When you have such a distinct voice, hearing it in other bands and songs can be a real treat or pulverizing in both good and bad ways. One such voice is Chester Bennington. His time with Linkin Park literally brought his voice into millions of cars, headphones, houses, parties, arenas and more. Though not known for his guest spots, the ones he did each have their own charm. Check these out and let me know what your favorites are. Enjoy!
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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):
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:
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:
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:
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:
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):
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):
This week has seen a plethora of good tunes come out. Lots of new singles and videos were released that need your attention as well as a few albums that are excellent! I’ve got you covered with new jams by Angels and Airwaves, Times Of Grace, The L.I.F.E. Project, Wristmeetrazor, L.A. Rats (Rob Zombie, Nikki Sixx, John 5) covering Geoff Mack, an unreleased Stone Temple Pilots demo, Black Map with a superb coverly medley of Billy Joel and U2, The Crew (Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman, Mike Muir, Fletcher Dragge), Satanic Planet, and Yautja,
Angels And Airwaes- Euphoria:
Times Of Grace- The Burden Of Belief:
The L.I.F.E. Project- Ignite:
L.A. Rats (Rob Zombie, Nikki Sixx, John 5)- I’ve Been Everywhere (Geoff Mack Cover):
Stone Temple Pilots- Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart (Early Version):
Satanic Planet- Liturgy:
The Crew (members of Rancid, Pennywise & Suicidal Tendencies)- One Voice:
Wristmeetrazor- THIS SUMMER’S SORROW Ⅱ: GROWING OLD IN THE WAITING PLACE
Yautja- The Weight:
Black Map- Eyes Without A Face/Exit (Billy Joel/U2):
Yesterday was marked 4 years since we lost Scott Weiland. It still sucks that he couldn’t get past all his demons to still create beautiful words and melodies. That being said though, we still have all the other great songs and albums he was a part of. Just like this very memorable performance from when Scott and Dean DeLeo were on Headbangers Ball and performed “Plush” acoustically. So take a few moments and enjoy this and celebrate the musical legacy Scott left us.
STP- Plush (on Headbangers Ball):
