Feeling uninspired think I'll start a fire
Everybody run Bobby's got a gun
Think you're kinda neat then she tells me I'm a creep
Friends don't mean a thing guess I'll leave it up to me

The band's line-up remained unchanged from its formation in 1989 until the firing of Weiland in February 2013. The band recruited Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington to replace Weiland in May 2013. Bennington stated in interviews that singing lead vocals in Stone Temple Pilots was his lifelong dream. He left the band on good terms due to his commitments with Linkin Park in 2015 and was replaced two years later by X Factor season 3 runner-up Jeff Gutt.

As Mighty Joe Young, the band played several gigs in the San Diego area, building up a fanbase. Their first show was supporting Henry Rollins at the Whisky a Go Go.

Smile when it hurts, it works like mother's medicine
Oh, I know you can't tithe
Oh, when you look inside yourself
You've got to cross that line
Yeah, you're running out of time