Mudd's Wes Scantlin Smashes Gear Onstage + Walks Out On Fans Mid-Performance". Loudwire. Retrieved April 11, 2015.