Stone Temple Pilots
Biography
Stone Temple Pilots were able to make alternative rock into stadium rock; naturally, they became the most critically despised band of their era. Accused by many critics of being nothing more than rip-off artists, pilfering from Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains, the band nevertheless became major stars in 1993. And the influences of those bands are apparent in their music, but Stone Temple Pilots do manage to change things around a bit. STP are more concerned with tight song structure and riffs than punk rage. Their closest antecedents are not the Sex Pistols or Hüsker Dü; instead the band resembles arena rock acts from the '70s -- it's popular hard rock that sounds good on the radio and in concert. No matter what the critics might say, Stone Temple Pilots have undeniably catchy riffs and production; there's a reason why over three million people bought their debut album, Core, and why their second album, Purple, shot to number one when it was released.
Following the success of Purple and its accompanying tour, the band took some time off, during which the group's lead singer, Scott Weiland, developed a heroin addiction. In the spring of 1995, he was arrested for possession of heroin and cocaine, and was sentenced to a rehabilitation program. Following his completion of the program, Stone Temple Pilots recorded their third album. Released in the spring of 1996, Tiny Music...Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop, entered the charts at number four. Shortly after its release, Stone Temple Pilots announced that Weiland had relapsed and entered a drug rehabilitation facility, thereby canceling the group's plans for a summer tour. Weiland's drug problems and the group's inability to support Tiny Music with a tour meant that the album couldn't replicate the success of its predecessors -- by the end of the summer, it had fallen out the Top 50 and had stalled at platinum, which was considerably less than what the group's two previous albums achieved.
Still battling his personal demons, Weiland recorded a 1998 solo album, 12 Bar Blues, while the remaining members of STP recruited vocalist Dave Coutts to record a self-titled LP under the name Talk Show. To the surprise of many onlookers, Stone Temple Pilots then reunited, although shortly after completing 1999's No. 4 Weiland was sentenced to a year in a Los Angeles county jail for violating his probation stemming from an earlier conviction for heroin possession. A newly rejuvenated Stone Temple Pilots and a sober Weiland emerged stronger than ever during the new millennium. The band got back to basics on Shangri-La Dee Da, released in summer 2001. Two years later, STP issued the ambitious greatest-hits package Thank You. The audio-only edition featured 15 tracks -- 13 hits spanning the group's entire career, an acoustic version of "Plush" dating from 1992, and the new track "All in the Suit That You Wear." Thank You also appeared in a CD/DVD format that included three hours of videos, live performances, and behind-the-scenes footage. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
Selected Discography

