Creed Worldwide Chat
May 4th, 2001
Creed Worldwide: Let's kick this off! What were some of your favorite bands growing up?
Scott Stapp: Def Leppard, U2, Elvis Presley, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd.
Scott Phillips: Guns 'N' Roses, pretty much all the other ones Scott said. Metallica, Morbid Angel, Death Angel, Dwight Yoakum, Ted Nugent, KISS, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, Ice T, NWA, Anthrax, The Eagles, Bad Company, Cream, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Molly Hatchet, Deep Purple. Those bands were from all of us, we all like the same music.
CWW88alicia: My one question is why do you do what you do? I mean, why do you write and play such great music? Why do you love music?
Mark Tremonti: We do what we do because we love it. Personally, since I was 5 or 6 years old I wanted a guitar for Christmas and I didn't get one till I was 11. It's always been a childhood dream of mine.
Scott Stapp: We'd be doing this no matter what; it's what we do. It's our passion. It's whether we were personally successful or world known. We'd still be in Scott's basement, trying to scrape up money. We'd probably be doing this till we were 80 years old. Another thing is, for me personally once I found my path in life and realized this is what I wanted to do in life, I was so disappointed with what was on radio. And I thought that if I got on radio, I'd have something to say. Something with meaning and passion and feeling, songs that mean something.
Scott Phillips: Music has always been a part of my life and I knew that at some point in my life I'd be involved in it. When I was playing in a polka club on 8th street--
Scott Stapp: He just likes to beat on things - drums.
Scott Phillips: The whole polka thing…that was a joke!
CWWskimray82: Who is the guy on the motorcycle on the BC CD?
Mark Tremonti: It's a friend of ours named Pierre, and my brother was good friends with him and he designed the CD and thought it would be clever to put Pierre's father on the motorcycle. He looked like the symbol for blue collar. Back in the day when we released our first CD we had a label called Blue Collar Records so that guy on the motorcycle looked pretty much like the symbol for Blue Collar Records, he was like a blue collar guy.
CWWskimray82: When will Mark be getting his tattoo?
Mark Tremonti: Never.
Scott Stapp: The guy won't let someone draw his blood. He's afraid of needles, and shots. He's phobic. That's all right, he won't have anything to regret when he's fifty like, "why did I do this to my body?" James Hetfield doesn't have any tattoos; don't think so.
Creed Worldwide: Your music touches such a wide range of fans; do you feel that you have more responsibility as artists whose music appeals such a wide audience?
Scott Stapp: If you care about more than just yourself in this world then you will feel the responsibility, be responsible, realize the impact that your words and music will have on people's lives. If you're going to do anything in this world then it might as well be positive.
CWWerin28: As the Webmaster of www.marktremonti.org, I want to know how you guys feel when someone makes a Web site for you. Creeped out? Flattered?
Mark Tremonti: Flattered! It's cool.
Scott Stapp: He's the cute one!
CWWskimray82: Lady Mercury would like to know if you guys come up with melodies/riffs first or lyrics first?
Scott Stapp: It changes all the time, there's no set way we do things. Sometimes music, sometimes lyrics. It's wherever the music takes us and however we tap into it at that moment.
CWWerin28: What bands are you guys feeling right now? (Doesn't have to be new bands.)
Scott Stapp: An unsigned band out of LA called The Color Green is pretty much my favorite right now. Their stuff might be online somewhere. This was the first thing that's come along that I've heard in a long while that wasn't just screaming and noise, it was well put together songs and lyrics, and also Darius Rucker has a solo project he's working on, and I'm really vibing on the stuff right now.
Mark Tremonti: I've been getting into Stevie Ray Vaughn right now.
CWWrobert43: I love the Doors covers that you guys do; should we expect to see any more songs/bands that you guys would like to cover?
Scott Stapp: Yes, you will. And it's a secret. We'll surprise our fans with some of the new covers if you come to the live show
CWWlaurie51: First of all, I wanted to say thank you for doing this for us! I am really happy to be a part of this. I also entered this contest over 1,600 times. That's a lot of stamps and postcards, but well worth it, because I'm here and I'm also very happy for the girl from Texas who won the chance to meet you. She's one lucky person!
Scott Stapp: Thank you very much, that's awesome! We can't appreciate our fans more. They've been so good to us and so diehard and loyal. They're why we are where we are, and to hear things like that it blows us away sometimes.
CWWteresa78: You guys put your all into every song you perform live; I was just wondering what's your favorite to perform?
Mark Tremonti: I think it changes on any given night. [Thinking] It could be any song on any given night. It depends on what type of mood we're in. On one night the heavier songs could mean more to me depending on what's going on in my life. Depending on what's going on behind the scenes.
CWWskimray82: What do you think about your website, www.creed.com, and the Web keepers that are constantly updated and moderating your site?
