Written by Susie Salva
Stone Temple Pilots (STP) release their first ever authorized commercial video to be released by the band on Eagle Rock Entertainment entitled Stone Temple Pilots Alive in the Windy City. Filmed in state-of-the-art high-definition recorded in DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM stereo, Stone Temple Pilots performed a high-octane show at a sold-out show at the Riviera Theater in Chicago, IL.
This March 2010 concert blends new songs form their self-titled sixth album with classic hits from the inception of their career. Vocalist Scott Weiland, bassist Robert DeLeo, guitarist Dean DeLeo, and drummer Eric Kretz erupted with a stop-on-a-dime tight blistering set that include the following material of their 18-song show complemented with bonus exclusive band members interview.
Kicking off the DVD is an explosive rendition of Vasoline performing to a sold-out audience in Chicago. The next track Crackerman is complete with their distinctive megaphone as the band dives into Wicked Garden where vocalist Scott Weiland encourages the crowd to sing along as he plays towards the camera to this packed venue. Weiland talks to the audience talking about sexuality and bi-sexuality saying that “we are very affectionate with each other,” as he lands a quick kiss on to guitarist Dean DeLeo cheek.
Weiland explains the next song by saying,“This is a song about Hollywood and a girl that is deeply a bitch,” he then sings “Hollywood Bitch.” Then he introduces the first song off their new CD and sings “Between the Lines,” previewing the track to the admiring crowd. Bringing it down a bit he begins to sing a Bowiesque song from the new disc, “Hickory Dichotomy” which has a cool guitar solo from DeLeo.
Switching to some recognizable tracks the band plays some songs that Weiland says, “We are going to be bringing it down because we are 75 years old.” as he sings the following recognizable tracks beginning with “Big Empty,” “Sour Girl,” “Creep,” “Plush,” and “Interstate Love Song” while the crowd eagerly sings along to the songs. They perform a few other tracks from the new album called “Bagman” and “Huckleberry Crumble.” They contend that they were going to play one song as an encore but they decided to perform it with the other material and they sang “Dead and Bloated,” as well as “Lounge Fly,” and “Piece of Pie” finishing off by thanking the audience playing “Trippin’ On A Hole in a Paper Heart.”
The DVD features this bonus feature interview with the entire band beginning by asking about the new album, “Between the Lines,” they contend that the music is a throwback to earlier material but they were conscious about creating a great album and that means making a graduation means to an end. The difference with this record is that they were making it while they were on the road. “The technology can be either a hindrance or help you,”says Dean DeLeo. As Scott claims,”The technology helped us make a great rock n’roll record.” The band says that they haven’t changed that much they are still pure energy and complain that sometime they play to loud. The video then shows them in a studio session and claim “Between the Lines,” that the songs are hardcore and the fans crave it too so they feel the musicality to play it live and on stage is another dimension. Weiland says, “It is poetry that is written in the studio and then they can see what it missing.” The song came together is in a process. “Many times Scott’s vocals are last to go down. So it’s a nice payoff,” exclaims DeLeo. They also say that they still surprise each other in the writing process and that’s what makes it fresh and keep going…making a rock record that blossom’s into something different that pushes the boundaries.
The band is grateful for their years together in this changing industry and they have a career where they can record 5-10 records and create a legacy. “The album is about piece and love. While the music is intense and at times violent it is the music of love and the stories of broken hearts but eternal peace,” says Weiland. The band maintains that they are the best live band in the world.
Stone Temple Pilots (STP) were conceived in 1992 in San Diego, California successfully melding alternative rock, hard rock, melodic pop, and garage rock into a swirl of post-punk attitude with a hint of glam. Their first two albums — Core and Purple – immediately established them as one of the more adventurous of the American guitar bands. The raw, sonic energy of their songs and live shows propelled two decades worth of success. Amidst numerous break-ups and the four musicians coming and going in different bands, STP has never had a personnel change. Weiland had a short stint with Velvet Revolver . Alive In The Windy City documents the strength and live prowess of this 20-year heavy-hitting rock collective.
