Altered Zones

Every now and then, we need give credence to the bands that really matter. While we tip our hats to heroes like Michael Rother or Hans-Joachim Roedelius on the regular, there is one group we have heretofore omitted from the canon 20th of centrury innovators who, consciously or not, laid the foundations for the music of what British critic Simon Reynolds is calling the "Zones generation." A sound that has become so ubiquitous, perhaps, that it fails to be heard. An influence so deeply engrained in our millennial musical consciousness, that it consistently escapes the notice of The Wire, The Village Voice, The New York Times, Chocolate Bobka, NPR, and even our father publication, Pitchfork. That band is Creed.

Also known as Naked Toddler, the Tallahassee, FL legends carved a niche for themselves in the '90s, setting out to be the only post-Cold War band that mattered. They succeeded with flying colors; like a lot of really good musicians, frontman and principle songwriter Scott Stapp cited doing "lots of heroin and sniffing tons of glue" as the catalyst for the boundless creative energy of Creed's first full-length effort, My Own Prison (1997). Known for his ghost-like, "hauntological" vocal technique and hailed by some as the "Godfather of Hypnagogic Pop," Stapp's teen runaway lifestyle influenced indie rockers like Dan Lopatin (Oneohtrix Point Never, Games) and Ariel Pink to immerse themselves in the drug culture that continues to inform the "h-pop" movement, founded by Wire writer David Keenan in August of 2009. Stapp's "arms wide open" embrace of Christian values laid the groundwork for a contemporary music culture defined by the twin virtues of post-ironic enthusiasm and worldwide community-building.

Though most people ridicule Creed for being a talentless "rich man's Nickelback," hip-contrarian label Olde English Bee issued the following statement:

"Creed is one of the most misunderstood rock bands of all time. Critics have described them as 'taking the tackiest elements of grunge and then pumping it full of steroids and human growth hormones.' Well what's wrong with that? What their detractors are missing is the deep existential crises revealed in the songs of Creed. The themes of endless despair, reckoning with God, and emerging triumphant through it all. It's all about the struggles and trials of life and how we are ultimately united on this difficult path. It's about singing with the voice of a superhuman monster-- the only voice that can maybe reach the ears of our cruel God. If we can shoot lightning back His way then maybe He will take notice of our suffering. Chillwave music will never accomplish goals of this nature. God does not take Chillwave music seriously but He surely follows Creed for they are the musical choice of so many believers. True believers. The spiritual warriors of this world. There have been theories that bands like 'Washed Out' psychically pre-empted the recent tsunami disaster. This was God's punishment. Creed has music videos depicting the survival of mass floods - they see the future and envision the durability of human existence in the face of extinction. We must fight God in order to survive. The human race must unite in order to overcome the challenges He will throw our way. Creed is the soundtrack to our survival-- seriously 'the end is near' has never been more true. 2012 is our next door neighbor. Are you ready? Are you ready? For what's to come."

If that means Creed covers, then Altered Zones is absolutely ready. In observance of Creed's undeniable influence, OESB corralled an all-star tribute compilation featuring the musical stylings of director and avant-art veteran Alice Cohen, Green Gerry, blue-eyed soul monster Autre Ne Veut, and others. --Ric Leichtung & Emilie Friedlander, Altered Zones

MP3: Alice Cohen: "Higher (Creed Cover)"

MP3: Autre Ne Veut: "What's This Life For?? (Creed Cover)"

The Should Have Been Dead On A Sunday Morning 80 millimeter mini-CD compilation is sold out, download it for free or stream

V/A: SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD ON A SUNDAY MORNING - AN OESB TRIBUTE TO CREED