Puddle of Mudd singer Wes Scantlin is opening up about his long battle with addiction just as the band releases a new, deeply personal music video.
If you missed it, Wes was recently a guest of Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk, and he traced his struggles back to childhood, describing early exposure to substance use and decades spent around Alcoholics Anonymous.
“I started really, really early,” he said, adding that he was attending AA meetings as a kid while supporting his parents. “I’ve been going for about 43 years.”
Scantlin, who says he got sober in 2017 after returning to rehab, admitted the band’s early success only intensified the chaos.
“You get thrown into Hollywood… and I didn’t watch my own back enough. I kind of messed it all up.”
His history has included multiple arrests and public incidents over the years, from altercations and substance-related charges to onstage meltdowns. As recently as March 2025, he was arrested following an alleged domestic dispute and possession of a controlled substance.
But alongside that turbulent past, Scantlin is now channeling those experiences into new music.
The band has released the official video for “Free,” a track from their latest album Kiss The Machine (2025). Directed by Vicente Cordero and filmed in Los Angeles, the song leans directly into Scantlin’s personal journey.
“‘Free’ is about cutting out bad influences,” he explained. “People come into your life who aren’t your people. You’ve got to accept the ones who are trying to help you.”
The track carries a message of redemption and perspective, something Scantlin says comes from both lived experience and faith.
“Look up to God, ask Him for help… He’ll take you somewhere better. I hope people hear their own story in it. Get free. Stay free.”
Formed in 1991 in Kansas City, Puddle of Mudd rose to prominence with their 2001 breakout Come Clean, driven by hits like “Blurry” and “She Hates Me.” The band has sold more than seven million albums worldwide and remains a fixture of early 2000s post-grunge.
Their current lineup features Scantlin alongside bassist Michael Anthony Grajewski, guitarist Miles Schon (son of Neal Schon), and drummer Jon Smith.
With Kiss The Machine and tracks like “Free,” “Rain,” and “Monsters,” Scantlin appears focused on a new chapter, one shaped as much by reflection as it is by survival.
Good to see Wes continuing to battle on. Love his music and tenacity!
