Tough Questions for Scott Stapp
Noise
Photo by Markus Klinko and Indrani
Whether it was for his quasi-religious posturing or his bombastic, Vedder-lite vocals, Scott Stapp was certainly a divisive force in rock during his rise to fame with Creed in the late 1990s. Trouble with alcohol and the law led to the group's contentious 2004 breakup. But like the messianic figure often alluded to in Stapp's lyrics, Creed have risen again with Full Circle, the reunited band's first album since 2001's multiplatinum Weathered. The newly shorn 36-year-old singer called us from a tour stop in Denver.
You're wearing leather pants right now, aren't you?
No, I'm not, bro. But I have some on tour with me. To be honest with you, they're from 2002. I can't believe I can still wear them.
It's good to see that some things haven't changed. Unlike your hair.
Yeah, people kind of identified me with that. I keep it short now. I was at a video shoot yesterday and was like, "Man, I'm having a bad hair day, guys, so you're going to have to give me a little extra time." [Laughs]
It's no secret that Creed have been a punching bag for a lot of critics. Do you wish your songs were more appreciated?
Early on, there were a few mischaracterizations of the band and, being young and stupid, we took a lot of things personally. We carried it on our shoulders into interviews and probably came across as pretentious and combative instead of who we really were. And all it did was have a spiraling, negative effect.
What bothered you the most?
When "With Arms Wide Open" came out, we took a lot of shots. And for me to have written that song about becoming a father, I got a little angry when I would hear those things. I took it in a weird way, like they were disrespecting my child. And they were, man.
Fair enough. You've had a few very public meltdowns. Are you able to laugh about them now?
There's a song called "Time" on the new record that goes, "Time, you're no friend of mine." Because I can't take it back. If I could take it all back and do it all over again from the middle of 2002 to November of 2006, I would.
Like the fight in 2005 with the members of 311, including a guy named P-Nut?
[Laughs] Man, it's been a long time since I really thought about that. Those are cool guys. It was just a stupid, stupid thing. You know, each situation, and how it was covered, led me to finally making a permanent change in my life.
Did you really try to kill yourself in 2003?
That was mischaracterized a bit. It was just a thought. But when I did an interview and shared the story of that moment, it got blown into something bigger. But I was at a low point. Thank God I didn't act on it.
So you shot up your home instead of pulling the trigger on yourself?
That's true, man. I was in the throes of prednisone [an anti-inflammatory for throat problems] coming out of my body. Ever see the Ray Charles movie, when he's freaking out at a rehab clinic? Well, I was in that place. I shot a few rounds off and instantly was like, "What the hell am I doing?" So I put the guns away and ran out to the garage and got the putty and patched the holes.
I love that you own putty. Can we talk about the sex tape that also features Kid Rock?
Well, there's no sex on the sex tape. For it to get characterized that way, I mean, that kind of sucks.
The video was shot in 1999 and then stolen and released in 2006. How difficult was that for you?
What sucks about that is Bob -- Kid Rock -- and I were friends. He'd been over to my house and we jammed and hung out. We were in Tampa playing with Metallica, and I walked into his trailer and there were some strippers. It's a time in his life and a time in my life that we'd like to put behind us and not publicize because we have children now, and they're in school, and their friends read. I know he was pretty pissed off at me when that came out.
Have you spoken to him since?
We haven't sat down face-to-face. I did apologize to him that I didn't just burn that thing. I thought that was a skele-ton in the closet that would never find the light of day.
Do you wish you could also burn the video for "Higher"?
We look back at a lot of our video diary with a kind of "What were we thinking? Ewww." Hopefully, this go-around we'll make sure that they reflect the artistic side of who we are in that medium.
Does that mean you won't be taking off your shirt in your next video?
Not intentionally. If it's a live video, it might come off for a minute, just because I sweat through it. But, no, there's no shirt coming off in the video.
