You know, I never really cared much for Velvet Revolver anyway.

Grunge-era quartet Stone Temple Pilots is back together once again. For a lot of people, STP fell into the shadows while bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam clogged the airwaves. The band had many hit singles, and people would probably find they’re familiar with the tunes, but the group wasn’t the sensation it could have been when it broke out. Though, I’m sure if I mention “The Bobbitt Song” people will nod their heads in acknowledgment of “Creep,” the band’s 1993 single from debut album “Core” — that came out around the same time John Wayne Bobbitt suffered his unfortunate fate — with the lyrics, “I’m half the man I used to be.” (Note: No, the song was not about the Bobbitts, but what an apt coincidence, eh?)

After five years apart, the band is back on tour together, and will begin recording a new album later this year. This is a very exciting time for STP fans. The fact that it’s one of the very few groups that can cover a Led Zeppelin song and still remain in my good graces means that this band is something special.

Lead singer Scott Weiland has spent the last several years as part of hard rock group Velvet Revolver, which is a pretty popular outfit (probably more because of the presence of former Guns n’ Roses guitarist Slash than anything), but Weiland has never been better than when he’s wailing on “Dead & Bloated,” a classic STP tune.

The band is making a run through the Northwest, hitting the Bumbershoot mainstage and moving onto Spokane, so you’ve got a couple chances to welcome them back to the scene.

The Stone Temple Pilots are performing during Bumbershoot on the Samsung Mobile Mainstage at Memorial Stadium 9:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 31.

The band later takes the stage at the Star Theatre in the Spokane Arena 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6. Tickets are $29.50 and $39.50 and go on sale 10 a.m. Friday through TicketsWest.