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

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):

New Music Friday: May 21

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):

Memorable TV Performances: Stone Temple Pilots on Headbangers Ball

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):

 

 

Solo Album Spotlight: Scott Weiland- 12 Bar Blues

To this day, I will always remember the first time I heard “Lady, You Roof Brings Me Down.” I was sitting in my room doing my homework and listening to the radio and then there it was. I thought to myself, this doesn’t sound like Stone Temple Pilots but, that’s Scott singing. I was absolutely engrossed by what I was hearing. Then the song ends and the DJ says that it’s a song from Scott’s upcoming solo album and from the film Great Expectations.

Fast forward a bit and I now have Scott’s solo album, 12 Bar Blues in my stereo and I’m playing it on repeat. There was something odd and strange about this album and at that age I wasn’t quite sure what I was hearing and where this influence was coming from. So, I did what I’ve always done and really looked into it. To me 12 Bar Blues was an album Scott made to pay homage to those that really influenced and inspired him over the years. There is a real David Bowie and Iggy Pop element to the record among many others like Lou Reed and some in the R&B world.
The album was also made while Scott was deeply into his addiction and you can hear those nuances in the instrumentation, chord progressions, melodies and lyrics. You could tell, even back when STP made Tiny Music From The Vatican Gift Shop, that Scott was looking to explore different styles and sounds to break away from the “rock” sound, and he managed to create something that really stood out in a good way. When you listen to songs like “Desperation No. 5,” “Barbarella,” “Where’s The Man,” “Cool Kiss,” and “Mockingbird Girl” you can really hear the escape Scott was plotting as well as the influence. The album as a whole is a true piece of art and deserves to be acknowledged as such. For Scott’s first foray into making a “solo album” he really set a high bar for himself and others in his genre to follow.

 

Scott Weiland- 12 Bar Blues:

Best and Worst Albums of 2018 (So Far)

2018 has been quite a year so far for new albums. There are some that are really great, some that are good and some that just plain suck. This list (which is in no particular order) shows all the albums that you should be listening to and buying.

Best Albums of 2018…So Far:

The Atlas Moth- Coma Noir (Album Of The Year so far)
Corrosion of Conformity- No Cross No Crown
Bad Wolves- Disobey
Sevendust- All I See Is War
Will Haven- Muerte
At The Gates- To Drink From The Night Itself
Dead Empires- Designed To Disappear
Judas Priest- Firepower
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club- Wrong Creatures
Vexes- Ancient Geometry
Minus Knives- Minus Knives
The Sword- Used Future
Cane Hill- Too Far Gone
Fucked and Bound- Suffrage
A Light Within- Epilogue EP
The Armed- Only Love
All Souls- All Souls
Ritualz- Doom
Actors- It Will Come To You
Failure- In The Future EP Part 1 & 2
Stone Temple Pilots- STP (Version 3.0)
Ghost- Prequelle
Jonathan Davis- Black Labrynth

Worst Albums of 2018 (So Far):

A Perfect Circle- Eat The Elephant
Godsmack- When Legends Rise
Myles Kennedy- Year Of The Tiger
Jack White- Boarding House Reach
Shinedown- Attention Attention
Five Finger Death Punch- And Justice For None

B-Sides: Stone Temple Pilots

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:

 

New Release: Stone Temple Pilots- Roll Me Under

Stone Temple Pilots have released another new song from their upcoming self titled album due out March 16. It’s very well known that no one will ever come close to Scott Weiland and his talent, melodies, and lyrics, that’s just irreplaceable. Stone Temple Pilots seem to have found the right guy for the job though. On the two songs released so far, “Meadow” and the new one “Roll Me Under” Jeff Gutt fits the profile of what the next singer of STP should sound like. He’s right in the range vocally of Scott so it won’t be a stretch for him to sing the older songs. The new song “Roll Me Under” sounds like a classic STP song. At least it’s not anything as bad as their work with Chester Bennington.

 

Roll Me Under:

 

Meadow: