Five years after a bitter split, Creed have announced they are reuniting for a new album and an American tour.
What this could possibly mean for all things great and small, living and dead, born and unborn, we can only speculate.
"I wouldn't call it a reunion," said singer Scott Stapp, who is positively giddy about being back in the good graces with guitarist Mark Tremonti, drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall and the huge payday that will ensue.
A "rebirth," not a reunion
"We're all thrilled to have a second chance to make a first impression" Scott Stapp
"It's a renewing and a rebirth," Stapp added. "I missed my boys and wanted to create music with them again. We're all thrilled to have a second chance to make a first impression."
The Creed reformation comes at a strange time for guitarist Mark Tremonti, who, unlike Stapp (whose 2006 solo album was a notorious flop) has had a reasonable amount of success with Alter Bridge, the band he formed with Phillips, Marshall and lead singer Myles Kennedy (who last year auditioned for the ill-fated 'Led Zeppelin' tour).
Tremonti changes his tune
When this journalist asked Tremonti a couple of years ago what it would take for him to consider a Creed reunion, his answer was "Millions and millions of dollars - and even then I'd still say no." At the time he said Stapp was calling him "all the time" getting back together.
But last November, after narrowly losing his Alter Bridge singer to Jimmy Page, Tremonti was whistling a different tune. Asked if his feelings about Creed had changed, Tremonti said, "Who knows what can happen next year? 2009 could be one of the craziest years ever for us."
Indeed, it will be.
Stapp and Tremonti already have six demos for the new album, which they plan on recording shortly in Nashville. "We're reached out to Brendan O'Brien, Mutt Lange, Bob Rock, Steve Lillywhite and six or seven more," said Stapp. "We want to put ourselves around the best and have them bring out the best in us and challenge us as artists."
Myles Kennedy talks Alter Bridge
"Contrary to false statements that might lead you to believe otherwise, Alter Bridge continues to be paramount to the four of us" Myles Kennedy
Amongst all the hugs and kisses, neither Tremonti, Phillips nor Marshall have addressed the future of Alter Bridge. Myles Kennedy, however, has just released the following statement on his MySpace page:
"Many of you are wondering how this Creed reunion tour will affect the future of Alter Bridge. No worries, it won't. I can assure you that as soon as they finish in October we will move forward.
"Contrary to false statements that might lead you to believe otherwise, Alter Bridge continues to be paramount to the four of us.
"The guys have my full support. It's a very complex situation to say the least. It had to be done.
"I appreciate the fact that so many of you are concerned about our future. With that said, everything is going to be all right. Alter Bridge's third record is well on it's [sic] way. The guys will embark on their reunion tour, I will make my record, and then we will carry on
"Don't forget we're here to stay."
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