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INXS and the Scott Stapp Band Unleashed and Unplugged at Phase 4 Studios
August 3, 2006
What do you say when you get a phone call that you will be one of three magazines, two of them national, allowed into an unplugged concert event in Tempe? You say “Yes!” of course, while grinning ear to ear! That was my response to John Harris’s gracious invite to the Scott Stapp and INXS unplugged show at. Phase 4 Studios a.k.a. Phase 54 in Tempe, sponsored by The Mix 96.9, who deserve a big thanks from Impulse.
The opening act was former Creed front man Scott Stapp and band members Artie Rincon and John Curry performing 4 songs from their new album The Great Divide as well as one Creed Favorite. What a treat this show was for the fans, especially since they actually allowed the fans to bring in cameras. This is quite a rarity in music these days, especially at such an exclusive performance. What an incredible way for the band to show how much their fans mean to them. Kudos for that one, guys! They kicked off the set with the Creed favorite “My Sacrifice”, good choice in that the lyrics “We’ve seen our share of ups and downs/Oh how quickly life can turn around in an instant…” truly fit Scott’s turn around in life as well as the music arena.
Two potentially devastating events earlier this year would have sent a lesser artist into hiding. A now infamous sex tape involving Scott Stapp, Kid Rock, 4 strippers and a tour bus in 1999 was purchased by Red Light District and set to be released. Red Light District is the distributor of the now notorious Paris Hilton sex tape "One Night in Paris” from 2004. Five days prior to the news of the tape’s release, and one day after his wedding, Scott was arrested for public intoxication at LAX while trying to board a plane. I commend Scott on sticking around through the aftermath of that, I can only imagine how difficult it must have been.
The band next performed “You will Soar” a very uplifting message of faith and hope off of their new album. The next treat for the fans was the title track off the new album “The Great Divide” followed by my personal favorite and the new single “Justify”. Stapp has stated that the new album sums up the last four years of his life. To me it represents maturity, growth, faith, love and humbling self reflection. The encore consisted of “Let Me Go” and “Surround Me” and ended with the fans and myself in a standing ovation; excellent work by incredible artists. You can hear the new album at scottstapp.com or at myspace.com/scottstapp.
.Sharon Fitzpatrick