Three months after parting ways with Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington—and just two since the death of original singer Scott Weiland—the members of Stone Temple Pilots have announced that they’re in the market for a new lead vocalist. Rather than looking around the rapidly dwindling pool of successful, established rock singers, though, the band has decided to throw the selection process open to the wider musical world by announcing an open call for submissions.
Working with Indaba Music, the band has put together an area on its web site where amateur performers can record and upload audio files of themselves singing along to backing tracks from “Interstate Love Song,” “Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart,” and “Vasoline,” in order to secure a chance to “negotiate in good faith to be the lead vocalist of Stone Temple Pilots.” There will also apparently be a Facebook poll to determine fan favorites, although ultimate judging for the contest lies at the discretion of band members Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo, and Eric Kretz.
Kretz and the DeLeos also released a video and a statement announcing the contest, praising both Bennington and Weiland and emphasizing that the contest is about moving forward, not “replacing” the late singer. You can read the full statement below.
A year of hope, optimism, and most importantly, new music! We are immensely proud of all that we have been able to share with you over the years. Music, music, music. We very much want to continue doing that, but that’s going to take a little help from all of you.
As you know, prior to the untimely passing of our brother in arms, Scott, we had been working with the incomparable Chester Bennington. What you also likely know is that having Chester front two bands of this size and scope was too much for one man to be able to do and so regretfully we had to move onto a new chapter together. This is where you come in…
We are officially announcing that we are seeking a new vocalist to front Stone Temple Pilots. We’ve already heard from many talented people, but want to make this an opportunity for many more so we’ve set up a way for you to do just that.
If you think you have what it takes to front this band, record with this band, and tour with this band, we would dig hearing from you. No one will ever “replace” Scott, that was never the intent. The intent is for Stone Temple Pilots to continue on, to evolve, and to do what we do… make music! We look forward to seeing you.
Love,
Robert, Eric, Dean