The Tape

Guilty Music Monday #56: Bro Rock Edition (A Tribute To Scott Stapp)

Written by pistachionut on Monday, 21 of September , 2009 at 3:56 pm

Visionary Creed frontman, Scott Stapp

Consider this post a preview for Creed’s upcoming concert at the Verizon Wirless Amphitheater on September 30th. Get psyched guys!!!!! This is the “bro rock” of GMM. “What is bro rock!?” one may ask. Well, have you ever heard a singer growling through a song so much that it sounds like his nuts are being drained out through his throat? That’s bro rock. Creed pioneered the genre in the late ’90s, with frontman Scott Stapp at the head of the movement. Sometimes labeled “The Double Lettered Wonder,” Stapp took the frat scene by storm. This post is dedicated to all those who followed in Stapp’s infinitely large footsteps. Some were were successful, some weren’t. Let’s take a look.

First off we have the song that started it all. “Higher” was Creed’s first smash hit. The five minute long pseudo-ballad characterizes the late 90’s, with Stapp’s howl piercing through the song. The guitar riff was anthemic and distinctive, and to this date, there hasn’t been a song in the genre that has topped it.

Creed - Higher

All good things, however, come to and end. Creed broke up in 2004. But (thank the lord) by that time, another band had already snatched the bro rock crown. Nickelback’s similar sound and lyricism won over the hearts of ex-Creed fans. Nickelback’s work does have a little bit more country infleunce than Creed, which is slightly contradictory to their Canadian heritage. Nickelback’s live shows have been known to get rowdy, and at a June 2007 show in Charlottetown Canada, this reach a climax. The performance was a celebration of Canada Day, and was designed for a family environment. Nickelback repeatedly cursed during their set, and threw a table of beer at an underaged section of the crowd. Said Mayor Clifford Lee of Nickelback’s actions, “People were really, really disappointed and really upset” [for more on the situation, go here]. Nevertheless, Nickelback have maintained chart success with alarming frequency. Their top single, “Photograph,” was released in 2005.

Nickelback - Photograph

Despite the success of Creed and Nickelback, there were some other groups who never made it that big. Some may remember one-hit-wonders The Calling and Lifehouse, each of whom tried to replicate the signature Stapp Sound. Their songs are time capsules of the early 2000’s, and well worth listening to for historical context. It just goes to show you that not everybody can be Scott Stapp, it takes a select few to replicate him note for note.

The Calling - Wherever You Will Go

Lifehouse - Hanging By A Moment

Category: Miscellaneous

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