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SXSW Music: Stone Temple Pilots
Gavin St. Ours | Thursday, April 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Thursday, March 18, 2010
I was 14 in the summer of 1994, and Stone Temple Pilots's Purple was my soundtrack. That was also summer I learned how to play electric guitar, so naturally STP songs were among the first I learned.
I never made it to a Stone Temple Pilots show in the 90s, though I did see Scott Weiland perform solo at an HFStival.
Flash forward 16 (!) years. STP played SXSW Thursday night at the Austin Music Hall, and it was my first chance to see them live. Honestly, I was nervous. Would the show hold up? Would the old songs sound tired and empty? Would the new songs be bland and boring?
As soon as they launched into "Vaseline" as their set opener, I could tell they brought their A-game. STP rocked. They were as energetic and tight as a band could be, complete with Weiland's style of frontman showmanship that I don't think many other bands have.
Of course, they played some of their new songs, too. I'll have to listen to the new album to pick out the ones I heard, but a couple of them were quite catchy. Still, I don't think the new material is as iconic as their breakthrough hits, but maybe I'm just being hard on new songs by comparing them to their well-established counterparts.
For the encore, Robby Krieger from the Doors joined STP for a cover of "Roadhouse Blues". It was the kind of epic moment I'd heard about at SXSW in years past.
It was a totally awesome show. Stone Temple Pilots rocked SXSW 2010. I think I took over 400 pictures, and I'll put the best up on Flickr once I finally sit down and sift through all of them. If you can catch them on this tour, I highly recommend it.
Music | tagged Robby Krieger, SXSW, Stone Temple Pilots, The Doors
Reader Comments (4)
STP was my first concert ever when I was 13 years old. I would absolutely love to see them again. They are playing RFK next month for the DC Chili Cookoff, but I have no intention on going to that. Plus, tickets are $50 dollars and I'm not sure if that includes TicketMaster's Anal Rape charges.
I saw them on their tour for Purple at the Illinois State Fair. Beat that.
Hey Barfly! I totally agree. That chili cook-off mess is not worth the hassle. But STP is putting on one hell of a show these days.
And Mike, yes, you win. You win at the Internet and at seeing bands! Although, I should point out that I took the above photos. Yes, I was that close to the stage. So in your face!
I was never really into STP in the 90s, but my friends who I play music with currently pushed to learn Interstate Love Song, and it's pretty fun to play. I play guitar, but I think the bass is the best part of the song.
I heard about them being at the DC 101 chili cook off - I'm undecided on whether I'll check that out.