| Scott Weiland |
Scott Weiland live with Stone Temple Pilots in 2008
|
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Scott Richard Kline |
| Born |
October 27, 1967 (1967-10-27) (age 42) |
| Origin |
Santa Cruz, California, U.S. |
| Genres |
Alternative rock, Hard rock, Grunge, Psychedelic rock |
| Occupations |
Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instruments |
Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizer, Organ, Percussion |
| Years active |
1986–present |
| Labels |
Atlantic |
| Associated acts |
Stone Temple Pilots
Velvet Revolver
Camp Freddy
The Magnificent Bastards
The Wondergirls |
| Website |
scottweiland.com |
Scott Weiland (born Scott Richard Kline on October 27, 1967) is an American musician, lyricist, and vocalist, most notably known for his work with Grammy Award-winning rock band Stone Temple Pilots, and also for his five-year career with supergroup Velvet Revolver. After a five-year hiatus, the STP reunion tour kicked off at the Rock on the Range festival in May 2008[1]. He was the frontman of Velvet Revolver during his time away from STP, but parted ways with the band on April 1, 2008. Weiland's split from Velvet Revolver also led to his departure from the side-project band Camp Freddy. Weiland's second solo album, "Happy" in Galoshes, was released on November 25, 2008. Weiland supported the record with an early 2009 tour of the United States.[5]
Weiland is one of the most successful frontmen to emerge from the 1990s. He is well-known for his flamboyant and energetic onstage persona and for constantly changing his appearance and vocal style.[2] Weiland's life and career have been plagued with heroin addiction, as well as several arrests. However, according to MTV News, Weiland has been free from heroin since December 5, 2002.[3]
Biography
Early years
Weiland was born as Scott Kline in Santa Clara County, California. His surname was changed after being adopted by his stepfather David Weiland at age 5.[4] Around that time, Weiland moved to Chagrin Falls, Ohio, where he attended the Kenston School District. He moved to California as a teenager and attended Edison High School in Huntington Beach.
Stone Temple Pilots (1986-1997)
In 1986 Weiland met bassist Robert DeLeo at a Black Flag concert, and shortly thereafter formed the band Mighty Joe Young with DeLeo's brother Dean on guitar and Eric Kretz on drums and recorded the Mighty Joe Young Demo in 1990. After signing with Atlantic Records it was discovered that "Mighty Joe Young" was already taken so they changed their name to Shirley Temple's Pussy. Not long afterwards the band's name was changed again to Stone Temple Pilots, due to pressure from their record label[5].
Weiland wrote the band's lyrics and performed vocals. In 1992, they released their first album, Core, spawning four hits ("Sex Type Thing", "Wicked Garden", "Creep", and "Plush") and leading them to becoming one of the most influential bands of the grunge movement, the music genre that was started in Seattle in the late eighties and became rock and roll's central movement in the early-mid 1990s. The band was widely accused of imitating bands such as Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden and Nirvana in an attempt to cash in on the scene's burgeoning popularity. Critics also pointed out that Weiland's vocal style at the time was very similar to that of Layne Staley's and Eddie Vedder's. Weiland has rejected such comparisons, however, citing Jim Morrison[6] and David Bowie as more influential on his vocal techniques and sound. Despite negative reviews from critics, Core was extremely successful, eventually being certified 8x platinum by the RIAA.
In 1994, Weiland and STP released their second record, Purple, which saw the development of a more distinctive identity for the band. While still a clear continuation of their previous techniques, the album featured a more "classic rock" sound, and had a mixture of punk, bossa nova, and acoustic songs. Like Core, Purple was a big success for the band, spawning three hit singles ("Big Empty", "Vasoline", and "Interstate Love Song") and selling over 6 million copies. The year prior, STP toured with the Butthole Surfers and Weiland developed a heroin addiction, claiming Butthole Surfers singer Gibby Haynes introduced him to heroin, which Gibby denies.[7]
In 1995, Weiland was caught and convicted of buying crack cocaine. He was sentenced to one year's probation. Issues with drug use did not clear up after his sentence. As his drug problems increased, Scott moved into a hotel for two months with Courtney Love and claimed to have "shot drugs the whole time" with her.[8] STP was forced to cancel most of their 1996-1997 tour in support of their third release, Tiny Music... Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop. Although Tiny Music... was certified 2x platinum, the canceled tour caused the album to fall quickly off the charts.
STP Hiatus and 12 Bar Blues (1997-1998)
With Weiland's status in the band uncertain and unpredictable, STP went on hiatus. The other members of the band created the group Talk Show with lead singer Dave Coutts. Weiland, meanwhile, adopted an androgynous look and released a solo album in 1998 called 12 Bar Blues. Weiland wrote most of the songs on the album, and collaborated with several artists, notably Daniel Lanois, Sheryl Crow, Brad Mehldau and Jeff Nolan. The album was a commercial failure but it managed to achieve some critical acclaim. It was also during this time that Weiland was caught in Manhattan buying heroin, dressed like a pimp, ending his brief tour. A previous conviction in Los Angeles, coupled with numerous probation violations, earned Weiland jail time.
