Is It Wrong To Laugh At This?! 

"Hes still human..the guy from Puddle of Mud whose name i still havent bothered to find out"😂😂😂😂😂😂 I died😂😂😂

I had a *very* out of tune moment a few years back at a gig. I was covering If I Lose it by Charlie Simpson and on the line "We're holding on by the tips of our fingers--" my voice sort of locked up and out came this horrendous squeak. I can't even describe it. It sounded like someone threw a golf ball directly down my throat. Everyone started laughing and I was initially embarrassed but then I started laughing and a bloke offered to buy me a beer to clear my throat. I took it. Someone then jokingly said "he needs two" I took that one as well. Had a little laugh and 5 minute break, a few swigs of the beer and everything was fine. Nothing happened to me after being laughed at. It didn't make the people rude, ignorant, uncaring or unempathetic. What happened was funny. And laughter is a reflex. This cover is hilarious and Wes should see the funny side to it. We know he can sing. We know he's talented. This funny moment doesn't define him. It's just a brilliant light-hearted moment and it has happened to absolutely every singer on earth at some point. Whether they're singing in the shower or to a live audience.

When he sang “you hang me out to dry” I felt it really fitted the moment perfectly

I went to high school with Wes Scantlin. The original local version of the band was pretty good. It changed drastically when he moved south and signed with Fred Durst. Everyone in the band besides him are hired guns. They didn't know each other before they signed with Durst. His old bandmates are still in Kansas City.

Once you have tension in your vocal cords, you have no hope of hitting that note. He was tensing up in anticipation. Support and relaxation is the key. I feel sorry for this dude, nothing worse, especially being video recorded.

My question is, who heard him playing around with that song and thought is was a good idea to put it on radio/podcast. Can no one say 'no' to that man?

I’ve seen puddle of mud on more occasions than I would like too. It’s either great or awful, never in between. Wes has some serious issues with sobriety and it really just a matter of where his headspace is.

I truly appreciate how empathetic you are. You are such a nice guy. The easy thing would be to tear this performance apart but you take the high road. All credit to you

Watching that made every bone in my body hurt. He's singing it improperly. Kurt never screamed when he sang it, it was very controlled. Im gonna go shake this off now.

Kurt's voice did have a delightfully authentic gravel that is tempting to chase. The subtleties of where that raw melodic scratch comes from are not easily duplicated...even by a competent singer at the top of their game.

Justin sir, your compassion is humbly refreshing. Thank you.

04:10 Justin: 'i am still a human being. He's still a human being that bloke from PoM. Whose name I haven't bothered to find out.' 😂😂😂

This poor guy. I can feel the vocal cords slam together. I hope he's ok. Good on you for being nice.

I saw Puddle of Mudd 20 odd years ago and they were awesome. So when I 1st saw this I thought, who the hell made him do this? Could have been a big "comeback" moment for him and the band. Surely they rehearsed or at least made sure he could perform. An ill judged decision, I did laugh at 1st but then it dawned on me that this could have been the return of POM and I'd love too see them again but sadly I'm not sure many tickets would be sold off the back of this performance.

“I just want to hold him… not from behind or anything…” 😂😆

You're one of the only people I've seen on RU-vid giving any empathy to Wes. I've never been a big Puddle Of Mudd fan, but I know Wes has struggled with addiction, which led to him making a lot of really poor decisions that led him to jail multiple times. I think that abuse has led him to not take care of himself properly, and his ability as a singer suffered because of it.

I lost my voice in a band about 10 years ago now, it’s the bane of my life, I can barely speak, can’t talk in loud environments. It knocks your confidence a lot. Once it’s gone it’s gone and I will forever now live without the joy of singing…even in the shower

reminds me of what Nik Kershaw said about Simon Le Bon's bum note at Live Aid: "It happens to everyone of us, but please make sure it's not being heard around the world."

I'm in pain.........from laughter. Sweet baby jesu I can't................Justin Hawkins is a legitimate comedian.

When I first began voice lessons, I realized when your body is your instrument, it's way different than picking up wood and wires to play as expression. When I'd see public figures singing and maybe not doing so well (for a single performance or a short time over multiple performances) I'd cut them some slack - not knowing their health or what they'd been through, but it affects your voice like it doesn't affect a guitar, or drum, or keyboards. I don't know much about puddle of mudd, but I agree that this isn't really a good thing, and maybe he was having a rough day or week, and the result is being internet famous for a bad performance for ever. I can appreciate Justin's respectful analysis of why it went bad, but it's still a train wreck.

