It was only very recently that I had even given the Stone Temple Pilots any notice. The only thing I had known about the band’s music was what little I had heard of their songs from the radio ten years back and I too was far from impressed by their musical range or ability. Based on that limited exposure, my opinion of STP was that they were mediocre at best. It was only until I borrowed a handful of CDs from a friend of mine about a month ago which included some Stone Temple Pilots, that I even gave their music a serious listen and was actually pleasantly surprised at just how good a lot of their songs were. Of course, not surprisingly, the ones I really liked had never made it to the radio. Regardless, despite knowing very little about the band itself, I did vaguely recall reading an interview from years back in which Weiland stated he had always admired and even to a large extent, idolized David Bowie. This statement stuck out in my mind because it was the only thing I knew about him that I actually liked and could relate to.

However, I don’t think it’s fair to blame the bands themselves. It seems like a Catch 22, “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” situation. You need only to look at the heavy Blues influence of Led Zeppelin as an example and the fact that most of their first album were cover songs from the talented Blues artists that came before them. And I’m sure you would have no trouble finding people who would credit Led Zeppelin for writing the songs on that album if you asked them. Yet, riding that wave is what initially put Led Zeppelin on the map and I don’t think it brings into question their credibility as artists.

Meanwhile, we now have “artists” that are hugely famous for little more than having a pretty face and who can’t even write their own music. Besides, they’ve got better things to worry about than writing songs like making sure they’re wearing the best outfit at the VMAs.

It’s extraordinarily sad to see just how little music matters anymore and I guess the reason why I found your article so frustrating was because you’re focusing on a guy whom you are basically condemning for being influenced by the very bands you yourself are a fan of. From what I understand, Weiland openly admits to having been inspired by these artists and truly appreciating their musical talent. By no means has he tried to claim he invented the wheel when it comes to rock ‘n’ roll and even has gone so far as to admonish bands such as Oasis who have refused to acknowledge where their influences came from. The fact that these musicians motivated Weiland to write songs of his own and instill him with the desire to create music is a compliment to the bands themselves.

I personally don’t think Pearl Jam or Nirvana could even hold a candle to the way the Stone Temple Pilots turned their musical playing abilities into cohesive, worthwhile songs but I also realize that, given how passionate most of us music fans tend to be, it can be hard to have the objectivity of distinguishing our personal tastes from the actual talent and ability of a musician and/or songwriter.

As for Weiland changing his appearance frequently to ‘fit the mold’ so to speak, he has also admitted to, almost embarrassingly so, trying to conform to the “grunge” image that was popular at the time his band came out. But then, haven’t we all have been guilty of following trends at one point in time or another*? There’s simply no getting around it and in my opinion, nothing wrong with it. We all tend to seek out like-minded people we can relate to and, often is the case, imitate them as a form of expressing where we ourselves feel we most fit in. Even the simple act of wearing a t-shirt with one of my favorite bands on it is my way of giving a nod to something that’s had an impact on my life or way of thinking. And isn’t it great when someone you don’t even know comes up to you and says, “Oh, I love that band too!” So when it comes to Scott Weiland taking it to the extreme and wearing the very same clothes that the rockstars before him wore, I realize just as much as you where he got those glam rock ideas from. The way I look at it, out of all the non-musically inclined people out there who are basically just puppets of whatever publicity agent that happened to dress them that day, at least there’s someone who can acknowledge who their musical inspirations are and isn’t afraid to show it. It’s reassuring to know that at the very least, Scott Weiland is capable of naming the very songs and artists that had an impact on his career.

Even in the Metal Edge interview that was being referenced, I was glad Weiland took the opportunity to comment on how A&R people today are at the point where they will lose their jobs the moment they sign a band or artist that isn’t immediately successful. After all, it is the “corporation’s money” on the line we’re talking about here. Let alone the fact that I appreciate Metal Edge even allowing the statement to be published given how censored so many of these magazines have become. I mean, I’m sure tons of other people are trying to say the same exact thing and simply aren’t being heard. My point being, even if you don’t particularly like any of STP’s music or believe Scott Weiland is talented to any legitimate degree, I hope you can at least appreciate that he recognizes some of the big problems in the music industry today and is trying to bring it to the attention of his own fans just how much real musicians are suffering in our commercially driven society.

The way I see it, our differences in taste of music and bands are what make for such great debates and discussions like this one. It’s that passionate, heated drive that I love so much about the effect the music has on all of us who are genuine fans and/or musicians. It’s a shame that real musicians have to fight so hard to continue making the music they love and struggle to find a way to bring it to the general public without having to sign up for some reality show just to compete or else accept their fate of disappearing into oblivion.

I don’t mean to make such an example out of Scott Weiland but as far as I’m concerned, if he or any other artist is willing to make a statement vocalizing their disgust with the state the music industry is in today, let’s encourage it as much as possible and stand behind them as the true fans of the rock ‘n’ roll music we all love so much. Every little bit helps.

-- Jenny Rogers