Scott Weiland
Photo: Peter Kramer/ Getty Images

They reunited for a successful run of summer gigs and they've even been writing new material — but, according to frontman Scott Weiland, Stone Temple Pilots' future plans are still very much up in the air, given that two of the band's members have been sued by their old record label, Atlantic Records.

"It's pretty f---ed up, actually," Weiland told MTV News last week. "I don't know who we would record for. I'm not into recording for Atlantic Records, and there are some legal issues there. Originally, I was told — and I was told for years — that we were free from Atlantic. I don't know how it is that [bassist] Dean [DeLeo] and [guitarist] Robert [DeLeo] are free from [Atlantic], and [drummer] Eric [Kretz] and I are not. I have no interest in making a record for a major label. If we were going to make a record, I would want to do it in a way that was much more original and in a more creative fashion."

Atlantic Records filed a lawsuit in Manhattan District Court this spring against Weiland and Kretz, claiming the two tried to get out of their recording contract with the Warner Music Group label prematurely. The filing contends Weiland and Kretz have threatened to stop performing under their current contract, and that they've indicated that they'd like to end the agreement unless Atlantic makes some significant changes. In the suit, the label claims that, though STP have written and recorded six LPs, it wants them to record a seventh — and deliver up to two more, should the label decide it wants them.

However, the suit hasn't deterred the band from working on new material, Weiland said. "I know those guys have been writing, and there's been some really cool stuff that's come about from that," he explained. "I'm proud of everything we've written. But to make another record would mean another couple of years of my life dedicated to that, and I just don't know if that's where I see myself going."

Weiland will issue his second solo offering, Happy in Galoshes, on November 25, an album he's been working on for more than a year, even before he was fired from Velvet Revolver back in the spring. He said that, while he's receptive to recording with STP once more, he likes the freedom that being a solo artist affords him.

"When I look at people like Beck and even, unfortunately, Elliott Smith, who was one of my favorite singer/songwriters, the ability to do what you want to do at your own pace is appealing to me," Weiland said. "You don't really have any fiduciary responsibility to anyone but yourself. But being in a band, you do. It's like, you can't just say, 'You know what? I don't want to tour.' You just can't."

As for Velvet Revolver's collapse, Weiland said that, looking back on it now, he knows just what caused the band's turmoil.

"Velvet Revolver fell apart because there were too many big egos in the band — and I'm including myself," he said. "It wasn't necessarily about bad egos, just big egos, and unfortunately, it just mistakenly kind of eroded."

• Scott Weiland
• Stone Temple Pilots

Scott Weiland
Photo: Michael Bezjian/ WireImage

The last year and a half have been tumultuous for Scott Weiland.

In early 2007, Weiland lost his younger brother, Michael, to a drug overdose. Then, about a year ago, Weiland and his wife of eight years, Mary Forsberg, decided to separate (they are still in the process of getting divorced). And this past spring, after months of informed rumors, he parted ways with Velvet Revolver, only to rejoin his first band, Stone Temple Pilots, for a summer reunion tour of the U.S.

It wasn't long after STP reformed that Weiland ended up serving a brief stint behind bars for driving under the influence. And while December 5 will mark six years since Weiland has done heroin, he said that the dissolution of his marriage has tested his sobriety some and admitted that about a year ago, he had "a very short binge with coke."

Needless to say, it wasn't exactly a banner year for the beleaguered singer. But it's also been a productive time for Weiland, creatively speaking. While dealing with the heartache of his divorce ("It's a tough thing to hear," he said, "when your kids ask you, 'Daddy, why can't you come home tomorrow?' ") and mourning the loss of his brother, Weiland wrote songs. Actually, he wrote a lot of songs — more than 40 — and on November 25, Weiland will release half of them as the two-disc set Happy in Galoshes, his second official collection of solo material and the follow-up to 1998's 12 Bar Blues.

"Most of the heavy writing that was done for this record has been done [during the] separation ... between my wife and I," said Weiland, who is working on his autobiography with author David Ritz (who has previously authored books on Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Marvin Gaye, among others). "In those moments of emotional desperation, [my recording] studio would become my home, really. It's a massive warehouse place that used to be a heavy-machinery factory, which originally reeked of thick machine oil. I've had the studio for about 10 years, and it's like my art studio. It's a place where I have gone for solace. It's like my church, in a sense. When people ask me if I have a hobby, a lot of times my answer is that I like to surf in warm water. I like to ski, if I have the opportunity. But really, I like to go to my studio and write music that I want to write, where there's no pressure to come up with a hit single."

For Happy in Galoshes, Weiland worked with producer Doug Grean, with select tracks helmed by Steve Albini. The record features guest appearances by Paul Oakenfold and No Doubt's Adrian Young, Tony Kanal and Tom Dumont.

"There's such a wide array of sounds and styles and textures on this album," he explained. "It's kind of like every style of music that I've ever been influenced by and fell in love with, from my childhood up until currently. So, at times, it's sort of a hodgepodge. I'm putting out what my experience has been, essentially, with Mary and with my brother's death. The record's got a few different vibes, and there's a lot of really atmospheric, beautiful and surreal-sounding songs on it."

Happy in Galoshes features 20 tracks in all, including a cover of David Bowie's "Fame," a song Weiland said he's always related to.

