The On-Again/Off-Again Druggie Saga has long been a transfixing storyline in the world of the arts. Robert Downey, Jr., Chet Baker. That Lindsay Lohan woman. And Pete Doherty of The Libertines. Dude, you've done so much dope your teeth are ORANGE!

Anyway, Scott Weiland, longtime vocalist for Stone Temple Pilots and Velvet Revolver, has certainly spent his time on the Junkie Carousel. For the past year or so, though, Weiland's been touring and recording with his solo band, The Wildabouts, so it's good to know he's back into a sustained Creative Mode.

Yes, there was that bizarre incident earlier this summer when TMZ reported that a busted meth-toting miscreant was Weiland and had been in jail for four months.

Whoops! Not so, TMZ! The fake Weiland fooled coppers but, for the record, it was NOT Weiland.

Which is why, instead of sitting in jail, Weiland (and The Wildabouts) will perform a free show Friday in the Mohegan Sun Wolf Den. Expect plenty of STP and Velvet Revolver material, a choice cover or two, and even new solo songs.

- RICK KOSTER

Scott Weiland and The Wildabouts, 8 p.m. Friday, Mohegan Sun Wolf Den; free; mohegansun.com.