Mark Tremonti
Encyclopedia
Mark Thomas Tremonti is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the lead guitar
ist of the American rock bands Creed
and Alter Bridge
. He is a founding member of both bands. He has also collaborated with many other artists over the years and is currently at work on a project with his own band, Tremonti
.
Since his early years with Creed, Tremonti has become widely recognized for his technical and songwriting abilities and has received several accolades, including one Grammy Award
for Creed's single "With Arms Wide Open
." He was also named "Guitarist of the Year" for three consecutive years by Guitar World
magazine. In 2011, he was voted as the fourth greatest heavy metal
guitarist of all time by Total Guitar
.
, just outside of Detroit, for most of his childhood life before moving to Wilmette, Illinois
. Around this time, he began to become enthralled with music, and bought his first guitar at the age of eleven. When he was fifteen, his family moved again to Orlando, Florida
, where he enrolled in Lake Highland Preparatory School
. During this time, his mother was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus
, which left Tremonti devastated. After graduation, he moved to Clemson, South Carolina
to attend Clemson University
to major in finance. After his freshman year in college, he moved back to Florida to enroll in Florida State University
, where he was reunited with his then future Creed band mate Scott Stapp
, whom Tremonti had known in high school.
in 1995 with fellow members Brian Marshall
and Scott Phillips joining as bassist and drummer, respectively. Rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher was also briefly a member in 1995 when the band was known by its original name, Naked Toddler. While often criticized and parodied, Creed is recognized by many as one of the major acts of the post-grunge
movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Tremonti and Stapp have been collectively recognized as one of the most prolific songwriting teams in all of rock music.
The band released their debut album My Own Prison
in 1997 to mainstream success, selling over six million copies. Four singles were released from the album: "My Own Prison
," "Torn
," "What's This Life For
," and "One
." Each of these songs reached #1 on Billboard
s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making Creed the first band to achieve such a feat with a debut album. My Own Prison was followed in 1999 by Human Clay
, which was an immediate success and certified diamond
and eleven times platinum by the RIAA
. The band released four singles from Human Clay: "Higher," "With Arms Wide Open
," "What If
," and "Are You Ready
." "Higher" spent a record-breaking 17 weeks on the top of the rock radio charts. Marshall left the band in 2000 due to increasing tension with Stapp and to pursue other interests. He was temporarily replaced by touring bassist Brett Hestla
. Creed also won their first, and to date only, Grammy Award
with "With Arms Wide Open" for Best Rock Song
in 2001. That same year, after a tour, the band released another multi-platinum selling album, Weathered
, from which six singles were released: "My Sacrifice
," "One Last Breath
," "Hide," "Don't Stop Dancing
," "Weathered
," and "Bullets." It would be the band's only album without Marshall on bass; Tremonti handled the bass parts himself. The tour to support this record was overwhelmingly successful but ended with a considerably controversial concert in Chicago that ultimately led to the band's breakup. The band announced that they had disbanded in 2004, citing tension between Stapp and the other members, Tremonti in particular. Creed released their Greatest Hits
in November 2004.
However, after months of speculation, despite early claims from Tremonti that Creed would never return, it was announced that Creed had reunited with plans for a tour and a new album. The record, Full Circle
, was released in October 2009 and became the band's only album to not be certified by the RIAA. "Overcome
," "Rain
," and "A Thousand Faces
" were released as singles. Creed supported the album by touring throughout North and South America, Europe, and Australia during the summers of 2009 and 2010. The band also released a record-breaking concert film
titled Creed Live
in December 2009. A fifth Creed album is expected in late 2011 or early 2012 according to Tremonti.
, formerly of The Mayfield Four
and the current touring vocalist for Slash
's band, to be their singer. The newly formed band released their debut album, One Day Remains
, in August 2004 on Wind-up Records
. It saw mostly negative reviews, with many critics calling Alter Bridge an offshoot from Creed, but the album became Alter Bridge's only RIAA-certified album, going gold. Three singles were released from One Day Remains: "Open Your Eyes
," "Find the Real
," and "Broken Wings
." After a tour, it was followed by a second album, Blackbird
, in October 2007 on Universal Republic
. Blackbird was met with largely positive reviews and is generally considered by fans to be their best album. It released four singles: "Rise Today
," "Ties That Bind," "Watch Over You
," and "Before Tomorrow Comes
."
Alter Bridge embarked on a successful world tour in support of Blackbird, recording their December 7, 2008 show at the Heineken Music Hall
in Amsterdam
, Netherlands
for a live DVD titled Live from Amsterdam
. A single disc version was sold exclusively at venues during the Creed reunion tour in 2009 and on Amazon
. A Blu-ray Disc
version and a deluxe edition to be sold in stores, however, have been the source of controversy as they have delayed by Universal Republic several times, causing frustration amongst Alter Bridge fans and band members. It was finally released in stores in North America on January 11, 2011 after two years of delays.
