To all Creed fans...

From: "Scott Manley" <Siksastaka@AOL.COM>
To: <CREED-DISCUSS@WINDUPLIST.COM>
Date: Mon
13 May 2002 01:23:38 EDT

Hey Jana!

You are true fan, and you requested to get some feedback from other fans, so since I share your emotions, I will try to share with you some of my realizations.

I was also going to the Creed show in Portland, because afterwards I wanted to see my mother in Eugene on Mother's Day. When the show was canceled, I regrettably told her that I would come out West as soon as the show was rescheduled. Unfortunately, she had to spend this Mother's Day alone.

I would like to raise a sociological point to all true Creed fans here, that I have concluded from interacting with people "non-creed-fans" who like to use tragedies like this to criticize Creed. Many people blame Scott for the tour cancellation because he wasn't wearing a seat belt. I am aspiring musician, and I usually don't wear a seat belt, but from now on, I will, because when you become famous, people become jealous, and every little thing that you do is scrutinized. I guess you can learn what not to do from rock stars.

Here in Pittsburgh, PA, our only radio station that plays new rock is WXDX. Recently, every time the morning and afternoon jocks have to play a Creed song, they take potshots at Stapp. Here are some excerpts from an exchange of e-mail.

Here's the first message I sent to "Whipping Boy""

"Hey Whip,
Why do disk jockeys like you and Cox always bash Scott Stapp of Creed every chance you can? He just had serious accident. You know what I think it is? You wish to appear cynical, critical and resigned in order to appear cool. But you're not. You want to kill the idea that this man may have something positive to say, and that millions of people are being inspired by that. Most media critics are the same way. What happens people like JFK, MLK, and RFK, in this world with positive messages? That's right, they get killed. Disc jockeys do it words by taking adding insult to injury. That's why Creed doesn't even listen to the press anymore. And I am getting sick of listening to this sarcastic crap from people like you and Cox as well. I'm not the only one. Here's a note on MTV by another fan.

"I can't believe some of the selfish a--holes who think Scott Stapp should continue touring despite his back and neck injuries (see "You Tell Us: Creed Canceled, Big Pun Revealed, Rosey Unveiled" What a bunch of bloodsuckers. Why don't you try being fans of humanity? I'm glad Scott has his priorities straight. Do you have any idea how much money he will lose by not touring? Do you really think people who keep touring despite injuries do it for the fans?"

Kelly, 36"

Here is "Whipping Boy's" reply:

"I'll tell you exactly why this story bothers me...

Scott was driving a big gas guzzling Cadillac SUV, that people who make $7.00 an hour paid for buy buying Creed's overpriced CD's and concert tickets. He also was not wearing his seatbelt; if he was so concerned about his arthritic back condition, he would have the foresight to protect himself.

Now he is injured to the point of not being able to tour. Who's fault is this? His own. He is now letting down is fans who gave him the good life by supporting him. The same fans that will now have to support his therapy because he wasn't wearing a seatbelt, and also felt the need to help push the SUV out of the way of the woman that hit him. Again, if he had a condition, was that a smart thing? No.

He goes on to say that MTV played no role in creed's success, which is BS. Would he be the heartthrob celebrity he is now without MTV? No. Their music is not strong enough to carry them without their "handsome" lead singer.

Would you feel the same if he were unattractive? Answer honestly....

If you read this far thanks, but it is hard to change the mind of the staunch Creed fans. If you want good music with a message, try POD."

And my response:

"Hey Whip,
Thanks for taking the time to reply. You are obviously a fan of "good music with a message", otherwise you wouldn't recommend POD to be such.
I just think you still don't know why Creed fans are such staunch supporters. Here's why: "Passion breeds followers" -Stapp It's the passion- with Trimonti's critically acclaimed excellent sounding post grunge/neo-metal guitar combined with a message that is consciously spiritual that takes us to another level never reached before with any other group, period. A concert I saw in Dayton in '00 was an epiphany. (See Review) I understood the secret to their mass popularity - and I decided I could do this to- put out good music with a message- and so now I am an aspiring musician.
The thing that makes me wonder is, if you really likes something, how much good does it do for someone go out of their way to try to CONVINCE you with REASONS why your are really mistaken for your attraction/inspiration? It does good neither you or the person trying to convince you, nor does he succeed in
convincing you. But at least one person gets to be 'right'."

Rock On"

And his response:

"That sounds like a "pre packaged" reply to non Creed fans...

anyway, the same freedom that allows you to enjoy the band, is the same freedom that allows me to criticize them, mostly because I feel Scott is a hypocrite..."

My response:

"Yeah, I guess it was a "prepackaged" reply, because I have experienced so many "non-creed fans" like you, so I've had some time to think about it, although I never shared it with anyone before, until now. But it still shocks me each time I hear yet another jealous, insensitive, extremely vicious comment about Scott Stapp. What is it about this guy that people hate him so much? On the other hand,
why does he have so many dedicated fans?
I just cannot believe that you love it that another human being, who happens to be Scott Stapp, got hurt in an accident and you add insult to injury by using this unfortunate painful incident as fodder to attack his character by blaming him, and then you are such a lying idiot that have the nerve to pose yourself as an advocate of his poor fans who are being ripped off (even though they will get their money back) by the tour cancellation. Are we buying it? I don't think so.
But what you say is true. He's rich rock star. He drives a nice car, (and made the mistake of not wearing a seat belt). He's a good looking guy. (by the way, in answer to your previous question, yes, I would have liked the band if he wasn't good looking.) But the real reason you are jealous is not any of the things you mentioned. (as if any of your objections make a difference in the music, because many rock stars have those assets, and make far worse mistakes."

His response:

"enough already...the bands music is boring, all the songs sound the same, Scott is a hypocrite, he lives the rock lifestyle, yet preaches that he doesn't. "

Anyway, my advice to any of you "true Creed fans" is that if you run into any assholes like this is... just let them rant on and pay as much attention to their words as leaves blowing in the wind. "The dogs bark, but the caravan rolls on."

An ever well-wisher of all "true Creed fans",

Scott