Deftones facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Deftones
Deftones performing at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in 2011; from left to right: Carpenter, Cunningham, Moreno, and Vega
Background information
Origin	Sacramento, California, U.S.
Genres	Alternative metal art rock shoegaze nu metal (early)
Years active	1988–present
Labels	Maverick Warner Reprise
Members	Stephen Carpenter Abe Cunningham Chino Moreno Frank Delgado
Past members	Dominic Garcia Chi Cheng John Taylor Sergio Vega

Deftones is an American alternative metal band. They formed in Sacramento, California, in 1988. The band started with Chino Moreno (vocals), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), and Abe Cunningham (drums). Later, Chi Cheng joined on bass in 1990. Frank Delgado added keyboards and turntables in 1999.

Deftones is known for its unique and experimental sound. Some music critics have even called them "the Radiohead of metal." After their lineup became stable in 1993, they signed with Maverick Records. Their first album, Adrenaline, came out in 1995.

The band gained many fans by touring a lot. Their second album, Around the Fur (1997), made them famous in the alternative metal world. It was their first album to be certified by the RIAA.

Their third album, White Pony (2000), was a big success. It showed a more experimental side to their music. The song "Change (In the House of Flies)" became very popular. Another song, "Elite", won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. White Pony was also their first album to sell over a million copies in the United States.

Their fourth album, Deftones, came out in 2003. It was praised by critics. In 2006, they released Saturday Night Wrist. This album also received good reviews.

In 2008, while working on a new album, their bassist Chi Cheng was in a car accident. He was seriously injured. Sergio Vega joined the band as the new bassist. Chi Cheng sadly passed away in 2013.

Deftones released Diamond Eyes in 2010. This album was highly praised. They then released Koi No Yokan in 2012 and Gore in 2016. These albums continued their experimental style. Their ninth album, Ohms, came out in 2020. It brought back some of their heavier sound. Their tenth album, Private Music, was released in July 2025.

Band History

Starting the Band (1988–1993)

Carpenter, Moreno and Cunningham began playing together while attending C. K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento.

When Stephen Carpenter was 15, he had a skateboarding accident. While recovering, he learned to play guitar. He played along to songs by thrash metal bands like Metallica.

Carpenter, Chino Moreno, and Abe Cunningham were friends since childhood. They all went to C. K. McClatchy High School in Sacramento. They stayed friends through the city's skateboarding scene. Carpenter loved heavy metal. Moreno liked hardcore punk and new wave bands.

When Moreno found out Carpenter played guitar, they started playing music together. Cunningham played drums. They practiced regularly in Carpenter's garage around 1988. They added bassist Dominic Garcia. The band became a four-piece.

Cunningham left for a short time to join another band. Garcia then played drums. Chi Cheng joined on bass. The band recorded a four-song demo. John Taylor replaced Garcia on drums in 1991. Cunningham returned in 1993.

Within two years, the band played many club shows. They expanded to San Francisco and Los Angeles. They played alongside bands like Korn. A representative from Maverick Records saw them play. They were signed to the label after performing three songs.

Carpenter created the band's name. He combined the hip hop term "def" with the ending "-tones." The name also sounds like "tone deaf."

First Album: Adrenaline (1994–1996)

The band's first album, Adrenaline, was released on October 3, 1995. It was produced by Deftones and Terry Date. Terry Date would produce their next three albums too.

At first, the album did not sell many copies. But the band toured a lot. Fans spread the word about their music. This helped Adrenaline become popular. It is seen as an important album from the 1990s nu metal music scene.

The album stayed on the Billboard Heatseekers chart for 21 weeks. It reached number 23. Adrenaline was certified gold in 1999. It became platinum in 2008. This means it sold over a million copies.

Abe Cunningham said that the band was very young when they made Adrenaline. They were happy to be making a record. Chino Moreno sang all his parts live with the band. Critics praised the album's musical control and drumming.

Growing Fame: Around the Fur (1997–1999)

Deftones' second album, Around the Fur, was released on October 28, 1997. It was also produced by Terry Date. The album was dedicated to Dana Wells, the stepson of singer Max Cavalera. Max Cavalera also sang on the song "Headup." Frank Delgado helped with sounds on some songs.

Chino Moreno said the band did not have a clear idea for the album at first. But it "fell into place" once they were in the studio. The band spent more time on the album's production. Cunningham experimented with different drum sounds.

Critics liked the album's mix of loud and soft parts. They also praised Moreno's unique vocals. Around the Fur made the band famous in the alternative metal scene. Songs like "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)" were played on radio and MTV.

The album sold well in its first week. It reached number 29 on the Billboard 200 chart. The band toured again. They played at festivals like Warped Tour and Ozzfest. Around the Fur was certified gold in 1999 and platinum in 2011.

New Sounds: White Pony (2000–2002)

Moreno has been credited as contributing guitar from White Pony onwards.

On June 20, 2000, Deftones released their third album, White Pony. Terry Date and the band produced it. Frank Delgado was now a full-time band member. He added new sounds to their music. The song "Teenager" was a different, more emotional song.