Back with STP (1999-2002)
His period in jail had apparently helped to wean him from his habit, and once released, he rejoined Stone Temple Pilots. In 1999, the band released No. 4. The album contained the hit single "Sour Girl" which featured a strange, surreal music video with Sarah Michelle Gellar. That same year, Weiland also recorded two songs with the short-lived supergroup The Wondergirls.
In November 2000, Weiland was invited to perform on the show VH1 Storytellers with the surviving members of The Doors. Weiland did vocals on two Doors songs, "Break on Through (To the Other Side)" and "Five to One". That same month Stone Temple Pilots appeared on The Doors tribute CD, Stoned Immaculate with their own rendition of "Break On Through" as the lead track.
In late 2001, Weiland was arrested on domestic violence charges in Las Vegas, apparently for shoving his wife, Mary Forsberg. However, the charges were eventually deferred upon the couple agreeing to counseling. Soon after, Forsberg filed for divorce but the couple eventually reconciled. Weiland's career also took a hit, with an altercation between Weiland and Dean DeLeo on the final gig of STP's Shangri-La Dee Da tour, leading to the band's official demise with much of the speculation surrounding Weiland's inability to balance personal issues.
Velvet Revolver (2003-2008)
After the breakup of STP, Weiland was arrested on his birthday on October 27, 2003 in Hollywood, California, after a traffic collision. He was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. His charges were eventually dismissed after he successfully completed rehab and subsequent drug tests.
Around this time, Weiland was asked by former Guns N' Roses bassist Duff McKagan to lead a band with Duff and the former GNR members Slash and Matt Sorum, as well as Dave Kushner. The band used the working title "The Project". Slash initially suggested the name "Revolver". Weiland later suggested the name "Black Velvet Revolver", and eventually the name was shortened to "Velvet Revolver", after a suggestion by Slash.
Velvet Revolver's debut album Contraband was released in June 2004 to much success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 and has sold over three million copies worldwide to date. Two of the album's songs, "Slither" and "Fall to Pieces", reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song "Slither" also won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance with Vocal in 2005, an award Weiland had won previously with STP for the song "Plush" in 1994. That same year, Weiland appeared on Last Call with Carson Daly and performed a new solo song, "The Man I Didn't Know", a country-style ballad that deals with his relationship with his father. "The Man I Didn't Know" would go on to appear on the deluxe edition of Weiland's second solo album in 2008.
Weiland and his son Noah were featured on comedian David Spade's The Showbiz Show with David Spade during a comedy sketch about discouraging music file sharing in 2005. Noah has a line during the sketch in which he asks a little girl, "Please buy my daddy's album so I can have food to eat".
At the 2006 Grammy Awards, Weiland (along with the rest of Velvet Revolver) performed the Beatles song "Across the Universe" along with Bono, Brian Wilson, Norah Jones, Stevie Wonder, Steven Tyler, Billie Joe Armstrong, Alison Krauss, and Alicia Keys.[6]
In 2006, Weiland launched his own record label, Softdrive Records. Around the same time as Softdrive Records was launched, he announced plans for a second solo album, as well as plans to write an autobiography and start his own clothing line with Von Dutch. Weiland also re-recorded the STP outtake "Learning to Drive", for the 2007 horror film Bug. After an altercation at a hotel, Weiland's wife, Mary Forsberg, went home and torched $10,000 worth of her husband’s clothing in their front yard. Ironically, Weiland had just announced that his label signed the up-and-coming rock band, Something to Burn.
Weiland performing live with Velvet Revolver in 2007
Velvet Revolver released their second album, Libertad, on July 3, 2007. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2007, Weiland mentioned that the only albums he has written sober are Libertad and STP's Core.[9] The album sold a little under 100,000 copies during its first week and has sold over 230,000 copies as of September 2007, which fell short of expectations in failing to even meet the first week sales of Contraband.[10][11] In December 2007 Scott Weiland was arrested and charged with DUI, his first arrest in over four years (since October 27, 2003). On February 7, 2008, Blabbermouth.net officially reported that Weiland checked himself into rehab. This resulted in the cancellation of Velvet Revolver's Australian tour (which had initially been postponed for two months already). The article does not mention why Weiland, who has claimed sobriety since 2003, entered the facility.[12] He left rehab in early March, according to his lawyer.[13]
On March 20, 2008, Weiland revealed at Velvet Revolver's show in Glasgow that this would be the band's final tour. Matt Sorum posted a message on his website the next day discussing the band's situation and said, "You could tell who was unhappy last night," and "some people in this business don't realize how great of a life they have." Weiland shot back by telling Blabbermouth.net, "Well, first of all, the state of my family affairs is really none of his business, since he is too immature to have a real relationship, let alone children. So don't attempt to stand in a man's shoes when you haven't walked his path."[14] Slash hinted in an interview with Classic Rock magazine that, contrary to Weiland's assertions, Velvet Revolver will continue beyond its current tour. When asked "With Scott singing?", Slash replied "I have no comment on that", and laughed.[15] On Tuesday, April 1, it was announced by a number of media outlets that Scott Weiland would no longer be in Velvet Revolver.[16]
In a Spin magazine interview Weiland revealed that he's also not ruling out a Velvet Revolver reunion. "Slash and I always got on pretty well," he says. "So who knows?"
