Transcript

Billy Corgan (0:00)

I'm not interested in the dirt stuff. You know what I mean? It's like. It's not.

Robert DeLeo (0:02)

Give it to you, baby.

Billy Corgan (0:03)

There I am somewhere in Chicago. You guys, come on. I watched that video. I think. Who the is this, right? God bless stp. But he dangled you over my head.

Dean DeLeo (0:14)

Gosh, I'm sorry.

Billy Corgan (0:15)

Oh, no, no.

Dean DeLeo (0:16)

Look, we're the last of the Mohicans record labels giving us some bread for a video. And, yeah, I loved every aspect of the creativity, you know.

Billy Corgan (0:24)

Yeah. At the time, I kind of resented it, but now I realize it was actually a blessing. It's the last time there was any kind of order. Now, no one in this business can tell you what success. Welcome to deleo Brothers.

Robert DeLeo (0:37)

Thank you.

Dean DeLeo (0:37)

Thank you.

Billy Corgan (0:38)

Can you believe it's been 30 years since we've been putting out some of this music that is just a mind blower? Because it just seems like yesterday that we were all on MTV and carousing about poncing.

Robert DeLeo (0:48)

Carefree.

Billy Corgan (0:49)

Carefree, you know, playing, you know, DSUS chords, you know, you still got the mane. See, I don't. He's got the good head hair. Yeah.

Dean DeLeo (1:01)

It does seem like just. It wasn't too long ago.

Robert DeLeo (1:04)

Gosh.

Billy Corgan (1:05)

Right?

Dean DeLeo (1:05)

It's fun, man.

Robert DeLeo (1:06)

Yeah.

Billy Corgan (1:06)

I mean, how did we. We'll get there, but I listened to a bunch of recent stuff. I've been listening to stuff as it comes out, but I went through, like, kind of, like, sequentially backwards. So your solo record, Lessons Learned, which I really, really enjoyed. You worked with a bunch of different singers?

Summary

Podcast Summary:

The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Episode: Dean and Robert DeLeo
Date: April 23, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Billy Corgan hosts brothers Dean and Robert DeLeo, best known as the backbone of Stone Temple Pilots (STP). The conversation spans three decades of music, from navigating the tumultuous 90s alt-rock scene to creative reinvention, band resilience, personal loss, and their enduring creative partnership. The discussion is intimate, humorous, and candid, giving listeners insight into the relationships and drive that have fueled STP's longevity.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Three Decades in Rock: The Journey and Evolution

Billy reflects on “30 years of putting out some of this music” and the surreal feeling of seeing their careers span MTV, fame, and change. (00:38)
Dean and Robert share their perspectives on both the “carefree” early days and the challenges that came with sustaining success as the industry shifted and order faded. (00:48–01:16)

2. Solo Projects and the Broader STP Sound

Billy praises Robert’s solo record Lessons Learned, expressing curiosity about the guest vocalists and process (“Friends that happen to be very talented” – Robert, 01:28).
Discussion of Billy’s impression of a previously unnoticed “Americana” flavor in recent DeLeo and STP work: “like a road trip through America.” Robert nods to influences such as Stax and an “R&B kind of Americana way.” (03:54)

3. Band Dynamics and Song Creation

Unique approach to songwriting: melody and aesthetic guided by Dean and Robert, with each singer (Scott, Chester, Jeff) adapting yet always fitting the STP aesthetic. (05:47–06:34)
How band members contributed: “Scott liked going in at about 9 o’ clock at night when he was good and oiled up, and he would sing one or two songs. He just wanted to be alone with Brendan, usually.” – Dean (08:08)
On respecting different creative processes and giving singers space (“I utterly respected it.” – Dean, 08:25).