Alter Bridge's third album, titled AB III, was released in October 2010 on Roadrunner Records
worldwide, with the exception of North America where it was self-released on Alter Bridge Recordings via EMI
. The band's first concept album
, AB III has been met with critical acclaim, with Rick Florino from Artistdirect
calling it a "sprawling masterpiece." Its single, "Isolation
," reached #1 on active rock radio and the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, the band's first single to do so. The band is currently on tour in support of the new record and will tour with Black Stone Cherry
and Like a Storm
in the spring of 2011. Two more singles from AB III have since been released: "I Know It Hurts" and "Ghost of Days Gone By
." Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips, owing to the reunion of Creed, now plan to alternate tours between Creed and Alter Bridge with Stapp and Kennedy working on their own projects while the other band is active.
side project called Downshifter (with Hatebreed
vocalist Jamey Jasta
and Slipknot
drummer Joey Jordison
), but the project never got off the ground. In 2008, Tremonti released a guitar instructional DVD titled Mark Tremonti: The Sound & the Story wherein he teaches all of his guitar solos from Alter Bridge's sophomore release, Blackbird. He also teaches warm-ups, alternate tunings, finger picking style, legato techniques, and other advanced exercises. His DVD includes special guest appearances from Myles Kennedy
, Michael Angelo Batio
, Rusty Cooley
, Bill Peck
, and Troy Stetina
. The DVD was released exclusively through Tremonti's company, Fret12, an online musicians' community co-founded and owned by Tremonti.
Tremonti has also recently talked about releasing a solo album
, tentatively titled The Tremonti Project. "The bands are so different," he said of his two current main projects. "And I write so much. I'm going to do a solo record because there are some songs that I'd hate to think wouldn't see the light of day because they don't work for Creed or Alter Bridge." He will be playing guitar and singing lead on all of the songs himself, and former Submersed
members Eric Friedman
and Garrett Whitlock will perform on the record as well. As of November 5, 2010, five songs for the album have been written. Tremonti describes the music as "melody driven." In a May 2011 interview, Tremonti said that it will be a "heavier-sounding" thrash metal
album.
Producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who produced Alter Bridge's previous two albums, announced that he will be working with Tremonti on his solo record. They began the recording process on April 4, 2011 according to Baskette's update. On April 6, 2011, Alter Bridge revealed also on Facebook that tracking for the project has begun. According to Tremonti, the album is to be released in January. In a recent interview, Tremonti has stated that he plans to release his solo record in February 2012.
, Fozzy
, Larry the Cable Guy
, Michael Angelo Batio
, and Bury Your Dead
. He helped produce several songs on the 2004 Submersed
album In Due Time
.
Tremonti is an avid collector of guitar
s and pinball machines
. He is also known to enjoy playing table tennis
. One of Tremonti's brothers, Michael, is Alter Bridge's fan liaison and publicist. Another brother, Dan, has created the artwork for all of the albums by both Alter Bridge and Creed and is the president and creative director of a design/marketing company called Core 12.
online database.
Studio albums
Compilations
s are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
. With Creed, Mark Tremonti has been nominated for three Grammy Awards resulting in one win.
Alter Bridge
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
ist of the American rock bands Creed
Creed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
and Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge is an American rock band that was formed in 2004 in Orlando, Florida by lead guitarist Mark Tremonti, bassist Brian Marshall, and drummer Scott Phillips, who are all also members of Creed. Lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Myles Kennedy, formerly of The Mayfield Four and the frontman...
. He is a founding member of both bands. He has also collaborated with many other artists over the years and is currently at work on a project with his own band, Tremonti
Tremonti (band)
Tremonti is the name of the heavy metal solo project by Alter Bridge and Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti. The project also features former Submersed members Eric Friedman and Garrett Whitlock. Tremonti's first solo album, which is at present untitled, is in the works, to be released in 2012...
.
Since his early years with Creed, Tremonti has become widely recognized for his technical and songwriting abilities and has received several accolades, including one Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
for Creed's single "With Arms Wide Open
With Arms Wide Open
"With Arms Wide Open" is a song composed by the band Creed, featured on the album Human Clay. Scott Stapp wrote the lyrics when he found out with great surprise that he was going to be a father. His son would be named Jagger. "With Arms Wide Open" topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks...
." He was also named "Guitarist of the Year" for three consecutive years by Guitar World
Guitar World
Guitar World is a monthly music magazine devoted to guitarists. It contains original interviews, album and gear reviews and guitar and bass tablature of approximately five songs each month. The magazine is published 13 times per year...
magazine. In 2011, he was voted as the fourth greatest heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
guitarist of all time by Total Guitar
Total Guitar
Total Guitar is a monthly magazine based in the United Kingdom. The magazine is the best selling guitar magazine in Europe.The magazine is owned by Future Publishing, who publish many other magazines ranging from drums and video games to mountain bikes and knitting magazines.Total Guitar regularly...
