Deftones

Deftones are an alternative metal group from Sacramento, United States, active since 1988. Their line-up includes Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, Abe Cunningham, Frank Delgado, Sergio Vega and Chi Cheng. The band is associated with Maverick and Velvet Hammer Music and Management Group, and their music is tagged across alternative metal, alternative rock, heavy metal, metal, nu metal and shoegaze.

Style and development

Deftones begin as a nu metal band in their early years, but their sound develops in 2000 into a more complex and experimental form. They are often described as an alternative metal act, with music that draws on atmospheric textures and a wider range of influences than many of their contemporaries. Commentary on the band often highlights their use of elements associated with dream pop and DC hardcore alongside heavy guitar music.

Line-up and roles

The core members listed for the band are Chino Moreno on vocals and guitar, Stephen Carpenter on guitar, Frank Delgado on turntables, keyboards and sampler, Abe Cunningham on drums and percussion, and Chi Cheng on bass and backing vocals. Sergio Vega takes over bass duties from mid-2009 after Cheng is injured in a car accident in Santa Clara, California in November 2008. Cheng remains in a coma until his death in April 2013. Fred Sablan is their live bassist from 2022, and Lance Jackman plays guitar for non-US shows from 2022, after Stephen Carpenter stops travelling abroad.

Other projects

Several members work in side projects outside the band. Moreno is involved with Team Sleep, Cunningham with Phallucy, Carpenter with Kush alongside members of Fear Factory and Cypress Hill, and Delgado with Decibel Devils, a DJ crew that includes DJ Crook of Team Sleep, DJ Julez and Matt D.

Releases

The band’s releases include the shelved album Like, then Adrenaline, Around the Fur, White Pony, Deftones, B-Sides & Rarities, Saturday Night Wrist, Diamond Eyes, Covers, Koi No Yokan, Gore, Ohms and Private Music. Their catalogue also includes Back to School (Mini Maggit), Music in High Places: Deftones - Live In Hawaii, Eros and Black Stallion, with the Tokyo Dome extended release also listed among their output.