Category: news
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HEILUNG Trace Their Origins in New Podcast Episode
Kai Uwe Faust sits down with Ingrid Galadriel to trace the origins of the world-renowned Nordic collective World-famous collective featured by The New York Times, Forbes, The Guardian & more On their new podcast, HEILUNG are inviting longtime converts and newcomers into their sacred realm, where history and spirit converge into a healing ritual. Hosted by founding member, singer and shamanic […] -
“The Real Deal”: Former Puddle of Mudd Members Launch Savage Revenge Band After Decades of Frontman Drama

STREAM THE METAL BREAKDOWN DAILY BELOW:
The brewing tension behind one of post-grunge’s most notoriously unstable lineups has officially boiled over. Two long-term former touring members of the multi-platinum rock outfit Puddle of Mudd have broken away to launch a savage, highly pointed new tribute act dubbed X-Mudds.
Promoted explicitly as “the musicians who powered Puddle of Mudd for 10 years,” the project serves as a clear, definitive statement against frontman Wes Scantlin’s decades of erratic behavioral cycles, massive onstage meltdowns, and an astronomical band member turnover rate that has left the official group in complete structural chaos.
Ex-Members Reclaim the Catalog: “The Music is Back”
The foundation of X-Mudds is spearheaded by guitarist/vocalist Matt Fuller and veteran drummer Dave Moreno. Both musicians did multiple grueling stints handling the core instrumentation for Puddle of Mudd, most notably anchoring the touring lineup together through a turbulent decade from 2013 to 2023.
To handle the highly distinctive vocal parts originally recorded by Scantlin, the duo has recruited Gabe Maska—a performer who built a massive underground reputation fronting the widely acclaimed Nirvana tribute band Come As Nirvana.
The promotional rollout for X-Mudds pulls absolutely no punches, framing the new project as a direct rescue mission for the classic radio hits that defined the early 2000s post-grunge boom:
“THE TOURING MEMBERS. THE MUSIC. THE REAL DEAL. The musicians who powered Puddle of Mudd for 10 years are back!!”
By aggressively marketing themselves as the legitimate “Real Deal” anchor of the group’s classic live sound, Fuller and Moreno are presenting rock fans with an unprecedented alternative: the multi-platinum hits they love, delivered with total professional stability and zero percent chance of a sudden onstage collapse.
Check This Out – THE NORTHWEST INVASION: Best Grunge Albums Ranked – The 13 Most Essential Pillars of the Seattle Sound

Inside the 18-Member Revolving Door of Wes Scantlin
While the formation of a spin-off tribute group is rare in the active rock community, industry insiders view the emergence of X-Mudds as an inevitable breaking point. Puddle of Mudd’s historical ledger reads less like a standard band roster and more like an chaotic revolving door, with frontman Wes Scantlin operating as the sole surviving original constant.
At the moment, public records and historical band archives index a staggering 18 former members who have cycled through the group’s rhythm and lead sections. This exceptionally high turnover rate is directly tied to Scantlin’s highly publicized personal battles and erratic live behavior over the last two decades.
Notable incidents include a notorious disaster in Doncaster, UK, where Fuller, Moreno, and their bassist completely abandoned Scantlin mid-concert, walking off the stage after the frontman suffered an absolute psychological breakdown. Scantlin was left sitting alone on a stool in front of a cursing, hostile crowd before the venue cut his microphone and canceled the gig entirely. While temporary reconciliations kept the lineup afloat for a time, the formal launch of X-Mudds marks a permanent, un-crossable line in the sand.
Also – Grunge’s Grunge-iest: 13 Bands That Defined the Genre

