Deftones

It is hard to pin down exactly what kind of music the Deftones play, mostly because there's no other mainstream band with the same sound; and if there was, that band would be asking the Deftones what to call it. The Sacramento, California "alt-metal" band has been producing a unique brand of metal with atmospheric sounds for over seventeen years, and are still going strong with tour dates and their latest album, Diamond Eyes. For as long as the Deftones have been together, they've also been selling out concert dates year after year; a feat they're continuing to perform during their 2011 tour dates in promotion of Diamond Eyes. Fans can look forward to numerous concert dates at European music festivals this summer, as well as 2011 tour dates in the US with The Dillinger Escape Plan.

Founding members Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Chino Moreno (vocals), and Abe Cunningham (drums) all went to high school together in the Sacramento area. They searched for a bassist and eventually chose Chi Cheng and recorded a demo shortly after. The band released their debut album in October of 1995 to dismal sales and a general lack of interest. The Deftones embarked on a number of concert dates to generate interest in the album; it worked and the Deftones ending up selling over 220,000 copies of the record.

With the eventual success earned from Adrenaline, the Deftone's follow-up album was set to be a hit from the start. Around the Fur was released two years later in 1997 and propelled the band into popularity. Basking in the album's success, the Deftones embarked on a number of concert dates, including tour dates at Ozzfest and Warped Tour over the next two years. It was on White Pony that the band slowed down their sound and began experimenting with different musical styles and techniques. White Pony was officially released in 2000 and the album became a huge success, eventually going platinum.

The band decided to go with a harder style for their next self-titled album. Deftones was released in 2003, with fans and critics blown away by how much heavier the album was than White Pony. Tragedy struck while recording, Eros, when, in 2008, bassist Chi Cheng was horribly injured a car accident. Three years later, Cheng still has limited brain function and motor skills but is starting to show signs of progress. After the accident, the rest of the Deftones became increasingly frustrated with the recording of Eros, eventually indefinitely postponing the album after creative dissatisfactions.

With Sergio Vega (formerly of Quicksand) filling in for Cheng on bass, the Deftones released their latest album, Diamond Eyes, in May 2010. Diamond Eyes was named the iTunes 2010 Rock Album of the Year and has sent the Deftones on concert dates since the album's release, with even more tour dates in 2011. The Deftones is currently playing spring tour dates in 2011 with The Dillinger Escape Plan, with many concert dates already sold out. The US concert dates will end on June 15 before the band takes a quick touring break. The Deftones will performing 2011 tour dates at a number of European music festivals beginning in mid-August, including the Spirit of Burgas Festival, Warsaw's Rock in Summer Festival, the Reading and Leeds Festivals, and Rock En Seine Festival. With the Deftones back on their feet -- and Chi Cheng hopefully slowly but surely getting there -- it is the perfect time to check out the Deftone's 2011 tour dates.