As Alternative Nation reported last weekend, ex-Filter guitarist Geno Lenardo recently discussed watching Stone Temple Pilots rehearse with a new singer, who appears to be former X-Factor contestant Jeff Gutt.
Lenardo wrote, “Feeling blessed I just got to see my friends from Stone Temple Pilots play a really tight set of classics.”
He also said, “I can’t comment on who’s singing but I can tell you he is one of the finest musicians and singers I’ve ever known. STP will reveal it in their own time.”
While Gutt appears to be the new singer (he is Lenardo’s bandmate in Rival City Heights), fans have wondered about the status of John Borja, another singer search finalist. Borja has had serious talks with the band, and was even photographed with Robert DeLeo last fall.
A source has told Alternative Nation that Borja has been offered to sing for a local Philippine all-star band, with a major record deal in place. Borja and his band turned down another major record deal because of exclusivity issues, that may have been in conflict with Stone Temple Pilots if the band chose to hire him.
Borja is committed to migrating with his family to the United States from the Philippines if he were to become STP’s lead singer, with a letter of employment from the band or management so he could get an O-1 Visa. He has not recently been back to the United States following his visit several months ago, while Jeff Gutt has regularly been in the Los Angeles area over the last few months.
Another singer who auditioned in person for Stone Temple Pilots last year, but did not get the job, told Alternative Nation that he had to sign a non disclosure agreement.
Borja wrote on Facebook earlier this week, “Sometimes it’s best to stay quiet. The silence can speak volumes without ever saying a word.”
