STONE TEMPLE PILOTS - STONE TEMPLE PILOTS SOUND BETTER 'SOBER'

Newly reformed rockers STONE TEMPLE PILOTS are convinced they sound better than ever - and put the improvement in their performance is down to their new found "sobriety".
The band got back together earlier this year (08) after a five-year absence from the music industry. They played their first comeback gig on 7 April (08) in Los Angeles.
Stone Temple Pilots were dogged by drug and alcohol problems throughout their career - with singer Scott Weiland enduring several stints in rehab and a year in prison for parole violation, relating to previous cocaine and heroin charges.
Weiland was admitted to rehab earlier this year (08) and subsequently sacked from his role in Velvet Revolver - leaving him free to pursue a Stone Temple Pilots reunion.
Guitarist Dean DeLeo and drummer Eric Kretz have also battled drug and alcohol addictions.
But bassist Robert DeLeo insists the bandmembers have now cleaned up their act and their music sounds much better for it.
He tells MTV.com, "My brother's going on four years of sobriety. We have a lot more clarity in the band now, and I think with clarity comes appreciation. I saw that the other night, when we played (in Los Angeles). I saw it in my eyes, and in the eyes of the rest of the band. There's a lot more rock in this band now."