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Stone Temple Pilots: Hear An Acoustic ‘Big Empty’

Stone Temple Pilots are planning a deluxe reissue of their second album, Purple, which was released 25 years ago today.  The “sophomore slump” is something of a cliche, but like most…

Stone Temple Pilots at the Roxy Theater

Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots at the Roxy Theater in Los Angeles, Ca. 6/28/01. Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Stone Temple Pilots are planning a deluxe reissue of their second album, Purple, which was released 25 years ago today. 

The "sophomore slump" is something of a cliche, but like most cliches, it's a real concern for bands who explode out of the gate on their debut albums. Clearly, though, this wasn't an issue for Stone Temple Pilots, whose second album, Purple, released on June 7, 1994, sold more than eight million albums and dominated radio for years after that (and those songs still sound great on the radio today).

The band is releasing a 3 CD super deluxe version of the album on September 13 that will include the original album, plus a disc of rarities, and a full concert recording from New Haven, Connecticut, recorded on August 23, 1994, which included a cover of David Bowie's "Andy Warhol." There will also be a 2 CD deluxe version. Among the extra tracks is a new acoustic version of "Big Empty" hear it here. Other rarities include demos of "Unglued" and "Army Ant,s" early versions of "Meat Plow" and "Interstate Love Song," an acoustic cover of "Christmastime Is Here" from A Charlie Brown Christmas and a cover of the Beach Boys' rarity "She Knows Me Too Well."

Meanwhile, Stone Temple Pilots are planning their next tour, with Rival Sons opening. Get the tour dates here.

Brian has been working in pop culture and media for about three decades: he’s worked at MTV, VH1, SiriusXM, CBS and Loudwire. Besides working as a writer and an editor-in-chief, he’s also appeared on air as a pundit, guested on radio shows and hosted podcasts. Over the years, he’s interviewed the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, the members of U2, Beyonce, Pink, Usher, Stevie Nicks, Lorde… and is grateful to have had the chance to interview Joe Strummer of the Clash and Tom Petty.