.
Early life
Tremonti was born on April 18, 1974 in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a Roman Catholic family in Grosse PointeGrosse Pointe, Michigan
Grosse Pointe is a suburban city bordering Detroit in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city covers just over one square mile, and had a population of 5,421 at the 2010 census. It is bordered on the west by Grosse Pointe Park, on the north by Detroit, on the east by Grosse Pointe...
, just outside of Detroit, for most of his childhood life before moving to Wilmette, Illinois
Wilmette, Illinois
Wilmette is a village in New Trier Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located north of Chicago's downtown district and has a population of 27,651. Wilmette is considered a bedroom community in the North Shore district...
. Around this time, he began to become enthralled with music, and bought his first guitar at the age of eleven. When he was fifteen, his family moved again to Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, where he enrolled in Lake Highland Preparatory School
Lake Highland Preparatory School
Lake Highland Preparatory School is a private school in Orlando, Florida that was founded in 1970. It is the largest private school in Orlando. Lake Highland Preparatory School is a Pre-K through 12, coeducational, private, day school situated on a campus on Lake Highland in the heart of Orlando...
. During this time, his mother was diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
, which left Tremonti devastated. After graduation, he moved to Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson is a college town located in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 11,939 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 42,199...
to attend Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
to major in finance. After his freshman year in college, he moved back to Florida to enroll in Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, where he was reunited with his then future Creed band mate Scott Stapp
Scott Stapp
Scott Alan Stapp is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed, of which he is a founding member. His debut solo album, The Great Divide, was released in 2005. A second album, Between Lust and Love, is currently in production...
, whom Tremonti had known in high school.
Creed
Tremonti is a founding member of the American hard rock band Creed. He formed the band with lead vocalist Scott StappScott Stapp
Scott Alan Stapp is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Creed, of which he is a founding member. His debut solo album, The Great Divide, was released in 2005. A second album, Between Lust and Love, is currently in production...
in 1995 with fellow members Brian Marshall
Brian Marshall
Brian Aubrey Marshall is an American musician and songwriter best known as the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Creed and Alter Bridge. He also co-owns a bed and breakfast called Mango Moon in Costa Rica.-Early life:...
and Scott Phillips joining as bassist and drummer, respectively. Rhythm guitarist Brian Brasher was also briefly a member in 1995 when the band was known by its original name, Naked Toddler. While often criticized and parodied, Creed is recognized by many as one of the major acts of the post-grunge
Post-grunge
Post-grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged in the mid-1990s as a derivative of grunge, using the sounds and aesthetic of grunge, but with a more commercially acceptable tone...
movement of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Tremonti and Stapp have been collectively recognized as one of the most prolific songwriting teams in all of rock music.
The band released their debut album My Own Prison
My Own Prison
My Own Prison is the debut album by Creed, released on August 26, 1997 . It has been certified 6x platinum and is one of the top 200 selling albums of all time in the United States. The person kneeling on the album's cover is Justin Brown, a friend of the band...
in 1997 to mainstream success, selling over six million copies. Four singles were released from the album: "My Own Prison
My Own Prison (song)
"My Own Prison" is a song by Creed and the titular lead single from their 1997 debut album, My Own Prison. Vocalist Scott Stapp wrote the lyrics about his struggles with life at a time when he was questioning his religious faith. He realized he had created a prison within his own mind. Stapp sings...
," "Torn
Torn (Creed song)
"Torn" is a song composed by the rock band Creed. It is from their 1997 album My Own Prison. As a single, it reached number three on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart...
," "What's This Life For
What's This Life For
"What's This Life For" is a song by rock band Creed. It is the third single off their 1997 debut album, My Own Prison. The song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in the U.S., becoming their first #1 hit on this chart...
," and "One
One (Creed song)
"One" is a song composed by the rock band Creed. From their 1997 album My Own Prison, it describes the lack of unity in modern society and includes a criticism of affirmative action. It was the band's fourth single...
." Each of these songs reached #1 on Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
s Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, making Creed the first band to achieve such a feat with a debut album. My Own Prison was followed in 1999 by Human Clay
Human Clay
Human Clay is the second album by Creed released on September 28, 1999. It was certified 11x platinum and 1x diamond by the RIAA, and is 54th on the top 100 selling albums of all time in the United States . The album was the band's first to hit #1 in the U.S., where it debuted with first week...
, which was an immediate success and certified diamond
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
and eleven times platinum by the RIAA
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States...
