Eric Kretz

ALTERNATE VERSIONS: STONE TEMPLE PILOTS- ATLANTA

Today would’ve been Scott Weiland’s 58th birthday. Scott was one of those talents that truly had a gift of song. The way he wrote lyrics, conjuring sweet melodies, and his performances, there was no denying Scott was one of the best. With it being Scott’s birthday, why not highlight one of my all time favorite Stone Temple Pilots songs, “Atlanta.” This song is absolutely divine. There’s moments throughout the song that makes it feel like The Doors are a part of the song. And I do LOVE The Doors. I still remember the first time I heard this song when I bought the CD and got it home. I wound up putting “Atlanta” on repeat for at least a good hour. It’s also one of the best ending the night songs as you pull into the garage or parking spot. STP has always had a knack for writing great songs with a vibe. “Atlanta” is a great example of that! Happy Birthday Scott!

Atlanta (Through The Eyes/Ears Of Robert, Dean and Eric):

Atlanta (Live On Craig Kilborn):

Atlanta (Acoustic Version):

Atlanta (Album Version):

DREAM TOUR AND SET LIST: THE SMASHING PUMPKINS & STONE TEMPLE PILOTS

The other day I was listening/watching an interview Billy Corgan did with Robert and Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. If you haven’t seen the interview, it’s quite a good one. Billy asks really good questions and the history they all go into is rather fascinating. While I was listening, I had an idea and I started to put it all together. What if in 2026 there was a tour that had The Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots together? Personally, I think it would be one hell of a tour and each night it would be pretty magical. So, with that in mind, I put together what I think would be 2 great set lists for both bands. Also, check out the interview too!

WHO: The Smashing Pumpkins and Stone Temple Pilots

WHERE: Forum- Los Angeles

SET LISTS:

Stone Temple Pilots Set List:
01) Down
02) No Memory
03) Sin
04) Pop’s Love Suicide
05) Meadow
06) Vasoline
07) Big Bang Baby
08) Crackerman
09) Trippin’ On A Hole In A Paper Heart
10) No Way Out
11) Lounge Fly
12) Adhesive
13) The Art Of Letting Go
14) Big Empty
15) Where The River Goes
16) Plush
17) Interstate Love Song
ENCORE:
18) Meatplow
19) Silvergun Superman
20) Atlanta


The Smashing Pumpkins Set List:
01) Tales Of Scorched Earth
02) Doomsday Clock
03) Zero
04) Quiet
05) Stand Inside Your Love
06) Panopticon
07) Sicarus
08) Siva
09) Bullet With Butterfly Wings
10) Cherub Rock
11) Purple Blood
12) Perfect
13) Wound
14) Empires
15) One And All
16) Bleeding The Orchid
17) Ugly
18) Set The Ray to Jerry
19) Shame
20) Muzzle
21) Drown
22) Bodies
23) Violet Rays
24) War Dreams Of Itself
25) Jellybelly
26) Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)
27) An Ode To No One
28) Thirty-Three
29) The Everlasting Gaze
30) X.Y.U.
31) 1979
ENCORE:
32) Mayonaise
33) Silverfuck

The Magnificent Ones Interview with Robert & Dean DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots:

Deep Cuts: Stone Temple Pilots- Adhesive

There are certain albums in a bands catalog that often times get over looked. One such album that I’ve found has gone overlooked and is quite underrated is Stone Temple Pilots third album, Tiny Music… From The Vatican Gift Shop. If you were to ask me my favorite STP album, I’d immediately say Purple would be it with Core being a close second. Though the more I delve into Tiny Music, the more it keeps moving up the ladder and is fast becoming my second favorite STP album. There are a plethora of great songs on the album with one in particular that always seems to grab me, and that song would be “Adhesive.” Each time I listen to this song I get swept away by it. The vocals and melody of Scott is otherworldly. Musically, Robert, Dean and Eric created a whole vibe with this song. It’s one of those songs that you can listen to at any time and it just feels right.

Stone Temple Pilots- Adhesive:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=LKF1EANgkcs%3Fsi%3D32HltjgGrscgrbyt

Deep Cuts: Stone Temple Pilots- Sin

The other day I was watching/listening to a great interview Rick Beato did with Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots. As soon as that interview was over, I immediately went into STP mode and started with Core all the way to the final album with Scott. While listening to all these great songs and albums, I went back to Core when it was all done because there has always been a song on that album that to me has never gotten the due it deserves. The song I’m talking about is “Sin.” This track is right smack in the middle of the album and it’s a truly remarkable song. Then when you combine the instrumental track “No Memory” before “Sin” it makes for one hell of a combination. “Sin” is one of those songs in the STP catalog that shows just how good of a band they really are. From Scott’s vocals, lyrics and melodies on this one, to the sort of behind the beat but right in the pocket drums of Eric Kretz, then you have the bass parts by Robert DeLeo that adds this really cool pseudo jazz/70’s rock element that makes the guitar work of Dean DeLeo brighter, plus the guitar solo towards the end is just so perfect for the song. A song like “Sin” is a perfect deep cut. It’s also one of those songs I wish got played live more, it’s that good!

