23 Apr Stone Temple Pilots: A Second Chance
When I was 14 years old, I went to a venue that will remain unnamed to see Stone Temple Pilots with my dad. The radio station 93.1 FM, aka 93 Rock, was still alive and well, and its alternative playlist helped me develop a love for the ’90s group.
For those who don’t know, Stone Temple Pilots is an alternative rock band from San Diego, California and there’s a 90 percent chance you’ve heard at least two of the group’s songs on the radio and just didn’t realize it was them. Forming in 1985, over the years, STP has had 16 “Top 10” singles on the Billboard Rock Charts, eight of which peaked at number one.
I was stoked to say the least about seeing them live. My dad and I walked into the theater, we looked at our tickets, and navigated toward our seats.
The band was great — my view? Not so much.
A speaker. Separating me from the band was a big, giant, black speaker hanging by chains from the ceiling, completely obstructing my view of the stage. Now, I’m not a tall person, even today, I’m five-foot-two, but I kid you not, SunFesters, Chris Bosh couldn’t have seen the band over this speaker.
Seven years later, I’m excited to get a second chance. The band has gone through hiatus periods, but since 2013 they’ve been going strong with a new vocalist — Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington.
Now, the band’s on a mostly sold out tour with Dreamers (check out our interview here) and you can see them for yourself on Saturday, May 2. And it seems like a lot of you already plan to:
Stone Temple Pilots at Sunfest.. thats too live
— God (@Aajax42) March 31, 2015
Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington will be at SunFest too? Why did my final exams have to fall that week? — Kiana (@OhItsKianaa) February 26, 2015
Stone temple Pilots too. Ah shit sunfest bout to be real lit
— Corey Paez (@corey_paez) February 26, 2015
AND Stone Temple Pilots. Sunfest ily
— Dirty Davey (@daveyboydaveyy) November 19, 2014
One thing I do remember from my last experience with STP, besides the not-so-great view? Hit after hit after hit. This band has so many singles, you’ll think you’re listening to a radio mix when they play. Every time the lead of another song came in, I’d just think to myself, “Geez, this was by them too!” I for one can’t wait to experience that again — sans speaker.
Stone Temple Pilots perform on Saturday, May 2 at 9:15 p.m. at the Tire Kingdom Service Centers Stage.