. The band released four singles from Human Clay: "Higher," "With Arms Wide Open
With Arms Wide Open
"With Arms Wide Open" is a song composed by the band Creed, featured on the album Human Clay. Scott Stapp wrote the lyrics when he found out with great surprise that he was going to be a father. His son would be named Jagger. "With Arms Wide Open" topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks...
," "What If
What If (Creed song)
"What If" is a song by Creed, released as the second single from their 1999 album Human Clay.In the song, Scott Stapp sings about hatred and those who oppress others. According to guitarist Mark Tremonti, the intro was inspired by the song "Paint It, Black" by The Rolling Stones.The song was used...
," and "Are You Ready
Are You Ready? (Creed song)
"Are You Ready?" is the fourth single from the album Human Clay by the American rock band Creed. It is included on the 2001 album NASCAR: Full Throttle and the 2005 album Harley Davidson: Ride. It was their worst performing single on the U.S. charts up to that point, even though it became a top 5...
." "Higher" spent a record-breaking 17 weeks on the top of the rock radio charts. Marshall left the band in 2000 due to increasing tension with Stapp and to pursue other interests. He was temporarily replaced by touring bassist Brett Hestla
Brett Hestla
Brett Hestla, is an American guitarist, bassist, vocalist and record producer.-Music career:In the late 1990s Hestla's band Virgos Merlot was signed to Atlantic Records. After their first release, Signs of a Vacant Soul, he became the touring bassist for Creed after the departure of Brian Marshall...
. Creed also won their first, and to date only, Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
with "With Arms Wide Open" for Best Rock Song
Grammy Award for Best Rock Song
The Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre...
in 2001. That same year, after a tour, the band released another multi-platinum selling album, Weathered
Weathered
Weathered is the third album by Creed, released on November 20, 2001. Some versions are enhanced CDs and include videos. It has been certified 6× platinum by the RIAA...
, from which six singles were released: "My Sacrifice
My Sacrifice
"My Sacrifice" is a single and Grammy nominated song released by the American post-grunge band Creed on their album Weathered in 2001. The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on February 9, 2002, and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 9 consecutive weeks, starting in...
," "One Last Breath
One Last Breath
"One Last Breath" is a 2002 single by the band Creed, from their 2001 album Weathered. It reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay and Mainstream Rock charts, as well as #4 on the Billboard Pop chart, and #2 on the Adult Top 40.-Chart...
," "Hide," "Don't Stop Dancing
Don't Stop Dancing
"Don't Stop Dancing" is a song by Creed featured on the band's third album, Weathered in 2001. The song features Scott Stapp's sister Aimee Stapp on backup vocals, and the Tallahassee Boys' Choir singing a background chorus.-Music video:...
," "Weathered
Weathered (song)
"Weathered" is a song written and performed by the band Creed, released as the last single from their album, Weathered.-Chart performance:...
," and "Bullets." It would be the band's only album without Marshall on bass; Tremonti handled the bass parts himself. The tour to support this record was overwhelmingly successful but ended with a considerably controversial concert in Chicago that ultimately led to the band's breakup. The band announced that they had disbanded in 2004, citing tension between Stapp and the other members, Tremonti in particular. Creed released their Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Creed album)
Greatest Hits is a greatest hits compilation album from the rock band Creed. It was released in 2004, soon after the announcement that the band had broken up, and that lead singer Scott Stapp and the other members of the band would go their separate ways . It consists of every one of their U.S...
in November 2004.
Full Circle (Creed album)
Full Circle is the fourth studio album by American rock band Creed, released on October 27, 2009. It is Creed's first release since disbanding in 2004, prior to the release of their Greatest Hits album, and is their first studio album since 2001's Weathered, as well as their first to feature...
, was released in October 2009 and became the band's only album to not be certified by the RIAA. "Overcome
Overcome (Creed song)
"Overcome" is a song written and performed by Creed. At the time of its release, it was their first single in seven years, and also the first from their 2009 reunion album, Full Circle...
," "Rain
Rain (Creed song)
"Rain" is a song written and performed by Creed. It is their second single from their 2009 album, Full Circle.The single was released through MSN Music on September 22, 2009, hit radio airplay September 23, 2009, and was released as a digital download on October 6, 2009 on iTunes and other digital...
," and "A Thousand Faces
A Thousand Faces
"A Thousand Faces" is the third single from the American post-grunge band Creed's fourth album Full Circle. It is the third track on the album. "A Thousand Faces" was released as a single on March 29, 2010. It had, however, garnered radio airplay several weeks before its release.The feedback for...
