Scott Weiland Goes Solo: The Interview
What can we say about Scott Weiland that hasn't already been said? Since his days in Stone Temple Pilots, he's been the subject of much media scrutiny. In the grungy '90s he was the music press's number-one punching bag, accused of being a poor man's Eddie Vedder (and those were the good reviews). Around the time of STP's excellent and adventurous third album, Tiny Music...Songs From The Vatican Gift Shop, and Scott's lushly Bowie-esque first solo album 12 Bar Blues, that all changed. Weiland finally began to receive the critical acclaim that had long alluded him...but then the media focus quickly shifted to his personal life, as battles with his two off-and-on bands (STP and then supergroup Velvet Revolver), his wife, and his drug addiction became standard tabloid fodder.
It's understandable, then, that Scott was somewhat guarded when he sat down for his recent Yahoo! Music interview, hiding half of his face behind a wide-brimmed fedora (albeit an extremely stylish one) and a shroud of ever-present cigarette smoke, and choosing his monotonic words extremely carefully. Clearly this is a man who likes his music to do the talking. But luckily for him, the music on his long-awaited, 10-years-in-the-making second solo album, Happy In Galoshes, speaks volumes about this troubled artist's talent. It's an elegant, glamorous affair featuring contributions by Paul Oakenfold, members of No Doubt, and longtime collaborator Doug Grean, and it even includes a surprisingly solid cover of his idol David Bowie's "Fame." So whatever is going on in this guy's personal life, it's certainly providing inspiration for him creatively.
Here's Scott's aforementioned fedora-topped, tight-lipped interview, along with three exclusive performances of songs from Happy In Galoshes shot in his own private studio in Burbank, California:
i love "The Big Black Monster" song :o)
is a seasoned well rounded musician still in his prime and pretty much sucessful with every album release whether with stp,vr or solo. i think its good that people are stuck in mainstream music someone has pay for the cocaine and herion to fuel the talent that is already there.
thanx and keep rocking scott!!
fat lando
when you hear Happy in Galoshes songs you must forget about STP or VR, IT'S SCOTT, just him... and it's a beautiful job, authenticity, I think that's the right word...
Killing me sweetly is probably one of the best, with that bossa touch and he sounds amazing... well missing cleveland is a great opener song, it rocks! you must love it... and this is the time for Big Black Monster, this a song that catch you since the first time you hear it... I love the chorus it's perfect to shake the ass jajjaj!!
Good job man!!
Aside from the songs highlighted here on the Yahoo sessions, you should also check out "Man I Didn't Know", "Crash", and "Pictures and Computers" - available on the double disc version.
For those of you who keep saying "there's no good music out these days..." this release is the answer!!!
Check Scott out on his solo tour - dates available at www.scottweiland.com
Although making money is great, this album will be successful, regardless of how many copies are sold. He has reached the point where
Scott's voice is incredible! Few people have his range. He has never stuck with just one sound. Considering all that has happened in his life over the past year or so, he could find any number of "excuses" for drug abuse. Instead he has challenged himself to be a better musician.
Scott has reached the point in his career where he is able to explore his own sound rather than produce whatever is currently in fasion.