Mudcrutch

Mudcrutch
Mudcrutch in 2008. From left to right: Benmont Tench, Randall Marsh, Mike Campbell, Tom Petty and Tom Leadon
Background information
Origin	Gainesville, Florida
Genres	Southern rock, country rock
Years active	1969–1975, 2007–present
Labels	Shelter, Reprise
Associated acts	Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Members
Tom Petty Tom Leadon Randall Marsh Mike Campbell Benmont Tench
Past members
Jim Lenahan Danny Roberts Charlie Souza

Mudcrutch is a Southern rock band from Gainesville, Florida best known for being the forerunner of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

History

Early Years

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), Randall Marsh (drums) and Mike Campbell (guitar). Leadon left the band in 1972 and was 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, Tom 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]

2008 return

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.

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.

Personnel

1971–1972	Jim Lenahan - lead vocals Tom Petty - backing vocals, bass guitar Mike Campbell - lead guitar Tom Leadon - rhythm guitar, backing vocals Benmont Tench - keyboards, vocals Randall Marsh - drums
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
2008	Tom Petty - lead vocals, bass guitar Mike Campbell - lead guitar Tom Leadon - rhythm guitar, backing vocals Benmont Tench - keyboards, vocals Randall Marsh - drums

Discography

Albums

• 2008: Mudcrutch
• 2008: Extended Play Live

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)

Also appears on

• 1995: Playback (box set compilation by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

References

1. ^ DeYoung, Bill. "Tom Petty: Full Steam Ahead" Goldmine July 13, 1990: 18–30

External links

• Mudcrutch | Home - official website
• Mudcrutch in 2008 - Coverage and photos of Mudcrutch's return.
• official youtube channel