Rockfest Band Review: PUDDLE OF MUDD

Being the first band to hit the Main Stage at Rockfest can be a tough gig. You have GOT to bring it. This is who gets to set the tone. This year, the scheduling gods hit it dead on. Puddle Of Mudd was chosen.

Why was this a good choice? Well, the lead singer Wes Scantlin is a Kansas City native for one thing. Puddle Of Mudd is releasing a new CD this summer (we hope). AND, it was Wes’ birthday. So, when Morning DJ Supreme Johnny Dare came on stage to do the intro, he found a horde of fans who were more than happy to sing “Happy Birthday” to our returning hero. Now, imagine the impact that would have on a musician who was already pumped to face one of the largest audiences he has ever faced! Yep, adrenaline had to be at max level.

Kicking things off with “Away From Me,” the boys got the crowd singing. Next came “Control.” Which is ironic, because that is when the audience, and Rockfest by extension, officially lost control. The crowd surfing and moshing began at this point.

My friend Marcus and I were about 60 feet from the stage. We stopped counting bodies that passed over us at 25. It was absolute insanity!

Wes kept it up with blazing versions of “Drift And Die,” “Blurry,” and their new single “Famous.” Now, I have always felt that Wes has a singing style that reminds me of Kurt Cobain. So it was no surprise that they then did a cover of a Nirvana song (the name escapes me right now – if anyone who was there can refresh my memory, I would appreciate it).

“She Hates Me” was the closer. By the time the last blistering note faded, I was worn out. Yes, it was a short set. Keep in mind that this was one band out of fifteen that day. Each one had to try to build on the wave brought out by the previous band. Puddle Of Mudd started it off with a tsunami.

Wes, I hope you enjoyed your birthday. I know I sure as hell did!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Father’s Day.  Not nearly as important as Mother’s Day, but still, a great day for a family.  A day to relax and enjoy being a father.  I simply did that today.  I am absolutely, irrevocably in love with my girls.  All of them.  From My Lovely Wife to my Oldest Daughter and my Youngest Daughter.  Did we do anything spectacular today?  Yep!  We were together for the most part of it.  That is all I need.

We did go out to Crown Center in Downtown Kansas City and let the girls (not My Lovely Wife, but the little ones) put on their swimsuits to play in the newly refurbished fountain.  They had a wonderful time running through the jet streams and playing in the mist.

Afterwards, they dried off and we ate lunch at Fritz’s in Crown Center.  For those of you who are not familiar (as I would imagine most of you reading this from outside the city would be), Fritz’s is a hamburger place based on a Railroad Theme.  There is a train track that runs overhead from all the tables.  Your food is delivered by this train carrying it in a box slung below the track.  As the train approaches its destination, an arm above the table drops to push the box onto an elevator thingy which then lowers your food to your table.  It is quite fun to be honest.  Everyone at the designated table smiles when they hear that arm drop.

That was the big part of the day.  Nothing special, just being together.  A good day.