Stone Temple Pilots - — Purple -super Deluxe- Rem... __exclusive__
Title: The Purple Haze: How Stone Temple Pilots Conquered the Sophomore Slump
The Setup: The Weight of Expectation
In the spring of 1992, Stone Temple Pilots were arguably the most reviled band in rock and roll. Their debut album, Core, had sold millions, but critics dismissed them as little more than Pearl Jam copycats—corporate rock opportunists riding the flannel-clad coattails of the Seattle grunge explosion. Frontman Scott Weiland was mocked for his baritone growl; guitarist Dean DeLeo was accused of mimicking Jimmy Page and Kim Thayil.
But as the band entered the studio in early 1994 to record their follow-up, they had a secret weapon: they didn't care what the critics thought. They weren't trying to make a grunge record. They were trying to make a classic rock record.
The Shift: From "Core" to "Purple"
Where Core was heavy, dark, and sludgy, the band envisioned something brighter, weirder, and more melodic. They enlisted producer Brendan O’Brien, who pushed them to strip away the doom-and-gloom aesthetic. They wanted to sound like The Beatles meets Led Zeppelin, filtered through a modern alternative lens.
The sessions were prolific and frantic. Weiland, already battling the demons that would eventually consume him, was in a state of chaotic creative flux. The band—brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo on guitar and bass, and the unstoppably precise Eric Kretz on drums—were firing on all cylinders.
The result was Purple. Released in June 1994, it debuted at number one on the Billboard charts, knocking the Lion King soundtrack off the top spot. It was a commercial behemoth, but artistically, it was a grenade thrown at the music press.
The Sound: A Technicolor Dream
Opening with the feedback swell of "Meatplow," Purple immediately signaled a shift. But then came "Vasoline"—a jagged, staccato riff masterpiece that proved the band could be technical and gritty simultaneously.
Then, the hits. "Interstate Love Song" became the band’s defining anthem. With its sweeping, country-tinged slide guitar and weary lyrics about burnout and betrayal, it captured the exhaustion of a band that had toured the world and lost themselves in the process. It sounded like a classic rock standard the moment it hit the airwaves.
Elsewhere, the band stretched out. "Big Empty" (featured in the film The Crow) oozed cinematic cool. "Still Remains" offered a lush, romantic melody that flew in the face of the "angry young men" trope of the era. And buried at the end was "Kitchenware & Candybars," a gorgeous ballad that devolved into a hidden track of lounge-singer parody, showing a sense of humor that their peers lacked.
Critics who had derided them as hacks suddenly had to reckon with a band that could write better hooks than almost anyone in the genre. Purple wasn't just a grunge album; it was a psych-rock, hard rock, and pop hybrid.
The Legacy: The Super Deluxe Edition
Decades later, Purple stands as the band’s masterpiece. It represents the moment the "sophomore slump" was not just avoided, but obliterated. It is the sound of a band stepping out of the shadows and claiming their own identity.
To honor this era, the Super Deluxe Remastered Edition offers a treasure trove for audiophiles and historians. It strips back the layers of time to reveal the raw power of the original recordings.
The remastering process brings a new clarity to O'Brien's production. The low end on "Meatplow" hits harder; the acoustic guitars on "Interstate Love Song" shimmer with newfound resonance. But the true value lies in the unreleased material.
Listeners are treated to early demo versions, revealing the skeletons of these anthems before the studio gloss was applied. We hear the band in their rawest form—practicing, experimenting, capturing the lightning in a bottle that was their creative peak. Live tracks from the era capture the combustible energy of Weiland at the height of his power, a magnetic frontman commanding a stadium crowd before the drugs took the wheel.
The Conclusion
Purple was the album that proved Stone Temple Pilots were more than just a product of their time. They were students of rock history who wrote a textbook of their own. The Super Deluxe Edition doesn't just remind us of the hits; it reminds us of the danger, the talent, and the tragedy of a band that burned incredibly bright. It is the definitive document of 1994, the year STP stopped asking for permission and started demanding respect.
