There's a lot of songs, especially early on in the catalogue…You know, our catalogue became very limited because of where Scott's range went. There is a huge range that Chester has that we can tap into. 'Well, you're comparing two different vocalists you're comparing a baritone to a tenor. I think he has more range for your material. I haven't been able to accomplish that much in years!'Ĭhester's vocals are sweeter and more delicate than Scott's. And now, I don't even need to say it - look what we've accomplished in the last eight months. We've been driving a car with three wheels. 'You have to keep in mind how Eric and Robert and I have been working for he past 15 years or so. Did the fact that he can't devote himself 100 percent and 24/7 to STP concern you at all? Like I said, if I really went into it, it wouldn't be very nice.'Ĭhester is still very much a member of Linkin Park. It's a shame that it had to go down that way, but it was one man's actions that led to another man's decision, so he sealed his own fate on that one. 'And it's a shame because it was something that was really, really beautiful to a lot of people. I don't know if he was happy being around us, you know? He became incapable of doing so on a lot of different levels - mentally, socially, philosophically, physically. Maybe even Scott knew as well - I don't know, I can't speak on behalf of him - but the three of us knew it just couldn't go on with him. 'You know, it wasn't the… I don't know how I can put it… You know, if I really went into it, it would make him look far too bad, and I'm just not willing to do it. Not to belabor the issue of Scott, but what was the final straw that led to you guys going your own way? Between the four of us, these are the five songs that came to be on our first outing.' But the decisions aren't really mine and mine only. I'm just speaking on behalf of myself, but you know, if I bring in eight or 10 songs, they're all my babies - I'm gonna like all of them. I have to imagine that you've stockpiled a lot of riffs and song ideas over the years. We came into the session and dove right into that.' When we got in a room together, Robert had already fooled around with a rough idea of Out Of Time. The songwriting process started a little bit before that with the use of technology and kind of MP3ing each other ideas. I'd say it was a few weeks or maybe a month later, if that.

'Oh, goodness… My timeline isn't so great. How soon from that phone call was it till you were all in a room together? I felt that it was going to be productive and creative.'

The second thing we did is what we should have done first - we probably should have gotten in a room. We spoke with him on the phone, and we all agreed that we wanted to do this. 'We kind of did it a little backwards, actually.

Not that there was an audition per se, but what kind of getting-to-know-you meeting took place to see if this would be a good fit? (from left) Robert DeLeo, Chester Bennington, Eric Kretz and Dean DeLeo.

Chester stone temple pilots