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

History
 

Early Years

Mudcrutch was formed in 1967 by Tom Petty and Tom Leadon, who had been playing together in a band called the Epics. Mudcrutch's lineup consisted of Petty (bass and vocals), 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. Much like The Beatles at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, 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.
 

2008 return

In August 2007, Tom Petty invited original members of Mudcrutch Randall Marsh and Tom Leadon 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.