Grammy-winning artiste, solo sensation, and, let’s be real, the main reason CREED existed, Scott Stapp, has unleashed “Deadman’s Trigger: A Short Film” upon us. Prepare yourselves. This cinematic masterpiece (and I use that term VERY loosely) stars none other than Scott Stapp and his seven-year-old son, Anthony Stapp. Directed by the visionary Tyler Dunning Evans, with music, predictably, by Scott Stapp, this nine-minute, 13-second epic features “Deadman’s Trigger”, the THIRD single from his chart-topping solo album “Higher Power”. Yes, you read that right. Third single. Apparently, the world needed more Stapp after the chart-obliterating success of the first two. The track is, supposedly, “climbing the rock charts” after two “consecutive radio hits.” We’ll see about that. 🤔
As the “inspiration and soundtrack” (read: the only reason this film exists), “Deadman’s Trigger” is described as an “explosive track that pulses with sonic swagger, anguish, and idealism.” Explosive like a toddler’s tantrum? Swagger like a dad trying to be cool at a middle school dance? Anguish like realizing you’re watching a nine-minute Scott Stapp short film? And idealism… well, let’s not get ahead of ourselves.🙄
Executive director Jason Lipshutz, bless his heart, offers this gem of a quote: “In the middle of another successful touring season for his reunited band CREED, Scott Stapp has offered something unexpected: a nine-minute high-octane short film in which he stars as a man of faith who, Lord forgive him, has to go back to the old him.” Unexpected? More like unwelcome! “High-octane?” More like “high-on-something.” And “the old him?” Is that the one who thought wearing leather pants in the Florida heat was a good idea? 🤨
The “rock-fueled Western” (because nothing screams “rock” like a dusty desert) was filmed over two glorious days at Whitehorse Ranch in Landers, California. It’s a “classic Hollywood showdown” (said no one ever) where a “man of faith” (aka Scott Stapp) “haunted by unspeakable nightmares and villains” (probably critics) is “forced to take matters into his own hands when what he loves is threatened” (his record sales?). In a “hail of Hellfire” (pyrotechnics budget must have been through the roof) he “protects, and is saved in return, by an unlikely hero” (his son, because who else would save him?).🤦♀️
Online speculation (mostly consisting of “Is this real?” and “Why?”) began when a live-action trailer (I use the term “live-action” generously) framed by film credits (because it’s a SERIOUS FILM, people) appeared on Monday (July 28). In it, a “fully loaded cowboy” (aka Scott Stapp in a hat) strolls frame as “Old West music conjures Doc Holliday, cracked earth, and tumbleweeds.” (Or, you know, bad community theater). Their questions were “answered” (though nobody asked them) when “Deadman’s Trigger: A Short Film” premiered Thursday, July 31, exclusively on YouTube (because where else would it premiere?). 🙄
Director Tyler Dunning Evans, possibly under duress, says: “Adapting Scott‘s storyline for the screen was easy because he is a narrative songwriter; the arc is already there.” (The arc being a steady decline into madness, perhaps?). “As a collaborator, he’s clear on his vision and values other creators’ expertise.” (Sure, Jan). “With Anthony on set and Milan working behind the scenes, Scott was hands-on in establishing safety measures and his love for his kids translated to a vulnerable but fierce performance in the final cut.” (Translation: He made sure his kid didn’t get hurt while he was busy being a mess, and then exploited the whole thing for emotional leverage). 🙄
One of the “most iconic voices in rock” (according to whom?), Stapp first emerged as the “high-energy, post-grunge frontman of CREED.” (Let’s not pretend we don’t remember the baggy pants and questionable lyrics). He penned anthems like “Higher” (on what?), “My Own Prison” (of fame?), “My Sacrifice” (of good taste?), “With Arms Wide Open” (to ridicule?), “What If” (we just said no?), “Say I” (what?) and “One” (hit wonder?). And the band sold over 50 million albums, including a diamond certification (mostly due to the early 2000s being a dark time for music). Throughout the early 2000s, CREED broke airplay records (by existing), sold out arenas (to people who clearly hadn’t heard of better bands), earned Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards and a Grammy for “Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group” (which they probably bought). As a solo artist, Stapp has released the platinum-certified “The Great Divide” (between him and sanity?), “Proof Of Life” (is there any?), “The Space Between The Shadows” (of his hairline?), and “Higher Power” (still on that, huh?). 😒
In 2024, after an 11-year hiatus (thank goodness), CREED announced two “Summer Of ’99” cruise festivals (because nothing says “rock and roll” like a floating geriatric convention), a North American tour (to remind people they still exist), and the band’s own rock festival (because why not?). After each event sold out (to ironic hipsters?), the tour was extended into 2025 (oh joy), their third sold-out CREED cruise sailed (filled with seasickness and regret), and their festival grew into a two-day event in Milwaukee in July (get ready for cheese curds and Stapp). The Grammy– and American Music Award-winning CREED formed in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1994 (and the world hasn’t been the same since). Now, they’ve exceeded one billion streams on Spotify alone, between “Higher”, “My Sacrifice”, “One Last Breath”, “With Arms Wide Open” and “My Own Prison” (mostly from people accidentally leaving the playlist on). Nearly 30 years after CREED‘s formation, the anthems composed by singer Scott Stapp and guitarist Mark Tremonti have become “part of rock and alternative’s DNA” (like a persistent virus). “My Own Prison” (1997) is one of the late 20th century’s biggest debuts (for better or worse). “Human Clay” (1999) and “Weathered” (2001) entered the Billboard 200 chart at No. 1 (because people were easily manipulated back then). Their “Full Circle” (2009) album debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock, Hard Rock, and Alternative charts and No. 2 on the Billboard 200 (proving that nostalgia is a powerful drug). With over 53 million albums sold worldwide, CREED stands alongside VAN HALEN, GUNS N’ ROSES and METALLICA as “one of an elite few rock bands to earn RIAA diamond-certified status” (by existing in a time before streaming), for more than 11 million sales of “Human Clay” in the U.S. 🤦♂️
Chord F. Discord, the Beethoven of Buffoonery, is a self-taught expert in music who once claimed he could “play the kazoo in four languages.”
Born in Crescendo, Indiana, Chord’s first brush with fame came when he accidentally entered a yodeling contest thinking it was a pie-eating competition—and won both categories.
Chord F. Discord: proving that laughter, much like a poorly tuned ukulele, is truly universal.