"Bowie's obviously my biggest influence," he said. "I'd say Bowie, Morrison, the Beatles and the Stones were the big ones. But Bowie, overall, has probably influenced me the most, on a musical and vocal level, aesthetically, everything really. The song kind of says something about all the experiences that I've had throughout my career, and kind of where I'm at today."

Weiland said he would like for Bowie to hear his take on the track, which is extremely loyal to the original.

"We share publicists, so I want to send him a copy of the song and write a letter to him," he said. "I am hoping the next time I'm in New York, if he's there, I'd love to meet him. He's probably the last of my real idols that I haven't met. I had drinks with Salman Rushdie a couple of weeks ago, which was absolutely mind-blowing."

• Scott Weiland
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Velvet Revolver

Lil Wayne performs at the 2008 Virgin Mobile Festival
Photo: Paul Morigi/ Getty Images

BALTIMORE — Fans got more than they bargained for at this weekend's Virgin Mobile Festival — more Kanye, anyway.

Not content to close out the two-day festival with his headlining Sunday slot, Mr. West stormed the stage earlier in the day, joining Lil Wayne for a meeting of hip-hop's hottest. Maybe 'Ye was pulling double duty to outshine the legends (Bob Dylan, Iggy and the Stooges), big rock veterans (Foo Fighters, Stone Temple Pilots, Nine Inch Nails, Offspring), and upstarts (Paramore, Jack Johnson, Duffy) who took the Virgin stage over the weekend at Pimlico Race Course.

Rocking a Louis Vuitton backpack, West joined Weezy on Sunday afternoon to spit his verse from the "Lollipop" remix without skipping a beat. The collabo was the high-energy point of a blistering, better-late-than-never performance. Showing up a half-hour late for an hourlong set would be a cardinal sin for most artists, but Weezy more than made up for it. The crowd chanted his name and even booed briefly while waiting for his set, but it was all love once Lil Wayne hit the stage. Wayne came with a mix of old-school, new-school and a lot of gratitude. "How many of y'all got Tha Carter III?" he asked. "I f---in' appreciate you."

He even took time to honor Static Major, asking for a moment of silence for the late rapper and songwriter before jumping into the song that catapulted Wayne from an underground mixtaper to an undeniable mainstream superstar. After welcoming Kanye up for "Lollipop," Wayne wrapped his set with even more gratitude and some laughs, lip-syncing to Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You" before leaving the stage.

While Wayne's day was done, Kanye was just getting started. He returned to the stage later that night like a hurricane, shrouded in flashing lights and fog. Fans threw up their Roc-A-Fella diamonds early and held them high all night. No irony was lost on 'Ye, who made it a point to prove his authenticity before jumping into "Diamonds From Sierra Leone."

"I work real hard at this rapping sh--," he said. "This is real rap."

Kanye dove into a set spanning his entire career, from his most recent verse from Young Jeezy's "Put On" to his humble beginnings on "All Comes Down," asking fans to "scream so loud I can't hear the music" if they knew the song.

And, of course, 'Ye talked, touching on everything from his mother's death to Barack Obama's nomination to crime in the festival's host city of Baltimore. He freestyled as well, expressing his gratitude for fame and his frustration that comes along with it. The raw emotion was undeniable. "I lost my mama/ I went through so much drama/ I went through so much drama/ I'm for Obama," he rapped. He then described his journey over to Pimlico Race Course, noting the flashing blue lights above cameras stationed throughout the 'hood and being content with the fact that even though many Baltimore natives couldn't afford to attend the concert, they could still see and hear the show from the parking lot outside the gates. He also shouted out MySpace, the Internet and Lil Wayne before beginning "Touch the Sky."

West took a bit of a jab at the festival's schedule, specifically the choice concertgoers had to make between his performance and one from Nine Inch Nails happening at the same time at the other end of the park (a dilemma faced by fans at Chicago's Lollapalooza a week earlier). "It's not a black-or-white thing, it's not a rap-or-rock-and-roll thing," he exclaimed. "It's a good-music thing. We jam about good things from the heart. How can you pick between me and Trent Reznor?"

But at the end of the day, Kanye's focus all came back down to his fans. Again freestyling, 'Ye expressed his eagerness to please those who came out to support him. "I hope you had a good time ... f--- that, the time of your life!" And with diamonds high in the sky and screams that could be heard around the block, the crowd's enthusiasm matched Kanye's (no easy feat).

The day before, it was up to West's fellow Chi-Town native Lupe Fiasco, who had fans bobbing their heads and singing along to "Superstar" and "Kick, Push." Despite technical difficulties, Lupe aimed to please, shouting after his microphone problem was resolved, "Let's hype this bitch back up, all right?" Given the amount of crowd-surfing during his set and the volume of fans chanting his name when he left the stage, he seemed to succeed.

But the weekend wasn't all about hip-hop. The Foos, the Stooges, Paramore and NIN brought the rock, but the guitar heroes of the day might have been Stone Temple Pilots. Taking the stage later than expected (thanks, Weezy), STP seemed to be the picture of reunification. The band was completely in sync thanks to its current 65-date tour. The focus wasn't mainly on themselves, though. Scott Weiland shared the love, shouting out those sharing the bill. "What a great day of f---ing music!," he gushed. "How about Iggy and the Stooges? And Nine Inch Nails are coming up!" He also had love for the crowd. "What a sea of energy," he exclaimed just before the crowd sang and bobbed along to every note of the band's breakthrough hit "Plush."

