Stone Temple Pilots electrify 'Return of the Rock' tour

Stone temple pilots October 22, 2000 MTV Return of the Rock

Sonya Sutherland

For the Daily

When Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots and his red mohawk left the stage nude, it became apparent that rock is definitely not dead. Headlining MTV's "Return of the Rock," Stone Temple Pilots, with special guests Disturbed and Godsmack, brought a three and a half hour super show to the Toledo Sports Arena as part of a sixteen-date tour with hopes of reviving rock and roll.

It took an electric chair to bring opening band Disturbed on to the stage, but the theatrics were well worth the response. With red liquid pouring down front man David Drainman's coveralls and sparks flying from the frying, the band managed to bring the sold-out arena into a frenzy, kicking of the three and a half hour event on the right note.

Continuing the madness, Godsmack jumped into action with a rotating drummer and energized band, pausing between songs to converse with the crowed about such subjects as their upcoming Halloween release and illicit substance polls. Playing new unreleased tracks and ending with their two radio singles, Godsmack managed to bring everyone in the arena to their feet, deeming Toledo "the best audience yet on this tour."

But it was Stone Temple Pilots that brought the rock to Toledo. Opening with "Wet my Bed," STP took over the stage. Superimposed against bright lights and a slide show, Weiland soon stripped his shirt and became the recipient of projectile lingerie. Trying on a bra and shaking his bon-bon, Scott danced his way into an three song acoustic set which brought the whole band to the dimmed front of the stage for "Sour Girl," "Plush" and "Interstate Love Song."

Following the darkened softer moment, "No Way Out," the band's new heavier single, returned Weiland and company to traditional rock formation and a promise of "no Ricky Martin, no boy band dancing" followed. Continuing for eight more songs, Stone Temple Pilots maintained their high-energy act with Drainman joining Scott for "Dead and Bloated."

"Sex Type Thing" was performed as the band's encore, during which clips from "The Doom Generation" played in the background. Weiland made his finale entrance, the American flag draped over his head, which soon became a skirt when the singer dropped his pants. During the last verse, one of the band memebers removed the flag and Weiland was left in front a crowd of 5000 with only his gloves on.

The three and a half hour show indicated that the fundamentals of rock and roll theatrics, panties and nudity, have returned. Disturbed, Godsmack and Stone Temple Pilots proved the critics wrong. In a music world overshadowed by pop and rap, rock is still rolling.