FAQ: Puddle of Mudd vs. X-Mudds Split
Who exactly is in the new band X-Mudds? X-Mudds is a high-octane trio consisting of former long-time Puddle of Mudd lead guitarist Matt Fuller, veteran drummer Dave Moreno, and fronted by Gabe Maska from the Nirvana tribute circuit.
Are they allowed to legally tour playing Puddle of Mudd music? Yes. In the United States, venues pay performing rights organizations (such as ASCAP and BMI) broad licensing fees that allow any cover band or independent artist to perform registered catalog material live without needing direct permission from the original songwriter.
Where can fans see X-Mudds perform live this summer? The tribute act has locked in an initial trio of launch dates across the United States:
- 07/11 – Los Angeles, CA @ Cat’s Crawl
- 08/07 – Westland, MI @ Token Lounge
- 08/08 – Marion, OH @ Tiki Stik Fest
STAY LOUD: Catch the full, unfiltered analysis of the post-grunge spin-off wars on the Loaded Radio Daily Podcast. Visit LoadedRadio.com or download our free app now to stream heavy tracks 24/7.
TL;DR:
Former Puddle of Mudd touring veterans Matt Fuller and Dave Moreno have launched “X-Mudds,” a spin-off tribute group fronted by a Nirvana cover vocalist. The project serves as a stable alternative to original frontman Wes Scantlin, whose erratic behavior over the years led to 18 former members leaving the main band. Initial US tour dates drop this July and August.
Is launching an official spin-off tribute group the ultimate way for disgruntled musicians to reclaim their hard work, or should these former members move on to entirely original musical projects? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post “The Real Deal”: Former Puddle of Mudd Members Launch Savage Revenge Band After Decades of Frontman Drama appeared first on Loaded Radio.
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Irish dealers in dissident death metal, LEADBELCHER, sign to Apocalyptic Witchcraft!
Ireland’s Leadbelcher, purveyors of dissident death metal, have signed with Apocalyptic Witchcraft for the release of their debut album, Heaven’s Bloated Corpse… Leadbelcher spill outwardly from Ireland’s many rotting wounds, bringing forth a stinking blend of scum-laced death metal, corroded by the grinding blast beats of old, mixed with bile-ridden d-beat passages. Featuring a fleshed-out line-up of members from […] -
Atmospheric Black Metallers I PROÉLEFSI Release Ypógeio Vasíleio on Depressive Illusions
The story of I Proélefsi began in Chile in 2025, a vessel for the instrumental, atmospheric black metal endeavours of M Eidolon – a seeker of knowledge, truth and ancient wisdom. The first, self-titled I Proélefsi EP was released in 2025 and through its five musical movements it attempted to bridge the gap between self-awareness and a liberating connection with the […] -
Win a Signed Copy of Van Halen’s ‘New Haven 1986’ Live Album
Sammy Hagar's first tour with Van Halen is finally being released on vinyl. Continue reading… -
HEXORCIST to release ‘Crucificial Imprecations’ on July 31st
Invictus Productions is proud to announce July 31, 2026, as the official release date for Crucificial Imprecations, the second full-length album from Miami death metal tyrants HEXORCIST. Formed in 2019, Hexorcist immediately established themselves as a “total death” entity, channeling the spirit of the early 90s Florida scene with surgical precision. Crucified Imprecations continues this descent into the abyss, offering […] -
SLEEP CLUB Premiere The Title Track To Their Forthcoming Debut Album “Dweller”
Dwell on it.
The post SLEEP CLUB Premiere The Title Track To Their Forthcoming Debut Album “Dweller” appeared first on Theprp.com.
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DARKNESS SHALL RISE to release massive boxset for DISSECTION’s final album
Today, Darkness Shall Rise Productions announces August 13th as the international release date for a massive boxset of Dissection‘s third and final album, Reinkaos, on 6-CD and 7-LP vinyl formats. To celebrate the 20th anniversary since its original release, the album will also be available on brand-new standalone CD, vinyl, and cassette tape versions. Vedar-Gal Tiekals Somdus Azerate!Eleven to kill […] -
Pussy Riot Enlist Avenged Sevenfold For New Single “CANDY DOPAMINE”
It’s not the first time they’ve teamed up.
The post Pussy Riot Enlist Avenged Sevenfold For New Single “CANDY DOPAMINE” appeared first on Theprp.com.
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EMPEROR first headliner for Fortress Festival 5th anniversary
2027 UK exclusive performance from the Norwegian black metal band Fortress tickets available now via https://www.fortressfestival.co.uk/ Norwegian black metal pioneers Emperor have been confirmed as the first headlining act for the fifth anniversary of Fortress Festival set to take place on 29-30 May 2027 at the Scarborough Spa in North Yorkshire. This will be Emperor’s only and exclusive UK performance […]