History of Deftones in Timeline
Deftones are an American alternative metal band formed in Sacramento, California, in 1988. The original lineup consisted of Chino Moreno, Stephen Carpenter, and Abe Cunningham. Chi Cheng joined in 1990, followed by Frank Delgado in 1999. Known for their experimental approach, they've garnered critical acclaim, with some comparing them to 'the Radiohead of metal'. They have released nine studio albums with the most recent being Ohms in 2020. The band's sound blends elements of metal, alternative rock, and shoegaze.
1988: First Jam Session
Around 1988, Moreno, Carpenter and Cunningham began playing regularly in Carpenter's garage.
1988: Deftones Formation
In 1988, Deftones were formed in Sacramento, California, by frontman Chino Moreno, lead guitarist Stephen Carpenter, and drummer Abe Cunningham.
1990: Chi Cheng Joins Deftones
In 1990, Chi Cheng joined the Deftones lineup as bassist.
1991: John Taylor Replaces Garcia on drums
In 1991, John Taylor replaced Dominic Garcia on drums.
1993: Line-up Settles and Recording Contract Secured
In 1993, after the lineup settled, Deftones secured a recording contract with Maverick Records.
October 3, 1995: Release of Adrenaline
On October 3, 1995, Deftones' debut album, Adrenaline, was released after being recorded at Bad Animals Studio in Seattle, Washington.
1995: Release of Debut Album Adrenaline
In 1995, Deftones released their debut album, Adrenaline.
1995: Started Career in 1995
The text makes reference to 1995 as the beginning of their career.
1996: "Teething" Appears on The Crow: City of Angels Soundtrack
In 1996, Deftones contributed the song "Teething" to the soundtrack for the film The Crow: City of Angels, and they also appeared in the film performing the song live.
October 28, 1997: Release of Around the Fur
On October 28, 1997, Deftones released their second album, Around the Fur, which was dedicated to Dana Wells and featured a collaboration with Max Cavalera on "Headup".
1997: Release of Around the Fur
In 1997, Deftones released their second album, Around the Fur, which brought the band fame within the alternative metal scene and achieved chart success and RIAA certification.
1998: Deftones last performance at Glastonbury
1998 was the last time Deftones played at Glastonbury, before their scheduled performance on June 28, 2025, which was revealed in March 2025.
1998: Sergio Vega Temporarily Fills In
In 1998, Sergio Vega temporarily filled in as bassist for Deftones.
1998: Moreno Discusses Around the Fur
In a 1998 interview with Chart magazine, Chino Moreno discussed the making of Around the Fur, noting that the band expanded its sound and gave more thought to the album's production.
March 30, 1999: "My Own Summer (Shove It)" Featured in The Matrix Soundtrack
On March 30, 1999, the song "My Own Summer (Shove It)" by Deftones appeared on The Matrix: Music from the Motion Picture.
June 22, 1999: Release of Live EP
On June 22, 1999, Deftones released a live EP.
June 24, 1999: Around the Fur Achieves Gold Status
On June 24, 1999, Deftones' album Around the Fur achieved gold status by the RIAA.
July 7, 1999: Adrenaline Certified Gold
On July 7, 1999, the album Adrenaline was certified gold by the RIAA.
1999: Frank Delgado Joins Deftones
In 1999, Frank Delgado joined Deftones as keyboardist and turntablist.
June 20, 2000: Release of White Pony
On June 20, 2000, Deftones released their third album, White Pony, which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard chart.
October 3, 2000: Re-release of White Pony with "Back to School (Mini Maggit)"
On October 3, 2000, White Pony was re-released with the addition of "Back to School (Mini Maggit)" as the opening track, and the album cover was altered to white.
2000: Cheng releases 'The Bamboo Parachute'
In 2000, Deftones member Cheng released an album composed of his own spoken word poetry called The Bamboo Parachute.
2000: Release of White Pony
In 2000, Deftones released their third album, White Pony, which marked a shift towards a more experimental sound and featured the commercially successful single "Change (In the House of Flies)".
2001: Work on Lovers Begins
In 2001, Deftones began work on their fourth album, initially titled Lovers, with intentions of creating a heavier sound and Chino Moreno undergoing vocal training after damaging his vocal cords.
2001: Grammy Award for "Elite"
In 2001, Deftones won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for their song "Elite".
July 17, 2002: White Pony Achieves Platinum Status
On July 17, 2002, the album White Pony was certified platinum, selling over 1.3 million copies in the US.
January 2003: Performances at Big Day Out Festival
In January 2003, Deftones performed at the Big Day Out festival in Australia and New Zealand.
May 20, 2003: Release of Self-Titled Album
On May 20, 2003, Deftones released their self-titled fourth album, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 2.
October 2003: "Deftones" In The Rough Guide to Rock
In October 2003, the article "Deftones" appeared in The Rough Guide to Rock (3rd ed.) edited by Peter Buckley. The article was written by Essi Berelian and was published in London by Rough Guides, Ltd.
2003: Release of Self-Titled Album
In 2003, Deftones released their self-titled fourth album, which, while critically successful, had lackluster sales compared to White Pony.
October 4, 2005: Release of B-Sides & Rarities
On October 4, 2005, Deftones released a compilation album titled B-Sides & Rarities, which included various B-sides, covers, behind-the-scenes footage, and the band's videography.
September 12, 2006: Release of "Hole in the Earth"
On September 12, 2006, Deftones released "Hole in the Earth" as the first single from their album "Saturday Night Wrist".
October 31, 2006: Release of "Saturday Night Wrist" Album
On October 31, 2006, Deftones released their album "Saturday Night Wrist". The album debuted at No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard chart with sales of just over 76,000 copies.
2006: Release of Saturday Night Wrist
In 2006, Deftones released their fifth studio album, Saturday Night Wrist, which received similar praise but was marked by creative tensions and personal issues within the band.
2006: Touring in support of "Saturday Night Wrist"
In 2006, Deftones spent the majority of the year touring around the world in support of their album "Saturday Night Wrist", including performing on the Taste of Chaos tour.
March 9, 2007: Release of "Mein"
On March 9, 2007, Deftones released "Mein" as the second single from the album "Saturday Night Wrist". The track features Serj Tankian from System of a Down.
2007: Touring in support of "Saturday Night Wrist"
In 2007, Deftones spent the majority of the year touring around the world in support of their album "Saturday Night Wrist", including performing on the Family Values Tour and the Soundwave Festival.
2007: Abe Cunningham Dismisses Settlement Myth
In a 2007 interview, Abe Cunningham commented that the story about Stephen Carpenter receiving a cash settlement after being hit by a car was false.
2007: Writing songs for "Eros" album
In the fall of 2007, Deftones started writing songs for their planned sixth studio album, "Eros".
April 14, 2008: Recording started for "Eros" album
On April 14, 2008, Deftones started recording their sixth studio album, "Eros". Terry Date was the producer for this album.
September 23, 2008: Adrenaline Certified Platinum
On September 23, 2008, the album Adrenaline was certified platinum by the RIAA.
November 4, 2008: Chi Cheng's car accident
On November 4, 2008, bassist Chi Cheng was seriously injured in a car accident in Santa Clara, California, leading to him being in a minimally conscious state.
December 9, 2008: Chi Cheng moved to specialized hospital
On December 9, 2008, it was announced that Chi Cheng had been moved into the care of a hospital specializing in traumatic and non-trauma related brain injuries.
2008: "Eros" shelved after Cheng's accident
In 2008, the album Eros was shelved after Cheng's accident.
2008: Chi Cheng's Traffic Collision
In 2008, while Deftones were working on an album tentatively titled Eros, bassist Chi Cheng was involved in a traffic collision, leaving him in a minimally conscious state.
2008: Working with Terry Date on Eros
The text mentions that they last worked with Terry Date in 2008 on Eros.