Scott Stapp: I think it's amazing and I think they're doing an amazing job. Personally I think it's first class and top notch. So, we feel fortunate to have a record company that's gotten behind it and put so much energy into it. It's grown and blossomed. It's cool and we're really proud of that.
CWWsharon47: What are your favorite vacation spots?
Mark Tremonti: Home, always on vacation. We tour so much so when we're home it feels like vacation.
Scott Stapp: I like Hawaii, Maui, personally; and basically all the islands in Hawaii. I love to go there to soothe my mind.Scott Phillips: Hilton Head, South Carolina, Arizona and anywhere in Florida.
CWWkatie05: Mark, I'm a huge Metallica fan, too. What is your take on the bands musical "change" after the black album? (What's your favorite album? Master of Puppets?)
Mark Tremonti: Yeah! Master of Puppets is my favorite record. With the band's musical change since the beginning of Creed, I've pretty much separated myself from all the new music coming out. The only music I get a chance to absorb is the bands that we tour with right now. I haven't really been keeping up with any new music except the bands we've been touring with because we've been so busy. I'm sure anything that Metallica does is still top notch.
CWWteresa78: You've won so many awards this past year; which meant the most to you and why?
Scott Stapp: I think for me the VH1 awards meant the most to me because they were voted on by the fans. There were no politics involved. There were no record company polls involved, no under- the-table payola going on. It was strictly voted on by our fans and our fans showed up and stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam. It made us feel so good that our fans put us there. It wasn't so much the award but how it was determined that made it so special.
CWWsharon47: How did you guys handle going from the 1st studio recording/tour with everything new to the large scale of Human Clay tour? What was the best and worst of it?
Scott Stapp: We always expected…we wanted to play stadiums, arenas every night. That was all part of our rock and roll dream. It couldn't happen any faster.
Mark Tremonti: We never jumped from one thing to another. It was always a gradual increase and working bigger and bigger.
Scott Stapp: It didn't happen overnight. If we played in five, we were going to headline our own show, and build this one step at a time. We did pay our dues and the fact that where we are where we are today, we're living our dream, the American dream, the human dream. The best was the interaction with the fans and that adrenalin rush when you hear the crowd roar and when they're singing your songs, I don't think there's a better feeling than that. It's a high that you can only experience, and I think the audience feels it too. The worst part about touring is being away from your friends and family and living out of a suitcase, going from hotel to hotel. Get out on tour right now, but we've got to finish a record right now. We're home trying to finish a record.
CWWsharon47: How do I get MOP video and is the official video going to be released?
Scott Stapp: We don't know, we don't know if our videos are going to be released to the public yet. Eventually they are, on DVD, everything we've filmed and behind the scenes and studio. It would have everything on there.
CWWmaria63: Where would you like to see yourselves in 10 or 20 years?
Scott Stapp: Career artists that are still making music, a staple in the music world like Metallica is, like Aerosmith is, like Led Zeppelin is. We all have other interests and we'll probably jump on individually now and then, but in referring to Creed that's where we'd like to see them. I want to do some acting, and I think Scott Phillips wants to play on the senior tour and Mark Tremonti wants to be a master ping-pong player and magician.
CWWteresa78: Creed's definitely the best live band I've ever seen, what was the best live show you've attended?
Scott Stapp: Tool.
Mark Tremonti: My favorite was Metallica on their Justice For All Tour.
Scott Phillips: I'd have to say Lollapalooza in '92.
CWWjovanna19: I just wanted to make a comment, I just want to let you guys know that regardless of the crap out there, keep your heads up. Because for every person that talks smack, there are 500 willing to have your back. Keep Rockin'!
Scott Stapp: Thanks! Thanks, we know you're there and we appreciate it.
CWWlaurie51: How is little Jagger doing, Stappster? He's such a beautiful little boy! And I really admire you for being such a great daddy to him. The world needs more of that going on! - Creed Crazy N Stapp Struck on the BB.
Scott Stapp: Jagger's doing awesome. He's 2 1/2, he's growing like a weed and he's eating me out of house and home. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. He's here with me during this webcast.
CWWamanda24: Do you guys ever just sit back and think, "Oh man, look what we've become?" Can you believe you have affected so many people's lives?
Scott Stapp: From the entire band - We definitely sometimes sit in awe at everything that's happened to us. It's that sensation of 'pinch me' am I dreaming kind of thing. Affecting people's lives, we just write from our heart and if people can feel that it just makes it that much better. Jagger: Hi! (he's looking for drumsticks and can't stick around and talk longer) Peace out, dude!
CWWjohn: So what can you guys tell us about the 3rd album?
Scott Stapp: From a lyrical standpoint it is dark, much like "My Own Prison." Musically the harder songs are harder, the epic songs are more epic, it's extreme highs and extreme lows. It's everything we've done so far turned up times ten but also we're progressing and trying some different things.
