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CHESTER BENNINGTON Felt STP's Vocalist Position Had Been 'Vacant' Long Before SCOTT W


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In a recent interview with The Columbus Dispatch, LINKIN PARK singer Chester Bennington was asked if he hesitated to take on Scott Weiland's role in STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. He responded: "For me, it wasn't inserting myself in someone's shoes. I felt that position had been vacant for a long time. Even though Scott was there, honestly, I don't think he had 'been there.'"He continued: "In the initial [STONE TEMPLE PILOTS] conversation we had, I said: 'Why do you guys want to give up your legacy?' It's kind of a scary thing … but the music is too deserving, too good, to not have a chance to continue."Chester added: "People come to a lot of pre-judgments; a lot of them are going to be mad about it. But the idea of creating something new means you let the other thing go."Asked how balances demands of two major bands, Bennington replied: "I do not have the answer to that. I don't know how to make it work; I have no idea. This sounds ridiculous, but as a creative person, I kind of go where my creative pointer points me."Bennington was asked in an interview with ArtistDirect.com about the progress of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' next full-length album, which is due out this fall. He replied, "We're really trying to take the musicality to a different level and to bring a lot of energy. We got super funky. This thing is as raw and real as it gets... It's fun to be a part of that and do it on that level this way. It's really interesting. I'm having a great time doing it." Bennington also said that the band's new music is "pretty fucking insane, dude. We're rocking over here."STONE TEMPLE PILOTS recently dropped the added "With Chester Bennington" from their name after settling their legal issues with Weiland. The band began working with Bennington in May 2013 after firing Weiland three months earlier, claiming that his erratic behavior held back the band's career. So far it has released one EP called "High Rise" with Bennington on vocals. Read more... then come back and comment below.

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