January 2009: Sergio Vega Joins as Temporary Bassist
In January 2009, Deftones announced that bassist Chi Cheng had not made significant progress since his accident, and Sergio Vega would take over as bassist in Cheng's absence.
March 10, 2009: Launch of "One Love for Chi" Website
On March 10, 2009, Gina Blackmore, a Deftones fan, launched the "One Love for Chi" website to provide updates on Chi Cheng's condition and auction items to raise funds for his medical care.
June 23, 2009: "Eros" Album Delayed Indefinitely
On June 23, 2009, Deftones announced on their website that the release of their album "Eros" would be delayed indefinitely due to the band's need to take a new creative approach.
2009: "A Song for Chi" Benefit
In 2009, Korn members Brian "Head" Welch and Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, along with members of Sevendust, Slipknot, and other alternative metal bands, recorded and released "A Song for Chi" to benefit Cheng and his family.
February 23, 2010: Free Download of "Rocket Skates"
On February 23, 2010, the first single from "Diamond Eyes", "Rocket Skates", was made available for free download at www.gunsrazorsknives.com.
April 27, 2010: "Diamond Eyes" Release Date (Original)
Originally, Deftones' sixth album, "Diamond Eyes", was scheduled for release on April 27, 2010, but the date was later pushed back to May 18.
2010: Release of Diamond Eyes
In 2010, Deftones released their critically acclaimed album, Diamond Eyes, and embarked on a triple-headline tour with Alice in Chains and Mastodon.
2010: Blackdiamondskye Tour
In 2010, Deftones teamed up with Mastodon and Alice in Chains for the Blackdiamondskye tour in the United States and Canada.
April 16, 2011: Release of "Covers" LP for Record Store Day
On April 16, 2011, Deftones released an LP titled "Covers" for Record Store Day. It included cover songs like "Drive" by The Cars, "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep" by The Cure, and "No Ordinary Love" by Sade.
June 7, 2011: Around the Fur Achieves Platinum Status
On June 7, 2011, Deftones' album Around the Fur achieved platinum status by the RIAA.
March 29, 2012: New Album in the Works
On March 29, 2012, Stephen Carpenter revealed in an interview that Deftones were working on a new record, with Nick Raskulinecz returning as the producer.
August 30, 2012: "Koi No Yokan" Album Announcement
On August 30, 2012, Deftones announced their seventh studio album, "Koi No Yokan".
November 12, 2012: "Koi No Yokan" Album Release
On November 12, 2012, Deftones released their seventh studio album, "Koi No Yokan", through Reprise Records. The album received universal acclaim from critics.
2012: Release of Koi No Yokan
In 2012, Deftones released their seventh album, Koi No Yokan, continuing their experimental direction and receiving critical acclaim.
April 13, 2013: Chi Cheng's Death
On April 13, 2013, Chi Cheng died in a hospital in his hometown of Stockton, California, after suffering cardiac arrest. This was more than four years after his car accident in 2008.
May 2013: "Koi No Yokan" Wins Album of the Year
In May 2013, "Koi No Yokan" won Revolver's Golden Gods Award for Album of the Year.
2013: Death of Chi Cheng
In 2013, Chi Cheng passed away due to cardiac arrest, following his 2008 traffic collision.
March 2014: Writing Follow-up to "Koi No Yokan"
In March 2014, while Chino Moreno toured with Crosses, the rest of Deftones began writing the follow-up to "Koi No Yokan".
April 13, 2014: Release of "Smile" from "Eros"
On April 13, 2014, the first anniversary of Chi Cheng's death, Deftones released the track "Smile" from the shelved album "Eros" on YouTube.
February 2015: New Album Drum Tracks Finished
In late February 2015, just after the band had finished the new album's drum tracks, Moreno told Rolling Stone that Deftones had written 16 songs during the album's sessions and described the album as more of a "heady record".
May 15, 2015: Moreno Discusses New Album in Kerrang! Interview
On May 15, 2015, Chino Moreno described the new Deftones album as having a lot of different moods and not being a happy or completely angry record in an interview with Kerrang!.
