The legendary Stone Temple Pilots experienced numerous tumultuous periods with their iconic vocalist Scott Weiland throughout their early years, ultimately parting ways with him for the final time in early 2013. This departure marked a significant turning point for the band, leading them to explore new musical avenues and collaborations.
During their career, bassist Robert DeLeo and guitarist Dean DeLeo sought creative outlets outside of STP. Their first venture was the 1997 project Talk Show, which featured the complete Stone Temple Pilots lineup, except for Weiland, with vocalist Dave Coutts stepping in. In another hiatus, the DeLeo brothers teamed up with Filter‘s Richard Patrick and drummer Ray Luzier to create Army of Anyone, resulting in a self-titled album released in 2006.
In early 2013, while they found themselves at another crossroads, an exciting opportunity emerged. “We were introduced to [vocalist] Pete [Shoulder] through Ross Halfin</b)," Dean DeLeo explains to UCR. "He kept pursuing us while we were undergoing our transformation and that's how we met. Pete came over, and we jumped right in and started creating a record. Robert, [drummer] Brian Tichy, Pete, and I came together to record, which is something we’re currently holding onto.”
READ MORE: STP Reflects on the Moment Scott Weiland ‘Took a Turn’ Towards Addiction
Dean notes that the album was shelved after they began collaborating with Linkin Park vocalist Chester Bennington. “We convinced Chester to join the band,” he shares. “Chester, Robert, Eric [Kretz] and I dove into the world of STP and started recording. We produced the High Rise EP [which was released in October 2013] but, unfortunately, that record was placed on hold for a while.”
According to Dean, there is a possibility that fans may hear this music as early as next year. However, it will not be released under the Stone Temple Pilots name, as Kretz is not involved in these recordings, and the current lineup with singer Jeff Gutt remains unchanged. “This is an entirely different project. STP consists of Eric, Robert, Jeff, and me,” he clarifies. “I would hope that we wouldn’t bring in another guitarist for an STP record. We wouldn’t want to do that to any of our members. STP is what it is, and the recent projects Robert and I have been working on are just different avenues for us to express ourselves creatively and ‘let our freak flag fly!’
Discover Dean’s Exciting New Music That Stone Temple Pilots Fans Will Love
While the initial collaboration with Shoulder remains unreleased at this time, Dean has continued to collaborate with both Dean and Robert in separate projects. The results of their hard work are starting to surface. Dean and Pete recently unveiled One More Satellite and are set to release a self-titled album under that name on July 18. DeLeo had a collection of songs that he wanted to record, initially intending to create an instrumental album. He reached out to Shoulder to work on a song or two, and the vocalist ended up contributing vocals to most of the tracks.
The debut single, “Paper Over the Cracks,” was released in early May, and its tone will resonate with STP fans. However, as listeners delve into the rest of the album, they will notice the impressive diversity and stylistic range of the material. It’s evident that Shoulder brings a rich and varied style to the project, something that DeLeo greatly appreciates. This versatility is reminiscent of his past collaboration with Scott Weiland.
“I enjoy exploring all the different facets of music,” he says. “It’s clear that the vast array of music Robert and I grew up listening to is reflected in our writing now. That was one of the remarkable qualities about Scott. He had the ability to truly embody a character for each song. One of my favorite STP tracks is ‘I Got You,’ written by Robert and Scott from the album No. 4. Scott’s interpretation of that song was nothing short of brilliant. So, it’s a wonderful trait for a singer to adapt a character that aligns perfectly with the song.”
READ MORE: Stone Temple Pilots Albums, Ranked
According to DeLeo, “Paper Over the Cracks” serves as a preview of what fans can anticipate from One More Satellite. “The record undoubtedly explores a myriad of musical styles. There are even two instrumentals included in the album,” he mentions. “It delves into various genres and emotional landscapes. Both Pete and I felt that ‘Paper Over the Cracks’ effectively represents what listeners can expect from the project as it unfolds [with the rest of the album].”
Watch the Official Video for One More Satellite’s ‘Paper Over the Cracks’
The Must-Listen Top 100 ’90s Rock Albums
Any conversation about the Top 100 ’90s Rock Albums must include a significant amount of grunge music, and this list is no exception.
Gallery Credit: UCR Staff
