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Mudcrutch

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Mudcrutch
Mudcrutch in 2008. From left to right: Benmont Tench, Randall Marsh, Mike Campbell, Tom Petty and Tom Leadon
Mudcrutch in 2008. From left to right: Benmont Tench, Randall Marsh, Mike Campbell, Tom Petty and Tom Leadon
Background information
OriginGainesville, Florida, United States
GenresSouthern rock, country rock
Years active1970–1975, 2007–present
LabelsShelter, Reprise
MembersTom Petty
Tom Leadon
Randall Marsh
Mike Campbell
Benmont Tench
Past membersJim Lenahan
Danny Roberts
Charlie Souza

Mudcrutch is an American southern and country rock band from Gainesville, Florida; best known for being the band that introduced Tom Petty to fame. They were initially active in the early 1970s, then broke up after Tom Petty and several members formed The Heartbreakers. Mudcrutch reformed in 2007 with most of the original lineup.

History

1970–1975

Mudcrutch was formed in 1970 by Tom Petty and Tom Leadon, who had been playing together in a band called the Epics. Mudcrutch's lineup consisted of Tom Petty (bass and vocals), Tom Leadon (guitar and vocals), Jim Lenehan (lead vocals), Randy Marsh (drums) and Mike Campbell (guitar). Leadon and Lenehan left the band in 1972 and were replaced by bassist/guitarist/vocalist Danny Roberts. Keyboardist Benmont Tench also joined the band. Ricky Rucker was a part of the band for a short time. Mudcrutch served as the house band at Dub's Lounge in its hometown of Gainesville, Florida.

Depot Street vinyl, signed by Mike Campbell

In 1974, Mudcrutch signed with Shelter Records and re-located to Los Angeles, California. The band released one single, "Depot Street" in 1975, which failed to chart. After Danny Roberts left the group, Petty invited Charlie Souza to take over on bass guitar and the band continued recording in Leon Russell's Tulsa Studio, and later at Leon's Encino California home. The band's record company broke them up in late 1975. Petty, Campbell and Tench went on to form The Heartbreakers in 1976 with fellow Gainesville natives Stan Lynch and Ron Blair.[1]

2007–2014

In August 2007, Tom Petty invited Randall Marsh and Tom Leadon, original members of Mudcrutch, to reunite with Heartbreakers Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell to reform Mudcrutch. They recorded an album, Mudcrutch, which was released on April 29, 2008, by Reprise Records, and contains 14 old and new tracks. "We would play and then we would just talk about the old days," said Tom Leadon. The band toured briefly in California to promote the album throughout April and the beginning of May 2008. The album hit number 8 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[2]

Fans who bought tickets to the tour through Ticketmaster were given six free downloads from their debut album.

On November 11, 2008 a live EP titled Extended Play Live was released. All the tracks were recorded live in April 2008. On the same day American music channel VH1 Classic broadcast a documentary about the band.

2015–present

According to Rolling Stone, Tom Petty's pre-fame band Mudcrutch intended to reconvene August 2015 to begin work on a new album. The group was originally going to begin work on the album in January of that year, but things were pushed back eight months due to the medical issues that the rhythm guitarist, Tom Leadon, experienced.[3] In February 2016, prior to the announcement that they were releasing a second album, Mudcrutch was announced as a headliner for both the 2016 Bunbury Music Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio and the 2016 Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, Illinois.

The band's second full-length album, 2, was released May 20, 2016, on Reprise Records. Preceding the album's release was the album's single, "Trailer," as well as "Beautiful World" and "Hungry No More." The album hit number 10 on the Billboard 200 albums chart.[4] Less than three days after the album was released, the band embarked on their first national tour in support of the album. The tour began the same way their 2008 tour did: with two benefit shows for the Midnight Mission (on May 23 and 24, 2016 in Los Angeles). Herb Pederson, who is also credited on 2, joined Mudcrutch on the tour.

Personnel

1971–1972
1973–1975
  • Tom Petty - lead vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica, bass guitar
  • Mike Campbell - lead guitar
  • Danny Roberts - rhythm guitar, bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Benmont Tench - keyboards, vocals
  • Randall Marsh - drums
  • Charlie Souza - bass guitar
2007–present
  • Tom Petty - lead & backing vocals, bass guitar
  • Mike Campbell - lead guitar
  • Tom Leadon - rhythm guitar, backing & lead vocals
  • Benmont Tench - keyboards, backing & lead vocals
  • Randall Marsh - drums

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • 1971: "Up in Mississippi Tonight" b/w "Cause Is Understood" (Pepper 9449)
  • 1975: "Depot Street" b/w "Wild Eyes" (Shelter SR-40357)
  • 2008: "Scare Easy" (March 25, 2008)
  • 2016: "Trailer" (March 25, 2016)

Also appears on

References

  1. ^ DeYoung, Bill. "Tom Petty: Full Steam Ahead" Goldmine July 13, 1990: 18–30
  2. ^ http://www.billboard.com/artist/311924/mudcrutch/chart
  3. ^ "Tom Petty's Pre-Fame Band Mudcrutch to Record New Album". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  4. ^ http://www.billboard.com/artist/311924/mudcrutch/chart
  5. ^ "Mudcrutch Official Website: Tour, Music, News, Imagery, Store". Mudcrutchmusic.com. Retrieved 2016-05-26.
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