Stone Temple Pilots Hate America

07/12/01 4:30pm

by Tim Melton (CHARTattack)

When you're part of a multi-million unit selling rock band like Stone Temple Pilots, traveling is all part of the game that you have to play. Relaxing a little bit in a posh Toronto hotel lobby the day after their MuchMusic Live With Stone Temple Pilots in support of the recently unleashed Shangri-La Dee Da, STP bassist Robert DeLeo, and drummer Eric Kretz seem damn happy to be back in Canada and aren't afraid to talk about it.

"Toronto is one of the few cities that I wanna say that we love them and they love us and it sounds a little arrogant, but there's so much love between us," states Kretz as he drapes his lanky frame sideways across his chair.

"I wanna move here," says DeLeo for the first of multiple times as he adjusts his fishing cap, adding, "You Canadians, man, you're good people. I feel so much more comfortable up here than I do in America.

"Americans are spoiled, we're fuckin' arrogant, we're immature and we just rely on really stupid shit," he says in a serious tone.

With Shangri-La Dee Da in the hands of Canadian fans, most will notice the rockin' slam that the band takes at the commercialism and fakeness of their current residence in Tinsel-town on the song "Hollywood Bitch."

"Hollywood is the epicenter of the universe," says Eric, with more than a hint of sarcasm. "When I first moved there I was amazed by it because even holidays like Christmas and New Year's don't affect Hollywood, it just keeps spitting out its commercialism," he adds.

A New Jersey native, DeLeo echoes his rhythm section partner's sentiments:

"None of us are from there so it's an interesting perspective. I don't think any of us have really given in to being 'an L.A. person' and it's something I struggle with every day," he says, shaking his head.

It's no wonder STP love Canada so much. If there's an anti-L.A., it's here. But in addition to the people, there's a fondness for Canadian rock 'n' roll to boot. When discussing Canuck rock, Kretz mentions the Rush song "Freewill" that the band launched into a few bars of at a Canada Day 2000 performance at Toronto's Warehouse.

"I heard it again the other day driving around Toronto and just that middle section guitar solo with that bass and drum thing might just be hands down the greatest guitar solo section in a rock song ever," Kretz laughs as DeLeo successfully hums the entire bassline while he talks.

With this much love for the Great White North, you just might find DeLeo, and Kretz calling our country home if the States continues to deteriorate into George W. Bush's psychotic playground. Otherwise look for the band to headline The Family Values tour later this year.