To commemorate the 25th anniversary of their sophomore masterpiece, Stone Temple Pilots released the Purple: Super Deluxe Edition. This expansive 3-CD/1-LP set offers a deep dive into the 1994 album that solidified STP's place in rock history, featuring a newly remastered version of the original record alongside a treasure trove of unreleased material. What’s Inside the Super Deluxe Edition
The collection is housed in a rigid, foil-finished hardback book case and includes:
Disc 1 (CD & Vinyl): The original album remastered in 2019 by Brendan O'Brien, featuring hits like "Interstate Love Song," "Vasoline," and "Big Empty".
Disc 2: A collection of early versions, demos, and acoustic tracks. Highlights include a demo of the Beach Boys’ "She Knows Me Too Well," an acoustic version of "Big Empty," and the band's cover of Led Zeppelin’s "Dancing Days".
Disc 3: A previously unreleased, full concert recording from August 23, 1994, at New Haven Veterans Memorial Coliseum. This 17-song set captures the band at their peak, blending Purple tracks with Core favorites and covers of David Bowie’s "Andy Warhol" and Woody Guthrie’s "Gypsy Davy". Track Highlights & Rarities
For long-time fans, the second disc provides a unique look at the album's creative process.
Unreleased Demos: Raw versions of "Unglued," "Army Ants," and "Kitchenware & Candybars". Stone Temple Pilots - Purple -Super Deluxe- Rem...
KROQ Acoustic Christmas 1994: Rare live acoustic recordings, including a version of the holiday classic "Christmastime Is Here".
Bonus Vinyl: Pre-orders through the official Stone Temple Pilots store included a limited-edition (1,000 copies) replica 7-inch single of "Interstate Love Song". Why It Matters
Purple was a massive success upon its original release, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 and eventually going 6x Platinum. This reissue not only polishes the sound but also contextualizes the band's evolution from their grunge-heavy debut Core into more melodic, psychedelic, and country-influenced territories.
Collectors can find this edition at retailers like Amazon or specialized music sites like Elusive Disc. If you'd like, I can: Rank the bonus tracks based on fan favorites
Detail the differences between the Super Deluxe and the standard 2-CD Deluxe versions
Provide a list of upcoming tour dates for the current lineup
The Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (Super Deluxe Edition) is a 25th-anniversary celebration of the band's 1994 sophomore masterpiece. This comprehensive set, released by Rhino Records in late 2019, expands the original triple-platinum album with a wealth of rare and previously unreleased material. What's in the Box?
The Super Deluxe package is a 4-disc set (3 CDs and 1 LP) housed in a foil-finished, hardback book-style case.
Disc 1 (CD/LP): A 2019 remaster of the original 11-track album, including hits like "Interstate Love Song," "Vasoline," and "Big Empty".
Disc 2: A collection of unreleased demos and early versions, featuring: Early takes of "Meat Plow" and "Interstate Love Song". Acoustic versions of "Big Empty" and "Pretty Penny".
A previously unreleased demo of The Beach Boys' "She Knows Me Too Well".
Live acoustic tracks from the 1994 KROQ Acoustic Christmas show, including a cover of "Christmastime Is Here".
Disc 3: A full, previously unreleased concert recording from August 23, 1994, in New Haven, Connecticut. This 17-song set captures the band at their peak, mixing Purple tracks with Core staples like "Plush" and "Sex Type Thing". Interstate Love Song Title: The Purple Haze: How Stone Temple Pilots
The Stone Temple Pilots - Purple (Super Deluxe Edition) is a comprehensive 25th-anniversary reissue celebrating the band’s second multi-platinum album. Released by Rhino Records in late 2019, this set expands the original 1994 masterpiece with a massive collection of unreleased demos, rarities, and live recordings. 💿 What’s in the Box?