STP Reunion and "Happy" in Galoshes (2008-present)
After Weiland split from Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots announced a 65-date U.S. tour on April 7, 2008 in Los Angeles and performed together for the first time since 2002. The reunion tour kicked off at the Rock on the Range festival on May 17, 2008. STP is expected to record their sixth album sometime in 2009.[17] Weiland has also confirmed he is writing his autobiography, Desperation No. 5, with David Ritz. The book is expected to be released in February of 2010.[7]
On April 28, 2008, Weiland was sentenced to 192 hours in county jail for his November 2007 DUI. He was also required to complete an 18-month alcohol program, as well as pay $2000 in fines, and will be on probation for four years. Weiland entered a Los Angeles County jail on May 12, but was released later that same day.[18].
On November 25, 2008, Weiland released his second solo album, "Happy" in Galoshes, produced by Weiland and songwriting-producing partner Doug Grean. Weiland went on tour in early 2009 to promote the album.[19] Weiland's first stop on his promo tour was Austin ,Texas.[20]
On December 19, Scott signed a publishing deal with Bug Music, allowing Weiland to "receive funding to pursue the development of creative projects and writers for Bug Music through his co-founded label, Softdrive Records." The deal includes Weiland's share of the Stone Temple Pilots catalog and future solo projects.[8]
On January 21, Weiland announced the launch of his clothing line, Weiland for English Laundry, in partnership with designer Christopher Wicks.[21][22]
Scott stated on January 25 that the DeLeo brothers are currently writing music for the sixth STP record and that he will add his vocals and melody to it when the material is ready.[23] STP has toured and will continue to tour throughout 2009 in preparation for the new album, which will be released in late 2009 or early 2010. Regarding the new STP album, Weiland recently told Spinner.com in late October that the album would be finished once STP's current tour was complete, and that around the album's release, STP would embark on a "long" tour that would probably stretch over a year. Weiland also stated that after that tour, he would begin work on his third solo album.[24]
It was announced in March 2009 that VH1 will begin airing new episodes of the popular documentary series Behind the Music, which originally ran from 1997 to 2006. Weiland, along with rapper Lil Wayne, have both signed on for their own episodes.[9] However, for unknown reasons, Weiland's episode has since been indefinitely shelved.[10]
Personal life
Weiland married Janina Castaneda on September 17, 1994, but the couple divorced in 2000. He married model Mary Forsberg on May 20, 2000. They have two young children, Noah (born 2000) and Lucy (born 2002). However, in late 2007, Weiland and Forsberg separated and are currently in the process of getting divorced.
Weiland's younger brother Michael died of a drug overdose in early 2007. The Velvet Revolver songs "For a Brother" and "Pills, Demons, & Etc" from the album Libertad are about Michael. Weiland stated in an interview with MTV News in November 2008 that several songs on "Happy" in Galoshes were inspired by the death of his brother and his separation from Mary. In the same article, MTV News reported that Weiland has not done heroin since December 5, 2002. Weiland also admitted that he went through "a very short binge with coke" in late 2007.[3] Despite Weiland's sobriety from drugs, he admits to still drinking alcohol.[25]
Weiland suffers from bipolar disorder, yet according to an interview with VH1.com, he isn't under medication, consequently suffering from mood swings.[26] Weiland had a brief friendship with Courtney Love around 1998 and he admitted they used drugs together.
Weiland is a Notre Dame football fan, as his father is an alumnus. In September 2006, Weiland performed at the University of Notre Dame's Legends Restaurant on the night before a football game. He sang several of his solo songs, as well as "Interstate Love Song" and a cover of Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here."
Other works and legacy
- He played guitar with Stephen Carpenter and sang on the Deftones album White Pony in the song "RX Queen".
- He performed with Fred Durst and Limp Bizkit on the album Significant Other in the song "Nobody Like You" along with Jonathan Davis from Korn. He was also tributed in the same album with the song "Show Me What You Got" along with Eminem, Kid Rock, Jordan, The Firm, Wu-Tang Clan, The Crystal Method, and Staind. In that song, Fred Durst sings "Scott Weiland, the melody man. If you can`t sing it, nobody can." Weiland was also featured on Limp Bizkit's third album, Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water, in the song "Hold On".
- Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 believes Scott Weiland is one of the most underrated frontman, stating that “Scott Weiland in his heyday was just made of rubber, I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.”
- Chester Bennington of Linkin Park has stated that Weiland was a major influence on his singing. Bennington also performed with Stone Temple Pilots in concert as a guest vocalist at some shows in 2001.
- In 2007, Weiland was placed at #57 on Hit Parader's list of "Heavy Metal's All-Time Top 100 Vocalists."[11]
Discography
Solo discography
Stone Temple Pilots discography
Velvet Revolver discography
Soundtrack
References
External links
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Scott Weiland |
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