Stone Temple Pilots- Sin (Album Version):

Stone Temple Pilots- No Memory/Sin (Live 1993):

Rick Beato Interview with Robert DeLeo:

Memorable Live Performances: Stone Temple Pilots- Dancing Days on Howard Stern

Yesterday I had a Stone Temple Pilots song stuck in my head (it was “Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart” in case you were wondering). While I had that song replaying in my mind, I found myself delving into the very underrated and unsung masterpiece album that is Tiny Music… From The Vatican Gift Shop (which I will get into on another day because that album is truly great). During that time in 1996, while out promoting the album, Stone Temple Pilots stopped by the Howard Stern show for an interview and performance. Howard, who you can tell is a fan of the band and had them on the show throughout their career, as well as just Scott Weiland, mentioned that he loved their recent cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Dancing Days,” and low and behold, STP would go on to perform it that day on the show (they also performed “Seven Caged Tigers” as well). I truly think this cover is spectacular. I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to this version over the years but, it’s definitely up there. I just love the honest and pure approach STP had to their music and time together. It’s performances like this that make me miss Scott Weiland. What a talent and voice! You are missed Scott!


Stone Temple Pilots (Led Zeppelin)- Dancing Days on Howard Stern:

Best Guitar Solos: Stone Temple Pilots- Silvergun Superman

There are always albums in a bands career and catalog that will define them but there are certain ones that will always stand out among the rest. Stone Temple Pilots have that type of catalog. Their debut album, Core is a quintessential rock album every rock music fan should own but, the one that should really be in every collection is their second album and their masterpiece, Purple. We all now about the year 1994 and all the great albums that came out and Purple is most definitely on that list. Through the years as I’ve listened more and more to this album, there are always specific songs and moments I always go back to. For example my favorite song on the album “Lounge Fly” is such an amazing song. And the other song that has been a close second favorite “Silvergun Superman” has one of the best guitar solos on an STP album. Guitarist Dean DeLeo is not only underrated as a player but his style of play looks so flawless. When you hear him play it’s distinctly him. You can tell the difference especially if you listen to Velvet Revolver try to play STP songs, the guitar tones and styles don’t match Dean (and that’s not a knock on Slash, he just doesn’t have the same “feel” as Dean, especially for these songs. Solo wise on “Silvergun Superman” it’s got this really cool late 60’s early 70’s psychedelic rock vibe to it with a bit of a southern charm a la The Allman Brothers and a dash of Jimmy Page from Led Zeppelin. After you are done with delving into the greatness that is “Silvergun Superman” go back and listen to Purple, and you’ll hear why it’s a true masterpiece.

Stone Temple Pilots- Silvergun Superman (Album Version):


Stone Temple Pilots- Silvergun Superman (Live 1994):

Same Name Songs: Nine Inch Nails & Stone Temple Pilots- Sin
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It’s always fun to take songs of the same name and put them on back to back and contemplate about which one is better. There are so many of them out there and some are definitely better than some. One that I did recently were the songs “Sin” by Nine Inch Nails from Pretty Hate Machine and by Stone Temple Pilots on their album Core. Now these are both totally different but are quite good songs. The NIN one will always take the top prize for me. “Sin” the NIN version is in my top 10 all time favorite NIN songs.

What One Is Your Favorite?

Nine Inch Nails- Sin (on Pretty Hate Machine):

Stone Temple Pilots- Sin(on Core):

B-Sides: Stone Temple Pilots

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I woke up this morning with Stone Temple Pilots in my head. Specifically the song “Atlanta.” So naturally I did what I always do and put that song on and then just let Number 4 start from the beginning. While listening to STP it got me thinking about their B-sides. Check out their B-sides over the years and songs that were previously unreleased.

 

Only Dying (from Core- Originally intended to be on The Crow Soundtrack):

 

All In The Suit That You Wear (from Thank You- Originally intended for the Spiderman Soundtrack):

 

About A Fool:

 

You Can’t Drive Me Away:

 

Learning To Drive:

 

Heed The Water Whispers:

 

Samba Nova:

 

Op Ed: Stone Temple Pilots Take A Break

The wounds are still fresh and the scabs haven’t even begun to form. Now is not the time. Since Scott Weiland’s passing late last year, the surviving members of Stone Temple Pilots have taken it upon themselves to continue on. On one hand I totally understand their need and want to get back out there, but it’s just too soon. Their failed attempt to move on while Scott was still alive was atrocious. Their picking of Chester Bennington was awful. Have you seen the footage of it? I mean seriously, what are you guys thinking? The clips that I saw just showed Chester trying to emulate Scott all the way down to dying his hair pink, and swaying and moving on stage just like Scott would. Not too mention that Chester’s voice is too high and sounds nasally. It’s as though they created a tribute band already with the addition of Chester. At least when the band took a hiatus in the 90’s, the guys had the decency to start a new group under a different name. Remember Talk Show?

With enough time, I think that people would welcome an STP return. Look at Alice In Chains. When Layne passed away, they all did their own things and came back when enough time had passed. Granted there were quite a few doubters, but those that took the time to see the new Alice, saw that it’s a breath of fresh air that does the band justice. Jerry, Sean and Mike found the right guy in William DuVall. And now people are loving what William has done for the band.

What I’m saying is that now isn’t the time to get back out there. Let the people have the chance to get over Scott’s passing. Dean, Robert and Eric take some time and do something else. By getting STP going again, you are tarnishing the memory of what a great band you were. All people will think is that who ever you pick to sing for the band, it isn’t Scott and won’t come close. Start up Army Of Anyone again. I’m sure Richard Patrick from Filter would be down to get that rolling again. Or just start a new band and call it something else. You can play a few songs from your STP catalog, but don’t make an entire set from it. With enough time the wounds will heal enough for you guys to get the band back together with the right person.

As it says in the song “Creep”… “Take time with a wounded hand, cause it likes to heal.”

Album Rank: Stone Temple Pilots

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Today seems like a great day for some STP. Here is the rank of their albums from not the best to their best!

 

Shangri La Di Da:

 

Stone Temple Pilots:

 

Tiny Music From The Vatican Gift Shop:

 

Number 4:

 

Core:

 

Purple: