This past weekend I experienced what I expect to be the first concert of many “reunion” tours of bands of my youth.

The Stone Temple Pilots came out when I was just starting to determine my musical identity. Up until the early 90’s, I really only listened to whatever my Dad listened to (which I am very thankful for, as he gave me a very well versed musical education), but the 90’s were my time to break away and listen to whatever music he hated!

Fronted by my favourite troubled rock star, Scott Weiland, STP dominated the 90’s, racking up 15 singles on the Billboard Top Ten, winning a Best Hard Rock Performance Grammy in 1994 for “Plush,” and having their five albums sell more than 35 million copies worldwide. STP disbanded in 2003, while Weiland attempted a solo-project before joining Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum of Guns n’ Roses to form Velvet Revolver.

While I ended up getting tickets to both of Velvet Revolver’s stops in Vancouver. The first time, I’ll admit was exciting, as I was swept away in the thrill of seeing Scott Weiland, Slash and Duff; while the second time, I was pretty bored unless they were playing STP or GNR songs. Hearing a few STP songs live, made me yearn for a reunion, but I had given up that dream a long time ago, so when I heard that there were infact getting back together I was exstatic.

Marking the first national tour for Stone Temple Pilots in almost eight years, I was expecting a crazy crowd, but instead, found that there was an oddly laidback feel to the show, but the kind of laidback feel that’s somehow really comforting. You could feel that everyone was excited to be there and that most, like me, had been waiting a long time for this moment.

STP opened their set with a slightly jazzed-up Big Empty, which I found to be a bit slow to kick the show off, but they quickly followed with hits Wicked Garden, Big Bang Baby and Vasoline. Since I had seen Weiland before and had a refernce to compare his performace to, I couldn’t help but notice that he was “half the man he used to be.” For someone who hadn’t seen them before he may have seemed full of energy, but compared to his performances with Velvet Revolver, he seem toned down. Maybe it’s the lack of drugs in his system (rumour has it he has a baby-sitter keeping him in check this tour due to his troubled past), or maybe it was just the whole mellow vibe of the night. He was still entertaining with his tai chi style dance moves but this time he managed to remain fully clothed…

Weiland aside, the DeLeo brothers were in top form and seemed sincerely appreciative of the crowd’s response. Bassist Rob DeLeo has got to be one of the coolest guys I’ve ever seen. Dressed in an all-black three-piece suit, with, what appeared to be white snakeskin shoes, his laid back style of playing makes him seem like he’s the one running the show.

As for the crowd, I’ve rarely had the opportunity to look down on a mosh pit before and I have to say it was hilarious. It’s as if the guys in the crowd revert to their cavemen days and are partaking in some sort of ritual. They shove and crash into each other, sweaty and shirtless until the song ends, then give each other quick hugs and pats before taking on the next round. Even through slow songs like “Sour Girl” they crashed around in slow motion – possibly one of the funniest things I’ve seen in awhile.

It wasn’t the best show I’ve ever seen, as far as performances go, but it was certainly one of my most enjoyable and nostalgic. Anxiously awaiting the next song and cheering with joy when it was one of my “had to hears” it was certainly worth the price of admission. I’m happy to cross the Stone Temple Pilots off my list and look forward to more “reunion” tours in the future.

Vancouver Set List