STONE TEMPLE PILOTS Bassist: 'We're Excited And We're Enjoying Ourselves'

The new version of STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, with Chester Bennington on lead vocals, will release a new EP titled "High Rise" on Tuesday (October 8).

STP fired singer Scott Weiland in February after reuniting with him in 2010 for a series of tours and one self-titled album. The band had previously been on hiatus since 2002, primarily due to the vocalist's struggles with drugs and alcohol.

STONE TEMPLE PILOTS bassist Robert DeLeo told TheStreet about the current state of the band: "It's a new chapter for STONE TEMPLE PILOTS. We're excited and we're enjoying ourselves."

He added: "I look at it this way — there are a lot of people in this world who work hard and don't enjoy it. Playing music, it's work but I feel really blessed to say I make music in my life. What's more enjoyable than to have the gift of doing that?"

Asked if he was aware of Chester's vocal versatility all along, Robert said: "We were aware of it. It's like any artist, actor or entertainer — I always use Jim Carrey as an example. He made all these great, funny movies, and then when he did a serious role, people were like, 'What is he doing?' People get used to seeing you one way, and they have certain expectations."

He continued: "LINKIN PARK has made a huge imprint, and people are obviously going to associate him with their sound. But when someone steps out and gets into another environment, you see another side of that person. I think that's healthy for everyone."

Weiland and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS have sued each other, with Weiland claiming that the other members cannot use the STP name and the group alleging that Weiland damaged their careers.