« His mind is probably a raging torrent with rivulets of thoughts cascading into a waterfall of self doubt » that is intense ! It should be you’re next song

God I used to love the Darkness when I was a wee sprite. Still do, of course, but I remember this bigger gal who was super hot used to wear this "The Darkness" concert shirt as she smoked Marlboro 100's behind the gym at our high school. She was the epitomy of small town desire.

“When it gets inside your head like that, you’ve got no chance” 😂😂😂

I have a Puddle of Mudd / The Darkness story from ~16 years ago. I had heard a story that Wes threw a fit and refused to play a show where The Darkness was also playing. I don't know the circumstances or if it's even true, but anyway. I worked with a girl who also worked at a radio station. She called me excitedly one day saying that she was having lunch with Puddle of Mudd. I asked her to tell Wes that my favorite band was The Darkness. I heard her tell him, and then I heard him swearing and upset about it. Thanks for all the years of music, Justin, and thank you for this channel.

He needs to take a BIG DRINK of that Water!!! Poor guy! Love ya Justin... Your very kind!!

“I would like to hold him…. Not from behind…” ha ha - I almost peed myself from laughing.

My primary school teacher Mr. Lovell used to call me Justin because I had long hair and The Darkness just released that song. I think I was the only boy with long hair. I'm 29 now and life is shitty. 👍

Your acoustic sounds really good

“He shouldn’t be doing this” Yep, summed up nicely. I’ve played with people who insisted on doing songs that are completely wrong for them because it’s their favorite song or “people love this song!” (not when you do it...).

Look at it this way. Puddle Of Mudd has provided the public with a nugget of absolute comedy gold. They are entertainers, and that performance is entertaining as hell. And it will live forever. Much longer than any of their tunes will, most likely. If I'm having a bad day, I will load that video up, and all my troubles just fade away into laughter. Thank, you Wes. And, honestly, if they would've just said they were having a bit of fun with it and pulling a prank, I think they could've gotten away with the whole thing.

I laugh every time I’m reminded of this cover

This was one of the few things to distract me from my overwhelming grief after my sweet doggo Zod died yesterday.

3:27 I started laughing after the first line, because I knew what could - and did - come. (Quote from "Blazing Saddles") 😂 ,,, and the little half-bottle of water...I am dying here! "Give him a day off... *thought struck*... no, give him 365 days.. Give him a year off!" 🤣🤣

Greetings from germany. I had the chance to see you perform live here. Love your music and your channel.

When talking about contemporaries of Puddle of Mudd, I was fully expecting him to say "Please enjoy...The Darkness" hahaha

Epic Intro!!!! ....now, to watch the rest of the video.

I can’t breathe. I’m snort laughing so hard. I just 💀

"Cascading into a waterfall of self doubt!" - Justin Hawkins

I'm very slightly suprised Justin didn't mention how challenging singing this song is in chest voice, which is what the singer tried to do... like Cobain did.

To his credit....he didn't hold back, he gave it his all.

"Scantlin has been accused on numerous occasions of lip syncing during live performances". Now we know why. On another note, I've had The Darkness Motorheart on repeat for a couple of weeks, love the album. Favorite songs: Jussy's Girl, Speed of the Nite Time, Motorheart, So Long. Not a bad tune in the bunch.

Lost on everyone is how fire Justin’s sweater is

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂Lmao. The second he starts singing the guy says "ja I think he's ill" 😂😂😂😂😂 amidst the image of the POM singer having that "I just pooped my pants" look... I don't know why but that was freaking funny

Puddle of mudd apparantly said " it was late night and I was sick, it happens".

Rivulets. Great word! I love your descriptions and analysis.

Good to see you’ve worked out the end of the intro by now

been binging on Justin and the Darkness Live shows and the Taylor Hawkins Tribute sets he did in LA & London. the man is brilliant, clever, charming, full of a joy for music. 🤘

"He's only go' 'ha' li'le bo'oh'o'wa'er"🤣

This could be the world's greatest throat lozenge commercial. If they could soothe that voice I'd eat them like candy.

"...cascading into a waterfall of self-doubt..." it took all my self-control not to say "ditto, Headley Llamar." Lol

Fuck I wanna cry for him. I hope he’s gotten his voice well again

*I think he’s ill!!*🤣🤣🤣 god I love u Justin !! 💖💖💖💖 ur so beautiful in ur words x x

Oh dear! Heard someone once make a similar noise to this whilst being thrown off a cliff!

We now know he was at days end and his 7th radio performance of the day! He said he knew better but didn’t want to say no…

Justin, love your channel, man! Keep up the awesome work.