For more sights and stories from concerts around the country, check out MTV News Tour Reports. And send your own concert pics, videos and reviews to MTV News You R Here!

• Paramore, Lil Wayne, More At Virgin Mobile Festival 2008

• Lil Wayne
• Kanye West
• Young Jeezy
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Nine Inch Nails

Stone Temple Pilots' Scott Weiland and Eric Kretz
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images

R. Kelly isn't the only musician sweating over legal troubles this week.

Atlantic Records filed a lawsuit in Manhattan's District Court on Thursday against two members of reunited grunge rockers Stone Temple Pilots. According to Reuters, the suit accuses frontman Scott Weiland and drummer Eric Kretz of trying to get out of their recording contract with the Warner Music Group label prematurely.

The filing contends that Weiland and Kretz have threatened to stop performing under their current contract and that they've indicated that they'd like to end the agreement unless Atlantic makes some significant changes. In the suit, the label claims that, though STP have written and recorded six LPs, it wants them to record a seventh — and deliver up to two more, should the label decide it wants them.

The band issued a statement Friday morning (June 13), expressing surprise and disappointment in Atlantic's litigious move, and suggested that a new album could be put on hold because of the proceedings.

"Stone Temple Pilots were deeply disappointed to see that Atlantic filed a surprise lawsuit against two members of the legendary band ... when they were in the middle of what were believed to be cordial and positive discussions about STP returning to the studio to make a new album after 5 years," the statement read. "Despite the allegations in the complaint, the band never threatened anything more than remaining away from the studio until equitable terms could be arranged. The precipitous filing of this action is yet another example of the difficulties facing artists in the new music environment, as relationships between artists and their labels fall further and further apart.

"Eric and Scott have not yet been served and hope that Atlantic will allow cooler heads to prevail and have the courtesy of shelving this action to permit negotiations to continue in a positive spirit rather than under a dark cloud of hostility," the statement continued. "Should everyone operate in good faith, STP are certain that a new album from the band will be available soon. Should Atlantic instead pursue this scorched-earth policy towards the band, the ultimate victims will be STP's fans, who will never be able to enjoy a new album from the group."

After the band split in 2003, the other two members of Stone Temple Pilots, guitarist Dean DeLeo and bassist Robert DeLeo, were released from their recording contract so that they could pursue separate careers, Reuters reports. Atlantic's suit claims the band is now touring successfully and that STP had indicated their intention to record again. Atlantic claims its contract with the band was written under New York laws and that the musicians are trying to use California laws to abolish it.

The label is asking for a court declaration of its rights under the recording contract, in addition to the costs of legal fees incurred by the move and any other relief the court decides is appropriate.

"American Idol" producers are also having a rough week, after the American Federation of Musicians slapped them with a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Thursday, claiming that musicians who performed on the show were underpaid.

According to Associated Press, the suit, which seeks unspecified damages, alleges that American Idol Productions Inc. and a subsidiary, Tick Tock Productions Inc., violated a collective bargaining agreement by not paying musicians for live music that was re-recorded for reruns of the show. A spokesperson for the show had no comment on the lawsuit.

The federation claims that the "Idol" contract says the show's musicians should be paid royalties for rebroadcasts of the show and 75 percent of scale if they appear in the original broadcast and rehearsals, plus an additional 10 percent of that paid to a union pension fund, with smaller percentages for each rebroadcast.

The suit also claims that in 2007, "Idol" producers started cutting out the show's soundtrack and using different musicians to re-record new music for the highlights wrap-up show "American Idol Rewind" without informing the union. A spokesperson for the union's West Coast office could not be reached for comment at press time.

In other legal news, it seems Jay-Z is at the center of an $88 million lawsuit filed against him by boxer Mitchell Rose. In the suit, which seeks damages for "loss opportunity and mental distress," Rose claims the rapper and former Island Def Jam head "stole lyrics, which resulted in copyright infringement by using selected parts of material from a music CD" that Rose maintains he "personally have to Jay-Z" during a boxing match at Madison Square Garden.

Rose's suit claims he invented the technique of "whisper rapping" and that Jay-Z adopted the style without giving credit where credit was due.

Check out the Newsroom blog for news about Mötley Crüe's latest legal battle and R. Kelly's other legal troubles.

• Stone Temple Pilots
• Jay-Z
• R. Kelly
• Mötley Crüe

Scott Weiland
Photo: Andrew H. Walker/ Getty Images

Stone Temple Pilots frontman Scott Weiland, who has struggled with substance abuse off-and-on for years, has been sentenced to serve 192 hours — 8 days — behind bars, according to TMZ.com. The sentence, doled out by a Los Angeles County judge on Monday afternoon (April 28), stems from his arrest in late November on a misdemeanor driving under the influence with a prior conviction count.

According to TMZ.com, Weiland has until May 28 to serve out his sentence; Stone Temple Pilots' reunion tour gets under way May 17 in Columbus, Ohio. Weiland was not present for his sentencing; his attorney, Anthony Brooklier, attended and entered a no-contest plea on behalf of the rocker. At press time, Brooklier had not returned calls from MTV News seeking comment.

Weiland — who recently acrimoniously split with Velvet Revolver — was arrested November 21, while driving on a Los Angeles highway shortly after 6 p.m. It was at that time that Weiland was involved in a non-injury collision in which it was determined he was at fault.

