If you’re over 30 and have a pulse, it’s highly likely you’ve rocked out to Stone Temple Pilots (or STP as the kids called them) and their first studio album, Core.
With over 8 million copies sold and songs like “Plush,” “Sex Type Thing,” “Wicked Garden,” “Creep” and “Crackerman,” STPdominated the charts, and the airwaves.
Core set the stage for some of their other life defining songs for all of us.
Songs like “Vasoline,” “Interstate Love Song,” “Big Bang Baby,” “Dancing Days,” “Unglued,” and “Wonderful.”
As a result of these great songs, STP has secured their spot in Alternative Rock history.
Core was released in September of 1992; Core referring to the apple in the Biblical story of Adam and Eve. Their first single, “Sex Type Thing” was met with some criticism with reviews where the lyrics were taken at face value.
In actuality, former front man Scott Weiland said that song dealt with the abuse of power, “macho” behavior and humanity’s attitude toward women, treating them as sex objects.
In regards to writing Core, Weiland had this to say:
Weiland on Core
“I feel very strongly that all individuals, regardless of age, race, creed or sexual preference, should have the freedom to exercise their rights as human beings to enjoy life, pursue what they want and feel comfortable about who they are. I guess I tend to find the darker sides of life more attractive than the yellows and oranges. I know it’s something that I relate to when I listen to music”.
With heavy guitar riffs, Weiland’s grunge-growling and deep yet raspy holler, their sound was a perfect fit for the early 90’s Grunge Rock genre. That movement was growing rapidly with already established grunge bands like Soundgarden, Nirvana, PearlJam and Alice in Chains.
Core would later be certified as an 8x platinum record by the Record Industry Association of America in 2001, making it the bands best-selling album.
Weiland dealt with a well-known drug addiction which ultimately killed him via accidental overdose in 2015 after being kicked out of STP in 2013.
From 2013 to 2015 Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington fronted STP and even put out a five-track EP.
Fast forward to 2016; STP filled the bands void by finding their current singer, Jeff Gutt after hosting an online audition for vocalists. Gutt was well-known from his time auditioning on the American version of The X-Factor seasons 1-3.
The band has a new album out called “Perdida,” which is definitely worth a listen. For now, we’re going forward by looking back.
With Gutt’s matching deep scratchy growl, Stone Temple Pilots are going to perform this multi-award winning album Core in its entirety, this Friday, July 31st on Nugs.tv at 5 PM PT.
To Purchase Tickets for this LIVE Special Event
Stone Temple Pilots remains just as electric and dynamic as ever. The loss of Weiland was a blow to the STP family and fans. On the upside, Gutt pays homage to the music through his own sound, which makes the music sound just as tight and fresh as it was back in the day. STP today features Jeff Gutt (lead vocals), Dean DeLeo (guitar), Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums).
