SCOTT WEILAND: Internet Makes All Haters Think They Have A Voice

Former STONE TEMPLE PILOTS and VELVET REVOLVER frontman Scott Weiland was interviewed on a recent episode of Canada's "Mike On Much" podcast, hosted by Mike Veerman. You can now listen to the chat below.

Speaking about the differences between being in the spotlight today versus how it was when STONE TEMPLE PILOTS first started out, Weiland said: "Well, social media. It makes all the haters think that they have a voice and [it gives them] a reason to be negative. That wouldn't make anyone feel good."

Weiland also talked about rumors and reports about his return to the drug use that dogged him early in his career — particularly after one bizarre performances in Texas earlier this year, which he blamed on faulty in-ear monitors.

"[The online haters] can create whatever bullshit they wanna create and say I'm back on drugs when it's been thirteen years since I've taken drugs," Weiland said. The singer went on to admit that the constant rumors about his return to drug use bother him, but added: "I don't think that that's the [general] perception. I think there are [only] certain people that hold that perception."

According to Weiland, he usually makes an initial effort to clear up any false rumors about him, but he doesn't pay attention to the online hate that he and and most other popular artists are subjected to on a daily basis.

"I clarify things," he said. "[In the case of the Texas concert], my in-ear monitor pack wasn't working for the entire show, so I [had an] inability to hear myself at all, so that made it impossible for me to perform.'

He continued: "I educate [the people] once, and then if they continue to talk about it, then I don't really give a fuck."

Weiland was harshly criticized following several performances on his current tour, with one review calling his performance "sluggish" and another stating flat-out that the vocalist "appears to have crashed and burned. Badly."

A fan-filmed April 28 video of "Vasoline" in Corpus Christi went viral, showing Weiland launching into a painfully out of tune and apathetic vocal performance that was called "unacceptable" and "heartbreaking" by fans on YouTube.

A rep for Weiland issued a statement explaining that Weiland was tired and had had a couple of drinks before the show, in addition to his earpiece audio issues.

Weiland and his band THE WILDABOUTS are on the road promoting his new album, "Blaster", which came out on March 31.