Stone Temple Pilots guitarist Dean DeLeo recently shared his thoughts on songwriting and his favorite tracks from the band’s catalog in an interview with Guitar World.
DeLeo offered a surprising perspective on his own creative contributions when asked about which song he’s most proud of from STP’s extensive catalog.
“I don’t know. Maybe the best song I’ve ever written is the one I haven’t written yet,” DeLeo said. “I’m a big fan of Failure – I remember the first time I heard their track Mulholland Drive. I called Ken Andrews and told him it’s a song I wish I’d written; it impacted me so deeply.”
The guitarist went on to praise his bandmates’ contributions to the group’s sound.
“I feel that way about a lot of stuff Robert writes,” he continued. “My brother has had a huge impact on me. I played bass on this record and I told everyone I was doing my best Robert DeLeo!”
DeLeo then revealed his personal favorite from the band’s discography.
“One of my favorite STP songs is I Got You from the No. 4 album, which was written by Robert and Scott Weiland,” he said. “Honestly, I’d say my favorite STP songs are the ones I didn’t write!”
DeLeo’s humble perspective on his songwriting contributions reflects the collaborative spirit that has defined Stone Temple Pilots throughout their three-decade career. The band’s success story began in the late 1980s when the musical chemistry between the DeLeo brothers and their bandmates first took shape.
Wikipedia reported that Stone Temple Pilots formed in San Diego in 1989. They initially performed under the name Mighty Joe Young before changing it due to legal reasons. The band consists of Scott Weiland on lead vocals, brothers Dean on guitar and Robert DeLeo on bass, and Eric Kretz on drums. This lineup became one of the most recognizable in 1990s rock music.
The band’s breakthrough came with their debut album Core in 1992. It established them as major players in the grunge and alternative rock scene. Top40 Weekly documented their commercial success as remarkable. The band sold over 18 million albums in the US alone throughout their career. This achievement placed them among the most successful rock acts of the decade.
Stone Temple Pilots’ distinctive sound blends post-grunge elements with influences from classic rock legends. Dean DeLeo continues to celebrate this sound in his recent comments. Rock The Locks noted that the band’s music incorporates influences from Led Zeppelin and The Doors. This creates a unique psychedelic rock vibe that set them apart from their contemporaries. This signature sound is largely attributed to the DeLeo brothers’ musicianship and the band’s dynamic chemistry.
The collaborative approach that DeLeo praised in his interview has been a cornerstone of the band’s creative process since their formation. The brothers’ musical partnership combined with Weiland’s distinctive vocals and Kretz’s powerful drumming. This created the foundation for classics like “Interstate Love Song,” “Plush,” and the “I Got You” track that DeLeo specifically mentioned as one of his favorites.
