Post-grunge icons, Creed, kick off reunion tour at Post-Gazette Pavilion

August 4, 11:05 PMPittsburgh Concerts ExaminerBrian Shea

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Vocalist Scott Stapp of Creed
(Photo: AP/Luis Alvarez)

The reunion tour of the band that came to be known as somewhat the face of post-grunge music, Creed,  hasn't exactly been making headlines. That might be due, at least in part, to the fact that the band was never received well critically. In fact, most of the time, the band was bashed in the media.

While the band never really garnered the respect of critics or even fellow musicians, there is no denying that they had loads of radio hits. With huge hits from the late-90's and early 21st century like "With Arms Wide Open", "Higher", and "My Sacrifice", there are bound to be plenty of songs that casual and loyal fans alike will know and love.

Creed will be playing at 7:30 p.m. on August 6th at the Post-Gazette Pavilion. Tickets are looking to run a concert-goer anywhere from $20 to $70.

This reunion tour comes on the heels of a successful five year run that the members of the band (sans vocalist Scott Stapp) had with frontman Myles Kennedy in the heavier and, what many would describe as a much more musically sound band, Alter Bridge. The fact that Kennedy played rhythm guitar in addition to providing lead vocals gave lead guitarist, Mark Tremonti, a little leeway to develop a style of his own. At the time of the Creed reunion announcement, Kennedy was rumored to become the new vocalist for the legendary rock group, Led Zeppelin. The reunion announcement also stirred up the Alter Bridge fan base in fears of the band breaking up, but the band was quick to dispel any such rumors, saying that Alter Bridge would record their third studio album after the Creed reunion.

During the time that the rest of Creed was playing with Alter Bridge, Scott Stapp embarked upon an unsuccessful solo endeavor. Even though his debut solo album, "The Great Divide" sold enough copies to be certified platinum, the hype died down quickly and the album fizzled into obscurity. Stapp has yet to release a follow up to "The Great Divide", but he has reportedly been working on the recording of it.

 Despite the aforementioned disrespect among members of the music industry and the media, Creed did manage to bring home a Grammy Award in 2001 for "Best Rock Song" for their emotional #1 hit about Stapp hearing news of his upcoming fatherhood, "With Arms Wide Open".

After the completion of this reunion tour, Creed will be preparing to release their comeback album, "Full Circle" on October 20th. The reunion and album, according to Stapp, is will be a " renewing and a rebirth" of the band.

Since the band has yet to release their first single off of "Full Circle", the concert will likely be a greatest hits style of show, where the band will likely perform their most popular songs from their first three albums. Whether you are a fan of Creed, or you have as little respect for them as some of the media and members of the music industry, the show is bound to be full of crowd sing-a-longs and recognizable tracks that anyone that owned a radio earlier this decade will recognize and enjoy.

Can't make the show?

VH1 and LiveNation will be covering the reunion tour's first show on the program "Live and Loud Fridays". The coverage will air at 9 p.m. on August 7th on VH1.