Stone Temple Pilots is back with a new singer, a new album (in stores now), and a new tour which included a Monday night stop at San Francisco’s historic Fillmore with support from The Dirty Hooks.
Let’s just cut to the chase and address the question that is most certainly on everyone’s mind. How did STP’s new vocalist Jeff Gutt measure up? A fair question given he’s stepping into the shoes of not one, but two iconic front men for a band that has seen its first four albums (all now classics of the ’90s grunge era) go platinum at least once, if not many times over. In short, he nailed it better than almost anyone could and that’s a feat of accomplishment. Still obviously getting comfortable in those big shoes, Gutt no doubt has the pipes to do these songs justice, showing off his vocal range straight out of the gate with “Wicked Garden.”
For their part, brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz absolutely blew the doors off the Fillmore. Crushingly heavy when called for (“Still Remains”) and subtle and smooth when needed (“Lounge Fly”). These three guys were clearly invigorated by Gutt and the prospect of an STP that can carry on without the cloud of addiction or your lead singer’s main music project. It felt like a new beginning for the band.
Sure, the setlist covered the classics quite well, spending the 75% of the set in the ’90s. But with new beginnings come new tunes and, with a new album, the band took the opportunity to pull out a few new tunes, “Meadow” and “Roll Me Under,” which were met with the room’s attention and respect.
So how did this all go over with the crowd? Remarkably well, in fact. The folks who embraced Chester as a replacement for Scott Weiland did so for the love of STP. Nearly three years ago those folks packed the Fillmore to watch Bennington front the band, and these are likely the same people who showed up last night to sing along so loudly to “Plush” that Jeff stopped singing and extended the mic to the crowd.
How the new album goes over is yet to be seen, but for now it seems that STP fans are more than happy to plunk down a few bucks to relive their youth.
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
THE DIRTY HOOKS
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
The Dirty Hooks
SETLIST
Wicked Garden
Vasoline
Lounge Fly
Coma
Big Bang Baby
Regeneration
Glide
Big Empty
Atlanta
Plush
Meadow
Interstate Love Song
Army Ants
Piece of Pie
Roll Me Under
Dead & Bloated
Sex Type Thing
Trippin’ on a Hole in a Paper Heart
ENCORE
Creep
Down
