Puddle of Mudd is a hard-rock band on the rise. The problem is, the band has been on the rise for nine years, since its debut album in 2001.

Now touring in support of its fourth album, Puddle of Mudd has become known as an underdog, a band with a string of hit singles but not much mainstream recognition.

But singer and guitarist Wes Scantlin, after betraying a bit of frustration, likes it that way. 

“If you call having nine or 10 hit singles ‘underdog,’ I guess we are,” Scantlin said. “I’ll be the underdog for my entire life. I want to stay that way because nobody ever sees you coming, dude. We’re like little ninjas. We write hit songs, and that’s it, man.”

The band’s status may be about to get an upgrade, though, as its song “Shook Up the World” debuted last week at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. The song is part of a soundtrack produced for the U.S. team. 

“That song’s for every sucker and every athlete who has tried to do what they love and didn’t get nothing for it, and one day the sun shines through the clouds and they get it,” Scantlin said.

“Shook Up the World” is overtaking “Spaceship,” the first single from Puddle of Mudd’s most recent album, “Volume 4: Songs in the Key of Love and Hate.”

“That song is about Muhammad Ali, man. I wrote that song one morning at 4 a.m. Muhammad Ali was on the TV, and he jumped up on the ropes and said he shook up the world,” Scantlin said.

Puddle of Mudd will perform Tuesday at Rushmore Plaza Civic Center with Chevelle, Cavo, Sick Puppies, Janus and New Medicine.

“We’re just going to get up there and rock it, man. There’s not much glitz and glamour about it. That’s for sure,” Scantlin said.

Contact Eric Lochridge at 394-8321 or

eric.lochridge@rapidcityjournal.com.