Creed
Biography
During the late '90s, Creed emerged from a veritable sea of post-grunge contenders to become one of the decade's biggest-selling rock bands. At a time when many other Seattle disciples were lapsing into inactivity or experimenting with less commercial sounds, Creed carried the torch of straightforward, grungy hard rock without apology -- and they were amply rewarded, selling millions upon millions of albums in just a few years' time. That success didn't translate into critical acclaim, however. Many reviewers slammed the band's music as derivative, and frontman Scott Stapp was lambasted by publications like Rolling Stone for being "irony-deficient, Jesus-haired and often shirtless in a way that reminded people of the guy from Lord of the Dance." Based on their frequently spiritual lyrics, some observers deemed Creed part of a new breed of alternative-styled Christian bands, an affiliation that Creed actively tried to downplay. Neither critical derision nor a potential secular backlash could derail the band, however, and they went into the new millennium as a seemingly unstoppable commercial juggernaut. Ultimately, it was Stapp's substance abuse and increasingly erratic behavior that brought an end to Creed's heyday in 2004.
The remaining members partnered with vocalist Myles Kennedy to form Alter Bridge, while Stapp briefly pursued a solo career before reconvening Creed in late 2008.
Creed took root in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Founding members Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti had been classmates in high school and both attended Florida State University, where Stapp studied law before dropping out to pursue music (a decision that led to conflict with his anti-rock & roll parents, as his father was a Pentecostal minister). Stapp and Tremonti began writing songs together, many of which obliquely addressed themes of Christian spirituality, and added a rhythm section consisting of bassist Brian Marshall and drummer Scott Phillips. As an alternative to the band's original moniker (Naked Toddler), Marshall suggested the name Creed, having previously played in another band dubbed "Mattox Creed." Now boasting a new name and a muscled, modern rock sound, Creed went on to form their own label, Blue Collar, before entering the recording studio in 1997 with producer John Kurzweg. Recorded on a shoestring budget of $6,000 and initially self-released in a limited run, the debut album My Own Prison was soon picked up by Wind-Up Records -- a fledgling imprint with distribution through Sony -- and treated to a beefy remix that gave it a heavier, radio-friendly punch. The trick worked, as My Own Prison subsequently spun off no less than four number one singles -- "My Own Prison," "Torn," "What's This Life For," and "One" -- on Billboard's mainstream rock radio charts, making Creed the first band to accomplish the feat with its debut album. My Own Prison proved to be extremely popular, moving over five million copies over several years' time despite little MTV exposure or media coverage.
Although Creed saw a good deal of competition from their post-grunge contemporaries, the band's sophomore album demonstrated their staying power. Released in the fall of 1999 (when tracks from My Own Prison were still peppering the Billboard charts and radio playlists), Human Clay turned out to be a blockbuster, entering the charts at number one and selling a whopping ten million copies over the next two years. The album's leadoff single, "Higher," spent a record-breaking 17 weeks at number one on rock radio, and the follow-up singles "What If" and "With Arms Wide Open" topped the chart as well. This gave the band seven consecutive chart-topping hits on rock radio. "With Arms Wide Open" also gave Creed their first number one pop hit; several months later, the song won a Grammy for "Best Rock Song."
During the summer of 2000, bassist Brian Marshall made headlines for criticizing Pearl Jam's recent songwriting style during a radio interview; he later apologized, and Stapp distanced the rest of the band from Marshall's comments on Creed's website. Months later, as the band readied itself for an American tour, it was announced that Marshall was no longer a member of Creed. He was quickly replaced by touring bassist Brett Hestla (also of Virgos Merlot) and later formed a new band, Grand Luxx, with his old bandmates from Mattox Creed. That same summer, Stapp was goaded into a brief media feud with Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst, who launched into a profane tirade against Stapp at a summer festival that both bands were playing. Although Stapp later blasted Durst's business tactics (as senior VP at Interscope), claiming they stemmed from a "mobster mentality," things soon reverted to normal as the band returned to the studio.
Creed worked on their new album for much of 2001; although Hestla remained in the touring lineup, Tremonti chose to handle the bass parts himself, preserving the band's initial core. Weathered was then released in November 2001, entering the charts at number one and tying a record (among other number one debuts) by remaining there for eight straight weeks; during that two-month time, it also sold a staggering five million copies. The first single, "My Sacrifice," was a Top Five pop hit that spent nine weeks atop the rock-radio charts. "One Last Breath" also demonstrated the band's crossover appeal by faring well on both charts.
Stapp was involved in a car accident in April 2002 and suffered both a concussion and vertebrae damage. Creed initially canceled the rest of their tour, but Stapp recovered quickly, allowing the band to reschedule most of their show dates during the summer. Stapp's health was slipping in other ways, however, as he developed an addiction to Percocet and began taking a host of other medications on the road, including Xanax and throat steroids. The tour concluded with an infamous performance in Chicago, during which an obviously intoxicated Stapp performed one song whilst lying on his back. Such problems quickly led to the band's unraveling.
