March 1998
SpinONLINE
Always refining and redefining his look to suit his latest rock'n'roll
persona, Scott Weiland takes full advantage of the chameleon nature of pop
culture. Marc Spitz (MarcSPIN@aol.com) gets to the thin white undergarments
of his style-type thing.
SPINonline: You've cited David Bowie as a musical influence. Like Bowie,
your style is somewhat chameleonic. For example, I can remember watching the "Sex Type Thing" video one month and the "Plush" video a little later not knowing it was the same lead singer. Do you feel it's important to
constantly change?
Scott Weiland: I tend to get bored easily with fashion. One moment I feel
inspired, then tired with the whole thing. Besides, it's much more
stimulating to break new characters, artistically and sexually.
What's something that's remained constant for you, style wise?
Never following the latest trend in style, such as the whole grunge look.
Before you became successful, how important was fashion and how did you
manage to look good without spending a ton of cash?
Thrift stores and at least two good suits with a couple of ties and shoes!
Shoes make the man.
What's your best thrift/vintage score?
A 1941 blue pinstriped zoot suit.
The obligatory, superficial "20 Questions" question White socks or black
socks? Underwear: boxers? Briefs? Always have enough? Never enough?
Black socks, and lets skip the undies, they're useless.
A few words about black eyeliner, please.
The more the better.
Talk about the suits. Few rock stars have the confidence to wear a nice
suit. Perhaps it comes from Brian Ferry performance anxiety (or fear of
looking like Robert Palmer) or something. There's a British, retro influence
happening there too, no?
Suits are the most decadent statement a rock star
can make because it contradicts typical rock fashion. And the Brits always
outdressed us Americans. P.S. Nobody looks better in a suit than Brian Ferry.
If someone put a gun to your head and forced you to adopt a signature
fashion statement (Jamirouquai's hat, Manson's contact lenses, etc.) what
would you choose or would you just tell him to pull the trigger?
Keith Richards (early) pull the trigger, mate!
Back to Bowie--talk about theatrics as far as dressing up. When you need to feel dramatic or theatrical, what's the first thing you grab from the
closet?
First I take a trip down to Trashy Lingerie on La Cienega, then I pull out
my vintage platforms.
What can we look forward to style wise for the new album and videos in '98? That's an ambiguous question.
The characters are still in the incubation stage.
What's your favorite place, city, store, etc. to shop?
New York and London. Right now, I'm really into Richard Tyler, but I enjoy
lots of off the wall trashy boutiques. Although, some of the best stuff is
found in hellish places like Oxnard, CA.
Rock stars get a lot of free clothes. What's your criteria for picking and
choosing the cool from the complimentary?
There really isn't any. I simply wear what makes me look the skinniest.
Tell us about the incredibly cool "Big Bang Baby" video. The skinny new wave tie is back. New wave fashion has yet to be exploited or embraced, I think. The black clothes and white backdrops in the videos.
Very cool, but very kitsch--that's what "Big Bang Baby" was. It was glam
without the glitter. From a fashion standpoint, new wave does not exist in
my world.
Do you feel flattered or threatened when people try to look like you and
adopt your style?
If someone was mad for your look, give them some advice on
how to work it (or tell them to piss off and get their own).
Flattered I suppose. However, they're always just a few paces behind,
perhaps a year. I still see a lot of the Manic Panic red hair at the shows
we play.
Best dressed Beatle? Stone? Favorite Bowie phase?
George Harrison without a doubt. Keith--he kind of created the Gypsy look.
Bowie--"Thin White Duke."
Have you ever been out in public, wearing something and then been like, "Oh, man. What the hell am I wearing?"
Photographed by paparazzi while leaving jail after spending night on a cold
cement floor and exiting the premises green skinned, humiliated, and
extremely dope sick.
