Scott Stapp Calls Reunion:Full Circle 'Rebirth'

Rock band Creed have reunited six years after splitting, to launch a new album called Full Circle. Frontman Scott Stapp said: "We never felt like we weren't together. We're not looking at this as a reunion. It's more of a rebirth." Though they stayed in touch through holiday cards and the occasional phone call, the group refrained from recording together.

Stapp explained: "In order to explore other creative outlets and build the main priority in all of our lives, which is our family." Stapp, who made the initial push for Creed to get back together, says it was 'awesome' to see all the guys in one room again.

He added: "I said: 'I love you and if I've ever caused you any pain in your life, forgive me'. And they said the same things right back. "We're not trying to stay in a certain place or conform to where we left off. The music is fresh, edgy, raw, passionate, honest and it rocks. It's just the right time and we're all excited!"

The reconciliation began last December when Stapp reached out to Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti. They agreed to meet up at the Hard Rock Hotel in Florida before Stapp sang the “National Anthem” at the Champs Sports Bowl. “I was nervous, but also excited because I knew Mark would bring nothing but positivity,” says Stapp. “We exchanged family pictures and within 20 minutes we were jamming on acoustic guitars and talking about new songs.” They soon met up with drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall, who left Creed in 2000 but is returning for the new album and tour. “At that meeting we were collectively saying, ‘Hey man, I’m sorry if I hurt you or my choices did anything to cause you any pain. I have nothing but love and forgiveness for you and I hope you can forgive me. It’s all part of the process of reflection and not looking back at the six months out of 10 years that were trying.”

Stapp and Tremonti already have six demos for the new album, which they plan on recording shortly in Nashville. They are currently looking for a producer. “We’re reached out to Brendan O’Brien, Mutt Lange, Bob Rock, Steve Lillywhite and six or seven more,” says Stapp. “We want to put ourselves around the best and have them bring out the best in us and challenge us as artists.” The likely title track is “Full Circle.” “It’s a favorite for all of us,” says Stapp. “It really defines and articulates, melody-wise and lyrically, what’s happened with us. We’ve come full circle and it’s a great place to be. The goal is get release the first single before the tour and have the album come out during the tour or right after.”

What’s the status of Stapp’s long-in-the-works second solo disc? “I’m not really thinking about that right now,” he says. “It would be irresponsible for me to think about anything but Creed. This band is my first love and a first love that’s stood the test of time. It’s not hard to step away from any kind of personal agenda when you are totally fulfilled.”

Since Creed split, Stapp has been in trouble with the law. He was arrested in May 2007 and charged with felony assault, stemming from a domestic violence row. And only hours after his nuptials in 2006, the Grammy winner was busted for public intoxication in Los Angeles as the couple were en route to their Hawaiian honeymoon. Three months earlier, Stapp got into a bar-room brawl with the band 311 in a Baltimore hotel. While no charges were filed, Stapp told Rolling Stone the dust-up made him to enter rehab.

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