- Posted By The Lone Wolf
12.29.09 3:44 AM
**** anyone that hates creed they are the best band
Scott isnt the only person that had problems in life,
I bet every single one of you faggots have had problems in life
every one does, and I hope creed stays together and I also hope someone kicks your ass for trying to dis them so here is some advice for those of you who talk **** about creed: "GET A GOD DAMN LIFE, YOU MOTHER ****ING **** SUCKING BITCHES THAT HIDE BEHIND THE DAMN COMPUTER TALKING **** ABOUT CREED!!!" and I say that because I will back up Creed no matter what and also every song of theirs is very good, trust me you should admire them they put a lot of work in those songs that you fags keep spamming about.
And you faggots are getting told off by a thirteen year old boy so while you are thinking about dissing Creed remember I will be there to ****ing
Tell you off.SO ****ING SUCK IT BITCHES!!!!!
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CREEDS Best Songs: All of them!!!
Who I hate: **** ass bitches that dis my favorite bands
- Posted By rob trmenim
12.22.09 9:36 AM
ill give you a tool right side your head!
- Posted By Kelly Ramone
12.03.09 2:23 PM
10 REASONS TO HATE THE AUTHOR OF THIS STUPID POST
1. YOU ARE A DISGRUNTLED SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO GET A LIFE
2. YOU ARE A COWARD, HIDING BEHIND A COMPUTER DOING NOTHING PRODUCTIVE IN THIS LIFE THAN TO BASH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING
3.. YOU ARE PROBABLY A SOCIOPATH THAT HAS TO BE "ANONYMOUS" TO
TARGET AN INNOCENT MAN TO RELIEVE YOUR MENTAL OR PERSONAL ISSUES
4. WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR SICK OPINION OF ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCK BANDS IN THE WORLD
5. YOU ARE IGNORANT, BIASED, AND EVIDENTLY STUPID TO REPEAT VERY OLD NEWS THAT IS NOT TRUE
6. YOU ARE VERY RESENTFUL AND JEALOUS OF THIS ARTIST'S BODY, VOICE, AND VIRILITY.
7. WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF GOD????
8. SHAME ON YOU FOR PROMOTING HATRED IN A WORLD THAT IS IN NEED OF PEACE, LOVE, AND HARMONY
9. YOU ARE SHALLOW NOT TO REALIZE THE CURRENT AND RECENT POSITIVE AND NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS ARTIST.
10. YOU ARE A LOW LIFE NOT TO PRAISE STAPP FOR HIS GENEROSITY TOWARDS MANY MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHOSE LIVES HE HAS DRAMATICALLY IMPACTED WITH DONATIONS OF HIS TIME, MONEY, FOOD, AND INSPIRATION .
AS A SOLDIER, I ADMIRE STAPP AND ALL HIS EFFORTS FOR THE MAN HE IS AND ALL HE DEDICATES TO OUR AMERICAN TROOPS. HE IS HONEST, TALENTED, AND NEVER BASHED ANYONE.
- Posted By Kelly Ramone
12.03.09 2:21 PM
10 REASONS TO HATE THE AUTHOR OF THIS STUPID POST
1. YOU ARE A DISGRUNTLED SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO GET A LIFE
2. YOU ARE A COWARD, HIDING BEHIND A COMPUTER DOING NOTHING PRODUCTIVE IN THIS LIFE THAN TO BASH ANOTHER HUMAN BEING
3.. YOU ARE PROBABLY A SOCIOPATH THAT HAS TO BE "ANONYMOUS" TO
TARGET AN INNOCENT MAN TO RELIEVE YOUR MENTAL OR PERSONAL ISSUES
4. WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR SICK OPINION OF ONE OF THE GREATEST ROCK BANDS IN THE WORLD
5. YOU ARE IGNORANT, BIASED, AND EVIDENTLY STUPID TO REPEAT VERY OLD NEWS THAT IS NOT TRUE
6. YOU ARE VERY RESENTFUL AND JEALOUS OF THIS ARTIST'S BODY, VOICE, AND VIRILITY.
7. WHO ARE YOU TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF GOD????
8. SHAME ON YOU FOR PROMOTING HATRED IN A WORLD THAT IS IN NEED OF PEACE, LOVE, AND HARMONY
9. YOU ARE SHALLOW NOT TO REALIZE THE CURRENT AND RECENT POSITIVE AND NUMEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS OF THIS ARTIST.
