Tom Petty reunites Mudcrutch for new album, shows

Before the Heartbreakers, there was Mudcrutch. A less appealing name perhaps, but Mudcrutch, Tom Petty’s original band, recently reunited for a new album. The group has finished recording, and in promotion of the new release (available April 29), has announced a number of intimate California shows this spring.

Petty fronted Mudcrutch in the early '70s after dropping out of high school at age 17 to join the band made up of guitarist Tom Leadon, drummer Randall Marsh, future Heartbreakers’ keyboardist Bemmont Tench and guitarist Mike Campbell. The group gained a following and fan base out of its native Florida, but broke up shortly after moving to California to pursue a record contract, never releasing a full-length album.

In a statement on the band’s fansite, Petty says “I just finished recording a record with Mudcrutch, my old band before the Heartbreakers. I am over the moon about it. I couldn’t have hoped for it to be as good as it came out.”

Mudcrutch will play several dates along the California coast in April, concluding with a four-night stay at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. Presale tickets will be available to Highway Companion Club members.

April
12 - Malibu, Calif. @ PAC Midnight Mission Benefit
14 - Santa Cruz, Calif. @ Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
16-17 - San Francisco, Calif. @ Fillmore
19 - Santa Barbara, Calif. @ Arlington Theatre
20 - Ventura, Calif. @ Ventura Theatre
22 - Alpine, Calf. @ Concerts in the Park
25-29 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ Troubadour