Like the name of their album would suggest, things have come “Full Circle.”

From humble beginnings to becoming one of the biggest bands of the 90s.  From bitter break-up new beginnings for other pursuits.  From publicized mishaps to redemption.  Now that they’re back to square one, they’re out to prove they’re still the kings of the modern rock world.

And what better way to do that than with a new tour?

In support of their new record, Creed rolled through Indy las Saturday for their headlining “20-10 Tour.”  Of course, the proper rock show isn’t done alone.  Joining them included one band on their way to becoming rock’s next big thing (Skillet), and one band looking to make a name for themselves (Theft).

As uncool as it is for me to admit this, I used to like Creed.  “Weathered” and “Human Clay” were all permanent fixtures in my CD player at one time (anyone remember those?).  Then years passed, they broke up and Scott Stapp became a parody on X103 after his much publicized altercation with 311 (something me and photographer Melissa Brewer were talking about before the show).  However, as much as I like finding new music at shows, it’s always good to revisit the past.  Time to go back to the 8th grade when I was still singing along to “One Last Breath” at the top of my lungs.  Since this is a concert review, I’ll save my thoughts on parking at Verizon and the fun time I had trying to get my reviewer pass from will call.  After finally getting this sorted out (and unfortunately missing Theft), time to head to my seat.  Might as well enjoy the rest of the show.

Skillet is next.  Already they’ve made a strong case for why they should rule the rock world: two Grammy nominations (2003′s “Collide” and 2006′s “Comatose”), their last album “Awake” debuting at #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and having their music featured in various other outlets (NFL games, WWE live events, the “Rock Band” games, etc.).  Not bad for a band named after a frying pan, but how do they do live?

From the get-go, you already know this is a far cry from the beer-swilling, middle fingers-in-the-air bands that usually grace the main stage.  Instead, they offered a clean, more family-friendly rock n’ roll set featuring rising platforms, more strobes than a rave at The Vogue, touring violin and cello players for their more symphonic rock songs (“Awake and Alive” among others), solos that would make even Mark Tremonti proud and above all else, their positive message of love and hope (they are a Christian band, mind you).

Actually, along with being a different kind of band that usually plays on that stage, their core audience is also a complete 180 from the mostly intoxicated tailgaters that like to party in the parking lot.  Instead, their fans are mostly high school-aged kids and their parents.  It was mostly them that were pumping their fists and singing along to their hearts’ content.  When singer/bassist John Cooper wanted to know who in the crowd hadn’t even heard of Skillet, it looked like maybe 2/3 of them hadn’t.  Is it mostly a generation gap issue or are they just not up to the same level as some of these other top tier rock bands?  Whatever it was, it didn’t seem to phase them, as they performed like it was just another show in front of thousands of screaming fans.  It may not be long until this rock quartet claims a spot at the top of the rock world.

While some of the newly converted fans flocked to the merch booth to buy a fancy new overpriced T-shirt (myself included in that group), the rest brace themselves for the main event.  Anticipation is high, but it’s a different kind of excitement in the air.  It’s (as Scott Stapp would put later), a “very chill” environment.  These people paid good money to see them (either $20 or $10.  Hence the name “20-10 Tour.”), but it’s not like a “break down the walls and rush the stage” feel.  Maybe I’ve been to one too many metal shows.  Either way, I’m even getting excited (despite the fact that “Scott Stapp’s in the bar!” has been echoing in my head for the past few days).  Having remembered one of my friends saying Creed was one of the best live acts he had ever seen, I need to see for myself.  Let’s get this show started.

To properly get any good rock show going, you need some loud, fast and heavy song to start, so it’s no wonder why they opened with “Bullets” (pyro and all).  Several songs in, one thing becomes apparent:

Once you get past their LEDs, their awesome video screen and the pyrotechnics, there wasn’t much after that to really point out about their set.

However, what they lacked in theatrics, they made up for in just being a straight-up rock band that knows the best way to entertain a crowd is just doing the little things right: playing hits from their entire career, dueling guitar solos between Mark Tremonti and touring guitarist Eric Friedman, a lighters and (*sigh*) cell phones in the air ballad (“With Arms Wide Open”), a “1s” in the air song (“One” of course), sing-alongs (including one passionate fan across the row from me air drumming), you name the concert cliche, they probably did it.  Not the most energetic show and certainly not the flashiest show.  A crowd pleasing show?  Definitely, and I think the number of people singing their hearts out is proof of that (from the older fans to the younger ones who were mainly there for Skillet).

Of course, this isn’t to say they didn’t take some time to show off.  Actually Tremonti did this every chance he could.  It was like that neighborhood kid who learned to play “Raining Blood” on Guitar Hero on expert (only this is REAL guitar, and therefore at least 1000x cooler).  After a shout-out to the troops overseas and proceeding to play “My Sacrifice,” the show ends…

…or does it?

The lights are out; the word “Creed” flashes on the screen; the crowd begs for more; and even a chant breaks out.  Not wanting to leave their fans disappointed, they come back for a two-song encore, leaving the crowd with “One Last Breath” before “taking them higher.”  After taking us back to 1999, now the show ends.  Everyone files out (in a not-orderly fashion) and prepares for sitting in their cars for an hour while they wait to leave the grounds.

So was this trip to the past worth it?

Despite “Wayne’s World” telling me I should “live in the now,” it was fun going back to middle school (minus the social awkwardness and horrible lunches).  Is this enough to make me want to proclaim becoming a fan once again?  Maybe.  We’ll see who’s playing on my iPod in the coming days.  For now, things have definitely come full circle.  They showed what made them so great in the first place.  They showed they can still draw a decent sized crowd.  They showed they can still put on a great show.  Above all else, they also showed us this:

They’re still on top of the rock world.