Stone Temple Pilots: Crafting an Unforgettable Sound

Stone Temple Pilots have been a prominent figure in the music industry since the early nineties. Over their career, they’ve gained both faithful fans and vehement critics: inevitably, both camps have varying opinions of this beloved rock band. Despite mixed views on STP’s music, there is no denying that Stone Temple Pilots knew how to craft an unforgettable sound. From eclectic ballads like “Creep” to hard-hitting alt-rock hits like “Vasoline” and “Interstate Love Song, it's easy to see why STP has stood out as one of the most influential bands of our time. In this blog post we will examine what made Stone Temple Pilots so special while also looking at some (fair?) criticisms that dogged them throughout their career.

Stone Temple Pilots, or STP, have been a staple in the music industry since their debut album “Core” hit airwaves in 1992. Their music is defined by a mix of alternative rock, grunge, and pop, with lead vocalist Scott Weiland’s range and distinctive sound being a huge factor in their success. But the band isn’t without their detractors. Criticisms over their style and legitimacy as artists have followed them throughout their career. In this blog post, we’ll explore the factors that set STP apart from their peers, and examine both sides of the debate on their musical career.

One of the most unique things about STP is the variety they were able to incorporate into their music. “Sex Type Thing,” the first single from their debut, is a hard-hitting grunge song with a memorable hook and a music video that drew attention for its portrayal of violence against women. This was a choice that earned both fans and critics. While the songwriting was aggressive, it also had a sense of humor in Weiland’s delivery of the line I know it's me who's supposed to bleed, which shows that STP wasn’t taking themselves too seriously. Their versatility is evident in “Creep,” a song that’s more of a ballad that showcases a different side of the band. The melancholic hymn-like guitar riff and Weiland’s soaring vocals create a haunting effect that is both catchy and cathartic.

However, the band’s sound hasn’t always sat well with everyone. One of the predominant criticisms of STP is that they were a copycat band, lacking originality and authenticity. The argument was that they were shamelessly aping popular bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden, with their frontman even being labeled a “Vedder clone”. But it's unfair to reduce STP to just a pastiche of other bands of their era. They brought their own influences and experiences into their music. They emphasized a unique mix of classic rock, glam, punk, and psychedelia that distinguishes them. STP wasn’t a rip off band. They instead found a way to embrace the many forms of rock music, experimenting with different styles until they settled on the sound that made them most distinguishable from their contemporaries.

STP’s particular blend of hard rocking hits and sentimental ballads earned them a legion of followers that will remain devoted to them for life. The catchy “Interstate Love Song” and emotionally-charged “Plush” exemplified their ability to craft hook-laden anthems that kept fans coming back for more. Meanwhile, the powerful “Vasoline” and epic “Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart” showcase the guitar work of the DeLeo brothers, guitarist Dean and bassist Robert. These songs illustrate how DeLeo and DeLeo created the sonic foundation of the band, allowing Weiland to soar and dominate.

Besides the musical abilities of the band, many fans were also drawn to the band's performative energy. At their peak, STP were a band that indisputably put on an incredible live show. Weiland was known for his energy and physicality on stage, his magnetic charisma being the cherry on top. The band was no less electrifying and before their untimely break up, their onstage antics were just as essential to their act as Weiland's soaring vocals and the DeLeo brothers' guitar work.

Stone Temple Pilots were a band that formed by combining a range of sounds and influences to create something truly special and unique. While some critics may argue that they were simply following the grunge bandwagon, their fans know that there was so much more to the band than just a style or trend. The band’s ability to craft unforgettable hooks, mix the hard-hitting rock with the heartfelt ballads, and creating an unmatched live performance made them the distinctive artists they were. So despite the critiques and polarized opinions, STP's music is here to stay, reminding us that great rock music could never die.