He keeps adding to the intro ... one day he will release the finished work as a concept album... two disc set!!! haha

90% of the time this is what I sound like if I’m not in the right key. I imagine if they’d have just gone down a bit, it would’ve been manageable? Great video man, also you remind me of Robin Gibb for some reason 😅

"when you see someone get booted in the testicles, you can feel it", such a great comparison! Totally, you watch the video and you feel the pain! Agreed, he shouldn't be doing it!

😂😂😂 Love you Justin! Puddle of mud guy is tired the poor guy.... Hahaha

Great Blazing Saddles/Harvey Corman reference!

Guy at work just let me know about this channel. Very happy to have found it!

“This feels like watching someone get kicked in the nuts…….. please, enjoy the music of Bush.”

"I just want to hold him" 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

I think Wes has had his own problems. He's a big Nirvana fan. His vocals on Come Clean are pretty good. It's a good album with some good tracks.

I’m glad you said he’s still a human being. It’s painful.

Justin Hawkins, much love from Canada 🇨🇦 love your videos laughing all the way to work...definitely new subscribe r...luv it !

You have a very nice way of taking the piss ..empathetic pissery haha . Keep up the good work sir . Great personality ✌🤘

I think Wes Scantlin's main problem is he is trying to hard to be Kurt Cobain and is a little out of his range.

"Rheeeeeeeee" - Wes Scantlin

Wes Scantlin has covered this song before and nailed it, something was off for him this day. I wish he would have done another take of it.

Intro is evolving over time Love it!

This is the point,Where your manager, band mates or the guy holding the camera. Tells the singer "Yeah mate. this cover is not a good idea"

I'd like to hear your thoughts on how skilled Kurt was at playing guitar. I've heard wildly varying opinions on his level of competence but I'd be interested in hearing what you think about his playing. I understand he started relatively early, around age 14 or so which gave him a bit of time to practice although from what I understand his home environment wasn't particularly stable so the time to practice might not have always been there. Cheers.

As someone who plays and sings, I focus on drinking. It makes everything feel better and sound better.

Poor man. I hope he didn't do further damage to his voice. Why wouldn't someone have the same empathy as Justin and stop it?

The heartbreaking thing is he could sing this at one point. There is live footage of him nailing it. I mixture of substance abuse and bad circumstance also gave us this performance where his voice was clearly wrecked. What so many non-singers fail to realise is the human voice is an extremely delicate instrument. More so than any manufactured instrument. A guitarist could go up on stage hung over and exhausted and deliver a studio identical performance. A vocalist has to baby their voice. Constantly maintain it, avoid even the slightest damage and always be at peak health and fitness otherwise it will suffer. They ARE the instrument and if they don’t look after themselves it will show. It is very hard to keep a voice in perfect condition day after day.

I have no idea why I watched this just now and not a year ago!

His name is Wes Scantlin and he's from Kansas City, Missouri. He left his band here behind when he was offered a recording contract. He's a drunk and goes to jail regularly. I'm sure he's back here somewhere.

You are the best Justin

"I want to hold him, not from behind" ~ #classic #rollingonthegroundlaughing

A most excellent jumper, sir.

Diggin the knit wear Justin

5:05 Justin's reaction to "clue".

Love, love, love Justin, he’s witty and funny but never cruel when he’s reacting to something that is clearly bad.

Nice little opener there

Wes sounds like he's trying to sound like Kurt Cobain but without the compression that Kurt could pull off.

He sounds like a character from South Park that’s trying to sing a Nirvana song.

Lol ha ha ha ha ha ha ha jesus that was English humour at it's very best Justin. The nice way you dealt with that awful awful rendition of About A Girl. In stitches.

oh my Justin you need to keep that intro!

If I were the Puddle of Mudd guy, I would have stopped the recording immediately. It's a weird feeling when you go to hit a note and you just can't do it. I'm not a proper singer but I do write songs and I sing them while I'm writing them. This reminds me of when I go for a note that my head says YES to, but my actual vocal ability says NO! Something was obviously wrong, and I would have just stopped recording the performance.

This is friggin’ hilarious! 😂

I laughed so much I spat my drink out.

First time here, gave a like and a sub just because of that intro! lol, amazing

You can almost see pieces of his vocal chords flying out of his mouth.

You should have done 'Justin Hawkins rides Again," but with belting vocals off key.

I gotta laugh 🤣 I’m just a bedroom guitarist and that sounds something like me when I “sing” 🤣 I feel for the poor bastard😊

A man has to know his limitations...

I need an easy friend, Justin Hawkins Rides again.

Your intro is even funnier 😂

They did a press release after. He was ill and they played a set the night before. The were obliged to do that radio show so he did the best job he could manage.