Icelandic singer Einar Vilberg has revealed to Alternative Nation that he recently auditioned for Stone Temple Pilots, and the entire audition was captured by cameras in Dave Grohl’s studio. Villberg originally submitted an online audition earlier this year, and in July he was contacted by STP’s manager to ask for more recordings. Villberg was then invited to audition for STP in Los Angeles. He was asked to sign a nondisclosure agreement, and then received a call from STP guitarist Dean DeLeo inviting him to come audition in Los Angeles.
When he arrived in LA for the rehearsal session, it was at Dave Grohl’s studio. “All the beautiful gold and platinum Foo Fighters records were on display in the studio.” He also marveled at a painting of Grohl.
Vilberg spoke with STP’s members for an hour. There was a lot of discussion of Iceland, which fascinated STP’s members.
Vilberg told Alternative Nation, “We played songs from Core, Purple, and Tiny Music. And the guys are really great down to earth guys. Really welcoming and fun to be around. We had a lot of fun together and laughed a lot.” Vilberg and STP played 7 songs during the audition.
Last week Vilberg got a phonecall from Dean DeLeo who told him that the band were now choosing between two other singers, and he didn’t make the cut. One of the singers is rumored to be John Borja.
“I know they have been auditioning a lot of people these last few months. I hope they find someone great. They deserve it.”
“I honestly hope the band will choose an appropriate singer that will carry on the legacy, but more importantly has his own voice and is not a Scott Weiland impersonator.”
Vilberg also told Alternative Nation STP have plenty of new material, “They have a full tank of new stuff.” He added, “They have been writing a lot.”
While Vilberg won’t be STP’s new singer, he is hard at work on a solo album.
“I have been a professional musician since I was 15, and I have released 4 records with my band NOISE. I am now finishing my 1st solo album.”
