Lead Singer of Rock Band Is Arrested After Scuffle

The lead singer of the rap-metal band Puddle of Mudd was arrested in Fillmore on Sunday morning for allegedly brawling with his fiancee while en route to shoot a music video, authorities said.

Wesley Scantlin, 29, was taken into custody on suspicion of injuring 31-year-old Michelle Rubin of Los Angeles. Rubin also was jailed on suspicion of inflicting injury, but both were released after posting $20,000 bond each.

According to Ventura County sheriff’s officials, Scantlin began fighting with Rubin on the shoulder of California 126 near Center Street in Piru about 8:30 a.m.

Several witnesses called police on their cell phones after Scantlin allegedly forced Rubin into his Jeep Cherokee. The vehicle, being driven by a third person, sped off toward Fillmore, authorities said.

An unidentified driver followed the couple and told authorities that Scantlin and Rubin were struggling in the vehicle.

Sheriff’s deputies and California Highway Patrol officers stopped the vehicle near Mountain View Street in Fillmore and arrested the pair after interviewing them. The reason for the argument was not disclosed.

Puddle of Mudd got its start when Scantlin, a Kansas City, Mo., native, gave a demo tape to Fred Durst, a Flawless/Geffen Records’ executive and front man for the band Limp Bizkit.

Durst liked Puddle of Mudd’s sound and signed the band as the first act of his new label, Flawless. The band consists of Scantlin, bassist Douglas John Ardito, guitarist Paul James Phillips and drummer Greg David Upchurch.

The rock quartet started in 1993 and named the band when water along the Missouri River flooded the basement of the house they practiced in and turned it into a “puddle of mud.”