On Wednesday August 15th, the Stone Temple Pilots descended upon Darien Lake with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. As the sounds of "Crackerman" hit the air, Scott Weiland pranced on stage with boa and hat, as the crowd started to go crazy. The band then launched into "Vasoline" as Weiland dared the audience to ignore security and get as close to the stage as they could. With a great set of songs mostly from Core and Purple, STP definitely did not disappoint. They brought the set to a mellow point as they played "Sour Girl" acoustically. The stripped down song showed the band's immense talent. "Interstate Love Song" and "Plush" followed which what many thought was the end of the set. This was not the case as "Trippin On A Hole In A Paper Heart" followed "Plush." The band closed the set with a roaring rendition of "Down" and "Sex Type Thing." This was my first time seeing Stone Temple Pilots and to say they were awesome, would be an understatement. Scott Weiland, Robert DeLeo, Dean DeLeo, and Eric Kretz put on a show for the ages and in my mind, putting on a much better performance than the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

   The Chili Peppers came roaring onto stage to Flea's pounding bass. "Around the World" opened the show followed by "Suck My Kiss." The band stuck mainly to the set that the played at last summer's Woodstock festival. The high-energy performance was much more entertaining than it was at Woodstock. The band seems rejuvenated with the re-arrival of John Frusciante. Bouncing from hit to hit, the Chili Peppers played most of the material from Californication and multi-platinum Blood Sugar Sex Magic. The highlight of the set had to be Flea's solo number and the set closer, the Jimi Hendrix classic, "Fire." The only thing missing would be to experience their version of the Stevie Wonder hit, "Higher Ground." Hopefully next time around!

Scott Hamilton
Editor, EMPYRE Lounge

Agree or Disagree??? Let me know what you think, email me at scott@empyrelounge.com