When the Stone Temple Pilots¡¯ troubled front-man Scott Weiland left the group, few would have thought that it would get someone with the caliber of Linkin Park¡¯s Chester Bennington to replace him.

Not just that, but the band has announced that Bennington will be here for their set of sideshows while they tour with the Soundwave Festival.

Stone Temple Pilots along with Chester Bennington will be in Sydney and Melbourne for two special side shows. They will open up at Sydney¡¯s Enmore Theatre on Tuesday the 25th of February, before playing in Melbourne¡¯s Palais Theatre the following night.

STP and Bennington released their EP ¡®High Rise¡¯, late last year. Bassist and co-founder Robert DeLeo told Billboard that the band were happy that Bennington joined up.

¡°There were a lot of ideas floating around,¡± said DeLeo. ¡°We were getting so inspired already. There¡¯s room for another EP already.¡±

Bennington said that he has always been an admirer of STP, ever since they blew away the 90¡¯s with their heavy metal grunge, including the hits ¡®Sour Girl¡¯, ¡®Vasoline¡¯, and ¡®Interstate Love Song¡¯.

¡°I¡¯ve loved STP since I was 13 years old and they¡¯ve had a huge influence on me, when the opportunity came up to do something creative with them, I jumped at the chance,¡± he said.

Tickets for the sideshows go on sale at 9:00am on Thursday the 23rd of January.