Interview with STP's Guitarist Dean DeLeo

Stone Temple Pilots are coming to The Rust Belt in East Moline, Il on Saturday, October 23, 2021. I was lucky enough to score an interview with their incredible guitarist Dean DeLeo recently to talk guitars, music, kids, and a new project he's put together called Trip the Witch.
As soon as Dean DeLeo came on screen...before we hit record...before we said "hello" he focused right in on the guitars hanging up and sitting behind me and started telling me about his Yamaha FG-160 that he got from his mom when he was 16 years old. They used it on Core, Purple, and Tiny Music. He re-gifted it to his son when he turned 16.
Which got us talking about his kids and how proud he is of them and their artistic endeavors. He took his son into the studio and his son is so talented he didn't "need" his professional musician father...he played everything himself. Dean says he's looking forward to getting his daughter, who sings, into the studio.
We talked about taking time off the road. October of 2019 was the last time STP played before a handful of shows in September. So he had plenty of time to be creative. Trip the Witch was a project he put together with Tom Bukovac, a great session musician. They had the luxury of technology and used it to it's fullest by sending each other files and filming themselves playing parts.
Like most of us...he had so much time off that he wondered if he would remember how to play these great songs. Luckily muscle memory is a real thing and they are as tight as ever.
I can't wait to see these guys at The Rust Belt. Do yourself a favor and listen to the recent STP album Perdida. No, it doesn't have Scott Weiland on it but it's got his vibe all over the place.

[@crossroads900]

Incredible guitarist, great feel, put together some of the most memorable hooks ever. Thanks, Dean, for all the incredible work. 🎸

[@amremorse]

What a kind soul. I had no idea dean and his brother were such stand up and humble guys. It’s no surprise his kids are self aware and selfless. Quite the role model whether they consciously take note or not. It’s already baked in.

[@billstagevo]

I really felt the good juju coming from this guy. super cool

[@toddbishop1139]

You look great Dean... and happy :) You will forever be one of my favorites.

[@mtrich8113]

Forever STP fan and the even bigger fan of Dean DeLeo.

[@billstagevo]

This interview made me a forever fan of Dean for sure! Thanks for checking it out

[@jesusaguicazt9909]

Excellent interview, excellent guitarrist. Forever STP Dean DeLeo

[@mikeandstony]

this guy rocks

[@RingerRacing]

great interview, dean and robert both super receptive guys..

[@gino82marrone]

I have seen Dean live in both stp and army of anyone. Total influence on me. I named my 1st born son after him. :)

[@billstagevo]

Wow! That’s amazing

[@gino82marrone]

@@billstagevo thank you

[@teddyboy9116]

Great interview! I was lucky enough to make friends with Tom aswell, he's an amazing bloke for sure! The trip the witch project that Dean and Tom have done is mind blowing, hope there's more to come...

[@billstagevo]

I’ve interviewed plenty of “rockstars” and Dean is one of the most down to earth person I’ve met. Great vibes from this dude

[@teddyboy9116]

@@billstagevo yeh he comes across as a really genuine bloke, I love how he homed in on your yamaha 12 string, ive got the exact same one....haha

[@billstagevo]

@@teddyboy9116 yes! I didn’t get to hardly any of my actual questions because it was off the rails from the get haha What a great guy!

[@teddyboy9116]

@@billstagevo I didn't know alot about STP until Tom said to check them out, I'm over in England and they never really took off here I don't think, not a band I'd been aware of up until now but yeh! Late to the party but a great bloke great band!

[@owlytimbre9103]

I forgot about the first time I saw Dean bring the love back in Arizona I think in '92? It was a hazy time. It started raining and he refused to leave the stage. His child like joy was authentic and inspired, man. What a balanced and grounded dude in such an unbalanced world. The man and the musician just means the world to me. Thanks for staying true, Mr. DeLeo. And I'm not alone. Peace, brothers.

[@mtrich8113]

I made a shirt that says" 92" because that was a good year to be alive when it came to music cuz of bands like STP.

[@owlytimbre9103]

@@mtrich8113 I like the footage from phx. I first saw stp at the 92' lollapalooza, I think... 😆 in Phoenix. Went to ASU in tempe.