The Super Deluxe Edition is a 3-CD/1-LP collection housed in an LP-sized rigid book, featuring:
Newly Remastered Audio: The original 11-track album, including hits like "Interstate Love Song" and "Vasoline".
180-Gram Vinyl: A high-fidelity pressing of the remastered studio album.
Rarities & Demos: Previously unreleased early versions of nearly every song, including an acoustic "Big Empty" and a rare demo cover of The Beach Boys' "She Knows Me Too Well".
Unreleased Live Concert: A full 17-song performance from New Haven, CT (August 23, 1994). 🎸 Disc Breakdown Disc 1: The Original Album (2019 Remaster)
The core tracks that cemented STP as rock giants, now with enhanced clarity.
Key tracks: "Meatplow," "Still Remains," and "Silvergun Superman". Disc 2: Early Versions, Demos & Acoustic
This disc provides a "behind the curtain" look at the creative process, featuring early takes of songs like "Meat Plow" and "Interstate Love Song," along with acoustic versions of "Pretty Penny" and "Kitchenware & Candybars".
A Psychedelic Grunge Landmark, Fully Unearthed
Release Date (Hypothetical): Late 2026
Label: Atlantic Records / Rhino
In 1994, the shadow of grunge was beginning to splinter. Kurt Cobain had just died. The genre needed a new kind of weirdo. Enter Stone Temple Pilots with Purple, the defiant, psychedelic, and riff-heavy follow-up to their massive debut Core. Now, 32 years later, Purple receives the Super Deluxe Edition treatment—a sprawling, 5-disc box set that doesn't just remaster the album, but re-contextualizes a band at their messy, brilliant peak.
3. Alternate Takes, Demos, and B-Sides
For the hardcore fan, this is the goldmine. The Super Deluxe includes:
- Early demo of "Interstate Love Song": Stripped of the iconic slide guitar, this version relies on a moody acoustic arrangement that feels more Nick Drake than arena rock.
- "Dancing Days" (Studio Outtake): A previously shelved cover of the Led Zeppelin classic that never made the Encomium tribute album.
- Scott Weiland’s Vocal Isolations: On "Big Empty," hearing just Weiland’s dry vocal track reveals the fragility behind the swagger.
The Album (Disc 1: Remastered)
Originally recorded in just over a month at the legendary Ardent Studios in Memphis (with producer Brendan O’Brien), Purple was a deliberate left turn. Gone was the straight-ahead "plod-rock" of Core. In its place? The sitar-drenched stomp of "Vasoline," the Zep-esque gallop of "Silvergun Superman," and the haunting, lounge-core of "Pretty Penny." A Psychedelic Grunge Landmark, Fully Unearthed Release Date
Key Tracks:
- "Interstate Love Song" – The centerpiece. A jangle-pop masterpiece about life on the road and emotional evasion. The remaster highlights Robert DeLeo’s 12-string Rickenbacker and Scott Weiland’s effortless croon.
- "Vasoline" – That slinky, distorted guitar riff. The new mix pulls Dean DeLeo’s wah-pedal work into sharp relief.
- "Unglued" – Two minutes of pure, coked-up punk fury. A blueprint for the band’s later aggression.
- "Kitchenware & Candybars" – The hidden track. A piano-led, Beatlesque outro that proved STP could be fragile.
Why it matters: Purple debuted at #1, knocking out The Crow soundtrack. It sold 6+ million copies, but critics called them "derivative." The Super Deluxe argues the opposite: Purple is where they invented their own language.
Listening recommendations
- Start with the remastered original album to appreciate the intended sequencing and flow.
- Then listen to demos/alternate takes to track how songs evolved; compare arrangements, lyrics, and performances.
- Finish with live tracks to hear how the songs translated onstage and the band’s improvisational moments.
- For deep listening, read the liner notes as you play unreleased tracks to pair stories with sounds.