Scott Weiland
Volatile talent
By Kevin W. Smith
KSMITH@AZSTARNET.COM
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.07.2009
If even a five minute conversation with Scott Weiland devolved into a chaotic trainwreck, you could not be shocked.
He's one of the most notorious frontmen in the history of rock 'n' roll. You could write a book about his drug arrests just as easily as you could pen one about the songs he's sung for Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver and his solo work.
There's no shortage of horror stories from frustrated former band mates about Weiland's erratic, combustible behavior and drug use that have, at times, overshadowed the fact that he's one of the greatest rock vocalists of the last 20 years.
Looking back, a combination of a Godzilla-sized junk habit — Weiland was to heroin what Barry Bonds was to steroids — and an untreated bipolar disorder would drive anyone batty.
"I would get very creative when I was manic," Weiland said from Los Angeles. "I miss it at times. But I don't miss the sickening depressions."
The eccentric 41-year-old said he's been off heroin for six years and is receiving treatment for bipolar disorder. He also started his own indie label, Softdrive Records, that released his 2008 two-disc solo album, "Happy in Galoshes." The album chronicles his relationship with his wife, Mary Weiland, with whom he is now separated, as well as the 2007 death of his brother.
"Dealing with a broken heart can be as painful as kicking dope," Weiland said.
"Happy" came a full 10 years after his first solo album, the bizarre yet enjoyable "12 Bar Blues."
In conversation, Weiland came off less like a nightmare and more like a down-to-earth nice guy, albeit a little fragile. He plays a solo show at the Rialto Theatre Tuesday night.
Your two solo albums were made at really different points in your life. Could you run through the different head-spaces you were in for both?
"The first solo album was pretty much full-on, party-on. Everybody involved, including the co-producers, were getting high. . . . We were having fun at that time. There were so many days where there was so much creativity going on. Pretty much an album of throwing everything against the wall and seeing what sticks. And everything was sticking. But then it kind of stopped. I said, 'I need to go to rehab. I think everybody should go clean up.' Well, everyone didn't go. That's when I got out. . . .
" 'Happy' was a whole different kind of thing. It's almost like a concept album without the intention going into it of making a concept album. Most of the songs were written during times when Mary and I were having difficulties. . . . It was also a time previous to being treated for my bipolar stuff. So I would go through these manic phases where I could stay up all night long. Sometimes we could write and record two songs in a day. And that's the way it kind of worked with me. I would get very creative when I was manic."
When you were manic and recorded, did you notice any patterns in the songs or music?
"Not really, I guess I really wasn't afraid to go into any music territory. We'd kind of go anywhere. . . . People have asked me, 'What's your hobby?' and I always say, 'Well, writing songs and going to the studio is kind of my hobby.' Whenever I feel down or up and I have an idea, I go to the studio. And that's what I get off on. There's nothing that really gets me off more than that creative rush of starting off with an idea and seeing that idea build."
You've never been fearful of going into different musical directions. It doesn't seem like you've ever been afraid to challenge your audience.
"Yeah, the thing is, my favorite musicians and songwriters, they never were afraid to. They were the ones that were heralded for it. Why has it become such a big deal? Why are people lambasted for doing it? Why are people expected to stay within these norms? It's ridiculous. If you're an artist, that's what the idea is. You're an artist, you're supposed to express yourself."
5 Comments on this story
