Craft Recordings is pleased to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Creed’s best-selling debut, My Own Prison,with the album’s first-ever release on vinyl. Landing in stores on December 2nd and available for preorder today, the multi-platinum-selling hard rock classic features the chart-topping hits “Torn,” “What’s This Life For,” “One” and “My Own Prison.”
Released in 1997, My Own Prison marked the beginning of a rarified journey for Scott Stapp (vocals), Mark Tremonti (guitar), Brian Marshal (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums). Formed in Tallahassee, FL, in 1994, Creed was the brainchild of longtime friends Stapp and Tremonti, who first started writing together while attending Florida State University. Soon, the group gelled into a four-piece and set up shows around the city. It was at one of those gigs that Creed caught the ears of club owner and artist manager Jeff Hanson, who began working with the talented band. Hanson paired the group with producer, songwriter and musician John Kurzweg, who recorded My Own Prison in his home. The self-released album became a hot commodity at local radio stations, selling more than 6,000 copies within its first month. Before long, Wind-Up Recordsdiscovered the young act—promptly signing them and re-mixing My Own Prison for wide release.
Stylistically, the album was influenced by Stapp and Tremonti’s favorite groups: from classic rock acts like Led Zeppelin and The Doors to the heart-felt arena rock of U2 and the full-out thrash metal of Slayer and Metallica. Lyrically, however, My Own Prison found Stapp and Tremonti inspired by their own lives and personal struggles. The title track, for instance, was based on Stapp’s troubled years as a teenager—and his realization that he needed to take responsibility for his actions. The cathartic “Torn” found Tremonti reflecting on the difficulties that he faced as a young adult, while “What’s This Life For” was based upon a close friend who took his own life. The duo also tackled broader issues, including the divisiveness of modern society in “One.”
My Own Prison was reissued by Wind-Up in August 1997—just two months after the group’s self-released version. Over the following year and a half, the band’s profile grew exponentially, as did sales of My Own Prison, which first topped Billboard’s Heatseeker Albums chart in November and peaked at No.22 on the Billboard 200 in May 1998. All four singles from the album, meanwhile, would have chart success, including “My Own Prison,” “One” and “What’s This Life For,” which all broke the Top Ten of Billboard’s Alternative and Mainstream Rock charts. The title track also landed in the Canadian Top 50, while “One” entered the Billboard Hot 100. My Own Prison would later be certified 6x Platinum and—boosted by the global success of Creed’s sophomore album, 1999’s Human Clay—topped Billboard’s year-end Top Pop Catalog charts in both 2000 and 2001.
With the massive popularity of My Own Prison and the Diamond-certified Human Clay, Creed would become the first band ever to have seven consecutive No.1 singles on Billboard’s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Their rise continued with 2001’s Weathered, which debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and produced the Top Ten hits “My Sacrifice” and “One Last Breath.” While Creed announced their breakup in 2004, they briefly reunited in 2009 to release Full Circle. Proving the band’s enduring popularity and fervent fanbase, the album debuted at No.2 on the Billboard 200. Today, Creed’s music continues to find new generations of fans, while the band members each remain active with their individual projects.
My Own Prison tracklist (Vinyl):
A1. Torn
A2. Ode
A3. My Own Prison
A4. Pity For A Dime
A5. In America
B1. Illusion
B2. Unforgiven
B3. Sister
B4. What’s This Life For
B5. One
News: Creed release vinyl reissue of debut album ‘My Own Prison’
