Robert DeLeo’s Bass Tone and Pocket Drive Stone Temple Pilots’ Full 2010 Chicago Set in “Alive in the Windy City”

Qello just dropped a gem for Stone Temple Pilot fans. The full Alive in the Windy City concert from 2010 is now up on YouTube, and it’s everything you’d want from this era of the band.

Robert DeLeo is locked in from the jump. His bass tone is fat, clear, and full of attitude. The kind of playing that reminds you how crucial the low end is to STP’s sound. Whether it’s the slide into “Vasoline,” the swing of “Big Empty,” or the pocket on “Interstate Love Song,” DeLeo’s parts are equal parts melodic and muscular.

He’s playing his Schecter Model T bass, and it sounds incredible throughout the set. The blend of punch and warmth is spot on, cutting through the mix without stepping on anything. That bass, paired with his right-hand feel, really shows how much of the band’s groove comes from him.

One of my favorites in the set is “Wicked Garden,” which hits early as the third song and absolutely rips.  Wicked Garden starts HERE. It’s a perfect example of how Robert glues everything together while still making bold, musical choices.

The whole band is tight, but the camera catches plenty of moments where you can just zone in on Robert’s playing and see how naturally the songs breathe around his parts. He’s not just holding it down. He’s shaping the entire feel of the set.