Wind-Up Records officially announced the breakup of Creed in June 2004. Over the course of ten years, the band had sold over 30 million albums worldwide and became one of the biggest touring draws of the '90s. Founding members Mark Tremonti, Scott Phillips, and Brian Marshall went on to form Alter Bridge with ex-Mayfield Four frontman Myles Kennedy. Scott Stapp went on to issue a solo record, 2005's The Great Divide, which included a collection of rock songs inspired by Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ.
Three years later, Stapp and Tremonti reconvened at the Hard Rock Hotel in Florida, where they began to reconcile past differences. Shortly thereafter, the two persuaded Scott Phillips and original bassist Brian Marshall to band together once again, thus cementing Creed's reunion. The band booked a series of shows for the summer of 2009 in support of the album Full Circle. ~ Andrew Leahey & Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
Holy Sh*t did't think I'd ever see these guys back together again...was SO hoping..they rocked and have SO much talent, besides, I didn't want my Creed Tat to go to waste ;) n
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Dope! But I don't think he needs them anyways because he is what seperates the group from a good group to an excellent group!
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I can't wait for this new cd. I am so glad they all put the past behind them and can move on. Go Creed!
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Creed is an awesome band,but critized for being to much like PJ and Alice in Chains,just because they sound alike doesn't mean they suck.I love with arms wide opern. :-)
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Maybe because they use the same band mates? they're two different genres though.
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hey, i like pearl jam and alice and chains. alter bridge isn't horrible, but i really dont understand why they were put in comparison to creed.
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alterbridge was the next zepplin creed was a pearl jam alice and chains rip off
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he doesn't have the mullet hair cut anymore genious. it's not even long.
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Scott Stapp single handedly ruined Creed for me.
His mullet, cO Ck rock "Im in love with my chest hair" attitude is just too damn much for me. What a friggin douch. ALTER BRIDGE IS FAR, FAR BETTER. |
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i just saw creed in dallas and wow.. they are amazing. did the meet and greet and got to stand by scott for the pic.! woo hoo for me! but yeah it was awesomely amazing.
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Just saw Creed in Pittsburgh. They looked great and sounded the same! Great for Scott, he's getting another chance in life (SOBER).
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Creed is the worst band of all time. They should have just been a Pearl Jam cover band....a lame one at that...oh yeah that's right, they are trash...that ' s why they can't be a PJ coverband... .
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for those that do like creed I found a cool page on you tube that has all kinds of s**t from the tour they are on right now. It has new stuff up each day gets updated each day as the tour goes on till oct. if you want to check it out this is the users page:
w ww.youtube.c o m / a l a g u n a b e a c h g i r l really cool |
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1.> I just wish the guys in Creed could be allowed to move forward. Hashing up things from so long ago is really over kill by now.I cant name one person in my circle of friends that didnt like some s**t they did when they were in there 20's. Scott is in his 30's and people keep bringing up a 6month time frame when he was going thru some s**t. The guy is a human being, allowed to make mistakes. What person would like to have really old s**t thrown in there face year after
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2.> year. People act like he was a full on junkie. Get the facts . The dude had major allergies since he was a kid almost anything could swell his nasal and throat up. Then with tons of touring and the fact he never learned good proper vocal technique he ripped each nightFull on which led to vocal nodule. Then he is given a steroidal type injection to help it so he can keep touring only to find out from a
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3.> Dr. outside the wind up circle that it was the Worst thing he could of done to his vocal cords He now works with a vocal coach who works with all the top singers to learn proper technique in building up vocal cords strength rather then blowing them the f**k out.Tremonti would not be doing this if he didn’t want to. The guy is worth 175 mil according to forbes so the bullshit about it being money is wrong.
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4.> Tremonti and Scott Phillips both bought out the Wind up contract so it isn’t a forced thing with WU. They wanted to do it. Did you want them to do it when they were 60 year olds. Now Was the time. As for Alter Bridge, it is an f**king amazing band. Tremonti is said to Spend 8 hours daily practicing, so the guy deserves to have 2 f**king bands if he wants To. I think he is thinking s**t I got it damn good I can do all kinds of creative s**t because I have 2 outlets.
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Alter Bridge was a great band. As far as Creed goes, Stapp's vocal style is a little derivative, and certainly not the best part of the band. Creed was yet another victim of what Eddie Van Halen famously referred to as LSD - lead singer's disease. Lead singers have ruined many a band that I really liked.
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I love them,, and hope they keep givin us their wonderful music and joy!!!
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i saw a concert with them yesterday!! he looks better bald. he's such a great singer!!I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT SHOW <3
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I witnessed an outstanding performance of this ENTIRE band at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center last evening August 11 and I WILL NEVER FORGET IT!!!!! I came home and played CREED all night long. Ya gotta feel sorry for anyone that was there and was incoherent- THEY MISSED A FABULOUS show!
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I will check out the new Creed Album but probably cringe like someone is scraping nails on a chalk board when I hear - Scott (Im in love with my Mullet&Chest h a i r , Rockstar, Cockrock...c h e e s e a**) Stapp.
He ruined this band with his attitude. What a lucky dude.....he blew it. |
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Creed Kicks A** and you know it, hopefully Scott Stapp learned a lesson in humility !!!
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