Deftones pictures, interviews, magazine scans.

[from_musings]

Like Linus and all other demo songs you mean... 

no,why would i need more than one example to prove it. one is perfectly enough, don't over do it

[Vesanic]

Chino Moreno- Deftones Pre-Show Interview at the AT&T Center

[Vesanic]

http://www.caller.com/news/2011/jun/03/deftones-turn-crises-opportunitiesto-make-great-mu/?print=1


Deftones turn crises into opportunitiesto make great music

By Alan Sculley/Special to the Caller-Times

Friday, June 3, 2011

CORPUS CHRISTI — Few people would have blamed the Deftones if the group's latest CD, "Diamond Eyes," had been a dark and depressing album. The fact is, much of the past decade has not been kind to the group.

First, there was the long and difficult ordeal that was the making of the group's 2006 CD, "Saturday Night Wrist," a project that began more than three years earlier and saw tensions in the band reach a point where the group nearly fractured.

Then in November 2008, bassist Chi Cheng was left in a coma from injuries suffered in an auto accident. He survived the accident and has made some progress in his recovery.

"He's out of his coma, but he's still in a semiconscious state, which means he wakes up and he sleeps, like a pattern that he opens his eyes and things like that. But he has yet to really communicate yet," Deftones singer Chino Moreno reported in a recent phone interview.

Another positive development, according to Deftones deejay/keyboardist Frank Delgado is that Cheng was recently moved from the West Coast to New Jersey, where he is now under the care of a specialist that has had a high success rate in working with patients that have suffered head trauma.

Along with Cheng's situation, the group shelved a CD that was nearly finished before Cheng's accident — called "Eros." Some wondered if this meant the Deftones had given up on the band as a whole.

Instead the band — with longtime friend Sergio Vega stepping in on bass — rebounded by regrouping and making "Diamond Eyes." And far from sounding dispirited, the band sounds energized on the CD, and its lyrical direction is decidedly positive. Moreno said that mood was not an accident, nor was it unintended.

"I think it was expected from everybody that we were just going to go with this dark record, with this sad record and this kind of pity kind of record, where at this point, I feel like although this happened to us, there are so many worse things (to go through)," the vocalist said. "It's like I felt kind of empowered to show that life is going to go on, and Chi is going to fight and we're just going to make some badass music."

Given the turmoil that marked "Saturday Night Wrist" and the loss of Cheng, there was plenty of speculation that the Deftones would simply pack it in as a band.

But Moreno said there were never any sentiments voiced within the band (the other members are drummer Abe Cunningham and guitarist Stephen Carpenter) for ending the Deftones.

"We sat around and talked about Chi for a good couple of hours, but not really about what we planned on doing as a band," Moreno said of a key band meeting.

"It's like we sat there and talked, and everybody got a lot of things off of their chests, their thoughts and what we were thinking about Chi. And when we were done with that, everybody just gravitated toward their instruments and picked them up and we started to play together. And that was, I think, the most therapeutic thing at the time for us to do."

In fact, it took only months to finish "Diamond Eyes," and Moreno feels the Deftones recaptured the energy and attitude that existed in the band in its early years, when the band (which formed in 1988 in Los Angeles) made its early albums "Adrenaline" (1995) and "Around The Fur" (1997).

The CD as a whole possesses the signatures that made "Around The Fur" (and the Deftones music in general) stand out in the first place — the mix of thick angular guitar riffs melting into melodic choruses, coupled with a fierce rhythmic attack and fierce vocals powering many of the songs through the verses. The group, though, sounds especially inspired on "Diamond Eyes," delivering passionate performances and some of its strongest songwriting on tracks like "Royal," "You've Seen The Butcher" and "Prince."

Delgado said the band has gotten a good response to "Diamond Eyes," and the popularity of the album is apparent in the fact that a year after the release of the CD, the band is doing a full headlining tour this spring and summer. Fans headed out to Concrete Street Amphitheater can expect a show that runs upward of two hours.

"We're going to try to pull out a little more songs that we haven't really been playing for a while," Delgado said. "And we're not always fond of playing the same sets everywhere we go every time we go through. So we try to change it up as much as we can. And I think a thing we're known for is we pretty much write our sets last second, so it's kind of a surprise to us sometimes."

[Balthazard]

is it me or at this point all these interviews kinda sound the same ?