"While the police were investigating the traffic collision, Weiland exhibited signs of impairment," his arrest report reads; the November arrest was his second for driving under the influence. "The investigating officer administered a series of field sobriety tests to the driver, which he was unable to satisfactorily perform." At the time of his arrest, Weiland also reportedly refused to submit to a urine or blood test.

In addition to jail time, Weiland was also ordered to complete an 18-month alcohol program and pay almost $2,000 in fines. He has also been put on a four-year summary probation period.

• Stone Temple Pilots
• Scott Weiland

Stone Temple Pilots' Robert DeLeo and Scott Weiland
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images

There are a number of reasons why Stone Temple Pilots decided to reunite after nearly five years apart — some are obvious, and others, not so much.

Of course, the financial windfall of reviving the grunge stalwarts for an extensive U.S. tour was too good to pass up, and bassist Robert DeLeo readily admits as much. And then there are the fans, the ones who had been with STP since the very beginning as well as those who discovered the band only after it first split back in 2003 and who, woefully, have yet to catch the Pilots live.

On a more personal level, though, Stone Temple Pilots' resurrection was purely selfish, and very much an anticipatory (not to mention optimistic) move on the band's part: If, after the months and months of rumors and denials, there ever is a full-on Led Zeppelin reunion tour, STP wanted to be ready to offer their services as an opening act.

"Believe me, that was one of the reasons," laughed DeLeo. "We thought, 'We should get together now, in case Zeppelin does tour.' I'm serious, man. That would be one hell of a bill: STP and Led Zeppelin. I mean, we could play a doghouse, out in the middle of the ocean, and if I got to play with Zeppelin, that would be a highlight of my life."

Yes, DeLeo — and the rest of the band — had several reservations about raising STP from the dead — a feat DeLeo jokingly referred to as "Mission Impossible." For the band's members, the idea of regrouping was terrifying at first, but with time, the boys settled their differences and tried to think positive.

"For me, it was about putting down some of the things that I was used to getting bitten by," explained the bassist — who, with guitar-playing brother Dean DeLeo, has been collaborating with Peter Frampton on material for his next LP. "After you get bitten, it's hard to go back. I wanted to go into this with an open frame of mind and a positive attitude and just have fun with it. We should have fun with it, which God knows we didn't always have with our career when we were younger. If that's all I can say, and that's what I can get out of this reunion, great.

"I think I speak for all of us when I say there's a lot of unfinished business that we didn't get around to the first go," he continued. "Enough time has gone by, and it feels really good to be back. I don't really want to put too much thought into how it feels — I'm just kind of going with it and keeping a good positive attitude about it. I just needed to get over the things that we all needed to get over, and that's been working so far. If everyone shows up and does this thing, I think it's going to be really amazing."

DeLeo claims that during recent rehearsals, STP were "sounding as good as ever," and he credits sobriety as part of the reason the band's in tip-top shape.

"My brother's going on four years of sobriety," he said. "We have a lot more clarity in the band now, and I think with clarity comes appreciation. I saw that the other night, when we played [a secret gig in Los Angeles]. I saw it in my eyes, and in the eyes of the rest of the band. There's a lot more rock in this band now."

As for an STP record, DeLeo is not 100 percent sure that's going to happen. The goal for STP over the next few weeks, he said, is to reacquaint themselves with their songbook and prepare for their return to the road. Once the band is back in that mindset, the bassist said new STP material is very possible.

"I've always got stuff written, and there's always a long list of songs that are always there — it's a matter of timing," DeLeo said. "If time allows, there will definitely be new music. I think it would be silly not to release new music. I'd like to believe we still have a writing relationship, but the first step is getting reacquainted with what we know."

While STP were on hiatus, frontman Scott Weiland teamed up with Velvet Revolver, and the DeLeo brothers joined forces with Filter's Richard Patrick for Army of Anyone — who are now on hiatus after releasing a poorly received self-titled LP. Does DeLeo foresee an AOA reunion somewhere down the line?

"You never know," he said. "It's just like STP — I didn't know if I was going to return. Whether we get back together and do anything, I think we made a great record, bottom line. That's all that matters to me. If we make another one, I want to make sure it's great, and that applies to STP and anything I do. But I was pretty heartbroken over [the feeble response to AOA's album]."

• Stone Temple Pilots Launch 2008 Tour At L.A.'s Harry Houdini Estate

• Stone Temple Pilots
• Led Zeppelin

Stone Temple Pilots during their gratuitous leather phase
Photo: Atlantic Records

On The Record: Were We Wrong About Stone Temple Pilots?

Being a rock critic is easy. Admitting you were wrong isn't. So naturally, writing this week's column was tough ... because it's about Stone Temple Pilots, a band that officially reunited on Monday night in Los Angeles and one that, over the course of five albums and nearly 10 years together, was one of the most critically reviled acts on the planet.

So, of course, if I were to follow protocol, I'd scoff at the reunion, make some joke like "What does this mean for Army of Anyone?!?!" and move on. I'd dismiss STP as nothing more than generic Nirvana-bes, ham-fisted, lunk-headed pretenders to the throne who foisted their brand of derivative bro-rock on the masses for far too long. Only, I'm not going to do any of that.

See, I'm about to float a hypothesis that basically flies in the face of a decade's worth of "conventional critical wisdom," and one that might get my rock-critic card revoked permanently (which means no more 20 percent discount at Quiznos). But I don't think I can keep it inside any longer. So, in the interest of the truth, I'm just going to come out and say it ... here we go ...

