Piece of the Action (Puddle of Mudd song)

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"Piece of the Action"
Single by Puddle of Mudd
ReleasedSeptember 21, 2014 (2014-09-21)[1]
Recorded2014
Genre
Length4:11
Label1586 Touring, Inc.[2]
Songwriter
ProducerCameron Webb
Puddle of Mudd singles chronology
"Gimme Shelter"
(2011) 		"Piece of the Action"
(2014) 		"Uh Oh"
(2019)
Music video
"Piece of the Action" on YouTube

"Piece of the Action" is a song by the American rock band Puddle of Mudd.[3] The song was released independently as a single on September 21, 2014, marking the band’s first independent release without the backing of a major record label since 1997.[4] At the time of its release, "Piece of the Action" was initially intended to serve as the lead single for their then-untitled upcoming seventh studio album, however, due to lineup changes, and constant controversy surrounding lead singer Wes Scantlin that included several arrests and erratic behavior, and struggle with addiction the album was ultimately scrapped, making the release a stand-alone single, the first and only time the band released a non-album single in its history.[5][6]

Background and production

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Following the release of their covers album Re:(disc)overed in 2011, Puddle of Mudd entered a period of period of turmoil with lead guitarist Paul Phillips exiting the band in November 2011,[7] and bassist Doug Ardito departing in early 2014,[8] leaving Scantlin the only remaining member. Despite an unstable lineup, Scantlin recruited a revolving door of session musicians to go on tour with, keeping the band touring extensively throughout that timeframe while writing new songs and new ideas for a new album while traveling show-to-show on their tour bus.[9]

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In April 2014, Scantlin was arrested in Dallas, Texas after having an on-stage meltdown, resulting with an intoxicated Scantlin injuring a fan in the crowd by throwing his microphone at them from the stage that caused paramedics being called out to the scene. Shortly after the Dallas incident, in May 2014 Scantlin and Puddle of Mudd became entangled in a lawsuit filed by Cleopatra Records. The label filed a lawsuit for breach of contract after they claimed to have paid Scantlin $90,000 in advance for a new 14 song Puddle of Mudd album containing 10 brand new songs and four re-recorded songs of their biggest hits, but stated he failed to deliver the new music within the agreed timeframe, prompting Cleopatra to sue for the delivery the songs or pay them $45,000 in damages, as well as the present and future value of the recordings. Scantlin did neither and ultimately highlighted the perception of dysfunction surrounding the band that would follow for the next few years.[10]

Recording

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The lineup situation stabilized upon the recruitment of drummer Dave Moreno, lead guitarist Matt Fuller, and bass player Michael John Adams in mid-2014, and together with the new lineup "Piece of the Action" was recorded at Grandmaster Studios in Hollywood, California throughout the band's July-August recording sessions.[11][12]

Following Scantlin's sobriety in 2018, and the band signing a new record deal with Pavement Entertainment,[13] Scantlin opted to abandon the work made on the album between 2012-2017 and record all brand new material for Welcome to Galvania (2019), excluding "Piece of the Action" from its tracklist.[14]

Composition and sound

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"Piece of the Action" is rooted in the post-grunge and alternative rock sound that characterized much of Puddle of Mudd's earlier work.[15] The track features overdriven guitar riffs, a steady mid-tempo rhythm, and frontman Wes Scantlin's raspy vocal delivery. The production emphasizes a raw, unpolished tone.

Release and promotion

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"Piece of the Action" debuted digitally on September 21, 2014.[16][17] Though released without formal announcement, it received mention in music press ahead of the band’s fall 2014 tour.[18]

Critical reception

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Several online sources noted similarities between the track's sonic qualities and the music of Nirvana.[19] In particular, Scantlin's vocal phrasing and the song's chord progression were compared to the style of Kurt Cobain.[20]

Track listing

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No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Piece of the Action"
4:11
Total length:4:11

Personnel

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  • Wes Scantlin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, songwriting
  • Matt Fuller – lead guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael John Adams – bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Moreno – drums, backing vocals

Technical personnel

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  • Cameron Webb – producer, engineer, mixing

References

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  1. ^ "Puddle of Mudd Release New Single 'Piece of the Action,' Announce US Tour". www.musictimes.com. Staff Reporter. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Puddle of Mudd - Piece of the Action - 1586 Touring, Inc - Release History". www.discogs.com. Puddle of Mudd. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  3. ^ "Puddle of Mudd - Piece of the Action (2014 Self-released Single)". Spirit of Metal. Spirit of Metal Staff. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  4. ^ "Puddle of Mudd Release New Single 'Piece Of The Action' Ahead of Fall 2014 Tour". www.loudwire.com. Chad Childers. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  5. ^ "The Troubled History Of Puddle Of Mudd". www.grunge.com. PAULI POISUO. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Puddle Of Mudd - Piece Of The Action - 2014 Independent Non-Album Single". heavymetalbest.com. Heavy Metal Best Staff. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  7. ^ "Puddle of Mudd regroups, will play rescheduled show Sunday at Intersection". www.mlive.com. Brian VanOchten. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  8. ^ "Puddle Of Mudd Have Another Line Up Change". www.rock-zone.co.uk. Sue. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  9. ^ "Puddle Of Mudd Bring Their Action to El Rey". entertainmentvoice.com. Monica Gregg. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  10. ^ "Label Claims Puddle of Mudd Didn't Deliver". courthousenews.com. Matt Reynolds. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  11. ^ "Puddle of Mudd to perform new music, latest single "Piece of the Action" at Green Bay Distillery". www.greenbaydistillery.com. Staff. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  12. ^ "Puddle Of Mudd Return With New Song and Tour". www.antimusic.com. Staff. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  13. ^ "PAVEMENT signs Puddle of Mudd to record deal, announce first new album in 10 years". www.pavementmusic.com. Pavement. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  14. ^ "Interview With PUDDLE OF MUDD's Wes Scantlin About new Album 'Welcome to Galvania'". www.screamermagazine.com. Renee Silverman. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  15. ^ "About the Band: Puddle of Mudd". www.puddleofmudd.com. Pavement. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  16. ^ "PUDDLE OF MUDD frontman Wes Scantlin says that fans can expect to hear fresh music from the band next year". Pure Rock. Jay Ramone. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  17. ^ "Revamped Puddle of Mudd wants 'Piece of the Action'". www.postcrescent.com. Mike Thiel. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  18. ^ "Puddle Of Mudd grab a Piece Of The Action". www.loudersound.com. Scott Munro. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  19. ^ "Puddle of Mudd "Piece of the Action" sounds like a Nirvana song with words penned by Motley Crue lyricist Nikki Sixx and other 5 things to know about 'She Hates Me,' 'Blurry' hit-makers before Madison show". www.al.com. Matt Wake. Retrieved 23 October 2025.
  20. ^ "Puddle of Mudd - Piece of the Action (Single) (2014)". alterportal.net. Staff. Retrieved 23 October 2025.