Stone Temple Pilots have released their first single with new frontman Jeff Gutt (ex-Dry Cell), who made his live debut with the band at The Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA last night (November 14). The track, titled "Meadow," will appear on the group's upcoming album, which is expected to be released next year.

Gutt talked to Rolling Stone to discuss joining the band:

“I was probably 16 or 17 when ‘Core‘ came out and I just remember how Scott could cater to the song and create these characters. That blew me away. I was really studying singers at the time and Scott was at the top of the list. So walking in on that first day, it was crazy. I mean, you have dreams about things like this. I still feel a little Mark Wahlberg–ish.”

Guitarist Dean DeLeo also talked about recruiting Gutt:

“He was one of the last guys we saw, in the last two days of auditions. And that was just over a year ago – September of 2016.

Jeff wasn’t even part of the singer submissions. But Robert happened to be playing a gig with the Hollywood Vampires in Michigan and somebody came backstage after the show and approached him and said, ‘You should check this guy out. He’s a local guy.’ And Robert called me the next morning and was like, ‘Hey, man …'”

He also added:

“You know, Mr. Weiland paved quite a way. Because not just anybody can sing this catalog. You need someone who really knows how to sing. And Jeff kind of has it all, man. He has that baritone, and he’s also able to get into that tenor world. He’s a real singer.”

You can read more at Rolling Stone and catch the band at Welcome To Rockville..