[Penicks]

yup, because they're the same questions over and over and over and over and over

[Starz]

Needs more questions about S/T imo

[Penicks]

you think so? there's something so mystical/mysterious about that era that it's part of its appeal in my opinion

[Vesanic]

you think so? there's something so mystical/mysterious about that era that it's part of its appeal in my opinion

Yeah but it's been 8 years now, I think it's time, you know ?

[BillyNo.9]

you think so? there's something so mystical/mysterious about that era that it's part of its appeal in my opinion

Agreed. I'd actually rather them release a DVD about that whole writing/recording process rather than make a new album.

[Starz]

Oh I totally agree about the whole mystery surrounding it. But I would just like to know from the bands point of view, what they really think of the album. It's considered the "divorce" album or whatever and maybe that's why the band hate it so much. I would put it to the band that a lot of fans see S/T as your best work but you guys only play the same songs off of it and never any of the others. Why is that? Thanks.

[jbmp1390]

I agree with Starz, so many great songs from that album but they NEVER play them, other than maybe hexagram and a couple others. I would really love to hear Anniversary Of An Uninteresting Event someday. Does anyone know if they've ever played it live?

[slyartwork]

The played it at the Chi benefit show.

I know this, but I can google as well:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=deftones+anniversary+of+an+uninteresting+event+live&aq=0

They play a bunch of songs from s/t ppl, just as they do from any other album. There is no reason they don't play certains songs as there is no reason they don't play certain songs from any other album. They just like these better to play... Okay, that is an opinion, not a fact but still.... Look at White Pony.... they don't play certain songs from that album too... same as the others.

Deftones are not such a difficult band, believe me, they just like these better to play for that reason. No special other meaning....

[Vesanic]

I agree with Starz, so many great songs from that album but they NEVER play them, other than maybe hexagram and a couple others. I would really love to hear Anniversary Of An Uninteresting Event someday. Does anyone know if they've ever played it live?

Deftones - Anniversery of an Uninteresting Event LIVE Chi Cheng Benefit

First and only time. In some way, it sucks that they waited for their brother to be down to pull off that one...

Anyway, I don't know why they almost never played Deathblow, Moana or Good Morning Beautiful.

[jbmp1390]

thanks sly, thanks ves

[Vesanic]

http://www.iconvsicon.com/2011/06/05/deftones-frank-delgado-discusses-the-bands-latest-work/


Deftones' Frank Delgado Discusses 'Diamond Eyes' And Much More!


Posted on 05 June 2011

Together for over twenty years, Deftones have weathered many storms and have shown themselves to be innovators on the turbulent seas of a constantly changing music industry. The band found themselves releasing their sixth studio album, Diamond Eyes, in early 2010 The dynamic album was their first since the terrible car accident that left bassist Chi Cheng severely injured in November, 2008. The band was in the process of creating what would have been their sixth studio album, 'Eros,' when bassist Chi Cheng was severely injured in an automobile accident in November, 2008. In what was an extremely emotional time for the band, they decided to put that album on hold. Never ones to let tragedy overcome them, the band members decided to push on and recruited former Quicksand member Sergio Vega to take over on bass. With Vega as a contributing member, the seeds were planted for the band to create and record a whole new record. Under the watchful eye of super producer Nick Raskulinecz, the result of those sessions was the band's beautifully crafted and most dynamic album to date, 'Diamond Eyes,' on which they have been touring heavily on since it's release. Jason Price of Icon Vs. Icon recently caught up with Frank Delgado of the Deftones to discuss the making of 'Diamond Eyes,' the health status and fan support of Chi Cheng, the longevity of the band and much more!


I wanted to give a little bit of background on you and I was curious about how music first came into your life?

You know, it happened when I was fairly young. I was one of those kids who always dug through my godsister's record collection and started listening to a lot of those bands from there. From then on, I just started buying music and always had a little radio with me or a cassette player or 8-track player with me growing up. I think I bought my first records when I was about six years old. Music has just always been there for me, if you know what I mean. I didn't start being creative or working with other people until later in my life, early adulthood.

What made you pursue your music as a career as opposed to going a different route?

To be honest, I don't think that I pursued it much! [laughs] For the most part, it was hanging around with friends and being creative and doing what we loved. I don't think that anyone thought that it would grow to be some sort of career. There was no dream that I was chasing. It was just having fun with some friends and we are still doing that to this day, so it has really worked out!

Who or what are some of the influences that helped fuel you creatively early on?

