SCOTT STAPP Says SCOTT WEILAND's Death Was A Warning To Him

According to The Pulse Of Radio, ART OF ANARCHY frontman Scott Stapp told Music Radar in a new interview that he was very careful to let the members of the band know that they would not have the same experience with him that they had with the late Scott Weiland, who sang on the group's first album. Stapp explained: "Scott Weiland left the band prior to his death. They had a falling out and never toured. So the way he affected me was in my approach, knowing that these guys had had a relationship go sour, so I wanted to go out of my way to show these guys I was a humble guy, a team player and to give them a positive influence as well."

Stapp added that Weiland's December 2015 death affected him deeply, saying: "His life was a reminder to me of where my life was headed if I continued to use alcohol and drugs. Having that reminder that he used to sing in this band was almost like him speaking to me from the grave, saying, 'Brother, you need to stay on the straight and narrow or this is what could happen to you.' That's really impacted me in my desire and drive to stay sober one day at a time."

The now sober Stapp, who had a well-publicized meltdown over two years ago that was partially the result of heavy drug use, said he was hesitant at first to join ART OF ANARCHY, revealing, "I did not, and would not, get involved in a band that was partying, drinking and doing drugs all the time. But after meeting with the guys and sharing my heart they were very supportive. Once it was clarified that we were on the same page, that cleared the way for us to move forward."

The band, which also features DISTURBED bassist John Moyer, ex-GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal and brothers Jon and Vince Votta on guitar and drums, will issue its sophomore album, "The Madness", on March 24.

The band will embark on its first headlining tour in April, kicking off the trek on April 3 in Amityville, New York and winding down on April 29 in Henderson, Nevada.