Fans flock to Lubbock for first Creed show since '02

Lubbock Online October 19 2009

For Kali Gonzales, Sunday night was a chance to see one of her favorite groups reunited after a nearly five-year breakup. "I'm so happy they're back together," she said of Creed.

That's why the South Plains College student said she and her two friends didn't mind making the 30-mile drive from their Levelland dorms to see one of their favorite groups perform in Lubbock.

"We came just because it's Creed," Gonzales said. "They're legendary to us. They're sacred. They're hardcore."

Rock band Creed paid a third visit to Lubbock's United Spirit Arena during a Sunday evening concert. The group's last performance was in 2002.

Opening acts Like-A-Storm and Saliva got Gonzales and the rest of the crowd of about 3,500 warmed up for the evening.

Gonzales said seeing Like-A-Storm perform live for the first time was a pleasant surprise.

"I liked them before," she said, "but seeing them makes it even better because you know they've got real skills."

Though her friend Mason Reeder said he also enjoyed Like-A-Storm's music, he said he was more excited to see Creed.

He was especially interested in hearing such Creed hits as "With Arms Wide Open" and "Higher," he said.

"They're just hardcore - they're awesome," Reeder said, standing in line to buy Creed souvenirs.

Like the South Plains students, Luis DeLaRosa and his son, Ivan, said it was Creed's long list of hits that attracted them to the concert. But they couldn't name just one song they were hoping to hear.

"All of them," the father from Denver City said.

His 14-year-old son said he wasn't as knowledgeable about the rock band, but agreed with his dad that all the songs would make for a good concert.

"I listen to it, so he gets to listen to it," Luis DeLaRosa said. "We came just to share the experience."

.Adam D Young