Stone Temple Pilots were actually pretty great.

And this isn't something I just realized, either. Ever since I heard the opening chords to "Plush" (which, really, is probably one of the 10 best grunge songs ever written) way back in 1992, I was a closeted STP fan. I followed them through ups and downs — and frontman Scott Weiland's many drug arrests — always secretly marveling at their dexterity, their ability to churn out hit after hit, and the seamless way with which they leapt between genres (bluesy stompers, psychedelic spindlers, glammed-out rockers), often all on the same record. And though I would never tell anyone, I never thought they got the respect they deserved. I would read reviews and get a little pissed when critics took potshots at them. After all, the only thing they seemed guilty of was having a stupid name (well, that or the whole "does-it-glorify-rape?" debate about "Sex Type Thing").

So now that I've said all that, I'm going to say this. Of all the so-called "alt-rock" acts that lumbered the Earth in the 1990s — a list that includes everyone from Alice in Chains to Tad — Stone Temple Pilots were probably one of the five best. (I'd probably put them behind only Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden.) Seriously. They had more rock-radio hits (all of which were pretty great) and sold more records (not all of which were pretty great, but, you know, whatever) than pretty much any other band of that era, and they did it for much longer too (finally calling it quits in 2003, leaving only Eddie Vedder and company to carry the mantle). Not to mention the fact that in Weiland, they had one of the most dynamic — yet colossally screwed-up — frontmen of the decade. I cannot understand why they are almost universally panned ... only, I can.

Basically, STP were like the Mötley Crüe or the Led Zeppelin of alt-rock. A critically loathed — though for no particularly good reason — yet commercially successful band that always played second fiddle to so-called "important" acts, yet the one that really made the wheels of the industry turn. The kind of band that makes people hate rock critics.

So perhaps it's time we reconsidered STP's place in rock history. And I'm not saying we carve out a spot for them on Mount Rockmore or anything like that, but how about this: Think for a second about those hits I keep mentioning — songs like "Plush," "Creep," "Interstate Love Song," "Big Bang Baby" or "Lady Picture Show." Chances are, they're w-a-a-y better than you remembered them being (if you need a refresher, check out some of their videos). Now think if there's another band in recent memory that was so adept at switching gears or did so with such success. Can you name one? I can't.

Next, consider the fact that STP might also be much more brilliant than you ever realized. Take, for example, the video for "Big Bang Baby." You remember it: the ultra-low-budget one that was shot on VHS tape, the sole purpose of which seemed to be so the Pilots could pay homage to Toni Basil's "Mickey." It made no sense whatsoever, right? Or how about the time in 1993 when STP performed an entire show at NYC's Roseland Ballroom in full Kiss makeup just because they wanted to. And let's not forget the fact that they even released an album as batsh-- crazy as Tiny Music ... Songs From the Vatican Gift Shop. Were these just examples of rock-star ego gone horribly awry, or was that just what Weiland and company wanted you to think? Clearly, these are not the kind of questions that enter your mind when considering the average rock band. Or even Nirvana, for that matter.

And so, my fellow rock-critic brethren, I urge you to do the math. Think twice before slagging off STP. Be kind while writing about their massive 65-date (!) reunion tour. Because, really, they deserve better. Stone Temple Pilots didn't change the world or make rock important again or even inspire a series of morbid, longing tomes about their career, but I'm not sure they really need to. All I'm suggesting is that perhaps it's time to admit that we were wrong about them from the get-go — that we treated them unfairly. We can say we're sorry, because STP certainly deserve to be remembered as more than just a throwaway line in a Pavement song. The truth can set you free.

5ive Style: Slightly Less Than A Half-Dozen Of My Favorite Things On The Internet This Week, So Named For A Post-Rock Group That No One Probably Remembers

1. The Teenagers' Reality Check: An album's worth of ultra-profane Euro-pop about sex and partying and every European male's favorite hobby: seducing awestruck American girls. Plus a song that pokes fun at Jared Leto! If you hate the French (or cheerleaders), then "Homecoming" just might be the song you've waited your whole life for. And if you've ever found yourself wondering what Pulp would sound like if they were fronted by an effeminate, debased French dude, well, now you've got your answer.

2. 1985 New York Mets WOR-TV Promo: In honor of the last season at Shea, here's a commercial for the '85 Mets squad, featuring cameos by Dwight Gooden, Keith Hernandez, Darryl Strawberry and (presumably) an off-screen mountain of cocaine. If you do nothing else, at least fast-forward to 0:14. Trust me.

3. Ugly Casanova's "Things I Don't Remember" video on Pitchfork.TV: I am probably not supposed to say this, but Pfork's brand new online channel is pretty unbelievably great. The best bit? The video section, a treasure trove of musical moments you've probably forgotten about completely — like, for example, this borderline creepy/hilarious clip from Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock's borderline creepy/hilarious side project, Ugly Casanova. Goodbye, productivity.

4. Weezer's promo photo for their upcoming Red Album: I don't know if it's Rivers' mustache and cowboy hat, that bass-player dude's patchy beard, or the fact that Brian Bell now looks like Desmond from "Lost," but I am suddenly very excited to hear Weezer's new album. Well, either excited or terrified.

5. "A Skin, A Night" trailer: A smoky, boozy documentary about the National's smoky, boozy Boxer album, which makes me realize why it was my 12th-favorite record of 2007, and also why it should've been much, much higher on my list.