The band spent four months writing and recording the album. This was the longest they had spent on an album. Moreno said that writing the song "Change (In the House of Flies)" was a turning point. The band started working better together.

White Pony was first released with 11 songs and a gray cover. Later, a version with a bonus song called "The Boy's Republic" was released. Then, the band released "Back to School (Mini Maggit)". This was a new version of "Pink Maggit" with more rap influence. It became the first song on a re-released White Pony with a white cover.

White Pony debuted at number 3 on the U.S. Billboard chart. It sold 178,000 copies in its first week. Reviews were mostly positive. Critics noted Moreno's improved lyrics and the band's experimental style. The album sold over 1.3 million copies in the U.S. It won a 2001 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song "Elite."

Self-Titled Album: Deftones (2002–2005)

Deftones started working on their fourth album. They wanted it to be heavy. Moreno took vocal training to protect his voice. The band turned their practice space into a studio. This helped them record most of the album cheaply. Terry Date helped with production.

The self-titled album Deftones was released on May 20, 2003. It reached number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. It sold 167,000 copies in its first week. The first single was "Minerva."

Reviews were positive. Critics praised the band's progress and originality. Moreno said they told people not to group them with nu metal bands. He felt Deftones was different.

In 2005, the band released B-Sides & Rarities. This album included various extra songs and cover songs. It also had a DVD with behind-the-scenes videos and music videos.

Saturday Night Wrist (2006–2007)

Deftones performing live in Glasgow, June 2006

For their fifth album, Deftones worked with producer Bob Ezrin. Abe Cunningham said they needed a change from Terry Date. The band recorded the music. Then, Moreno recorded his vocals separately. He finished the album with producer Shaun Lopez.

The album, titled Saturday Night Wrist, was released on October 31, 2006. It debuted at number 10 on the U.S. Billboard chart. The first single, "Hole in the Earth", came out in September 2006. This song was in the video game Saints Row 2.

Critics said Deftones created one of their strongest albums. "Mein" was the second single. Other artists like Annie Hardy and Serj Tankian sang on the album.

Deftones spent most of 2006 and 2007 touring. They played in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world. They performed at festivals like Taste of Chaos and Family Values Tour.

Changes in the Band (2008–2009)

In late 2007, Deftones began writing songs for their sixth album, Eros. Moreno described the album as strong and different. Recording started in April 2008. The band worked with Terry Date again for Eros.

On November 4, 2008, bassist Chi Cheng was in a serious car accident. He was badly hurt. His bandmates and family shared updates on his condition. In early 2009, the band announced that Chi had not made much progress.

A friend of the band, Sergio Vega, joined as bassist. He had filled in before in 1998. On April 5, 2009, the band played their first show without Chi since 1998.

On June 23, 2009, Deftones announced that Eros would not be released yet. They felt the songs did not truly represent them at that time. They decided to take a new approach. They wanted to create something that felt right artistically. This decision was not related to Chi's condition.

Diamond Eyes (2010–2011)

Deftones performing at the Big Day Out festival on the Gold Coast in 2011

Deftones' sixth album, Diamond Eyes, was released on May 4, 2010. The album was produced by Nick Raskulinecz. Unlike the darker Eros songs, Diamond Eyes had a more hopeful sound.

On February 23, 2010, the song "Rocket Skates" was available for free download. On March 15, "Diamond Eyes" was released to radio. Both songs received good reviews. Many compared their style to the Around the Fur album.

In fall 2010, Deftones toured with Mastodon and Alice in Chains. The tour was called Blackdiamondskye.

On April 16, 2011, the band released an album called Covers. It had several cover songs they had recorded. These included songs by the Cars and the Cure. In October, Deftones released The Vinyl Collection 1995–2011.

Koi No Yokan and Chi Cheng's Passing (2012–2013)

In March 2012, Stephen Carpenter said the band was working on a new record. Nick Raskulinecz returned to produce their seventh album.

On July 28, Deftones played a new song called "Rosemary." They also played "Roller Derby" (later called "Poltergeist"). The album, Koi No Yokan, was announced on August 30, 2012. It was released on November 12, 2012. Critics gave Koi No Yokan very positive reviews. In May 2013, it won Revolver's Golden Gods Award for Album of the Year.

On April 13, 2013, Chi Cheng passed away in a hospital. This was more than four years after his accident. Moreno said in May that the Eros album, which was put on hold, might be released after Chi's passing.

Gore (2014–2017)

In March 2014, the rest of Deftones began writing new music. They wanted to follow up Koi No Yokan. They planned to record a new album in late 2014 or early 2015.

On April 13, 2014, the first anniversary of Chi Cheng's passing, Deftones released a song from Eros called "Smile" on YouTube. This was the first official song from that album.

Carpenter and Vega during Deftones' performance at Rock im Park 2016

In February 2015, Moreno told Rolling Stone that Deftones had written 16 songs. He described the album as having "a lot of different moods." The band members noted that everyone worked together well on the album. Sergio Vega used a six-string bass. This helped create new sounds. Deftones worked with Matt Hyde as producer.

