That 2002 tour was for Weathered. I really enjoy that record by Creed. I had seen Creed once before at that point, at the aforementioned show at Hammerstein Ballroom at the very beginning of the Human Clay tour, before they became an arena act. Well, I was expecting a great show in 2002 at Nassau Coliseum. What I got was disappointing, to say the least. Stapp was OK, if I recall correctly, but clearly not as engaging as he was a few years before that. The band had a couple of big video screens, and the songs were good, but the show just lacked a lot of energy.
I remember Cantrell opening and he and Comes with the Fall (who served as his backing band, and William Duvall went on to join Alice in Chains later) put on a great set, and Creed just being a bit of a let down. And then all the drama ensued.
On a much more positive note, however, I got my Earbook of the Live at O2 and Rarities box set from Alter Bridge on Friday. Really good stuff. Enjoyed the documentary and currently enjoying the live show. Alter Bridge is my favorite band at this point in time, with Fates Warning being up there too, based on its recent release. AB just slays, and watching the documentary...its weird. It's just a band that you can "believe in."
Very little drama, all about the music, the singer doesn't have a huge ego, and they are all pretty honest and heartfelt in how they answer questions and talk about what they have with Alter Bridge. It reminds me of the 80s and early 90s with Queensryche. It just felt good to have my faith in Alter Bridge as a band re-affirmed, and it usually is, every time they do something.