Questions? Concerns? 5ive Style suggestions? Hit me up at BTTS@MTVStaff.com.

• Stone Temple Pilots Launch 2008 Tour At L.A.'s Harry Houdini Estate

• Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots at their reunion-tour press conference on Monday
Photo: Charley Gallay/ Getty Images

Unlike most bands that reunite after a bitter split and several years of animus, Stone Temple Pilots — who shared the stage for the first time in five years on Monday night at the former Hollywood Hills estate of magician Harry Houdini — claim they aren't in it for the cash. Nope, STP — frontman Scott Weiland, bassist Robert DeLeo, guitarist Dean DeLeo and kitman Eric Kretz — just missed being STP.

"This is home for us," Dean DeLeo said, following Monday's press conference, during which the band announced it would be heading out this summer on a full-fledged, 65-date reunion run. "I'm fond of our legacy, and I'm fond of our band — I'm a fan. I get off when I'm riding down the highway and an STP track comes on the radio. I get off on that."

But just how did the reunion come together? "Scott's mom called mine and Robert's mom, and then they called Kretz's mom, and they thought it would be a great idea for the boys to do," DeLeo joked. "I hate begging to be whipped and hit, because when they ground us, we can't go out and play. It's the worst, man."

Truthfully, the Stone Temple Pilots reunion, which DeLeo said has been in the works for about eight months, began with just one phone call — from Weiland's wife, Mary.

"Mary called me, because Robert and I have this band with [Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers drummer] Steve Feronne, doing this big 12-piece band [called Farm Fur], and Mary called me, because there was some private party she was involved with, and she asked us to play," said DeLeo. "And then she said, 'Scott's here. Do you want to talk to him?' And we started chatting."

"We were just putting a bunch of guys together to play this beach party — covers and stuff like that," Weiland chimed in. "And Dean is saying to me, 'Man, it would be cool if people could see us onstage together.' Not long after that, I was on the road, and Dean called me up. He said, 'Are you sitting down?' I was in Jersey somewhere, and he said he'd heard from our agent, and that some offers had come in for some festivals this summer. He said he'd been listening to our music and asked me what I thought about doing this."

And the reunion — which has been heavily rumored since late last year — couldn't have come at a better time. Perhaps in anticipation of STP's goings-on, Weiland's most recent band, Velvet Revolver, fired him last week, citing the singer's "increasingly erratic onstage behavior and personal problems" as the impetus for the break. The singer played his possible final show with the band last Tuesday in Amsterdam. And the DeLeos have been free since last May, when their other band, Army of Anyone, went on an indefinite hiatus, allowing frontman Richard Patrick to return to his first love, Filter.

"It's been five years we've been apart, and there's all these young kids who had older brothers who were STP fans, and now they're these little hipsters — 18, 19, 20 years old — and they're STP fans," Weiland said. "These kids come up to me all the time and tell me they loved the band, that they have all of our records. To be appreciated by a whole 'nother generation of fans, all of a sudden discovering you, it's kind of what I did with the classic bands I love — the ones that influenced me. The ultimate goal of this band was to leave a legacy, to have our songs make an impact, to be on the radio still 30 years down the road, and to be enjoyed by people, whether it's something that gives them a feeling of heartache, or something that they relate to because of a struggle they went through in their life. Music is just something that makes you feel, believe and be inspired — that was the goal always, to have our music out there and for it to continuously, over a period of years, inspire."

For STP, the process of healing has been ongoing since they first split back in 2003. According to Weiland, the separation wasn't smooth, and at one point, he and Dean DeLeo came to blows. But Kretz said it feels as though the band never threw in the towel, and that STP still "has a lot to contribute to music."

The band's reunion tour will get underway May 17, in Columbus, Ohio, and run through August 31 in Seattle. After the tour concludes, Weiland said it's back to the studio, to record STP's next LP.

"The whole record machine is f---ed up now, so we really want to get to a place of having some freedom, because we have a lot of leverage," he said. "We have sold almost 40 million records, and we're in a position of power. We want to be free agents, whether it's putting our records out ourselves, or doing some interesting, very creative deal with a nontraditional major record label. The system as it is now ... that formula does not work. We've seen it; we'll need to do things differently, do things wiser."

According to Robert DeLeo, the band has already started crafting material, and he anticipates they'll probably end up writing 100 songs before tracking the effort. The band wouldn't comment on the record beyond that.

Stone Temple Pilots tour dates, according to the band's publicist (remaining dates to be announced in the coming weeks):

