Have you ever listened to an album featuring Scott Weiland? Odds are that he's no longer the vocalist in that group. And, as much as people like to give Weiland crap for substance abuse issues, being a diva, and general melodrama, it can't be denied that the success of his bands normally hinge on his being in them. The Stone Temple Pilots, although actually the brainchild of the DeLeo brothers, went nine years between albums the last time Weiland was on hiatus. Velvet Revolver, which Weiland (and Weiland alone) announced finished, hasn't put out an album since 2007. 2013 might mark the year both bands get back on their feet however.
Stone Temple Pilots
The Pilots finally bit the bullet and fired Weiland in 2012, making it official in February. The group didn't waste time finding a new vocalist, and no washed-up rocker either. Chester Bennington, already massively successful with Linkin Park, stepped up to the role. The new lineup's first EP, "High Rise," will debut October 8.
"I'm very proud to have had the honor to have worked with Scott in the past - really, at a time when there was no one better, in my opinion. I'm really, really excited about what we carved out, and I'm just as honored and just as proud of what we're embarking upon right now," guitarist Dean DeLeo said of the release. "It was something we instinctively made happen. It's undeniably STP."
Weiland however disagrees. The former vocalist is currently embroiled in multiple lawsuits with the band. STP sued first, alleging that Weiland had no right to perform its material at his own solo concerts (illogical considering he co-wrote most of it), and Weiland countersued, alleging that an STP with Bennington was not an STP at all (mostly hubris).
For now, check out this making-of video of the STP2 performing its new song "Black Heart."
Velvet Revolver
In case you've forgotten, Weiland surprised the rest of this supergroup by announcing onstage during 2008 that it would be the band's last tour. Slash, Duff McKagan and company denied the rumors vehemently, but still haven't found a new vocalist...yet. McKagan was still talking up a VR reboot as recently as August.
"Velvet Revolver no es un asunto muerto," he told Infobae.com, translating to "Velvet Revolver is not a dead issue."
Guitarist Slash opened up about a dozen cans of worms thanks to the plethora of guest vocalists featured on his 2010 solo album, which included M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold), Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) and Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother). Corey Taylor of Slipknot has also been a hot item at the rumor mill.
One man not on the list: Weiland.
Slash was the first to shoot down the idea, reporting in December that he had heard Weiland had been fired from STP, and probably just needed a job. Weiland defended himself as a poly-band man by referencing Maynard James Keenan, the simultaneous vocalist for Tool and A Perfect Circle. The difference, of course, is that Keenan has a cultish fan-base and Weiland doesn't.
Whatever Weiland does, he should take a hint from Slash and McKagan's former bandmate, Axl Rose: Sometimes you gotta swallow your pride, before you become the joke.
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