Why is STP so underrated?

They sort of landed right after the grunge movement and were labeled as "imitators" for a bit. STP was massive at one time in the early 90's though, even if they didn't get all the credit they were probably due.

They were initially seen as a Pearl Jam rip-off and they didn't come from a hip label or a big scene. (I looked down on them as only a 21-year-old could) But they stuck around and made good records. Scott Weiland's drug problems probably also kept them from getting the props they should. They were supposed to be the opening act for the Kiss reunion tour in 96 and they dropped out and Alice In Chains replaced them instead (how's that for irony?)

They weren't from Seattle when that sound needed to come from Seattle.

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They sort of landed right after the grunge movement and were labeled as "imitators" for a bit.

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David Spade had a joke in his SNL "Hollywood Minute" segment (paraphrase):

Heard this new band last week. Stone Temple Pilots. I really liked them...the first time I heard them and they were called Pearl Jam.

Seems hacky now, but that joke format was new.

1. Overshadowed by similar bands in the same lane at the same time which were slightly better.

2. Band stuck around long enough to get washed rather than suck start a shotgun at the height of their popularity.

3. They weren’t from Seattle, causing a lot of dumb “not real grunge” arguments to be made against them.

I never cared for them at the time they came out and in retrospect, still don't.. But that's just my personal taste..

To answer your question though, I think they were percieved as part of the fallout of every major label A&R guy trying to latch on to the next big thing... And that they never really "paid their dues." I don't know if that's right or wrong, I never had the interest to find out their history... Where as Nirvana and the majority of the Seattle scene happened more organically.. most of those bands were known and regarded before they exploded.. Maybe not PJ, but the majority of their members did fall in that category of previous bands..

There were so many bands that were signed and had their 15 minutes.. because they aped the sound, look, etc of what was selling at the time..

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Its a shame the most iconic frontmen of the 90s (Staley, Cobain, Weiland, Cornell) are all dead at this point by either OD or Suicide

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Thank God Vedder is still around

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Not sure what makes someone rise to the level of virtuoso, but both of the DeLeo brothers are great players and super innovative.

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Weiland was a great vocalist. And I completely agree with you about the DeLeo brothers. Big Empty is a good highlight that shows how those 3 were on point.