This Just In From Seattle Music History!!!
On Wednesday, a press release went out noting the formation of Art of Anarchy, a new supergroup featuring Disturbed bassist John Moyer, Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, brothers Jon and Vince Votta and Scott Weiland on vocals. But as Weiland hinted in a Facebook post Wednesday night, the band may have overplayed the singer's future involvement in the self-described "mega group."
"I just saw some press about a side project called Art of Anarchy that I worked on last year," Weiland wrote. "I wrote and put my vocals down for these guys and had fun doing a couple of videos too; we had a lot of fun." While the band noted that "2015 will be a big year for Art of Anarchy," it appears it won't be with Weiland's help. The former Stone Temple Pilots frontman employed a passive-aggressive tone to show that his involvement was limited to the group's studio recordings.
"When they find their front man to hit the road and play some dates, check them out," wrote the singer. "In the meantime, if you want to check out where I’m at RIGHT NOW, check out my band, SCOTT WEILAND AND THE WILDABOUTS."
Weiland will appear at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival before starting a cross-country tour February 22nd in Scottsdale, Arizona.
On Wednesday, a press release went out noting the formation of Art of Anarchy, a new supergroup featuring Disturbed bassist John Moyer, Guns N' Roses guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, brothers Jon and Vince Votta and Scott Weiland on vocals. But as Weiland hinted in a Facebook post Wednesday night, the band may have overplayed the singer's future involvement in the self-described "mega group."
"I just saw some press about a side project called Art of Anarchy that I worked on last year," Weiland wrote. "I wrote and put my vocals down for these guys and had fun doing a couple of videos too; we had a lot of fun." While the band noted that "2015 will be a big year for Art of Anarchy," it appears it won't be with Weiland's help. The former Stone Temple Pilots frontman employed a passive-aggressive tone to show that his involvement was limited to the group's studio recordings.
"When they find their front man to hit the road and play some dates, check them out," wrote the singer. "In the meantime, if you want to check out where I’m at RIGHT NOW, check out my band, SCOTT WEILAND AND THE WILDABOUTS."
In an exclusive statement to Rolling Stone, Thal
wrote that the group is not intended to be competition for Weiland's
other band. "Art of Anarchy is not competition or a threat or
interference to what any of us are doing - it's a complement, an
addition, one I'm proud of creatively," Thal said in an e-mail. "No need
to minimize or undermine or devalue a project we all worked on together
over the course of two years. I enjoyed working with Scott. And I'm
looking forward to the Wildabouts album release, the Bumblefoot album
release, and the Art of Anarchy album release. The more music the
better, it's what we do, right? :) Artists do collaborations and a
month later, their own album comes out. This is normal stuff. All good.
:)"
Thal went on to take a diplomatic approach to Weiland's
contention that he would not be performing with the group on any live
dates, noting that the group doesn't know if they'll even tour. "The
five of us made an album together. Scott is currently the singer of the
band. It's in writing; no confusion," added Thal. "But yes, Scott's solo
album and tour are his priority and we're all on the same page about
getting another vocalist if Art of Anarchy hits the road. But
we don't need to cross that bridge just yet. Taking everything as it
comes, one step at a time, letting it evolve organically. Where it goes
from here (and with who!) is yet to be seen."
While Thal says the band hopes to release the album this spring, Weiland will release Blaster, his debut LP with the Wildabouts, on March 31st via Softdrive Records. "[2008's] "Happy" in Galoshes was an experimental art record, for the most part," he told Rolling Stone. "Blaster
is definitely a band sound: a stripped-down, furry sound with a lot of
space between the notes. But it's tight and to-the-point while keeping
that garage rock vibe to it."
While it's unclear how much camaraderie Weiland has with his Art of Anarchy bandmates, the singer told Rolling Stone earlier
this month that the chemistry with the Wildabouts renewed his love of
making an album. "If you take out the fact that we had to break up the
recording process when touring, the album came very easily because of
the vibe between the band members," Weiland said. "The sound we were
getting felt original and infectious and brought me back to the feelings
I had when I made my first couple records. Just excitement, feeling
invigorated. Youthful."Weiland will appear at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival before starting a cross-country tour February 22nd in Scottsdale, Arizona.