4. The Artistry of Singing & Identity

Billy reflects on envy for Scott’s power as a vocalist and his journey to accepting his own unique voice: “We call my voice The Wild Pony because we never know what’s going to come out.” (09:47)
Noting how great singers like Chester reveal new facets to their voices within STP’s musical environment. (09:23)

5. Origins and Early Hustle: NJ to California

Robert left home at 18 for California with “$1200 and a 1978 Music Man Stingray bass,” couch-surfing and working odd jobs, “at a dead end” in New Jersey. (12:01)
The brothers recount formative LA/OC music scene tales, their first cover band (Tyrus), and those tough early years (“I got fired from a job and I had some girl spend the night...”). (13:03)

6. Crossing Paths: Smashing Pumpkins and STP

Dean recalls being “so knocked back” by Gish and Siamese Dream, and the friendly rivalry and mutual respect between the bands. (15:30, 16:41)
Reminiscence about tiny, raucous early-90s gigs (Kasbah, English Acid) and the challenges of being an alt-rock band at a time before their kind of music was mainstream. (17:54–18:35, 26:51–28:12)
“We didn’t set out to write hits...our music at that time was not mainstream. They created radio stations to play our music.” – Billy (50:53)

7. Surviving the 90s: Pressure, Critique, & Success

Discussion of early criticism that STP was “jumping on the bandwagon”—Billy admits he wasn’t helping, but acknowledges his opinion changed with time. (30:35–32:01)
The band’s philosophy: “Why would I want to fit in when I was meant to stand out?” – Dean (21:39)
The toll of scrutiny: “I remember Tom...he said, ‘fasten your seatbelts’. I was just glad to be out of Mesa Boogie and have a record deal.” – Robert (32:40–32:59)

8. Collaborating with Brendan O’Brien / Studio Stories

Making records quickly vs. the Pumpkin way: “Brendan said, ‘I just did the STP record, we did the whole thing in a week.’ That ain’t the way this band works.” – Billy (34:33)
Studio anecdotes, admiration for each other’s creative discipline, and revelations about the careful, patient methodology behind STP’s sound. (34:33–36:01)
“You listen to it, it's brilliant. No one really knows the insides of what it takes.” – Robert (35:49)

9. Creative Identity & The Listener’s Ear

The conversation repeatedly circles how professional rivalry, insecurity, and public perception shape reactions to new work, but ultimately music wins: “Your music won me over… I wanted you to fail… and you proved you belong.” – Billy (54:58, 55:19)

10. Navigating Loss and Addiction

Heartfelt discussion about the difficulties of addiction—Scott Weiland and others—as bandmates and friends. (56:52–58:28)
The perpetual challenge: “The hardest thing in dealing with addicts...there's no logic. You keep trying to solve a problem logically and there's no logic.” – Billy (58:35)
Role of the brothers’ bond as a stabilizing force: “We had each other’s spirits, man, for sure.” – Dean (60:34)

11. Longevity, Renewal, and Their Place in the World

On having survived and still making music: “The ability to forgive, the ability to just get on the next song—let’s not pretend, there’s other music to make.” – Billy (61:33)
Facing aging and mortality: both DeLeos survived heart issues at age 57, echoing their father's fate, yet find new appreciation for life and performing. (68:55)

12. Reflection on Immortality & Artistic Legacy

“I think we’ve all formed our own version of immortality.” – Robert (67:54)
Humility and joy in their ongoing relevance: “When you’re together as a band, you look out and you simply go, holy sh—, man. We accomplished something.” – Robert (68:07)

13. New Projects & The Drive to Keep Going

Both DeLeos are working on individual records; STP’s future work is not ruled out. (78:17)
Billy encourages them: “You guys are really good at what you do, so just keep doing what you do.” (82:07)
The challenge—and opportunity—of aging artists to “take chances again” and lead by example. (82:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“Why would I want to fit in when I was meant to stand out?” – Dean DeLeo (21:39)
“We call my voice The Wild Pony because we never know what’s going to come out.” – Billy Corgan (09:47)
“The ability to forgive, the ability to just get on to the next song—let’s not pretend, there’s other music to make, you know?” – Billy Corgan (61:33)
“Your music won me over… I didn’t want you to win, you understand? I wanted you to fail. Because one less guy I gotta shove out of the way... and I love that I was able to go, these guys belong.” – Billy Corgan (55:01–55:25)
“I think we’ve all formed our own version of immortality.” – Robert DeLeo (67:54)
“Let’s not die. Let’s live forever.” – Billy Corgan (86:49)

