Deftones recently revealed that they had been working on a new album throughout 2023 and were planning to release it in the spring or summer of 2024. The band’s upcoming record will be their first since 2020’s ‘Ohms.’
‘Ohms’ became a success for Deftones, making it to the top in many lists like Revolver’s ’25 Best Albums Of 2020′ and Metal Hammer’s ’50 Best Metal Albums Of 2020.’ Two of its tracks even received Grammy nominations for Best Metal Performance and Best Rock Performance.
As the band’s work added to their fame in recent years, some facts about them remained little known. So, here’s a look at seven facts about Deftones and their vocalist, Chino Moreno.
7. Deftones Are Friends With Korn
In the early stages of their career, Deftones crossed paths with producer Ross Robinson at a Bakersfield show. They gave Robinson a copy of their demo tape, and he showed it to Korn, a local band the producer was working with at the time. Korn made contact with Deftones, leading them to play a show together and start a long-lasting relationship.
6. Chino Moreno Has A Mixed Heritage
While Deftones is a Hispanic band, Chino Moreno is of Mexican, Chinese, and Native American descent. His mother, Deborah A. (Wong), is Mexican and one-quarter Chinese, while his father, Camilo Diaz Moreno, Sr., is Mexican. Even Moreno’s nickname, Chino, reflects his heritage as it stands for ‘Chinese’ in Spanish and was given to him because of his Asian appearance.
5. The Band Asked Ric Ocasek To Be Their Producer
For their album ‘Saturday Night Wrist,’ Deftones initially approached Ric Ocasek and Failure’s Ken Andrew to be the producers. The band started working on the album in Sacramento before moving to Malibu. But when both names were unavailable, Moreno and Abe Cunningham convinced others to choose Bob Ezrin instead.
4. Their Guitarist First Learned To Play Ratt
In 1997, Stephen Carpenter told Guitar World that he first learned to play guitar by watching Ratt’s ‘Round And Round’ music video. He mimicked guitarist Warren DeMartini’s moves and further improved his skills by playing along to music from bands like Anthrax, SOD, and Metallica.
3. Moreno Is A Mental Health Advocate
Chino Moreno has openly talked about his mental health challenges during his interviews throughout the years. In a 2020 chat, he shared his experiences with feelings of isolation after moving to Bend, Oregon. Struggling with his mental health, the singer eventually sought therapy, which he found beneficial. He now advocates for mental health awareness and encourages others to seek help when needed.
2. Deftones Are Accused Of Causing A Riot
Deftones was performing at Phoenix’s UFest in 1996 when a riot broke out, with several fires starting and fans breaching security barriers. Moreno’s drunken state and fight with Cunningham, who left the stage after a few songs, added to the chaos. In the end, the crowd caused $150,000 in damage, and some held the band accountable for it.
1. A Fan Was Killed During Their Show
In 2006, a fan died at the Family Values Tour in Atlanta during a Deftones performance. A fight in the mosh pit led to 30-year-old Andy Richardson being fatally injured, as he hit his head on the concrete floor after being punched by 24-year-old Scott Axley. Axley was charged with murder, as Moreno later expressed regret over the incident, stressing the importance of audience safety at their shows.
The post A Lowdown On Chino Moreno And Deftones: 7 Lesser-Known Facts About Nu-Metal’s Underrated Band And Its Leader appeared first on Metalhead Zone.
