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The One And Only, DEFTONES
by Keith Allen
At 34,000 feet above the ground, flying home to Los Angeles, I reflect on the weekend and my personal highlights from the 2006 LG Action Sports World Championships in Dallas, Texas.
By far, one of my favorite moments was hooking up with my friends from Deftones. The last time we had a chance to sit down and talk, it was over a year ago in Sacramento for the Mobile Skatepark Series. A lot has happened with the band both personally and professionally since then.
Flashback: it was very hot that day in Nor Cal when I picked up Abe at the parking lot in Sacramento outside the event to escort him in. It was obvious at the time that the guys were fired up to release “B-sides and Rarities,” mostly so they could start playing live again. Keep in mind that this is a band whose bloodline is tapped into their live show, and everything that is, and will ever be Deftones, is dependent on it.
During that interview, there was talk of the long and drawn out process of recording their now latest release “Saturday Night Wrist,” which took three years to finish. Nevertheless, it was noticeable that the guys were itching to finish this record so they could tour on it. I could be wrong, but in retrospect, it was as if there was a cloud of tension in the unknown of when that might be hanging over their heads.
Flash forward: Dallas Texas, walking down the backstage corridor to get some food in the makeshift cafeteria, I see Abe & Chi standing outside the door of the Deftones camp. “What’s up homie, how you been!” I knew then that all was well, and the way it should be . . . Show time!
Like their music, Deftones are a group of guys whose energy can be felt as much as heard. After seeing the rest of the guys, it was transparent that they felt revived and ready to do what they’ve always done, play music their way to people who appreciate the meaning in that.
The interview. We sat and talked for the camera in an ice cold room filled with equipment cases backstage at the Reunion Arena a few hours before they were scheduled to tackle the stage. We talked about the new record, Saturday Night Wrist, and how it was progressive and great, but only as a passage to the next chapter. Chino commented on how their best work is still to come, and although true, he was referring to how there are still so many ideas within they have yet to explore. Frank referred to the exploration of new sounds on Saturday Night Wrist, especially on the track “Pink Cellphone,” and how this added a new dynamic to the overall product.
With efforts to really push the envelope and do something new, Saturday Night Wrist was produced by Bob Ezrin (Pink Floyd, Kiss). This is a friendly separation from their long time friend and producer for all previous recordings with Terry Date (Deftones, Soundgarden, White Zombie). When I asked them about this, they joked for a moment about the Kiss reference with Bob Ezrin, but followed with an effort to describe their need to mix things up a bit to explore another approach to Deftones evolution.
After listening to Saturday Night Wrist through and through, I can tell you that they certainly accomplished their goal. Chino compares it most to “White Pony,” and I’d have to agree. The difference may only be that the band has matured in a way that becomes evident after listening to even the first song “Hole In The Earth” which explodes into Deftone signature hooks and melodies from the very first notes.
Saturday Night Wrist is huge in every way. It was said that they all focused on what they wanted to accomplish individually, and that is the chemistry of Deftones in a snap shot. With huge guitars, big bass, slamming percussion, Frank’s genius for distinctive sounds, and of course Chino’s gut wrenching vocal attack, it’s like a musical game of fantasy football. The best players for the best team. Touchdown!
After the interview, the guys took a break from things to sign autographs at a Deftones BBQ just above the loading ramp behind the arena. Shortly thereafter, they got ready to take the stage.
It was the end of day one for The LG Action Sports Championships in Dallas, and everybody was ready for the concert. The lights came down, “Here they are on the official first stop of their U.S. Tour: Deftones!!!!!” The Arena erupted!
Boom! Out came the magic we have all grown to love from this band, and so did the fans. Deftones are one of my favorite bands for many reasons. One of which is the ability to just sit back, listen and absorb to identity. They have a way of playing music that relates to the source of many emotions within us. If you’re open to this, then you know what I mean. If you’re willing, pick up Saturday Night Wrist, White Pony and Adrenaline (their first release 1995) for a cross-reference and let the altitude begin.
At 34,000 feet above the ground, I felt like I was there in the arena floating in it all, just remembering how it feels to be in touch with, and a part of something as great as Deftones.
Be sure to check out my televised interview with Deftones and all my interviews with this weekend's bands by checking the TV schedule on this site for airdates and times.
