The secret? Forgive Wes Scantlin if he laughs.

The secret of Puddle Of Mudd’s ability to reach people in such large numbers is simple: there is no secret.

Here’s what it comes down to, suggests the band’s frontman: "Our music reaches people."

Nice work if you can get it, and this quartet not only tried but succeeded in a big, big way.

Their 2001 debut album, "Come Clean," did. Boy, did it ever come clean!

Selling over five million copies, it yielded at least four radio hits: "Blurry," "Control," "Drift and Die," "She Hates Me."

"Blurry" not only was played, it became the most played track on Modern Rock Radio for 2002, earning the ASCAP award for most played song of the year.

Geffen, their record company, says the band set a record for a new rock band in selling 116,000 copies of the debut CD in its first week of release.

Now, it’s onward and upward to, quips Scantlin, "the edge of existence to meet interesting other species and get to know their culture better so we can all come together as one entity in peace and rebellion."

Surprised at the success so far?

"It is always very surprising to get together out in the planet and play rock that we wrote," he says. "The only thing I ever loved is music. It doesn’t leave me on the beach in Mexico in a beautiful sunset alone."

It doesn’t matter what’s behind the name here, but the people behind the name. "We’re all kinds of different people living for one cause, offering emotions that are something very wonderful and enjoyable to other people, filling a void for truly passionate music for all kinds of listeners," he says.

Besides Scantlin on vocals and guitar, there’s Paul Phillips, guitar; Douglas Ardito, bass; and Greg Upchurch, drums.

"Every single member of this band has the biggest hearts in the world. None of us ever want to stop making magical music. It’s our dream," Scantlin says.

Now that dream turns to "Life On Display," Puddle of Mudd’s new CD. The band, Michael "Elvis" Baskette and "Come Clean’s" John Kurzweg produced it. "We all worked very hard. There’s always good times, there’s always tough times when you are writing about subjects and other emotions. It is and was a very vigorous time to deal with, but it is and always will be Puddle of Mudd."

Scantlin says the new CD represents total growth and musical experiences "jammed together for one purpose: rock’n’roll."

It takes time just like anything else, but it is more fun than ever to create music, he says. "It’s a very magical time. A lot of magical moments happen in the middle of the night."

The word from fans has been enthusiastic, he reports. "All of the fans have been telling me on a daily basis that they like the new record better than ‘Come Clean.’ But they’re really both just great albums and the third record will probably be better than all of them."

The group wanted "Come Clean" to sound like it sounds live, while keeping it basic with a minimum of overdubs. The result, they say is a bigger, rawer, sound.

Scantlin says he has kept his approach to songwriting. The group is drawn to a variety of subject matter, he says, including rebellion, love, aggression, passion, fear, sex, mental frustration, peace, harmony and a general expression of emotions "that excites your senses."

He says he continues to be motivated by his "inner demons and aggressions" that he has got to get out and onto tape. "I love to share my emotions with people. It helps me out and makes me feel amazing. And I think other people get the same feeling."

The artist says music has been a part of his life since before he was born. "My dad played rock records while I was developing inside my mother. So it’s been in my life forever and I thank God everyday for music being a major part of my life."

The music scene offers many different doors, Scantlin adds. "It’s always very diverse and interesting," he says.

Puddle of Mudd seems to be accepted into a lot of different people’s lives, Scantlin says, and that’s a wonderful feeling. "But I’m really not trying to fit in to any scene. Desperation is very unattractive."

Quite attractive to the members of Puddle of Mudd is the concert stage. "People should expect something surprising. You never know what might just happen at any rock show," he says. "It’s always very interesting and most likely crazy and fun. Everyone can just let go and enjoy life."

The beauty of live, he says, is "people having one experience together, letting out their inner emotions and just getting loose."

He loves the challenge of performing at the best of his ability even if he is tired or sick or something is bothering him. "I just go out and rock because that’s what I love to do."

He says he learns from everyone with whom he works. "You take a piece of all the different artists that you tour with and you learn from all experiences in your life," he says. "It’s always fun to watch interesting and other gifted musicians play together."

And it’s fun relationship for Puddle of Mudd and its fans. "We have so many extraordinary and lovely fans, there is no limit on age or race, and we love each and every one of them for all their love and dedication.

"Our fans are the best. They give us gifts, come to our shows, have a great time and I think they’re very passionate people. It’s kind of like a big and diverse relationship."

What does he want people to take from the band’s music?

"That love and light can save you from anything you experience in your journey through life," he replies