Frank Delgado, Stephen Carpenter, Chino Moreno, Chi Cheng, Abe Cunningham
Deftones bassist Chi Cheng and his sister Mae had just left a memorial service for their older brother and were headed home along a stretch of road in Santa Clara, California, when the two were involved in a violent automobile accident that left Cheng fighting for his life. He had been a passenger in the car driven by his sister and unconfirmed reports suggest he hadn’t been wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Although three off-duty EMTs who happened upon the crash scene delivered the emergency medical attention that ultimately saved his life, Cheng had suffered massive head trauma and lapsed into a coma. Doctors were optimistic at the time that he would make a full recovery and be back onstage with Deftones, but a year and a half after the accident, Cheng remains hospitalized in a minimally conscious state.
At the time of the November 2008 accident, Deftones had been recording their sixth album, Eros. According to lead singer/guitarist Chino Moreno, Eros was an “aggressive, unorthodox, atmospheric piece” intended as a quick follow-up to the band’s 2006 release, Saturday Night Wrist, an album whose lengthy writing and recording process resulted in a dissatisfaction among band members that nearly led to the group’s demise. Eros marked Deftones’ return to the raw sound of their earlier records Adrenaline (1995) and Around the Fur (1997) as the band, who were feeling a renewed sense of optimism concerning their future after weathering some tough times, worked the new album together in a room with just their instruments and each other.
Five months before his accident, Cheng had this to say about the album’s progress: "We've been locked into the studio, as you know, and are finishing the drum tracks on a song tentatively called 'Trempest'. It's heavy as **** with a ****load of groove and even though it's been driving me crazy as it runs through my insomniatic brain, I am really excited! I always say this ****, but I truly believe this album to be well worth the wait and appreciate all your support and kind loyalty. The idea of finishing the album and getting out to play in front of y'all is a nice light at the end of my tunnel. We intend to tour extensively so don't fret."
Eros was set to drop in early 2009 but, in the wake of the accident, Deftones shelved the project indefinitely.
In light of Cheng’s uncertain future, Deftones were forced to consider their own. They weren’t sure whether to break up the band or soldier on without their bassist. The group turned to Sergio Vega, formerly of the New York City-based post-hardcore band Quicksand and a close friend of the group, who had temporarily stepped in for Cheng back in 1999 when the bassist was unable to perform onstage during a Deftones tour. Months after the crash and with Cheng showing little improvement, Vega was asked to substitute for Cheng in his absence and joined the Deftones lineup of Moreno, Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Abe Cunningham (drums and percussion) and Frank Delgado (keyboards and turntables). Vega has since played various shows with Deftones including the 2009 Bamboozle Left Festival last April in Irvine, California; the UK’s Reading and Leeds Festivals in August 2009; as well as select dates with Slipknot touring parts of Canada this past November.
With Vega on board, Deftones announced a new direction for the band, saying in part that “…as we neared completion on Eros, we realized that this record doesn’t best encompass and represent who we are currently as people and as musicians. And although those songs will see the light of day at some point, we collectively made the decision that we needed to take a new approach, and with Chi’s condition heavy on our minds while doing so. We needed to return to the studio to do what we felt was right artistically.” Band members also thought it would be difficult to tour in support of Eros with so many memories of Cheng attached to the album.
Deftones began writing a brand new album from scratch in June 2009 with Vega on bass. After dealing with the tragedy of the crash, the band set out to create a more positive, optimistic record this time out as opposed to the dark, angry one they’d been working on prior to Cheng’s accident. Moreno commented that, "Our inspiration and unity as a band is stronger than it has ever been before and we needed to channel that energy into our music." Moreno described the overall theme of the new record, titled Diamond Eyes, as having a "positive zest for life," with "a fantasy vibe" similar to the band’s 2000 release, White Pony. That album, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts, earned the band a 2001 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance and has sold well over 1.3 million copies to date.
Diamond Eyes was recorded in two months with Foo Fighters and Alice in Chains producer Nick Raskulinecz. Once again the band chose to forego electronic gadgetry and adopt a simpler approach to the music. They wrote together as a band and practiced the songs “a million times ‘til they were perfect” in their aim to achieve a more personal sound on the album.
Diamond Eyes was originally slated to be released on April 27th but the date was pushed back three weeks to May 18th before being moved forward to its current May 4th drop when the album was leaked onto the internet in March. “Rocket Skates,” with its “beautiful yet violent imagery,” is the lead single from the new album and was made available for free download in February via the band’s website. Deftones had begun performing the song at their live shows in October ‘09. “Diamond Eyes,” the album’s second single, has just recently hit radio airwaves.
According to updates posted by the band, the 39-year-old Cheng has been making progress toward recovery. "This Sunday saw the first signs of your prayers in action," reads one of the most recent posts. "Chi was able to hear and respond to his father's request to move his lower lip. His father also administered a tendon reflex test, of which both legs responded with movement. Doctors continue to remain optimistic, and the energy at the hospital remains very positive."
The fundraising site oneloveforchi.com was created by Deftones fan Gina Blackmore in March 2009 to help raise funds for Cheng and his escalating medical expenses. Fans can visit the site to make donations and to bid on items donated by friends of the band that have included rare and autographed pieces from artists like Sevendust, Alice in Chains, Nikki Sixx and Chris Cornell. The site also posts updates on Cheng’s condition and offers a place where fans can record messages that will be played to Cheng to help further his recovery.
Deftones kick off their current tour with a performance in Mexico City on April 24th and will bounce around the globe throughout the coming summer in support of Diamond Eyes. Check out their website at www.deftones.com for tour dates.
The band plan to release Eros some time in 2010.
