A show in Austin March 12 is Puddle Of Mudd’s first Stateside gig this spring. Currently, they’re out in Europe with Staind, whom they toured with last year. They’ll play to crowds in the U.K., Netherlands, France, Germany, Sweden and Denmark before jumping the pond.

Although Puddle Of Mudd were heavily tipped to join Creed on their Weathered tour this year, the guys were passed over in favor of Tantric, a surprise move considering publicity for both camps had confirmed Puddle Of Mudd’s spot.

Puddle Of Mudd are a rare example that handing out demos at concerts can actually land a record contract. Legend has it that lead singer Wes Scantlin was at a Family Values show in Kansas when he gave his band’s demo to Fred Durst’s security guard. The tape made its way into Durst’s hot little hands and the rest, as they say, is showbiz history.

The new band is out in support of their debut, Come Clean, which was released last year on Durst’s Flawless label.