|| Carpenter, Moreno and Cunningham attended the same high school, and although Carpenter is three years older than the other two, he knew Moreno from the local skate scene. When Moreno found out Carpenter played guitar, he set up a jam session with Cunningham, and the seeds of Deftones were planted. "Me and Abe took the bus over to Stephen's house one day after school," recalls Moreno. "Stephen was sitting on his porch, and he had this wireless guitar on. All the cabinets were in the garage, and he was sitting on the porch rocking out." "I was a clean-cut 15 year old, and he probably thought I was some punk kid or something," adds Cunningham.. "There was a drum set in the garage, but the garage door was closed, and he wanted me to go in there and play while he stayed on the porch. I'm like, 'What a prick. he doesn't want to jam with me, he's out on the fucking porch.'" Needless to say, the trio jammed itself deaf, and decided to form the band in 1988. They bought a bunch of equipment with settlement money from Carpenter's skateboard accident, hooked up with a bassist whose name has long been forgotten, and performed their first show a few months later. "It was completely hilarious," says Carpenter. "We were playing a barbecue, and our bass player at the time showed up all late. When we were laying his strap would come off, and he didn't have enough sense to take the cod up through the strap and plug it in, so he'd keep stepping on the cord and unplugging himself. And he wouldn't notice, so he'd just keep playing and nothing would come out." Several other bassists followed before the band settled on Chi Cheng because of his decent gear and long hair. With their lineup complete, Deftones started writing originals and soon came up with a four-song demo. Two years later, the tape landed on the desk of an A&R man at Madonna's label. Maverick, and Deftones were signed shortly thereafter. Since releasing Adrenaline, Deftones have toured relentlessly, opening for such acts as Korn, L7 and Ozzy Osbourne. During that time they've built up a loyal following by performing explosive live shows and sticking around to party with fans after the gig. "We definitely don't want to act like rock stars," says Carpenter. "We try to be approachable, and we like to hang out with the people who listen to our music."
|| The name " Deftones" was Stef's idea. " Def " + " Tones ". " Def " came because in the 80's the most famous rap and hip-hop bands were signed by Def Jam Records. " Def " was similar to cool and stylish. And " Tones " was invented thinking in the old groups from the 50's. The name sounded good and as band even better. The beginning of Deftones was as common as another fresh band. Simple parties, barbecues, friendly conviviality and small bars. Day after day, gig after gig, the band began to win its won respect. It began on Sacto and suddenly all California, from coast to coast.
|| "Engine No.9" was the start of a discography that includes big hits such as the nerve-shredding classic "7 Words", the hypnotic song "Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away)", or even the hand grenade for an alarm clock called "My Own Summer (Shove It)" the song that until know won more airplay from radio and TV. In 1995 they signed up with Maverick Records. And on October of the same year Terry Date produced " Adrenaline " a album full of wicked rhythms, sinister riffs, speaking-in-tongues vocals and rabid lyrics, simply amazing. A Dj was recruited for some songs and some gigs, his name, Frank Delgado, he made the solo on the end of "Fireal", the "breathing" on the begin of "Minus Blindfold" and scratches and funky noises. He used to play in a hip hop band called the "Socialistics", who have opened for the Deftones at least once and are originally from Los Angeles.
|| A new way of making music was opened by Deftones ! 200,000 copies was what " Adrenaline " sold but this number should be surpassed, 'cause " Adrenaline " is a master piece. An important guest appearance by Ross Robinson (the man that helped to grow such bands as KoRn, Limp Bizkit, Slipknot...) was a good incentive to the expansion of the band. Ross produced the psychedelic hidden track "Fist". Then in 1997, doubts were put aside, Deftones with "Around the Fur" said to the world:-"we are here to stay, this is our sound, these are the Deftones. "Around the Fur" continued the amazing work made on "Adrenaline". But here Deftones are more melodic but also more intense and with a naked darker side. Another master piece, no comments!
|| Between and after the two albums Deftones did a lot of gigs with such bands as Bad Brains, Soulfly, Korn, Limp Bizkit, White Zombie...and more. Even great covers, rare songs and songs for such movies as "The Crow: City of Angels " - Teething, "Escape From L.A." - Can't Even Breathe or "The Matrix" - My Own Summer (Shove It). Chino went on duets with great bands and with good results; Sevendust, Korn, Strife, Limp Bizkit or Soulfly.
|| New millennium...June, 20th, Chino's birthday and also the "White Pony" day. Finally over 3 years without recording, the band publishes a brand new record, and this time things are getting more mature. Its sound is different from the others, new textures given by the established DJ Frank Delgado, a new guitarist surprisingly, Chino Moreno, and a new way of writing songs, different from all the new metal groups around here. Adrenaline's rage gave place to a smoothness feeling, like in "Digital Bath" or " Knife Prty", Around The Fur's rhythm gave place to a an obscure sex appeal - "Teenager" and "Pink Maggit" - If you think "Engine #9" is hard and fast, what about "Elite", a demolition song, with Chino wearing a new robotic-voice...After all things changed and grew, thanks God for the right position. "White Pony" is the most professional work the band did until now, hard to gobble for the old fans, but it sure stills Deftones on their best. The wait was worthwhile. People thought Deftones went the same way like Limp Bizkit did but no! They are the leaders! They don't need to follow anybody, Deftones knows the way, after all they are riding a blessed guided pony while others stand still talkin around about significant others...
