Tuesday, February 4, 1997
Lead vocalist Scott Weiland entered himself into a drug rehabilitation program several weeks ago. The charismatic frontman of STP has been fighting a brutal battle with heroin and cocaine addiction -- a battle that threatened to derail the band's U.S. tour (3 dates were postponed, but the band plans to resume in April). Weiland discussed his struggle, his art, and the future of Stone Temple Pilots with AOL members in an unprecedented live event right here at Rolling Stone Online.
Rolling Stone/AOL MC: Good evening and welcome to AOL LIVE, Scott Weiland!
Scott Weiland: Hello everyone.
Question: How are you feeling?
Scott Weiland: I'm feeling great. I just wrote a song today. I'm trying to hack away on the guitar.
Question: Are you going back on tour?
Scott Weiland: Yeah, right now we are booking dates for the second week in April. It will take us out for 6 weeks into secondary markets and cities across the country. Basically, places you would think would tend to be located near lead paint factories. Then we will take three weeks off and do a big major market summer tour for 12 weeks.
Question: Are you working on any new songs?
Scott Weiland: I've written four songs in the last two weeks and recorded three of them. One is called "Desperation No. 5" and the other two are nameless so far. They might be for later when STP takes a break for awhile to do their solo things. Everyone in the band is totally supportive of each other's side projects because it they are necessary in order to keep the band together.
Question: What bands do YOU like to listen to?
Scott Weiland: The last three Beatles records right now. Also, David Bowie's "Scary Monsters" and "Hunky Dory." I'm also looking forward to hearing the new Red Kross record which Robert helped produce. And I can't seem to get the last PJ Harvey disc out of my car for some reason.
Question: How did your second album get its name "Purple"?
Scott Weiland: It just sounded that way to us.
Question: What events led up to your entrance into rehab?
Scott Weiland: That would have to be my over interest in elicit drug use, obviously. Drugs don't work anymore for me.
Question: I live in Vancouver. What was the deal with the cancelled show?
Scott Weiland: Well, there was a major snowstorm -- they cancelled all the major flights into the city. We were going to fly and do the show but they would not let any planes land.
Question: What do you say to your fans who do not believe your sobriety?
Scott Weiland: I don't know. I don't really have anything to say. You believe in what you believe in. I'm really not asking anyone to believe anything. If you like the band, then believe in the music. That's the main thing. I'm not quitting alcohol or drugs for the fans' sake. I'm doing it because its the only option there is left for me to live a good life.
Question: What changes are you making (or planning to make) to ensure that you don't have another relapse?
Scott Weiland: Taking it on a day-to-day basis. Take each day one day at a time and try to enjoy the journey.
Question: Do you feel that you are ever gonna be able to kick your demons?
Scott Weiland: Of course I'd like to think I will be able to [kick them] forever, but I cannot look at it that way. Right now, there are no drugs in my body, but plenty of songs in my head. That's where I'm at today.
Question: A "loyal fan in Middle Village, New York" wants to know where you get your ideas for your songs?
Scott Weiland: From a lot of things -- just everyday life. Some of the heavier based lyrics come from my own personal experiences and observations of other things. Whether that be social or sexual or political or politically sexual or whatever. I actually just wrote a song today about my dogs, but you would never know it.
Question: About how long did it take to write and record "Purple and were any of those songs written prior to "Core"?
Scott Weiland: We wrote a lot of the songs on "Purple" while on tour for "Core." When we actually started going to tape, it took about a month and a half to get it all down. The main riff on "Vasoline" was originally from a song when we still called "Mighty Joe Young" and had been playing in clubs in Hollywood.
Question: Are you planning to tour in New York again? It was awesome when you came onstage with Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith.
Scott Weiland: Yeah, we may hit one of the secondary cities in the state in April or May. And maybe Jones Beach on the summer tour.
Question: Scott, which album is your favorite? Scott Weiland: At the moment "Tiny Music" because we pushed hard to break new ground sonically.
Question: Have you been approached about Lollapalooza? And would you do it?
Scott Weiland: We have not been approached about it. I ran into Perry the other night and we talked a while, but it wasn't about Lollapalooza. But I wouldn't mind if the package looked appealing -- if Lollapalooza had bands we were into touring with and seeing play every night.
Question: What was the inspiration for the song "Naked Sunday?"
Scott Weiland: I think that was all about being in my early twenties, young and politically self-righteous. Basically being young and full of angst and being angry at everything around me, including the government and my old beat-up pick-up truck that wouldn't start every other day.
Question: What made you decide to paint your nails?
Scott Weiland: I was copying Keith Richards.
Question: How did you feel about Rolling Stone's article on you and your band? How did you feel about the controversial article in Rolling Stone on Eddie Vedder?
Scott Weiland: I found it disturbingly ironic that we were on the cover of Rolling Stone at the exact same time that Pearl Jam were on the cover of Spin. RS's Pearl Jam story -- I don't know . . . when you're a person in the public eye and controversy seems to follow you where ever you go. And when there's not any, people feel the need to create some. I would prefer to see my name out of the controversy files for the remainder of 1997. That would be nice. I knew our piece would be all about drugs and not about the music if I didn't tell my story of what happened -- if I didn't tell it, then someone would have made it up on their own.
Question: Are you gonna do anymore work with the Magnificent Bastards?
Scott Weiland: Yeah, I'm sure I will but right now, keeping one four piece rock band together is enough of a head trip at times.
Question: Will you put out a live video or tape of this past tour? It was great.
Scott Weiland: As far as extra-curricular STP activity -- I'll just put out my own record so I only have to deal with one ego and not 3 whole new personalities. Yeah, there will be a live compilation coming out from all three tours.
Question: The change between "Core" to the present album is incredible. Do you ever see the band directing itself more towards the harder edge of "Core"?
Scott Weiland: Yeah, I think where the four of us are at right now and our direction musically for the next record, we are all together unanimous on the idea of putting out an album that regresses in a direction of us being a live, powerful, four-piece rock band and less in the arty, experimental direction of the last two records.
Question: Of all the years you have been with the band, which has been the most enjoyable and why?
Scott Weiland: Well, its different. There were great moments that happen any time we are together. I would have to say, my favorite times were back in the beginning and we were touring around and driving around in campers and playing small clubs. But this last tour in the fall really had some beautiful moments on it as well. We weren't focusing on partying every night, we were focusing on playing the best shows we could play 5 out of 7 nights a week.
RS/AOL MC: Scott Weiland, thank you for joining us and taking our questions. It was a pleasure.
Scott Weiland: Thanks.
RS/AOL MC: And thanks to our audience for being here. Goodnight!
--- Your hosts were Rolling Stone Online, and from AOL, RobertJDB and NinaJA.
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