" were released as singles. Creed supported the album by touring throughout North and South America, Europe, and Australia during the summers of 2009 and 2010. The band also released a record-breaking concert film
Concert film
A concert movie, or concert film, is a type of documentary film, the subject of which is an extended live performance or concert by a musician ....
titled Creed Live
Creed Live
Creed Live is the first concert film by the American rock band Creed, recorded on September 25, 2009 in Houston and released on December 8, 2009. The performance broke the world record for the most amount of cameras used at a live music event and was available for viewing for free on Rockpit and...
in December 2009. A fifth Creed album is expected in late 2011 or early 2012 according to Tremonti.
Alter Bridge
Alter Bridge was formed in January 2004 by Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips after Creed disbanded. They asked Myles KennedyMyles Kennedy
Myles Richard Kennedy is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current solo project...
, formerly of The Mayfield Four
The Mayfield Four
For the telephone signalling method known in the UK as MF4, see Dual-tone multi-frequencyThe Mayfield Four was an American rock band formed by Myles Kennedy in Spokane, Washington in 1996...
and the current touring vocalist for Slash
Slash (musician)
Saul Hudson , known by his stage name Slash, is a British-American musician and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead guitarist of the American hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During his later years with Guns N'...
's band, to be their singer. The newly formed band released their debut album, One Day Remains
One Day Remains
One Day Remains is the debut studio album by the American rock band Alter Bridge, released on August 10, 2004 on Wind-up Records. The album was produced by Ben Grosse. It has been certified Gold in the United States with worldwide sales reaching 750,000. It is said the album received its name from...
, in August 2004 on Wind-up Records
Wind-Up Records
Wind-up Entertainment, Inc. is a record label based in New York City. It was formed in 1997 by Alan Meltzer, former owner of CD One Stop, following his 1996 purchase of Grass Records. Wind-up is currently the largest independently-owned record label in the world...
. It saw mostly negative reviews, with many critics calling Alter Bridge an offshoot from Creed, but the album became Alter Bridge's only RIAA-certified album, going gold. Three singles were released from One Day Remains: "Open Your Eyes
Open Your Eyes (Alter Bridge song)
"Open Your Eyes" is a song by the hard rock band Alter Bridge. The song, which is one of the band's biggest hits to date, was released as the first single off their debut album One Day Remains and peaked at No. 2 on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 2004, the band's highest charting single on...
," "Find the Real
Find The Real
"Find the Real" is a song recorded and performed by post-grunge band Alter Bridge. The song was the second of three singles released off of the band's debut studio album, One Day Remains...
," and "Broken Wings
Broken Wings (Alter Bridge song)
"Broken Wings" is a song recorded and performed by the band Alter Bridge. The song was the third and final single from the band's debut studio album, One Day Remains. It was not as successful as the previous two singles . Actor Paul Guilfoyle, known for his role in the hit show CSI: Crime Scene...
." After a tour, it was followed by a second album, Blackbird
Blackbird (album)
Blackbird is the second studio album by rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 9, 2007. The first single, "Rise Today", was released on July 30, 2007. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, selling 47,000 copies in its first week on the charts. As of December 2008, Blackbird has...
, in October 2007 on Universal Republic
Universal Republic
Universal Republic Records is a record label, owned by Universal Music Group. It is based on the now-defunct Republic Records label founded by brothers Monte and Avery Lipman...
. Blackbird was met with largely positive reviews and is generally considered by fans to be their best album. It released four singles: "Rise Today
Rise Today
"Rise Today" is a song recorded and performed by hard rock band Alter Bridge. The song was released as the first single in promotion of the band's second studio album, Blackbird...
," "Ties That Bind," "Watch Over You
Watch Over You
"Watch Over You" is a song by the American rock band Alter Bridge, featured on the band's second album Blackbird in 2007. The ballad is one of Alter Bridge's softer songs and has a much lighter tone than other songs on the album...
," and "Before Tomorrow Comes
Before Tomorrow Comes
"Before Tomorrow Comes" is a song by American hard rock band Alter Bridge and the third international, fourth overall, and final single taken from the band's second album Blackbird. On April 3, 2008, the song was announced to be the fourth single in the United Kingdom but will be the third single...
."
Alter Bridge embarked on a successful world tour in support of Blackbird, recording their December 7, 2008 show at the Heineken Music Hall
Heineken Music Hall
Heineken Music Hall is a concert hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands, near the Amsterdam ArenA .The big hall is used for concerts, has a capacity of 5500 and is 3000 m²...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
for a live DVD titled Live from Amsterdam
Live from Amsterdam (DVD)
Live from Amsterdam is the first concert film and live album by American rock band Alter Bridge, recorded on December 7, 2008 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands and released to extremely positive reviews on September 12, 2009 via Amazon...
. A single disc version was sold exclusively at venues during the Creed reunion tour in 2009 and on Amazon
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
. A Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB per layer, with dual layer discs being the norm for feature-length video discs...
version and a deluxe edition to be sold in stores, however, have been the source of controversy as they have delayed by Universal Republic several times, causing frustration amongst Alter Bridge fans and band members. It was finally released in stores in North America on January 11, 2011 after two years of delays.