The album, Gore, was released on April 8, 2016. The first single, "Prayers / Triangles", came out in February 2016. "Doomed User" and "Hearts / Wires" were also released early. The second official single, "Phantom Bride", was released in June. This song featured a guitar solo by Jerry Cantrell from Alice in Chains. This was unusual for a Deftones song. Critics praised the album's experimental nature.

Ohms and Sergio Vega's Departure (2017–2023)

In 2017, Chino Moreno said Deftones had started writing for their ninth album. He hoped it would be out in 2019. Moreno said the band would try a different direction. He would let Stephen Carpenter and Abe Cunningham be more involved in writing. In May 2018, Moreno said the new songs were "considerably heavier."

In April 2020, Deftones announced they were mixing their new album. They reunited with Terry Date as producer. This was the first time they worked with him since the Eros album in 2008. On August 19, 2020, the band hinted at the new album's title and release date. A day later, they officially announced the album title, Ohms. It was released on September 25, 2020. The song "Ohms" was the first single. "Genesis" was the second single.

In October 2020, they announced a 20th anniversary re-release of White Pony. It came with Black Stallion, a remix album. This album featured artists like Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park and Robert Smith.

In March 2022, it was announced that bassist Sergio Vega had left the band in early 2021. Vega said he was never an official member. He was a contracted bassist. He left after being offered the same status he had always had. The next month, Fred Sablan joined as Vega's touring replacement. Lance Jackman also joined as a touring guitarist.

Private Music (2024–Present)

In April 2024, Chino Moreno told KROQ that the band had mostly finished their tenth album. He said the music was recorded, but the vocals still needed to be done.

In September 2024, Deftones announced a North American tour for 2025. This was their first headlining tour since 2022. On November 4, 2024, they announced a show in London for June 29, 2025, with Weezer. In March 2025, it was revealed the band would play at Glastonbury for the first time since 1998. However, they had to cancel their Glastonbury appearance on June 28, 2025, due to a band member's illness. On July 10, 2025, they announced their tenth studio album, Private Music. The single, "My Mind Is a Mountain", was released the same day. Touring bassist Fred Sablan appears on the album.

Band's Music Style and Influences

Deftones' music has changed over the years. They have many different influences. Their sound has been called alternative metal, art rock, experimental rock, shoegaze, and nu metal. They also have elements of post-punk, dream pop, and progressive metal.

At first, the band was often linked to the nu metal movement. But Moreno has always said they are different. He said their only shared influence with bands like Korn was Faith No More. After their third album, White Pony, many critics agreed Deftones had moved beyond the nu metal label.

Deftones has been influenced by bands like Faith No More, Primus, Bad Brains, and Nine Inch Nails. Moreno has also mentioned Prince, the Cure, Depeche Mode, and Sade as personal influences.

Critics have praised Deftones for being more curious and willing to mix different sounds. They combine D.C. hardcore and dream pop with their alternative metal. One author called them "one of the most primal, powerful, and experimental" bands in alternative metal.

Moreno's lyrics are often open to interpretation. He likes to be unclear sometimes. He said he often writes about stories and dialogue, not just himself. The band's lasting success is due to their diverse musical influences.

Many musicians have said Deftones influenced them. These include Architects, Linkin Park, Paramore, Slipknot, and the Weeknd.

Side Projects

Members of Deftones have worked on other music projects. Chino Moreno is in Team Sleep, Crosses, and Palms. He is also in the supergroup Saudade. This group includes members from Bad Brains.

Stephen Carpenter works with the electronic metal group Sol Invicto. He also worked with the supergroup Kush. This group has members from Fear Factory and Cypress Hill.

Frank Delgado is part of a DJ group called Decibel Devils. Chi Cheng released an album of his spoken word poetry called The Bamboo Parachute in 2000.

Band Members

Current members

• Chino Moreno – lead vocals (1988–present); rhythm guitar (1999–present)
• Stephen Carpenter – lead guitar (1988–present; sometimes touring since 2022); rhythm guitar (1988–1999)
• Abe Cunningham – drums (1988–1990, 1993–present)
• Frank Delgado – keyboards, turntables, samples (1999–present; touring musician 1997–1999)

Current touring musicians

• Fred Sablan – bass, backing vocals (2022–present)
• Lance Jackman ― lead guitar, backing vocals (2022–present; fills in for Stephen Carpenter)
• Shaun Lopez ― rhythm guitar (2024–present), lead guitar (2024; fills in for Lance Jackman)

Former members

• Dominic Garcia – bass (1988–1990), drums (1990–1991)
• Chi Cheng – bass, backing vocals (1990–2008; passed away 2013)
• John Taylor – drums (1991–1993)
• Sergio Vega – bass, backing vocals (2009–2021; touring substitute 1999)

Former touring musicians

• Mark Valencia ― lead guitar (2022; fills in for Stephen Carpenter)

Timeline

Awards and Nominations

Discography

• Adrenaline (1995)
• Around the Fur (1997)
• White Pony (2000)
• Deftones (2003)
• Saturday Night Wrist (2006)
• Diamond Eyes (2010)
• Koi No Yokan (2012)
• Gore (2016)
• Ohms (2020)
• Private Music (2025)

See also

In Spanish: Deftones para niños