All music had an impact on me but growing up I really got into DJing, so a lot of the early pioneering DJs and stuff like that, along with some old keyboard players. In all actuality, I can say that most of my inspiration comes from the four other guys in the band. I think that we always try to push each other and make some tunes that we all dig. I think that if something is good enough for everyone else in the band, we are going to be alright.

You guys have been together for ages now. To what do you attribute the band's longevity?

A few different factors, ya know. I think that a lot of it has to do with where the band started, which is Sacramento, California. It wasn't necessarily a big city like Los Angeles or New York. I think that played a big role, along with the comradely and age that the age that these guys have known one another since. I think Abe (Cunningham) and Stephen (Carpenter) have known one another since they were eleven or something. They used to skateboard together and ended up buying instruments and trying to make music together at a really young age. I think that has a lot to do with it. Growing over the years and coping skills, I think a lot of situations that bands can get themselves into that which can be tough. You just have to learn how to cope instead of being mad at one another or breaking up, I think this band has great coping skills when it comes to handling these situations that present themselves. It is really a little bit of all those things that have kept it going.

Can you tell us a little about the writing process for 'Diamond Eyes'? Was it a difficult process?

No, it wasn't. It was actually a fairly easy process. It was a fast process and there was a lot happening at the same time, especially coming off of Chi's accident. It was just a really weird situation that we ended up in and that we couldn't have seen coming. We threw ourselves into it and it just so happened that 'Diamond Eyes' is what came out of it. The whole album happened within a handful of months, where previous records had taken us years. We had a new bass player, Sergio Vega, who was our friend. All of these different scenarios and situations lead to something that could have turned out to be the complete opposite of what had happened, ya know. I think it all came together well, the stars aligned!

You obviously had some rather big shoes to fill when looking for someone to fill in for Chi Cheng. What do you think Sergio has added to the mix?

Ya know what, he is a very creative person. He is most definitely like one of us, probably the only difference being that he is from the East Coast. He is from the same generation with a lot of the same likes, growing up in the same generation gives us a lot of the same interests. Plus, he came from a really cool band, Quicksand, which we are all fans of. We had befriended him many years earlier and he had filled in for Chi on an earlier tour, so we already had this comradery and brotherhood established. It made everything very easy and organic when we got together as opposed to us bringing in a stranger, letting them into our band and trying to figure out how they work. He is a great dude and like I said, very creative. He wrote this record, 'Diamond Eyes,' with us from scratch. He offers a lot!

One of the greatest things about the Deftones, their friends, fans and family is their continuing dedication to their brother Chi. I want to give you a chance to tell us about www.oneloveforchi.com, what it is all about and give us any update on his condition.

Definitely! The website is www.oneloveforchi.com. You can always go there to get the latest information that the family is putting up. It is also where you can go to donate. The donations really help. The biggest news that has happened recently is that they have moved him from the West Coast to the East Coast where is doctors are and they have him in their full care, 24/7. That took a lot of time and money to be raised to get him over there. We just saw him the other day when we were in New York. We went to visit him. We all hung out with him and shot the shit with him. It was really great to see him but I think that it is going to take time and positivity to come out of this. I think that if people want to be a part of that help, the best place to go is www.oneloveforchi.com.

You released 'Diamond Eyes' last year and have been touring fairly heavily on the album since then. The live performance is as tight and powerful as it has ever been. What do you guys do to keep the performances exciting for yourself as well as the fans? Is there any secret to your success in regard to the live show?

There is definitely no formula! [laughs] I think that we are really just enjoying our time now. We have made a really good record and we are having a lot of fun playing it. The energy really translates back and forth between us and the fans. I think that if we weren't having fun, it would be obvious. I wish there was some sort of formula though, as we would have bottled it by now! [laughs] We just really enjoy what we do, ya know? Even to this day we are having fun, more than ever and I think that it shows.

Technology has changed so much in the years that you have been part of Deftones, coupled with the fact that you have logged countless hours on stage, touring and so on. What has your time in the Deftones taught you on a musical level?

The experience has a whole has brought me to whom I am now. Joining this band and being creative with them, I had no musicality whatsoever, other than a "DJ-sense." As I have learned, it has helped me a lot along the way. As technology has gotten better and the money has come along, especially for me, I was able to take advantage of that technology that was happening, the hardware, the software, etcetera. We are all pretty engulfed in that. We keep adding to our skill sets and use that to our advantage. When I started out, I didn't even know how to play an instrument but I have come along way. It all comes from growing and learning.