10. YOU ARE A LOW LIFE NOT TO PRAISE STAPP FOR HIS GENEROSITY TOWARDS MANY MEN WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHOSE LIVES HE HAS DRAMATICALLY IMPACTED WITH DONATIONS OF HIS TIME, MONEY, FOOD, AND INSPIRATION .AS A SOLDIER, I ADMIRE STAPP AND ALL HIS EFFORTS FOR THE MAN HE IS AND ALL HE DEDICATES TO OUR AMERICAN TROOPS. HE IS HONEST, TALENTED, AND NEVER BASHED ANYONE.
- Posted By RockerChic
12.02.09 9:54 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Creed/e/B000AP8L8S
Orlando, FL --- Creed, one of the most successful rock bands of the past decade, has announced all four of the original band members are back together for a summer tour and new album. Since their formation, Creed has sold close to thirty-five million albums and millions of concert tickets.
The songwriting team of Stapp and Tremonti are considered one of the most prolific in rock history. Their collaborations delivered numerous chart-topping records that are a testament to the enormity and success of Creed. The band was the first act to have seven consecutive number one rock radio singles, four of which came off of the debut album. Their third album, Weathered, tied The Beatles Anthology, for the most consecutive weeks at Number One on Billboard’s Top 200 chart (eight weeks since the beginning of the SoundScan era (1991).
The band’s debut, My Own Prison, was released on August 26, 1997 and has sold over six million copies in the U.S. The follow-up, Human Clay, was distributed on September 28, 1999 and certified Diamond for sales in excess of 11 million copies. The band’s last studio album, Weathered, was released on November 20, 2001 and sold six million plus. In November 2004, Creed Greatest Hits was released, and has sold two million copies. The band was voted Favorite Group in 2003 on the People’s Choice Awards and won numerous American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and others including the Grammy Award for best Rock Song in 2001 for “With Arms Wide Open.”
- Posted By Anonymous
11.30.09 7:57 PM
Creed Congratulations for RAIN making it to #13 on VH1s Music Video Countdown. Keep Voting people! http://tinyurl.com/32ssp2 ♥
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Scott Stapp a HERO he a great man an Full Circle is favorite album this year! Keep Rockin it Scott! I like ur creed.com
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Scott Stapp Rocks have you heard Full Circle Yet? totally Amazing!!! www.ScottStapp.com
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Scott Stapp and Creed = Totally Rockin Awesome ♪( : ♫o✿°°o.♥ have you seen? http://www.sonyclubdates.com/
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h8r is some1 whos jealous n spends all their time tryin 2 make U look small so they can look tall ✿ http://tinyurl.com/cyavq4
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Give the gift of Creed this holiday season! Check out some great deals on Creed music and complete your collection - http://ow.ly/FBIA
- Posted By Anonymous
11.28.09 7:22 PM
Ten reasons to hate Scott Stapp
10. HIS UNIFORM IS A WIFE BEATER, LEATHER JACKET AND LEATHER PANTS
9. HE’S ALWAYS MAKING LOVE TO THE CAMERA
8. HE PICKED A FIGHT WITH 3 MEMBERS OF 311
7. MY OWN PRISON
6. HIS VOICE SOUNDS LIKE SEAN CONNERY WITH A MOUTH FULL OF PEANUT BUTTER
5. CREED IS GOING BACK ON TOUR
4. AND RELEASING A NEW ALBUM
3. HE’S STANDS LIKE HE’S BEEN RIDING
A HORSE ALL DAY2. HIS FAILED SUICIDE ATTEMPT
1. EVEN GOD HATES HIM
- Posted By scott stevens
11.27.09 4:06 PM
I think it's GREAT that Scott Stapp and the band are back at it. He has come a long way.You have to put GOD first to have LOVE JOY and PEACE in your family. Then your able to focus more on the music and how you put it out there.
12.29.09 3:46 AM
Long live CREED!!!