Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The story of the Stone Temple Pilots side project Talk Show that saw the band ditch Scott Weiland for Dave Coutts
Podcast on Apple Podcasts
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rock-n-roll-true-stories-podcast/id1876614383
My second YouTube Channel
youtube.com/@RockNRollTrueStories2
Stone Temple Pilots were one of the biggest rock bands of the ’90s, powered by Scott Weiland’s chameleon‑like voice and dangerous charisma. He was their greatest strength and their biggest liability. By 1997, his addiction battles had stalled the band: tours canceled, sessions abandoned, momentum gone. The other three members—Dean and Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz—were stuck waiting on a frontman who couldn’t stay on track, creatively or personally.
Frustrated but still hungry to make music, they started writing without him. Around 1995, they had roughly 30 songs, some earmarked for STP and others saved for a new project. When they reached out to singer Dave Coutts, a former frontman of Ten Inch Men, he warned them: “Lightning doesn’t strike twice, dude. This is going to be a tough time.” Still, they moved ahead. Coutts wasn’t a Scott clone—he drew comparisons to Freddie Mercury and Robin Zander—and the vibe in the studio was far healthier than the chaos surrounding Weiland.
By 1997, the three‑quarters of STP and Coutts officially launched a new band: Talk Show. They avoided STP songs live to prove this wasn’t a cover band or a mere side project. Sonically, though, their self‑titled 1997 album sounded a lot like Stone Temple Pilots. The lead single “Hello Hello” was built on a classic Dean DeLeo riff, and the record was packed with big hooks and ’70s‑influenced rock. On paper, they had everything: a strong album, a capable singer, and tours with Foo Fighters and Aerosmith.
But they couldn’t escape Scott Weiland’s shadow. Critics and fans immediately branded it “Stone Temple Pilots with a new singer.” Coutts sounded just close enough to invite constant comparison, but he didn’t have Weiland’s peculiar mystique. Reviewers called it “Stone Temple Pilots II” and a “space‑filler” until the real band returned. Even worse, their own label didn’t seem to care. Coutts recalled an Atlantic Records rep walking into the studio, ignoring him entirely, and asking Dean, “When are you getting back with Scott?”—before even hearing the music.
The album quickly stalled. “Hello Hello” made a modest dent on rock radio, but sales peaked at a disappointing 131 on the Billboard 200. A second single, “Everybody Loves My Car,” went nowhere. The public just wasn’t interested in a Weiland‑less STP, no matter what they called it. By early 1998, Talk Show was over. Coutts was quietly let go after an awkward visit to Robert DeLeo’s house where they played old footage of STP with Scott, a not‑so‑subtle reminder of what he wasn’t. For the DeLeos and Kretz, there were other options. For Coutts, who didn’t have STP money or legacy, it was a gut‑punch.
Not long after, Scott got clean enough for the band to reunite. STP returned in 1999 with No. 4, a heavy comeback record featuring “Down” and “Sour Girl,” effectively erasing Talk Show from mainstream memory. Today, that brief experiment looks less like a simple failed side project and more like a case study in why some frontmen can’t really be replaced. You can copy the riffs, keep the rhythm section, and write solid songs—but without that singular presence in the middle, it just doesn’t feel like the same band.
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#STP #talkshow #scottweiland
These videos are for entertainment purposes only. DISCLAIMER rockandrolltruestories.com/youtube-disclaimer
The story of the Stone Temple Pilots side project Talk Show that saw the band ditch Scott Weiland for Dave Coutts
Podcast on Apple Podcasts
podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-rock-n-roll-true-stories-podcast/id1876614383
My second YouTube Channel
youtube.com/@RockNRollTrueStories2
Stone Temple Pilots were one of the biggest rock bands of the ’90s, powered by Scott Weiland’s chameleon‑like voice and dangerous charisma. He was their greatest strength and their biggest liability. By 1997, his addiction battles had stalled the band: tours canceled, sessions abandoned, momentum gone. The other three members—Dean and Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz—were stuck waiting on a frontman who couldn’t stay on track, creatively or personally.
Frustrated but still hungry to make music, they started writing without him. Around 1995, they had roughly 30 songs, some earmarked for STP and others saved for a new project. When they reached out to singer Dave Coutts, a former frontman of Ten Inch Men, he warned them: “Lightning doesn’t strike twice, dude. This is going to be a tough time.” Still, they moved ahead. Coutts wasn’t a Scott clone—he drew comparisons to Freddie Mercury and Robin Zander—and the vibe in the studio was far healthier than the chaos surrounding Weiland.
By 1997, the three‑quarters of STP and Coutts officially launched a new band: Talk Show. They avoided STP songs live to prove this wasn’t a cover band or a mere side project. Sonically, though, their self‑titled 1997 album sounded a lot like Stone Temple Pilots. The lead single “Hello Hello” was built on a classic Dean DeLeo riff, and the record was packed with big hooks and ’70s‑influenced rock. On paper, they had everything: a strong album, a capable singer, and tours with Foo Fighters and Aerosmith.
But they couldn’t escape Scott Weiland’s shadow. Critics and fans immediately branded it “Stone Temple Pilots with a new singer.” Coutts sounded just close enough to invite constant comparison, but he didn’t have Weiland’s peculiar mystique. Reviewers called it “Stone Temple Pilots II” and a “space‑filler” until the real band returned. Even worse, their own label didn’t seem to care. Coutts recalled an Atlantic Records rep walking into the studio, ignoring him entirely, and asking Dean, “When are you getting back with Scott?”—before even hearing the music.
The album quickly stalled. “Hello Hello” made a modest dent on rock radio, but sales peaked at a disappointing 131 on the Billboard 200. A second single, “Everybody Loves My Car,” went nowhere. The public just wasn’t interested in a Weiland‑less STP, no matter what they called it. By early 1998, Talk Show was over. Coutts was quietly let go after an awkward visit to Robert DeLeo’s house where they played old footage of STP with Scott, a not‑so‑subtle reminder of what he wasn’t. For the DeLeos and Kretz, there were other options. For Coutts, who didn’t have STP money or legacy, it was a gut‑punch.
Not long after, Scott got clean enough for the band to reunite. STP returned in 1999 with No. 4, a heavy comeback record featuring “Down” and “Sour Girl,” effectively erasing Talk Show from mainstream memory. Today, that brief experiment looks less like a simple failed side project and more like a case study in why some frontmen can’t really be replaced. You can copy the riffs, keep the rhythm section, and write solid songs—but without that singular presence in the middle, it just doesn’t feel like the same band.
Have a video request or a topic you'd like to see us cover? Comment below or send in your idea: bit.ly/3stnXlN
CONNECT ON SOCIAL
TIKOK:tiktok.com/@rocknrolltruestory
Instagram: instagram.com/rnrtruestories
Facebook: facebook.com/RNRTrueStories
Twitter: twitter.com/rocktruestories
Blog: rockandrolltruestories.com
#STP #talkshow #scottweiland
These videos are for entertainment purposes only. DISCLAIMER rockandrolltruestories.com/youtube-disclaimer