Alter Bridge's third album, titled AB III, was released in October 2010 on Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
worldwide, with the exception of North America where it was self-released on Alter Bridge Recordings via EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
. The band's first concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
, AB III has been met with critical acclaim, with Rick Florino from Artistdirect
ARTISTdirect
Founded in 1994, Artistdirect, Inc. is an online digital media entertainment company. It owns several websites including Artistdirect.com, UBL.com and the Artistdirect Network...
calling it a "sprawling masterpiece." Its single, "Isolation
Isolation (Alter Bridge song)
"Isolation" is a song written and performed by Alter Bridge, released as the first single from their third album, AB III, and is their most successful single to date. It was made available as a digital download on September 26, 2010 in the United Kingdom by Roadrunner Records and October 25, 2010...
," reached #1 on active rock radio and the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, the band's first single to do so. The band is currently on tour in support of the new record and will tour with Black Stone Cherry
Black Stone Cherry
Black Stone Cherry is an American rock band formed in 2001 in Edmonton, Kentucky. They are signed to Roadrunner Records. The band consists of Chris Robertson , Ben Wells , Jon Lawhon , and John Fred Young...
and Like a Storm
Like A Storm
Like A Storm is a hard rock band from Auckland, New Zealand. Formed by brothers Chris, Matt & Kent Brooks, Like A Storm has toured the U.S. extensively with Shinedown, Creed, Puddle of Mudd, Staind, Alter Bridge, Drowning Pool, Helmet, Skillet, Hoobastank and many others, as well as playing the...
in the spring of 2011. Two more singles from AB III have since been released: "I Know It Hurts" and "Ghost of Days Gone By
Ghost of Days Gone By
"Ghost of Days Gone By" is a song written and performed by Alter Bridge, released in the United States as the third single from their third album, AB III, on April 18, 2011. In the United States, the song was self-released via EMI, like the album. It is unknown when or if the single will be...
." Tremonti, Marshall, and Phillips, owing to the reunion of Creed, now plan to alternate tours between Creed and Alter Bridge with Stapp and Kennedy working on their own projects while the other band is active.
Solo career
During the time that Creed was at the end of its career in the early 2000s, Tremonti had intentions to form a speed metalSpeed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
side project called Downshifter (with Hatebreed
Hatebreed
- History :Hatebreed was formed in 1994 in Bridgeport, Waterbury and New Haven. They began by recording a three song demo and selling it to locals. Those three songs would eventually be released on a split seven inch with New York's Neglect in 1995...
vocalist Jamey Jasta
Jamey Jasta
Jamey Jasta is an American musician from New Haven, Connecticut, best known as the lead vocalist of the hardcore band Hatebreed and sludge metal band Kingdom of Sorrow...
and Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
drummer Joey Jordison
Joey Jordison
Joey Jordison , is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his work as the drummer for the nu metal band Slipknot. He grew up in Waukee, Iowa with his parents and two sisters, and was given his first drum kit at the age of 8...
), but the project never got off the ground. In 2008, Tremonti released a guitar instructional DVD titled Mark Tremonti: The Sound & the Story wherein he teaches all of his guitar solos from Alter Bridge's sophomore release, Blackbird. He also teaches warm-ups, alternate tunings, finger picking style, legato techniques, and other advanced exercises. His DVD includes special guest appearances from Myles Kennedy
Myles Kennedy
Myles Richard Kennedy is an American musician and singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge, and as the lead vocalist in Slash's current solo project...
, Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is a guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. His work has encompassed many genres, notably metal and its subgenres. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003...
, Rusty Cooley
Rusty Cooley
Rusty Cooley is a guitarist from Houston, Texas known for his highly refined guitar technique.-Early life:Rusty received his first equipment on his fifteenth birthday. From that day on Cooley immersed himself in music, practicing upwards of 4 hours a day...
, Bill Peck
Bill Peck
William "Bill" Peck is a guitarist from Orlando, Florida. Peck is best known for being a close friend with musician Mark Tremonti and for being featured in Guitar One Magazine several times....
, and Troy Stetina
Troy Stetina
Troy Stetina is an American guitarist and music educator with more than 35 rock and metal instructional methods to his credit, and total sales currently over 1 million units. He also operates his recording studio, "Artist Underground," in Milwaukee, Wisconsin...
. The DVD was released exclusively through Tremonti's company, Fret12, an online musicians' community co-founded and owned by Tremonti.
Tremonti has also recently talked about releasing a solo album
Solo album
A solo album, in popular music, is an album headlined by a current or former member of a band. A solo album may feature simply one person performing all instruments, but typically features the work of other collaborators; rather, it may be made with different collaborators than the artist is...