» 5/17 - Columbus, OH @ Rock on the Range Festival, Columbus Crew Stadium
» 5/18 - Camden, NJ @ Susquehanna Bank Center
» 5/20 - Cleveland, OH @ State Theatre, Playhouse Square
» 5/22 - Chicago, IL @ Charter One Pavilion
» 5/23 - Indianapolis, IN @ Indianapolis Motor Speedway
» 5/26 - Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
» 5/31 - Holmdel, NJ @ PNC Bank Arts Center
» 6/1 - Mansfield, MA @ Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
» 6/3 - Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore Detroit
» 6/6 - St. Paul, MN @ Roy Wilkins Auditorium
» 6/7 - Kansas City, KS Rock Fest @ Liberty Memorial Park
» 6/8 - Maryland Heights, MO @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
» 6/11 - West Valley City, UT @ The E Center
» 6/12 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
» 6/14 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Pearl
» 6/21 - Calgary V Festival @ Fort Calgary
» 6/24 - Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Bowl
» 6/25 - Tucson, AZ @ Anselmo Valencia Amphitheater
» 6/27 - San Antonio, TX @ AT&T Center
» 6/28 - The Woodlands, TX @ Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
» 6/29 - Grand Prairie, TX @ Nokia Theatre @ Grand Prairie
» 7/2 - Morrison, CO @ Red Rocks Amphitheatre
» 7/4 - Milwaukee, WI @ Summerfest, Marcus Amphitheater
» 7/10 - Quebec City, Quebec @ Summer Festival, Plains of Abraham
» 7/12 - North York, ON @ Edge Fest, Downsview Park
» 7/15 - Canandaigua, NY @ Constellation Performing Arts Center
» 7/17 - Green Bay, WI @ Oneida Casino
» 7/18 - Mt Pleasant, MI @ Soaring Eagle Casino
» 7/19 - Cadott, WI @ Chippewa Valley Music Festival
» 7/25 - Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre
» 7/26 - Paso Robles, CA @ California Mid-State Fair
» 7/27 San Diego, CA @ Concerts on the Green, Qualcomm Stadium
» 8/8 - Bethlehem, PA @ Musikfest
» 8/9 - Atlantic City, NJ @ The Borgata
» 8/10 - Baltimore, MD @ V Festival, Pimlico Race Track
» 8/17 - Charlotte, SC @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
» 8/19 - Orlando, FL @ UCF Arena
» 8/20 - Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live, Seminole Hard Rock Casino
» 8/22 - Tampa, FL @ Ford Amphitheatre
» 8/23 - Alpharetta, GA @ Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre, Encore Park
» 8/30 - Vancouver, BC @ GM Place
» 8/31 - Seattle, WA @ Bumbershoot Festival, Memorial Stadium

• Stone Temple Pilots Launch 2008 Tour At L.A.'s Harry Houdini Estate

• Stone Temple Pilots
• Velvet Revolver
• Guns N' Roses
• Scott Weiland

Scott Weiland
Photo: Peter Kramer/ Getty Images

Less than two weeks ago, during a Velvet Revolver gig in Glasgow, Scotland, the band's frontman, Scott Weiland, announced to the crowd in attendance that they were witnessing something very special — the last-ever Velvet Revolver tour. On Tuesday (April 1), the rest of the band — guitarists Slash and Dave Kushner, bassist Duff McKagan and drummer Matt Sorum — released a statement confirming that Velvet Revolver had parted ways with Weiland.

"This band is all about its fans and its music, and Scott Weiland isn't 100% committed to either," Slash said in the statement. "Among other things, his increasingly erratic onstage behavior and personal problems [Weiland recently finished a stint in rehab] have forced us to move on."

When called for additional comment, the band's management, Sanctuary, said everything the band had to say on the matter was in the press release. The band played the final date of its European tour in Amsterdam earlier on Tuesday.

Weiland will presumably turn his energies to the re-formed Stone Temple Pilots, who are expected to reveal details of a full-scale summer tour at a news conference next week. Whether Velvet Revolver carry on with a new singer remains to be seen. But Slash has said, in a number of recent interviews, that there would be a third LP from the rockers, and that Weiland's characterization of the band's European tour as its last was simply untrue. There is no official word of the split on Velvet Revolver's Web site.

Following Weiland's outburst in Scotland, Sorum took to his blog to comment on the situation.

"[We] had a little band turmoil onstage, as you probably all could tell," he wrote. "Being in a band is a lot like being in a relationship. Sometimes, you just don't get along. I guess there has been more turmoil lately, with the cancellations and all. It has been frustrating; I am not going to lie. My career and life in rock and roll has come with its ups and downs. Unfortunately, some people in this business don't realize how great of a life they have. Touring the world, meeting great people, and fans all over the world — and just playing music for a living. I feel truly blessed. But sometimes the road can be draining for some.

"Being away from home and family does grind on you sometimes," Sorum continued. "Personally, I love this sh-- and sometimes can't believe I am so lucky to still be doing what I do for a living. Everybody could see who was unhappy [at the Glasgow show], but all I can say is let's keep the rock alive, people. In this life, you just pick up and keep moving. And don't ever let anybody stand in your way."

Weiland responded in a statement to Blabbermouth.net, saying, "The state of my family affairs is really none of [Sorum's] 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. I've made many attempts to remain cordial with the members of VR, but mainly, the likes of you. Funny though — this is your first band, as opposed to being a hired gun. I've been making records (now, on my ninth), which have sold over 35 million copies worldwide and have maintained a level of professionalism regardless of how many drugs I've ingested into my system. I have only canceled one tour during the entire course of my 16-year run and that was the 'make-up' Australia tour. Now, shall I open that can of worms, Matthew? Release the Kraken? Serve ... volley! You canceled the Aussie tour in the fall because you went to rehab, but I won't say why.

"I will sweat, bruise, and bleed for you," he continued, directing his words to the band's fans. "[I] will continue to do so until the end of this tour. However, you deserve to hear Velvet Revolver playing ... not certain individuals singing along to get a muddied-up sound. It's a shame ... we were a gang. But ego and jealousy can get the better of anyone. I wish the best and plan to annihilate the stage in the last few shows."

