Jeff Gutt debuted as the band's frontman in 2017
Dean DeLeo, guitarist for Stone Temple Pilots , told The San Diego Union-Tribune that he and his bandmates would have given up playing if they hadn't found the right vocalist to replace Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington . The group's new self-titled album, scheduled for release on March 16th by Rhino, features vocals by Jeff Gutt, who made his live debut as Stone Temple Pilots' frontman at an event in Los Angeles.
“We couldn’t afford to make a mistake ,” Dean stated. “That’s why we spent almost a year with Jeff before inviting him to join the band. We wanted to be sure it was the right decision. And we found someone who could not only sing our catalog of songs, but also write new ones.”
When discussing what Stone Temple Pilots were looking for in a new vocalist, Dean said that “vision was a prerequisite.” “Jeff’s ability to evolve with the band with new songs and new albums was very important to Robert [DeLeo, bassist], to Eric [Kretz, drummer] and to me.”
Gutt, who was a contestant on the reality television show X-Factor in 2013, auditioned for Stone Temple Pilots in September 2016 and became an official member in May 2017. He spent most of the past year secretly writing and recording new material with Dean, Robert, and Eric.
The group has been without a vocalist since November 2015, when Bennington — who joined the band in 2013 — left to dedicate himself more to Linkin Park. The musician committed suicide last July.
Weiland, who reunited with the group in 2010 after an eight-year hiatus but was fired in 2013, died in December 2015 from an overdose while on a solo tour.
