Stone Temple Pilots
Greek Theater
July 25, 2008
Review by Crystal Akins
Better than: Velvet Revolver
His illuminated white leather boots and skinny black jeans glided across the Greek Theater’s stage, and his eerie falsetto melodies and raspy, slightly sedated voice reminded us why we loved the 90s so much. The Stone Temple Pilots officially reunited and opened their performance with a well received “Big Empty.”
But prior to STP’s performance, combative fans became hostile and territorial of their space on the grassy knoll a.k.a. the nosebleeds. If you can tolerate sitting on a steep incline, beers rolling downhill onto your back, amidst the pungent aroma of cigarettes and weed, there’s really not a bad seat in the theater.
Opening band Black Rebel Motorcycle Club was a pleasant prelude to the night as we watched the sun decline into a pink sky. However, the intervals of whistles and cheers hardly motivated the band members to make full use of the stage and they remained stationary the entire performance. Crowd favorites included “Weapon of Choice” and “Ain’t No Easy Way Out.” Both sounded just as good live as they did recorded.
After a 45 minute sound check and a few degrees chillier, Stone Temple Pilots exploded onstage with psychedelic visuals engulfing the entire backdrop and lead singer Scott Weiland belting out bone chilling notes. Weiland’s sexy swagger and Iggy Pop-like dance moves unintentionally grabbed the crowd's attention and wouldn’t let go. Despite the singer’s various hiccups with the law and drugs, his performance is the epitome of rock and roll. Besides, drugs and jail time are what rock stars are made of.
“This is a magical evening,” said Weiland. “For musicians or any artist, there are moments where you’re doing your thing and other moment’s where you’re feeling it. It’s something you can’t explain, and I think this is one of those nights.”
The crowd was completely enchanted by Weiland’s charisma as he shifted into another song and removed another article of clothing. As the fog machines emitted one huge cloud on stage, we watched Weiland’s silhouette dance behind the fog. By the end of the night, the singer had removed his: hat, jacket, vest, tie, and unbuttoned his shirt, in exactly that order.
Crowd favorites included “Plush” and “Wicked Garden” where Weiland held out his microphone to the crowd, encouraging them to sing the lyrics. Another hit, “Sour Girl” seemed like it would have ignited the crowd, but the tempo increase disabled the lead singer from lingering on those notes we yearn to hear.
Occasionally between songs, Weiland and the band would improvise while he sang impromptu lyrics like, “It’s time for a change in the middle class. Without hope, there is nothing,” and called it his rant for the night.
The band rounded out the night with an encore, and upon finishing the first song, asked the crowd if they’d like another. As fans roared and cheered, Stone Temple Pilots gave their fans what they wanted.
Critic’s Notebook:
Personal Bias: Sign me up for the official Stone Temple Pilots fan club. I’m in!
By the Way: Climbing over bodies on the grassy knoll was like trying to avoid land mines.
Wow! Yes!
This was by far the greatest concert I have seen in a long time. STP was amazing!
I had just gone to the Concord Pavilion the week before to see Elvis and Sting, and it made me not want to go to a concert again, unless I had great seats in the floor area. Not only was i too late to see Elvis ( due to unorganized parking crew ), but I couldn't see or hear well from the "lawn". My friend and I remained sitting and had a conversation at normal talking level. Not worth the 60. plus gas. We could of just rented a Sting Video at home.
In complete contrast, the STP concert Rocked the Hills of Berkeley!
Going early helped get a great seat on the steps just above the floor ( general admission is really the way to go ), but I found out later, as I walked around during the show, that any where you stood was good because it was nice and loud the way a concert should be.
When STP came on stage about 10 min. late (not bad at all) the crowd went wild and never stopped. I loved seeing the way Weiland dressed, used the stage, performed, and talked to the audience. I truly wished I was with my camera, because there was so many amazing visuals of him, the lights and the smoke and the completely packed audience.
This was what a Rock Concert should be like, used to be like back in the 80's. I loved the contact high I got from the loud bass and the sweet smoke of weed all around me. I felt like it was the nicest group of audience ever. The times I walked to the bathroom and back were filled with lots of happy people cheering and having a great time, they even helped me back to my space.
There even was a good old fashioned Mosh Pit, and I saw a couple of girls Pit Surfing. I was really impressed with the whole show, from the Stone Temple Pilots sounding so tight and having there groove on, to the light and smoke shows. This would truly be a fantastic live music video!! I want a copy of it. This article was great and the photos to go with it. I appreciated the whole thing,
Not to mention I was able to go because I responded to this craigslist posting from a fun guy who just wanted to meet new people and have fun. Well I had more then fun and he is a great kisser ;-)
*~* Seasha
Posted at: July 29, 2008 12:03 PM