What's this Creed reunion for?

Guitarist Mark Tremonti wants to spend more time talking about his side project Alter Bridge than his reformed, multi million-selling rock band Creed. Nicholas Russell reports.

Mark Tremonti seems to have his priorities wrong. This interview is supposed to be about Creed's new album, but he can't stop talking about his side project Alter Bridge.

Creed, the often mocked post-grunge band who recently reformed after a bitter falling out broke them up in 2004, have just released Full Circle, so you'd think he'd be in the mood to talk about it.

But, when asked about the recording process, Tremonti told Stuff.co.nz: "When we formed Altar Bridge it was a matter of trying not to make it sound like Creed."

Huh? Okay, so is there a lot of excitement and enjoyment in getting Creed back together and recording after a five-year hiatus?

"It's a lot or work juggling two bands but we won't let the big juggernaut steamroll over the smaller gig," he said. 

In many ways you can't blame him. It's no great secret that Creed fell apart after singer Scott Stapp came apart at the seams. It was typical rock star behaviour - a mixture of binge drinking, substance abuse and womanising - so what's the big deal?

Tremonti said Stapp's behaviour at the time of their break-up crossed a line. Reports suggested he had a fist fight with members of the rock act 311, and filmed a leaked "sex tape" with fellow singer Kid Rock.

"The last year or so was difficult and we reached our threshold (but) we quickly gathered our forces and formed Alter Bridge," Tremonti said.

"Respect" is a word that frequently comes into Tremonti's vocabulary when discussing this period. The lack of respect for his bandmates resulted in them kicking Stapp to the curb, finding a new singer in Myles Kennedy and a new name.

You guessed it: Alter Bridge. They've released two albums of Creed-influenced mainstream rock - 2004's One Day Remains, and 2007's Blackbird.

As Tremonti tells it, during the intervening years Stapp cleaned up his act and tried to make amends with the band.

"In the five years (since the break-up) he's reached out a few times with Christmas cards and the like (but) it's also about growing older and having families and respecting the huge achievements we had with Creed.

"It would be a shame not to relive those days."

And it is the band's break-up and Stapp's years in the wilderness - barring his poorly received solo record - which informs their latest offering.

Full Circle is "about the last six years, a second chance to overcome adversity from the past," Tremonti said.

The reception of their new material has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.

"Even magazines like Rolling Stone and Spin who only had nasty things to say about us, now they have nice things to say."

It's fair to say Creed have their detractors. Their remarkable success - around 35 million album sales worldwide thanks to hits like Higher and What's This Life For? - has come hand-in-hand with frequent critical slatings.

Rolling Stone's website, for example, states: "At their best, Creed resembled a ham-handed version of early Pearl Jam: the same vague, portentous lyricism and Zeppelin-style riffage married to melodic Top 40 hooks."

Ouch. Neverthless, Tremonti seems more critical of bands that followed in their wake and stepped on their own chart-topping coat-tails.

It is this pressure from below and their personal travails that has influenced the musical direction of Full Circle.

"We've given a facelift to our sound. We wanted to come out with something edgier and deeper. We've seen the reactions on iTunes and Amazon are overwhelmingly positive."

They're also touring again. The three members of Creed minus Stapp - Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall - have put their involvement with Alter Bridge on hold for the time being.

But Tremonti says they plan to keep both bands going.

Creed's worldwide tour is set to hit New Zealand next year and it is possibly this road test which will determine the longevity of the band.

Stapp has reportedly refound his faith, Creed have made a powerful return to form with Full Circle and his bandmates have presented him with a simple equation to keep the show on the road.

Let's hope he's learnt his lesson.

* Creed's Full Circle is out now.

- © Fairfax NZ News