, tentatively titled The Tremonti Project. "The bands are so different," he said of his two current main projects. "And I write so much. I'm going to do a solo record because there are some songs that I'd hate to think wouldn't see the light of day because they don't work for Creed or Alter Bridge." He will be playing guitar and singing lead on all of the songs himself, and former Submersed
Submersed
Submersed was an American rock band from Stephenville, Texas. They disbanded in 2008.-History:Submersed was signed to Wind-up Records, and worked with Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti on its debut studio album, In Due Time, which featured the singles "You Run", "Hollow", and the title track...
members Eric Friedman
Eric Friedman
Eric Charles "Erock" Friedman is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the current touring rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist for Creed. He played with the band on their 2009 United States reunion tour with Staind and their 20-10 Tour with Skillet...
and Garrett Whitlock will perform on the record as well. As of November 5, 2010, five songs for the album have been written. Tremonti describes the music as "melody driven." In a May 2011 interview, Tremonti said that it will be a "heavier-sounding" thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
album.
Producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who produced Alter Bridge's previous two albums, announced that he will be working with Tremonti on his solo record. They began the recording process on April 4, 2011 according to Baskette's update. On April 6, 2011, Alter Bridge revealed also on Facebook that tracking for the project has begun. According to Tremonti, the album is to be released in January. In a recent interview, Tremonti has stated that he plans to release his solo record in February 2012.
Other works
Tremonti has worked with several artists since his beginning years with Creed, including SevendustSevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
, Fozzy
Fozzy
Fozzy is an American heavy metal/hard rock band, formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1999. Lead singer Chris Jericho , who is also a professional wrestler, resides in Florida, while the rest of the band lives in Georgia. The band is currently signed to Riot! Entertainment...
, Larry the Cable Guy
Larry the Cable Guy
Daniel Lawrence Whitney , better known by his stage name and character Larry the Cable Guy, is an American comedian, actor, and former radio personality....
, Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio
Michael Angelo Batio also known as Mike Batio or MAB, is a guitarist and columnist from Chicago, Illinois. His work has encompassed many genres, notably metal and its subgenres. Batio was voted the "No. 1 Shredder of All Time" by Guitar One Magazine in 2003...
, and Bury Your Dead
Bury Your Dead
Bury Your Dead is an American metalcore band from Boston, Massachusetts, United States, formed in 2001. To date they have had eight releases; one EP: Bury Your Dead, one live DVD: Alive, and six studio albums: You Had Me at Hello, Cover Your Tracks, Beauty and the Breakdown, Bury Your Dead, It's...
. He helped produce several songs on the 2004 Submersed
Submersed
Submersed was an American rock band from Stephenville, Texas. They disbanded in 2008.-History:Submersed was signed to Wind-up Records, and worked with Alter Bridge guitarist Mark Tremonti on its debut studio album, In Due Time, which featured the singles "You Run", "Hollow", and the title track...
album In Due Time
In Due Time
In Due Time is the 2004 debut studio album by Submersed, a hard rock band from Stephenville, Texas. The album was originally titled All Things Becoming of the End. The album was recorded and mixed, but eventually scrapped and renamed as the band began writing new material that they felt was far...
.
Personal life
On December 14, 2002, Tremonti married Victoria Rodriguez, with whom he has two sons, Austen and Pearson. They currently reside in Orlando, Florida.Tremonti is an avid collector of guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s and pinball machines
Pinball
Pinball is a type of arcade game, usually coin-operated, where a player attempts to score points by manipulating one or more metal balls on a playfield inside a glass-covered case called a pinball machine. The primary objective of the game is to score as many points as possible...
. He is also known to enjoy playing table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
. One of Tremonti's brothers, Michael, is Alter Bridge's fan liaison and publicist. Another brother, Dan, has created the artwork for all of the albums by both Alter Bridge and Creed and is the president and creative director of a design/marketing company called Core 12.
RIAA certifications
These statistics were compiled from the RIAA certificationRIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
online database.
Studio albums
- My Own PrisonMy Own PrisonMy Own Prison is the debut album by Creed, released on August 26, 1997 . It has been certified 6x platinum and is one of the top 200 selling albums of all time in the United States. The person kneeling on the album's cover is Justin Brown, a friend of the band...
: 6× platinum (August 2002) - Human ClayHuman ClayHuman Clay is the second album by Creed released on September 28, 1999. It was certified 11x platinum and 1x diamond by the RIAA, and is 54th on the top 100 selling albums of all time in the United States . The album was the band's first to hit #1 in the U.S., where it debuted with first week...