September 2015: "Gore" release pushed back
Originally scheduled for September 2015, the release of "Gore" was pushed back multiple times.
2015: Plans to Record a New Album
Deftones previously reported that they intended to record a new album either in late 2014 or early 2015.
February 4, 2016: Release of "Prayers / Triangles"
On February 4, 2016, Deftones released "Prayers / Triangles" as the first single from the album "Gore".
April 8, 2016: Release of "Gore"
On April 8, 2016, Deftones officially released their album "Gore".
2016: Release of Gore
In 2016, Deftones released their eighth album, Gore, which continued their experimental direction and was released to critical acclaim.
2017: Writing Material for Ninth Album
In 2017, Chino Moreno revealed that Deftones had begun writing material for their ninth studio album.
May 2018: South American Tour
In May 2018, Deftones embarked on a South American tour with support from Quicksand and Deadly Apples.
2019: Potential Release of Ninth Album
In 2017, Chino Moreno stated that he hoped the band's ninth album would be out sometime in 2019.
April 2020: Mixing New Album
In April 2020, Deftones announced that they were mixing their new album with Terry Date as the producer, marking their first collaboration since the unreleased Eros album in 2008.
August 19, 2020: Teasing the New Album's Release Date and Title
On August 19, 2020, Deftones teased the release date and title of their upcoming ninth studio album.
September 17, 2020: Release of "Genesis"
On September 17, 2020, Deftones released "Genesis", the second single from the album "Ohms".
September 25, 2020: Release of "Ohms" Album
On September 25, 2020, Deftones released their ninth studio album, "Ohms".
October 2020: "White Pony" 20th Anniversary Reissue Announcement
In October 2020, Deftones officially announced a 20th-anniversary reissue of "White Pony" to be released in December of that year, along with the "Black Stallion" remix album.
2020: Billboard article notes Deftones' sustained success
A 2020 Billboard article noted Deftones' outlasting of multiple rock trends and sustained success, along with their dedicated fan community; Moreno also attributed their longevity to their diverse musical influences.
2020: Release of Ohms
In 2020, Deftones released their latest album, Ohms, which received significant critical praise for its return to the band's heavier sound.
2021: Sergio Vega Leaves Band
Bassist Sergio Vega left the band in early 2021.
March 2022: Sergio Vega Leaves Deftones
In March 2022, it was announced that bassist Sergio Vega left Deftones in early 2021, claiming he was never an official member of the band.
May 20, 2022: Lance Jackman Temporarily Replacing Carpenter
On May 20, 2022, it was announced that Lance Jackman would be temporarily replacing Stephen Carpenter during the band's 2022 European Tour.
2022: Deftones last headlining tour
Deftones' last headlining tour occurred in 2022, prior to their announcement of a 2025 North American headlining tour in September 2024.
April 2024: New Album Instrumentally Complete
In April 2024, Chino Moreno told KROQ that Deftones had completed the bulk of its tenth studio album instrumentally, but vocals had yet to be recorded.
September 2024: Deftones announce 2025 North American headlining tour
In September 2024, Deftones announced a North American headlining tour scheduled for 2025. This marks the band's first headlining tour since 2022.
November 4, 2024: Deftones announce headline show in London
On November 4, 2024, Deftones announced a headline show in Crystal Palace Park, London, scheduled for June 29, 2025. Weezer and High Vis were announced as supporting acts for the show.
March 2025: Deftones to play at Glastonbury
In March 2025, it was revealed that Deftones would be playing at the UK's biggest music festival Glastonbury for the first time since 1998, scheduled for June 28, 2025.
June 28, 2025: Deftones to play Glastonbury for the first time since 1998
In March 2025, it was revealed that Deftones would be playing at Glastonbury, the UK's biggest music festival, for the first time since 1998. The performance is scheduled for June 28, 2025.
June 29, 2025: Deftones headline show in London
Deftones are scheduled to perform a headline show in Crystal Palace Park, London on June 29, 2025, with Weezer and High Vis as supporting acts. The announcement was made on November 4, 2024.
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