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Stone Temple Pilots fans have had a jarring ride the past 15 years or so.

There was the seemingly endless string of catchy rock tunes that dotted the 1990s and a Grammy Award for the hit "Plush." There was frontman Scott Weiland’s well-publicized dance of drug arrests, incarcerations, rehab orders, relapses. There was the messy breakup of the band in 2003, and the follow-up projects that came next – Velvet Revolver, which Wieland formed with Guns ‘N Roses guitarist Slash, probably was the most noteworthy.

Then, after lots of hype and speculation and anticipation in the rock world, Stone Temple Pilots got back together.

The band, which is made up of Weiland; guitarist Dean DeLeo; bassist Robert DeLeo; and drummer Eric Kretz, will stop at the U.S. Cellular Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 13 as part of their 65-city tour. And the band likely will perform the hits that put them on the map – tunes like "Vasoline," "Big Empty" and "Interstate Love Song"

"It’s by far the No. 1 show of the summer," said Matt Bahan, morning show host and program director for rock radio station WIXO-FM 105.7 "The X," who helped lure the band to central Illinois.

"I think everybody thought there was a realistic chance that the band would never get back together," Bahan said. "I think the younger audience is very intrigued and excited for the opportunity to see a band like this. If they’re rock fans, they know how legendary these guys are."

The radio station will be giving away 10 pairs of lower bowl tickets to the concert during an STP party from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday at Puppy Dogs, 118 Argentina Ave., Bartonville. Qualifying listeners will have a chance to win seats, and "The X" also will be giving out CDs and T-shirts.

Although seeing STP in concert will be a treat for fans – especially the younger rockers who weren’t paying attention during the band’s heydey in the 1990s – Bahan said that is just the first step.

"I think what everybody would like to see from them is for them to be able to put together another album that was as dynamic and as good as (their work) in the 1990s was," Bahan said. "I think that is the ultimate challenge for these guys – to get back out there and re-energize their fan base with a brand-new album. Touring and playing all the old hits is pretty easy for anybody to do. It’s the other part – going out and making a new album – that the fans are ready for."

Danielle Hatch can be reached at 686-3262 or dhatch@pjstar.com.