Creed Puts Christian Rock Into Mainstream

Over the previous decade plus, a handful of Christian rock bands attempted to break through into the national spolight, with little or no impact. All that changed in 1997 when the band Creed released their first nationally successful album My Own Prison, with the many modern rock radio hits that followed over the next year, including the album's title track. In short, Creed became an instant success!

Originating from Tallahassee, Florida, the band combined the popular post·grunge musical style with lyrics seeming to document a man's search for God and spiritual truth and guidance.

Although termed a "Christian Rock Band" by the "critics", lead singer Scott Stapp explained in an interview during Woodstock '99 that Creed wasn't technically a "Christian Rock Band", but pundits and audiences didn't know "what to make of them" based on their lyrics. During the same interview, Stapp also mentioned that, as the band's songwriter, Christian·based lyrics were one of the ways he could be original, and in that, he certainly was!

The band became arguably the most successful rock band from the late 1990's to early 2000's.

Smash Mouth

Smash Mouth made their break on the national music scene with their 1997 release Fush Yu Mang, which put the single Walkin' On The Sun at number one on Billboard's Modern Rock chart the same year. Over the remainder of the decade, Smash Mouth would see another of their albums, Astro Lounge, acheive hit status as well. Some of their songs ended up getting featured in motion pictures.

Smash Mouth's style uses a pop/alternative fusion, with some mimicking of the 1960's sound. Fittingly, the band later covered songs from the 60's. Smash Mouth formed in San Jose.

Sugar Ray

Sugar Ray, a "new" band? Hardly, as the original band formed in 1986, but didn't see national success until 1997. Over the previous 11 years, Sugar Ray survived name changes, member changes, and a shift in their musical style. It was the latter that propelled their first successful album Floored, and their first single Fly - a track that spent 8 weeks at number one on Billboard's Modern Rock chart!

Their original style was termed "funk · metal" and "nu · metal", but the band shifted to a more pop·based style with an "alternative rock" twist, as this proved successful and put Sugar Ray in the national spotlight. Their first track, Fly, though hinted at a more hip·hop/pop fusion, but nevertheless proved popular with their fans.

Sugar Ray saw their success stretch into the mid·2000's, but waned somewhat from their first two albums Floored and 14:59.

Third Eye Blind

Third Eye Blind released their self·titled debut album in 1997, and enjoyed an enormous hit with alternative rock fans with the track Semi·Charmed Life, spending 8 weeks at number one on Billboard's Modern Rock chart, more than any other song that year!

The album itself also became a huge hit, producing other Modern Rock top 10's stretching into the following year including How's It Going To Be and Jumper.

Third Eye Blind enjoyed a huge following among alternative rock fans for the rest of the decade!