Stone Temple Pilots bash new lead singer, Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington

Following the firing of their lead singer Scott Weiland in February, the Stone Temple Pilots have found a new frontman for their band -- and fans seem to be angry about the chosen replacement.

Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington claimed Weiland’s spot, and in an interview after his first performance with STP at the KROQ Weenie Roast in Los Angeles, he revealed how he came to join the group.

"Every band has it's own kind of vibe,” the 37-year-old singer said. “Stone Temple Pilots has this sexier, more classic rock feel to it. Linkin Park is a very modern, very tech-heavy type of band. I grew up listening to these guys. When this opportunity came up, it was just like a no-brainer."

Bennington plans on staying with Linkin Park in addition to joining STP, but fans seem to be having a hard time accepting him as the leader of the group.

After posting a link to the band’s new song “Out of Time” on their Facebook page, fans began lashing out at the addition of the new lead singer.

“I listened to this song,” one fan commented on Facebook. “It makes me wanna throw up. It was ok till the vocals kicked in. Linkin Park sucks, Chester sucks, and now STP sucks too. A damn shame.”

Wrote another: “Chester sounds like he's trying to do something he's not. It's terrible. Just like what everyone else said, Scott Weiland = STP and at least he's not being passed out in his car at the studio from being strung out. I've been a huge fan of STP, but this is it!”

One fan seemed pleased with the new tune, but couldn’t get over the new lineup, writing, “As much as I like this song, I cringe at the fact that Chester is now their lead singer...after years and years of being a STP fan, I can't imagine anyone else but Weiland being the frontman.”

They added: “Who cares about the logistics of who wrote what songs, they were a collective unit. I will not be buying any of their stuff because to me, it just is not STP.”

However, rock stars like former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Slash and Mötley Crüe’s Nikki Sixx appear to be pleased with the new vocalist.

https://twitter.com/Slash/status/336850138536497152

https://twitter.com/NikkiSixx/status/336175472431988736

Next up, Bennington will perform with STP and former Guns N’ Roses members Duff McKagan and Slash at the MusiCares MAP Fund benefit concert in Los Angeles on May 30.

Check out a live performance of “Out of Time” below.

Follow me on Facebook and Twitter @GraceS35