: 11× platinum, 1×(+) diamond (January 2004) - WeatheredWeatheredWeathered is the third album by Creed, released on November 20, 2001. Some versions are enhanced CDs and include videos. It has been certified 6× platinum by the RIAA...
: 6× platinum (January 2003) - One Day RemainsOne Day RemainsOne Day Remains is the debut studio album by the American rock band Alter Bridge, released on August 10, 2004 on Wind-up Records. The album was produced by Ben Grosse. It has been certified Gold in the United States with worldwide sales reaching 750,000. It is said the album received its name from...
: gold (November 2004)
Compilations
- Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (Creed album)Greatest Hits is a greatest hits compilation album from the rock band Creed. It was released in 2004, soon after the announcement that the band had broken up, and that lead singer Scott Stapp and the other members of the band would go their separate ways . It consists of every one of their U.S...
: 2× platinum (November 2008)
Grammy Awards and nominations
The Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, Inc., known variously as The Recording Academy or NARAS, is a U.S. organization of musicians, producers, recording engineers and other recording professionals dedicated to improving the quality of life and cultural condition for music and its...
. With Creed, Mark Tremonti has been nominated for three Grammy Awards resulting in one win.
- "With Arms Wide OpenWith Arms Wide Open"With Arms Wide Open" is a song composed by the band Creed, featured on the album Human Clay. Scott Stapp wrote the lyrics when he found out with great surprise that he was going to be a father. His son would be named Jagger. "With Arms Wide Open" topped the Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks...
" – Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalGrammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with VocalThe Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal was awarded between 1980 and 2011.The award was discontinued after the 2011 award season in a major overhaul of Grammy categories...
, 2001 (nomination) - "With Arms Wide Open" – Best Rock SongGrammy Award for Best Rock SongThe Grammy Award for Best Rock Song is an honor presented at the Grammy Awards, a ceremony that was established in 1958 and originally called the Gramophone Awards, to recording artists for quality songs in the rock music genre...
, 2001 (winner) - "My SacrificeMy Sacrifice"My Sacrifice" is a single and Grammy nominated song released by the American post-grunge band Creed on their album Weathered in 2001. The song peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart on February 9, 2002, and #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for 9 consecutive weeks, starting in...
" – Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, 2003 (nomination)
Discography
Creed- My Own PrisonMy Own PrisonMy Own Prison is the debut album by Creed, released on August 26, 1997 . It has been certified 6x platinum and is one of the top 200 selling albums of all time in the United States. The person kneeling on the album's cover is Justin Brown, a friend of the band...
(1997) - Human ClayHuman ClayHuman Clay is the second album by Creed released on September 28, 1999. It was certified 11x platinum and 1x diamond by the RIAA, and is 54th on the top 100 selling albums of all time in the United States . The album was the band's first to hit #1 in the U.S., where it debuted with first week...
(1999) - WeatheredWeatheredWeathered is the third album by Creed, released on November 20, 2001. Some versions are enhanced CDs and include videos. It has been certified 6× platinum by the RIAA...
(2001) - Greatest HitsGreatest Hits (Creed album)Greatest Hits is a greatest hits compilation album from the rock band Creed. It was released in 2004, soon after the announcement that the band had broken up, and that lead singer Scott Stapp and the other members of the band would go their separate ways . It consists of every one of their U.S...
(2004) - Full CircleFull Circle (Creed album)Full Circle is the fourth studio album by American rock band Creed, released on October 27, 2009. It is Creed's first release since disbanding in 2004, prior to the release of their Greatest Hits album, and is their first studio album since 2001's Weathered, as well as their first to feature...
(2009) - Creed LiveCreed LiveCreed Live is the first concert film by the American rock band Creed, recorded on September 25, 2009 in Houston and released on December 8, 2009. The performance broke the world record for the most amount of cameras used at a live music event and was available for viewing for free on Rockpit and...
(2009)
Alter Bridge
- One Day RemainsOne Day RemainsOne Day Remains is the debut studio album by the American rock band Alter Bridge, released on August 10, 2004 on Wind-up Records. The album was produced by Ben Grosse. It has been certified Gold in the United States with worldwide sales reaching 750,000. It is said the album received its name from...
(2004) - BlackbirdBlackbird (album)Blackbird is the second studio album by rock band Alter Bridge, released on October 9, 2007. The first single, "Rise Today", was released on July 30, 2007. The album peaked at number 13 on the Billboard 200, selling 47,000 copies in its first week on the charts. As of December 2008, Blackbird has...
(2007) - Live from AmsterdamLive from Amsterdam (DVD)Live from Amsterdam is the first concert film and live album by American rock band Alter Bridge, recorded on December 7, 2008 at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands and released to extremely positive reviews on September 12, 2009 via Amazon...
(2009) - AB III (2010)
External links
- MarkTremonti.net (unofficial)
- Mark Tremonti – Fret12