Being compared to Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder doesn’t bother Scott Stapp.
In a recent interview with Guitar World, the singer was asked how several writers mentioned he sounds like Vedder. He replied by saying:
“Hey, they said the same thing about Darius Rucker. He was the Eddie Vedder rip-off before they called me the Eddie Vedder rip-off. I felt like I was in good company, and I was honored by the compliment.”
Criticisms Against Creed
In the late ’90s, Creed and other rock bands faced criticism for sounding similar to Seattle grunge bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Stapp, in particular, was often compared to Vedder. A review from 1997 from Sun Sentinel noted:
“I doubt I’m the only one who heard Creed’s ‘My Own Prison’ on the radio and thought, ‘Cool, a new Pearl Jam song.’ I was surprised to find out that the Eddie Vedder voice belonged to Scott Stapp of the Tallahassee rock band, Creed.”
What Did Happen Between Creed And Pearl Jam?
Fans also noticed similarities in Eddie and Scott’s vocal styles, leading to debates about whether Stapp was imitating Vedder. While some dismissed these claims as natural due to their similar vocal ranges, others insisted Stapp copied Vedder’s singing style.
Creed bassist Brian Marshall defended Stapp but made negative comments about Pearl Jam, saying:
“Eddie Vedder wishes he could write songs like Scott Stapp. I love Pearl Jam but I just don’t understand the route they took, and I don’t think it all had to do with Eddie Vedder.”
However, a few days later, Creed apologized, stating:
“Yes, we get tired of the PJ question, but there is no excuse for the arrogance and stupidity [of Marshall]. I ask you all not to judge Creed as a band, because the statements made were not the band’s feelings, they were Brian’s. I’m sorry if Brian offended anyone, and he has already apologized for his comments.”
Marshall left the band not long after these comments. At the time, he also struggled with alcoholism, and the band wanted him to go to rehab, but he refused.