Any plans for another video from any of the tracks on 'Diamond Eyes'?

It is a possibility. We have been talking about that. It isn't something I can talk about to much right now but I can say that the idea is being tossed around. We will see.

How are thing progressing in regard to new music? Are you working on new material while you are on the road?

No we haven't. I think that we are going to take some time in between tours and possible write but we haven't started anything new yet. We will tackle that after we come off of the road.

As a fan, it goes without saying that we are always hungry for new music. I have to ask you about plans for the 'Eros' album. Can you give us any info on that and knowing that it is such an emotional record for the band, what is your fondest memory of your time working on it?

Well, the status of it is that it is just on hold. There has been talk of what we should do but we haven't come to any concrete conclusion. I think that we would all really like to get it out at some point but it is a matter of doing it properly and doing it right. How to do that is something that we haven't even attempted to figure out yet. We are in 'Diamond Eyes' mode right now. We will see. As far as making the record, we were all just having a really good time. We were in Sacramento at our studio with Terry Date. We always had a lot of fun, just the comradery at our spot, at home, was amazing. It is hard to put my finger on just one thing that was great about that time, I would just say that the whole project in general is a fond memory.

With such a rich history at this point. Is there something that jumps out at you in your mind as the defining moment with Deftones?

That is a hard one man! I guess continuing on after Chi's accident. We took some time to ourselves and believed instead of just giving up. I think creating a new record in the midst of that turmoil speaks for itself.

In your opinion, what does the future hold for Deftones? — no plans on packing it in any time soon I hope!

No. I don't think that any of us think that way. "Make some more music!" that is pretty much all that we have ever had as far as planning ahead. Make music and tour, as long as we can do that, for however long, I think it would be cool.

With all that struggles you faced and obstacles that you have overcome, has there ever been talk of doing a documentary of the band's history?

Not specifically. There was some sort of behind-the-scenes documentary that we filmed during the 'White Pony' years that got filmed but we never put it out. I don't think we would be opposed to something like that but it isn't on the agenda right now. We aren't opposed to anything, ya know?

With all that you have learned in your time with Deftones, what is the best piece of advice that you would give to someone looking to make music their livelihood?

I think that if you are trying to make music your livelihood, just play, play, play, play! Be a solo artist or get into a band because that is where you learn to hone your skills and carve your niche, while getting better at what you do! Also, build relationships with the people around you as you discover your path. It is one thing to sit and write a song and chase a dream as far as a record deal and it is another to get out there and build some sort of fan base with your skills. I think that is what holds the key. It is at least half the battle and if you are putting in the work, people are going to notice anyway.

Thanks for your time! We really appreciate all the hard work that you guys have put in through the years. Best of luck in all your endeavors!

Right on! Thanks, man!

[from_musings]

Anyway, I don't know why they almost never played Deathblow, Moana or Good Morning Beautiful.

deathblow and moana are pretty dark stuff.. and deftones themselves talk a lot about that diamond eyes is a bit more optimistic, the vibe of their relationship among each other are positive, maybe they want the shows to be just that too "oh happy days tour". personally I think they should play more of the s/t stuff because I think much of that album is the best they've ever done.deathblow, wgtb, lucky you,bloody cape and moana are all like top 10 deftones songs of mine.

anniversary is also good, and brilliant positioned on the album. it's like the tsunami in 2004 when it was two waves that struck. people there said that between the 2 waves,the water pulled back and it was quiet and peaceful before the second wave.and then the second wave came with tremendous force. anniversary is like the calm part between the waves right before the second wave - moana :p

[sing blue silver]

Not much point in saying it but that second wave should have been called lovers.

[from_musings]

the problem with lovers as a closer in this metaphor is that it wouldn't strike with tremendeous force. Moana really attacks you while lovers would be a weak ending. i love the song, no question, but it's mellow and sweet, it wouldn't be a second wave of destruction - it would be like as if a little child pissed in the water and that warm mixed water/piss gently washed up on your feet while you stood on the beach

[sing blue silver]

Really? I find the opening so much more bludgeoning than the opening of moana. Lovers just explodes and never let's up. Definitely a bigger guitar sound. The soft intro of moana goes on too long. How the he'll is lovers mellow and sweet? We're talking about the same song right?

[pony_01]

talking about lovers here, did anyone remember the fake lovers cover? the one with a phonebooth and deftones logo on it. i've been searching everywhere and cant find the image.. it's pretty dope to me, though its a fake cover..