Wes Scantlin

Wesley Reid Scantlin (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
Wes Scantlin was born June 9, 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri. He graduated from high school in 1990 from Park Hill High School in Kansas City. As a child, Wes loved to fish and swim and hang out with friends on the lake. He played little league softball and soccer. Wes' mother bought him a guitar and amplifier as Christmas gifts, and this was his initial introduction to music.

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 Scantlin, born in 1997 from a previous relationship. Scantlin married Jessica Nicole Smith in January 2008. The couple filed for divorce in 2011, and the divorce was finalized in May 2012. His wife was featured in his music video Blurry.

Arrests
Scantlin has been arrested several times throughout his adult life. In 2002, he and his then fiancee, 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 were released after posting $20,000 bail each.

On September 24, 2007, Scantlin was banned from Graceland after entering an off-limits swimming pool. On December 11, 2011, Scantlin was pursued by the IRS for non-payment in back taxes in the region of $60,000.

On April 4, 2012, Scantlin was arrested in Culver City, California for cocaine possession, driving under the influence, and driving without a license. He agreed to attend drug counseling to erase his potential five-year jail sentence. On September 4, 2012, Scantlin was arrested while traveling on a cross-country flight from Boston to Los Angeles due to drunken disorderly conduct. The airplane had to make an emergency landing in Austin, Texas, where Scantlin was charged with public intoxication. In May 2013, Scantlin was again arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly dragged his ex-wife and then pulled her by the arm or the shirt. In 2013, Scantlin was arrested on charges of felony vandalism after he used a buzz saw to destroy property on his neighbor's patio. On January 4, 2014, Scantlin was sued by American Express for non-payment of debt.

Scantlin continued to face legal troubles in 2015; on January 16, he was arrested at Denver International Airport after taking a joyride on a baggage carousel and entering a restricted area. On April 15, he was arrested and charged for disorderly conduct at the Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On July 26, he was arrested in the early morning after leading sheriff deputies from Renville County, Minnesota on a high-speed chase in excess of 100 mph. Scantlin faced a felony charge of fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle and two gross misdemeanors of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI), but the charges were eventually dropped. On August 5, less than two weeks removed from his last arrest, Scantlin was arrested in Sturgis, South Dakota for driving under the influence.

Scantlin continued to face arrest in 2016; on January 10, he tried to re-enter the house he lost in foreclosure the previous year, and was arrested for destroying property inside the residence. On April 2, Scantlin was arrested at his Los Angeles home following a standoff with 30 armed police officers. On August 16, Scantlin was caught drinking just before a flight to Louisville, Kentucky. He was removed from the flight and so had to cancel a scheduled performance in Louisville. On August 23, neighbors called the cops on Scantlin for rigging a fake bomb onto his car in an attempt to deter thieves from entering his home. Scantlin's mock explosive, consisting of wires attached to the car motor and a gas tank, caused the bomb squad to be called and for four surrounding buildings to be evacuated.

On September 9, 2017, Scantlin was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after he tried boarding a plane with a BB gun, along with other charges. His bail was set at $850,000.

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.

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.

During a live performance on April 2, 2015, Scantlin had a meltdown, smashing his guitar, headphones and part of the drummer's kit.