CWWbrent91: Do y'all remember playing in 5 Point Music Hall in Birmingham, Alabama in 1997?
Scott Stapp: Yes we do! That was an awesome show, with the Virgos Merlot, (though they were actually The Divine in 1997.) That was an awesome show; roll tide, roll! Go 'Bama!
CWWteresa78: You really seem to be thinking these questions through thoroughly, thanks for giving us your honesty and being genuine with your fans. I've been to other band chats like this and they pretty much acted like it was a joke and that they didn't care to be there. It's nice to know that you guys are as great as we imagined you to be.
Scott Stapp: We're just being ourselves. We appreciate it and it's sad you've been in other situations with other bands. This is just the way we are and will always be that way.
CWWjovanna19: About the crest, is it an Aztec Compass? I heard that somewhere. Also, how do you really feel when you see fans with it permanently inked on them? (tattoos) I recently got mine.
Scott Stapp: Crest, actually, until--we don't want to give away the secret to that, and we're going to let it keep going. It's not an Aztec compass but for now we'll keep it to ourselves and give fans bits and pieces. When we see it permanently inked on, seeing that crest and Creed on your body. I have Creed on my body, and it's not necessarily saying you believe that the band is so great - but you're inking on your body a forever reminder of Creed - something you believe in. You may have gotten the idea initially from hearing our music and being in Creed, but I think at the end of the day it's not about the band, it's about permanently inking on your body a reminder of something you truly believe in, something personal within.
CWWbilly11: What would be your advice for up and coming bands?
Mark Tremonti: Find a good manager that you trust.
Scott Stapp: Basically, if you write good songs you'll make it, if you write bad music you'll fail. Put your heart and soul into it. You will be found. It's a small world we live in.
CWWteresa78: Where were you when you heard your first song on the radio?
Scott Stapp: We were in Mark's living room with a bunch of girls trying to impress them and right before our song came on the radio the DJ said, "This is Creed, a local band, and they're probably sitting around having a bunch of beers with a bunch of girls trying to impress them" and he was exactly right, that's where we were.
CWWteresa78: What was your favorite venue to play on tour? Do you prefer indoor or outdoor venues?
Mark Tremonti: Outdoors is great during the summer, but obviously in the winter it's good to be indoors. It's good to have a change up.
CWWsharon47: What is the best gift you've ever received from a fan?
Mark Tremonti: Usually they'll give us really cool art. I have them hanging on my bedroom wall.
Scott Stapp: I have 2 paintings actually in my office, sent to me by a fan, that are just amazing. I'll treasure them forever. I got in touch with the guy and gave him a lifetime Creed all-access pass. I write about -- a lot of people may not know this -- I probably write personally 15-20 letters to fans a month, I try to sign everything a fan sends me to sign as long as it's got a return envelope with a stamp. I try to respond, whether they send me something cool or not. I try what I can handle.
CWWstephanie29: What inspires you when you write? Do you like a certain atmosphere when you are brainstorming??
Scott Stapp: The night, we write better at nighttime. A real mood-lighting ambience is very important to us. We are a very nocturnal writing band.
CWWamanda24: Do you guys ever regret becoming what you are? Do you get tired of show after show? Being in the spot light?
Scott Stapp: I will never regret who I am. We will never regret who we are. We're human beings as well. Part of being who we are has taken away some of our privacy, and some of the things we used to do have turned into a big hassle, making arrangements, etc. The good far outweighs the bad. At the end of the day there are really no regrets.
CWWamanda24: What's the worst/most embarrassing thing you have done in front of fans at a show?
Scott Stapp: Our former bass player was behind me and I think he fell down and I didn't know he fell down and I was walking around thinking I was cool and I fell over him in front of all the fans. At the AMAs the back of my pants completely ripped out so I couldn't turn in any direction, I think 40 million people watch that show and I didn't want to let them know I wasn't wearing any underwear.
CWWteresa78: We've all heard about a few clueless bands who are jealous of your success, but what bands are you guys friends with and really support?
Scott Stapp: There's a lot of them, Seven Dust, 3 Doors Down, The Virgos Merlot, The Color Green, Oleander, Finger Eleven, Our Lady Peace, Tea Party, Kid Rock, Fuel, Van Halen and Metallica, Collective Soul, those guys are cool. Travis Meeks of Days of the New.
Creed Worldwide: Thanks so much for being with us today, guys. Any final thoughts to leave with your fans before you go?
Scott Stapp: We're working hard on the greatest album of our lives and can't wait to get out on tour to see you guys. And thanks for going out to the store and spending your hard earned money on our music.
Creed Worldwide: Is this the end?
Unfortunately, our intimate chat with Creed has come to an end.
We really want to thank Scott, Mark, and Scott for taking the
time to chat with your most dedicated fans!