Stone Temple Pilots

After separating in 2003, Stone Temple Pilots reunited in April 2008 for a 75-date North American tour. Weiland would hear new material from Robert and Dean DeLeo while the band performed sound checks during the tour, but he wouldn't collaborate in the songwriting process until he was through promoting his solo album, Happy in Galoshes

Despite the band's intent, a future album from the group was uncertain. On June 12, 2008, Atlantic Records filed a lawsuit against Weiland and Eric Kretz, claiming the two had threatened to terminate their contract unless changes were made. Stone Temple Pilots had delivered six albums (five studio records and the compilation Thank you) and Atlantic wanted a seventh album with an option for two more. In a statement made by email, the band said they were surprised and disappointed by the lawsuit.

Although Stone Temple Pilots stressed that a new album would be recorded as long as both parties in the lawsuit acted in good faith, in November 2008 Weiland would comment, "I was told, and I was told for years, that we were free from Atlantic. […] I have no interest in making a record for a major label." Weiland was interested in exploring options, admitting this was one of the original ideas after the band reformed: "[O]ther bands, they make more money doing things in an unconventional fashion as opposed to doing it, you know, with the major labels." Increasing the uncertainty in the future of a new album, Weiland would later state, "I'm proud of everything we've written. But to make another record would mean another couple of years of my life dedicated to that, and I just don't know if that's where I see myself going."

The final negotiation details between Atlantic and Stone Temple Pilots are unknown, but on February 23, 2010, Craig Kallman, Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records, delivered a speech praising the members of the band and their influence on the music industry, comparing them to Led Zeppelin.