Important Timestamps (MM:SS)

03:54 — Discovery of Americana and R&B textures in STP’s music
07:34–08:33 — Recording process and Scott Weiland’s solo vocal sessions
09:47–10:09 — Billy on becoming a frontman and accepting his voice
15:30–16:41 — DeLeos’ first exposure to Smashing Pumpkins’ Gish, mutual respect
26:51–28:12 — Legendary LA “English Acid” gig, REM turned away at the door, Jimmy Chamberlain denied entry
30:35–32:01 — Early unfair “bandwagon” accusations and criticism
34:33–36:01 — Working with Brendan O’Brien; distinct recording philosophies
50:53 — “We didn’t set out to write hits...our music at that time was not mainstream.” – Billy
54:58–55:25 — Billy’s apology: “Your music won me over... you proved you belong.”
56:52–59:13 — Discussion of addiction, loss, and how it shapes band life
67:54 — “I think we’ve all formed our own version of immortality.” – Robert
68:55–69:27 — Robert’s on-stage heart attack; surviving and playing on
82:07 — Billy’s encouragement on continued creativity
86:49 — “Let’s not die. Let’s live forever.” – Billy

Tone & Conclusion

The episode is warm, reflective, and truthfully self-aware, boasting the easy rapport of old friends and survivors. Billy’s probing but empathetic questions bring out the DeLeos’ humor, candor, and hard-earned wisdom. It’s a vivid oral history of generational talent, underscored by a mutual understanding of both the ephemeral and eternal rewards of rock & roll.

Final Message:
As the episode closes, the three musicians emphasize the enduring power of creation, friendship, and the importance of continuing to take risks as artists—“Let’s not die. Let’s live forever.” (86:49)

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Dean and Robert DeLeo | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Transcript

Summary

Podcast Summary:

The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Episode: Dean and Robert DeLeo
Date: April 23, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Three Decades in Rock: The Journey and Evolution

2. Solo Projects and the Broader STP Sound

3. Band Dynamics and Song Creation

4. The Artistry of Singing & Identity

5. Origins and Early Hustle: NJ to California

6. Crossing Paths: Smashing Pumpkins and STP

7. Surviving the 90s: Pressure, Critique, & Success

8. Collaborating with Brendan O’Brien / Studio Stories

9. Creative Identity & The Listener’s Ear

10. Navigating Loss and Addiction

11. Longevity, Renewal, and Their Place in the World

12. Reflection on Immortality & Artistic Legacy

13. New Projects & The Drive to Keep Going

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps (MM:SS)

Tone & Conclusion

Dean and Robert DeLeo | The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan

Transcript

Summary

Podcast Summary:

The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan Episode: Dean and Robert DeLeo Date: April 23, 2025

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Three Decades in Rock: The Journey and Evolution

2. Solo Projects and the Broader STP Sound

3. Band Dynamics and Song Creation

4. The Artistry of Singing & Identity

5. Origins and Early Hustle: NJ to California

6. Crossing Paths: Smashing Pumpkins and STP

7. Surviving the 90s: Pressure, Critique, & Success

8. Collaborating with Brendan O’Brien / Studio Stories

9. Creative Identity & The Listener’s Ear

10. Navigating Loss and Addiction

11. Longevity, Renewal, and Their Place in the World

12. Reflection on Immortality & Artistic Legacy

13. New Projects & The Drive to Keep Going

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Important Timestamps (MM:SS)

Tone & Conclusion

The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
Episode: Dean and Robert DeLeo
Date: April 23, 2025