Thank You
2003

Shangri-La Dee Da
2001

No. 4
1999

Tiny Music...Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop
1996

Purple
1994

Core
1992
Awkward Ronald/Mephi s t o p h e l e s ' D o g / T h e Hypnogog, you sound like a thoughtful, intelligent person. Thank you for that thought-prov o k i n g critique. I know I speak for everyone when I say that it was very, very enlightening .
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Pearl Jam has always licked balls. I would hate STP if they sounded anything like those ball licking ball lickers.
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STP is slated for a new release in early 2010. I hope it comes through! STP is the band that got me hooked on music with No. 4 back in '99. My tastes may evolve, but I'll always owe a great, irrepayable debt to Stone Temple Pilots. Fan for life, no matter what they come out with.
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You people are nuts. Anyone who doesn't hear Peal Jam in tracks like "Plush" or Soundgarden in songs like "Dead and Bloated" just isn't listening. Yes, STP was very derivative when they first hit the scene. No need to be defensive about it. It's not as if it's some big insult to point this out. They went on to forge their own path and left a good legacy. Why get all bent out of shape when someone points out, quite accurately, that their debut sounded a lot like the Seattle bands they preceded th
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HELP ME FIND OUT THE SCARIEST MOVIE EVER MADE..VISIT MY PAGE AND TELL ME WHAT MOVIE YOU THINK IS THE SCARIEST MOVIE YOU EVER SAW. THANKS
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When Core came out it was compared to Ten. That weasle looking dude on Saturday Night Live criticized STP for "sounding better the 1st time around, as Pearl Jam." I bet this dumbfuck just watched some TV and didn't create his own thoughts. I disagree with most bios & reviews this guy does.
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Love them! Pilfering? I don't think so. I've never heard a STP song and thought it was any other band. What the heck, Mr Earlewine?
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This reviewer is wrong "pilfering from Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains, the band nevertheless became major stars in 1993. And the influences of those bands are apparent in their music, but Stone Temple Pilots do manage to change things around a bit" so messed up this band completly diff from the rest every album is good. dont ever listen to anyone if they only like singles from albums there posers. lol
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I grew up on this band, I didn't really listen to them until about five years ago, even though I knew all their songs by heart. But they trully are a great band.
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I don't remember them being "the most critically despised band of their era." I was in Los Angeles when they first broke, and they rocked. I mean, sheesh, where is this reviewer coming from?
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this bands best song was Plush. Dats all they got. bands like van halen are so much better than these guys. i could name 10 bands that sound exactly like these dudes. 90s and new rock bands dont have a unique style or sound exept for some of their lead singers.
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Best band of the 90's hands down. I never saw them live but did see velvet revolver 2 yrs ago when in town. They did some vr stuff and some gnr as well as stp. Weiland is awesome. Good show.
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to hell with you moo moo cow ALL STP is f***ing fantastic
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So you listen to this?
Why? When y*u can be liste*ing to TR*E Met*l GODSMA*K \/\/|||_|_ 0\/\/ |
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Detroit has become the worst US city, especially after all the auto company layoffs. Next time someone releases a report on violent crimes, take a look. You're more likely to get killed in Detroit than in Iraq or Afghanistan. Even their last mayor is in jail.
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I want to see them live before Scott kills himself! Get clean, not for me, but for you!
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idk, but its bad in my opinion. the bf and i were gonna take our daughter to the oakland zoo a while back, and i just got a wierd feeling and said nah, lets either go to sf or stay home. well, that day, guess what? we stayed home, and breaking news story: it was the day the four officers were killed. complete chaos going on over there. so glad i didnt go ...
ah come on, chkncoop! stp kicks A**!! ya, there are prob worst places to live out there, but this has got to be one of the absolute wors |
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Hey, Oakland is not that bad man.
I mean... it's not that GREAT either, but there are worse places to live home-skillet ! BTW, I'm not a huge fan of STP. Why the hell am I here again??? |
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so, very stupid of me, but at 6 pm my bf changes the channel to bay area news. sure enuf, there is a breaking news story about some kind of standoff going on in (where else?) oakland. some fuckhead is holed up in the same area where the officers were killed earlier this yr. wtf is wrong w/that city?and guess what im watching now?"gang wars oakland" ... umm, nope, dont think im gonna risk going to see stp in oakland.its like every piece of s**t in the world was dropped off there.
dammit! |
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so i guess scott is doing ok after his seizure? was gone all day and didnt even know ... just glad the f**ker is fine. rock on!
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You read it on Blabbermouth but I heard Scott say something to the effect of "we're releasing a new record in 2010" in AC 7/18 so as of then it was on. They're even playing new songs-holy water whens that show again? You MUST attend
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I've never been to Californ-I-A ( t h a t s me saying it Dr.Dre style) but I hear Oakland is rough. Someone told me when the cops call for back up the cops on the other end are like "F**k that s**t I ain't goin there". BUT, some words of encouragemen t - N Y C has some wild parts as well, some parts I don't wanna be in at times(Coney Island 3AM-took the wrong train on the way home from the Vaselines)an d I always somehow find my way home safe,and I'm not tough by any stretch.What was I talking about again?
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as far as i know still gonna happen!! yay!
well, if we do go to the show, pray for me!! eek! |
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hahaha! saweet! fill us in after the concert plz.
anyone know...are they still set to release a new album in early 2010? i remember reading that on blabbermouth a long time ago. i'm gonna flip s h i t whenever it's released. |
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well, just talked to the bf and sounds like he would be willing to hit up the oaktown show!? wtf? i dont feel like dying this young so idk ... lol ... we will see ...
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damn that sux. i never fails, right? i love me some stp though. you're right though hun, oakland is a run down s h i t hole...in particular, east oakland...it needs to be nuked!! richmond is fuked up too.
how about highland? they're playing there too, aren't they? |
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stp is coming near me again, oct 20, fox theater in oakland. got a chance at presale tix today at 10am but im broke as hell. idk if i would wanna even go tho. i love love LOVE stp, but am terrified of the city of oakland. why the hell couldnt u guys pick a different venue dammit!?
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Good conversation guys. I don't care how long a band has been around, if it's new to me don't rain on my parade! I had this experience with Slayer. I went through alot on heavy metal before I started to get back to the roots, and it was damn well worth it.
STP doesn't deserve the label of immitator. They were right there at the time. We all draw influence from somewhere. Wicked Garden is a classic and Core is a mandatory must hear album for 90's seattle alternative sound. |
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thanks for the props guys, I'll die happy if Scott lives long enough for me to get an opportunity to see them live
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I'm encouraged by Kenny's comments-he' s doing his best to listen to a cool band that in his town he didn't have access to.
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all right, i will cut u guys a break. lol. if u like stp, then ur ok in my book. if u get the chance check them out live!
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Dude, I know exactly where you're coming from. I haven't known about any of my favorite bands for more than five years. Does that make me less of a fan? Absolutely not. Just means I've been deprived most of my life.
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