STONE TEMPLE PILOTS' Eric Kretz Slams A.I. in Music: 'It's Just Not Real'
In a recent fervent interview with Baby Huey and Chasta on San Francisco's 107.7 The Bone, STONE TEMPLE PILOTS drummer Eric Kretz unleashed a torrent of criticism aimed at the encroaching tide of artificial intelligence in music creation. The drummer articulated his fears about A.I. music generators that churn out melodies and harmonies, claiming that they lack the raw, imperfect essence that defines true artistry.
Kretz lamented, "In art, visually it really stands out... but for music, it’s just not real. There’s always something missing. A little glitch of imperfection that gives a song its character. When you dig deep into those classic riffs, you can hear the subtle nuances, like a bass slightly out of tune, that add layers to the listening experience. But with A.I., that authenticity is lost in a sterile simulation of sound." His words resonate with the core of metal fans who treasure the gritty imperfections and emotional depth that human musicians bring to the table.
The drummer didn't hold back in expressing his disdain for A.I. as a songwriting aid, labeling it a "disgusting" development in the creative process. He acknowledged that while A.I. can revolutionize industries like medicine, its intrusion into artistic realms feels like a betrayal to the very essence of music. "It’s horrible for the creative process," he reiterated, casting a shadow over the potential for A.I. to dilute the soul of songwriting.
As the technology advances, Kretz raised a chilling prospect for cinema, pointing out that A.I. can now produce films in a fraction of the time. He warned, "What’s going to happen with movies? A.I. characters could soon capture audience hearts, and that’s when we hit a creepy crossroads. People might fall in love with something that doesn’t experience love or heartbreak, and that’s just messed up. It’s a slippery slope, all driven by the allure of profit." The implications of Kretz's words extend beyond music, hinting at a future where the line between reality and artificiality becomes increasingly blurred.
As for STONE TEMPLE PILOTS, the band continues to forge ahead with their original lineup intact, featuring Robert DeLeo, Dean DeLeo, and Kretz, alongside vocalist Jeff Gutt. Since Gutt’s entry into the band after a grueling selection process that saw him stand out among 15,000 hopefuls, the band has been re-emerging with new sounds, including their all-acoustic album, “Perdida,” released in February 2020. However, the shadow of their former frontmen, Scott Weiland and Chester Bennington, looms large, reminding fans of the tumultuous past that shaped the legacy of STP.