Creed have found a pattern they like and are sticking to it. Release a

massive crossover anthem. Debut at #1 with album. Follow up with a harder-rocking single.

For Weathered, which currently sits atop the Billboard 200 albums chart (see

[article id="1451223"]"Scott Stapp Called It: Creed's Weathered Makes Big Debut At #1"[/article]), the

Florida trio will follow up "My Sacrifice" with the more aggressive

"Bullets."

"The most important thing to the band — and at the end of the day we have

the final decision — is to establish that we are a rock band, a heavier rock

band," singer Scott Stapp said Friday after rehearsing their My VH1 Music Awards

performance. "We typically always do that with our second single, kind of go

back to the active rock and harder rock stations and say 'You broke us.

We're loyal to you. Here's a song. I hope you like it.' "

Creed may have the final say, but they have had help in selecting "Bullets,"

which features the cryptic chorus, "Look at me/ Look at me/ At least look at

me when you shoot a bullet/ Through my head."

" 'Bullets' is the song that I think 80 percent of the radio stations in the

country played second most to 'My Sacrifice' when we first gave them the

album. They decided for us what they wanted to play," guitarist Mark

Tremonti said. "It's great to show the range of our style because 'Bullets'

is such a different sound than our first single."

Creed fans have also spoken in support of "Bullets" on the band's Web site,

and Stapp expects them to do the same when the band hits the road in January

(see [article id="1451254"]"Creed Line Up First Leg Of Weathered Tour"[/article]).

"Basically, the fans have determined our singles in the past because of how

the reaction was live," Stapp said. "Our fans play an integral part of

forming our career. Once [the music is] out there, they

have a lot of input."

In other Creed news, Virgos' Brett Hestla, who was named the band's touring

bassist when Brian Marshall parted ways with them last fall (see [article id="1427584"]"Creed

Splits With Bass Player"[/article]), will again accompany the band on the road.

However, Tremonti, who recorded the bass parts for Weathered,

hesitated to call Hestla a permanent member of Creed.

"The three of us have good chemistry," Tremonti said, referring to himself,

Stapp and drummer Scott Phillips. "We've been through a lot together. We'll

see what happens, but for now, in the studio, we'll just cover the bass."