• Velvet Revolver
• Stone Temple Pilots

Velvet Revolver's Scott Weiland and Slash
Photo: MTV News

During Velvet Revolver's show on Thursday night in Glasgow, Scotland, frontman Scott Weiland — who finished another stint in rehab just before the start of the band's European tour — made a rather peculiar and unexpected announcement, one that stirred considerable debate among VR fans all weekend.

According to several media and fan accounts, Weiland told the sold-out crowd that they were "watching something special ... the last tour by Velvet Revolver." At least one account of the evening's proceedings suggests Weiland's revelation was news to the rest of the band; the tour concludes on April 1 in the Netherlands.

"[Guitarist] Slash, [bassist] Duff [McKagan], [drummer] Matt [Sorum] and [guitarist] Dave [Kushner] all looked at each other. ...They sang 'Fall to Pieces,' [and] then Scott goes over to the side of the stage and argues with the sound guy," one eyewitness reported on a forum devoted to the group. "After a couple of songs, he threw his [microphone] down and walked off. After a long wait, Duff came out with the band and sang the start of 'It's So Easy.' Scott shows up about half way through, sang really half-assed, then [was] gone again."

At press time, the band's rep had not responded to MTV News' request for comment, and there's no official word on the VR site (which was last updated on Thursday), but Sorum — who, along with Slash and McKagan, is a former member of Guns N' Roses — took to his blog to comment on Weiland's announcement.

"[We] had a little band turmoil on stage, as you probably all could tell," he wrote. "Being in a band is a lot like being in a relationship. Sometimes, you just don't get along. I guess there has been more turmoil lately, with the cancellations and all. It has been frustrating; I am not going to lie. My career and life in rock and roll has come with its ups and downs. Unfortunately, some people in this business don't realize how great of a life they have. Touring the world, meeting great people, and fans all over the world — and just playing music for a living. I feel truly blessed. But sometimes the road can be draining for some.

"Being away from home and family does grind on you sometimes," Sorum continued. "Personally, I love this sh-- and sometimes can't believe I am so lucky to still be doing what I do for a living. Everybody could see who was unhappy [at the Glasgow show], but all I can say is let's keep the rock alive, people. In this life, you just pick up and keep moving. And don't ever let anybody stand in your way."

Perhaps it wasn't the clarification Velvet Revolver fans were hoping for, but Sorum's blog post did inspire Weiland to issue his own, slightly vicious statement on the matter.

"The state of my family affairs is really none of [Sorum's] business, since he is too immature to have a real relationship, let alone children," Weiland said, in a statement issued to Blabbermouth.net. "So don't attempt to stand in a man's shoes when you haven't walked his path. I've made many attempts to remain cordial with the members of VR, but mainly, the likes of you. Funny though — this is your first band, as opposed to being a hired gun. I've been making records (now, on my ninth), which have sold over 35 million copies worldwide and have maintained a level of professionalism regardless of how many drugs I've ingested into my system. I have only cancelled one tour during the entire course of my 16-year run and that was the 'make-up' Australia tour. Now, shall I open that can of worms, Matthew? Release the Kraken? Serve ... volley! You cancelled the Aussie tour in the fall because you went to rehab, but I won't say why."

Again, Weiland didn't exactly come right out and say "Velvet Revolver are no more" in his statement, but he did stop short of that admission. "I will sweat, bruise, and bleed for you," he continued, directing his words to the band's fans. "[I] will continue to do so until the end of this tour. However, you deserve to hear Velvet Revolver playing ... not certain individuals singing along to get a muddied-up sound. It's a shame ... we were a gang. But ego and jealousy can get the better of anyone. I wish the best and plan to annihilate the stage in the last few shows."

Weiland, who will be reuniting with the Stone Temple Pilots this summer for a string of dates and possibly a full U.S. tour, then went on to express the excitement he's been experiencing over the revival of STP.

"We did an STP photo shoot before this tour and it was fun, inspiring and it gave me that thrill — that feeling that got my rocks off from the get-go," he said.

And it didn't take fans long to express their disappointment over the possibility of there being no more Velvet Revolver.

"I hope you guys work through all the crap and keep rocking," wrote one fan. "You all are one hell of a rock band, in a time when rock seems almost extinct. I just pray VR as a whole can get through these issues and continue to rock, and I hope to buy a third VR album."

"I hope that it was just a bad night," wrote another. "Moods were obviously in a raw state for some. I actually think Scott should've stayed off the road a tad bit longer from his stint in rehab. I pray that as a band and as a group of friends, you guys can get back to a solid healthy place that will work for you onstage, but more importantly, offstage."

• Velvet Revolver
• Scott Weiland
• Slash
• Stone Temple Pilots
• Guns N' Roses

Paramore, Kanye West, More Come Out For KROQ's Almost Acoustic Christmas 2008

• Paramore
• Kanye West
• Stone Temple Pilots
• The Cure
• AFI

Stone Temple Pilots Launch 2008 Tour At L.A.'s Harry Houdini Estate

• Stone Temple Pilots

Family Values Tour: 10.24.01

• Linkin Park
• Staind
• Static-X
• Stone Temple Pilots

Classic Unplugged Photos

• 10,000 Maniacs
• Alice in Chains
• Arrested Development
• The Cure
• Blackstreet

All Access Week 2001

• Godsmack
• Tom Petty
• Staind
• Insane Clown Posse
• Stone Temple Pilots

Stone Temple Pilots Flipbook

• Stone Temple Pilots

• Stone Temple Pilots