Stone Temple Pilots Take Legal Action Against Scott Weiland; Singer Slams Band via Facebook

Things have turned bitter between Stone Temple Pilots and their former frontman, Scott Weiland. The band filed a lawsuit against Weiland Friday (May 24) in Los Angeles, claiming that the frontman attempted to sabotage their 20th anniversary tour and has tampered with their livelihood as they've attempted to continue on without him. As a result, the band is looking to the courts to help them continue without interference from Weiland.

The band fired the singer in late February, coinciding with the start of Weiland's 'Purple to the Core' tour in which he ventured out as a solo artist performing the music of Stone Temple Pilots. According to a copy of the lawsuit, which was posted online by The Hollywood Reporter, Weiland's firing was justified by his repeated tardiness and failure to appear at shows, something that was spelled out in their agreement. In addition, the partnership agreement signed states that Stone Temple Pilots should be "first priority," and by launching a solo tour performing the band's material he was also in violation of the contract.

The group also cited a clause in their agreement that states former members cannot use the band's name or refer to themselves as "former members of STP," and they claim that Weiland also violated that by performing the band's material and using the name in promotion.

The final straw came when Weiland apparently attempted to interfere with the three remaining members continuing their career with Linkin Park's Chester Bennington as their new frontman. The group claimed that Weiland tried to stop their performances and release of new music by falsely suggesting that the band was infringing upon his rights. As a result, the group is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief to keep Weiland from profiting at the band's expense by continually using the name.

As for Weiland, the vocalist issued an open letter to fans about Stone Temple Pilots new lineup, stating that legally they don't have the right to continue with Bennington. He also called their attempt to do so as "misleading" and "dishonest," and concluded, "I don't give a f--- what they call themselves, but it's not Stone Temple Pilots."