This X10000000000000000!!
Think about it though... The ones that are complete supporters of this don't really care about the name, so I suppose I see where they're coming from.
I see where they're coming from too. I'm actually excited for new music... especially from Dean, Robert, and Eric. It's just everything else about the situation that rubs me the wrong way. Like I said, they're actions are like a big
"fuck you" to the fans; and considering all the time and money I've spent on STP since 1994, it's a huge disappointment.
Steak, my hat off to you.
Thank you! After being smited multiple times for these views, it's especially nice to know some people agree.
I hate how some "fans" act like Scott Weiland was solely responsible for the Stone Temple Pilots sound that we all have known and loved for the past 20 years. STP weren't just amazing because Scott Weiland sounded good. They were amazing also because their instrumentation was beautiful too. Robert, Dean and Eric are all masters of their craft, and to claim STP is nothing without Weiland is not only doing a disservice, but also an insult to the three remaining members of STP who are every bit to thank for the signature STP sound as Scott was. Did Scott write those familiar riffs that introduce "Plush" or "Interstate Love Song" or "Sex Type Thing"? Did he bring that drum sound, and signature bass/guitar sound that lets you know it's an STP track before Scott's vocals ever even grace the track? No. That brilliant blend of instrumental skill is brought to you by Eric, Dean and Robert...three members who are still very much a part of STP and are working to keep that legacy alive.
The band may not be the original lineup, and they may be referred to as "Stone Temple Pilots w/ Chester Bennington" legally, but a good chunk of the heart that made Core and future albums by the band so memorable is still there and beating. The pulse hasn't stopped, STP is not dead, and I have every bit of faith they can continue on and deliver solid music to us fans with Chester at the helm.
Because as much as some people here refuse to believe, Scott was only a piece of what made Stone Temple Pilots so legendary. The band was always so much more than Scott Weiland's touring band and these guys deserve the right to make the music they want to make.
I may have let the cat out of the bag that I'm a Linkin Park fan, but I'm an STP fan first (by a good 10 years before I discovered LP) and believe in Robert, Dean and Eric to the fullest. Scott or no Scott, I haven't given up on the band. I'm excited for High Rise, and I will give the EP the chance it deserves to be given.
Maybe I'm some "fans"... but like I already mentioned in earlier posts (which you may have missed), I never said Scott is solely responsible for STP's music. He was however the singer/songwriter, so taking the visual aspect ("frontman") out of the band, I'd say half the music was on him, while Robert, Dean, and Eric put together all the music. In it's purest form, that's all that music is, vocals and or instrumental sounds. So, Scott accounts for half, while the other three divide up the instrumental portion of the music. Obviously it's more complex than that, but fundamentally Scott's role is more important than any other individual band member's. He was the voice AND lyrics alone, while the rest of them worked together on the instrumentals (albiet amazing instrumentals).
I also liked this line:
"The band was always so much more than Scott Weiland's touring band and these guys deserve the right to make the music they want to make."
Nobody is denying this. All of them together were amazing, but sadly that's done with (hopefully not forever). Of course they have the right to make the music they want, but they tried in the past.... TWICE... and it didn't quite work out for them. But just because they failed in previous attempts to get by on their musical talents doesn't mean they shouldn't try again... and it certainly doesn't justify exploiting their old band's material, name, and legacy as a marketing strategy!
Musically, I believe in Robert, Dean, and Eric 100%, especially now that I actually like the singer they chose to work with. Am I disappointed in the way they're proceeding? ABSOLUTELY! But given time and new material, I'm certainly willing to give them a chance. Unfortunately, this is a permanent stain on STP's name and legacy, and that's incredibly disappointing coming from guys I used to admire.