Bright Eyes founder Conor Oberst has revealed himself to be one of Creed’s earliest haters. During a recent appearance on Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell’s Broken Record podcast, the singer recalled his attempt at talking his former label out of releasing the oft-maligned band’s early music.
While sitting down with host Justin Richmond, Oberst remembered his days in the emo band Commander Venus during the mid-1990s. For their second album, 1997’s The Uneventful Vacation, the group was signed to Wind-up Records. He built a close relationship with the “eccentric” owners Alan and Diana Meltzer, who played him Creed’s music before it was released.
“They were sweet, but I remember them showing me Creed before it even came out,” Oberst said (via Exclaim!). “And I was like, ‘You guys — it sounds like a really bad Pearl Jam.’”
Despite his protestations, the Meltzers believed in Creed. According to Oberst, Diana Meltzer even called lead singer Scott Stapp “the new Jim Morrison.”
“Sure enough, they put it out, and it’s the biggest thing in the world,” he continued. “So [that’s] another reason not to ever trust my judgment.”
Oberst is likely referring to Creed’s debut album, My Own Prison, which was re-released by Wind-up in August 1997 after the group put it out independently earlier in the year. The record produced a string of Top 5 hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.
This set the table for the band’s massive sophomore album, Human Clay, which featured Creed’s first chart-topping Hot 100 hit, “With Arms Wide Open,” and “Higher.” Due in part to their popularity, Creed became subject to a major backlash, but they’ve experienced a renaissance alongside bands like Nickelback in recent years. Revisit our interview with Stapp for Post-Grunge Week.
Continuing to capitalize on the renewed interest, the group is headed out on a North American tour next summer. Tickets can be purchased here.
Meanwhile, Bright Eyes are returning to the road in January for a lengthy tour with Hurray for the Riff Raff and Cursive in support of their album, Five Dice, All Threes. Grab your tickets here.