An Open Letter From STP Was Posted to Fans Explaining Reasons for Lawsuit Against Scott Weiland

Last week, the members of Stone Temple Pilots filed a lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court claiming that former frontman Scott Weiland used the band's name and assets to promote his solo career, allegedly in breach of their partnership agreement.  Now, STP has posted an open letter to fans to offer a detailed explanation about why they've decided to take Weiland to court.

"Our purpose in taking this action is not to hurt Scott," writes the band in a group statement on their website.  "We want to move forward productively, and Scott's choices and actions have prevented us from doing that."

The band goes on to claim, as they do in their lawsuit, that Weiland sabotaged last year's plans for a tour commemorating the 20th anniversary of their debut album, Core, by heading out on a solo tour. "The plan was for a big tour where we'd perform the album in its entirety, along with some other favorite STP songs," writes the group.  "So, you might imagine our shock and disappointment when, without any notice, we learned that Scott had seized this tour for himself as his solo tour, and decided to do exactly what we as a group had planned."

STP further states that "many of the decisions" Weiland made during this period were in violation of agreements the group made in 1996 and 2010, and that they were "harmful to the band."

The group adds that they're looking forward to moving on and making new music with their new lead singer, Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington.  "It was beyond time we made some new music, which was impossible in the dysfunctional environment we were in," writes the band.  "We wish Scott well.  We're really excited about the new music we've been making with Chester, including the song we just released, 'Out of Time.'"