Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "deftones"

†††’s Live 2012

2012-02-06T06:32:23Z

It’s Friday night at Ace of Spades with Chino Moreno, lead vocalist of the Deftones, and Shaun Lopez, guitarist of Far, crossing over to a new experimental era with †††.

A line of tattooed girls with skin tight jeans slink through the crowd as fans trickle in. Over 500 people paid homage filling the bar, to near capacity with a mix of high school students, collegiate couples, 80’s heavy-metal fans, punk rockers and adult film models.

There were two openers Secret Empire, a six man band from Los Angeles and Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross from Chicago. Both bands were the opposite of the other, balancing a yin that sided on the side of heavy metal and the yang on the side of experimental electronic fusion.

The first, Connor Ragan (24), wrote all the songs for Secret Empire including “Plastic Wrist” and “Alien Burial.” His bizarre mohawk, a deep blond, contrast with his black long-sleeved threads and jeans evoked a dark confidence in a young idealist wanting to be noticed in a conservative world.

The second, Dexter Tortoriello (25), of Dawn Golden and Rosy Cross was more understated. In a gray t-shirt and plastic-rimmed glasses, he tested the limits of a synchronized drum machine, a Mac, and a microphone hypnotizing the crowd with "White Sun" and “Blacks.” The entire set included a civil rights speech and the song Ave Maria layered with electronica sounds.

Connor Griffith, a senior from Mira Loma High who scored tickets through an online guitar site was in the audience impressed by the varied styles of music. He was excited to finally see Moreno, the former Deftones vocalist, who is not only a role model to teens everywhere but also his own fourteen year old son.

An altar of crosses await. The †††’s color change from hot pink to turquoise blue to a pure white light. The fine line of rock music and religion dilate. The audience is almost inclined to dunk their fingers in holy water. Then again, within these walls, there is plenty of sin.

“We’ll drink from the waves and feel our souls. We’ll fall asleep on the graves and seal our souls,” Moreno’s deep melodic tone shrills in “Holy Ghost.”

Dino Campanella and Chris Robyn then elevate with drums, facing each other to the lyrics of the song, “This is a Trick (Hello Hello I Know)."

On keyboard and guitar, Jono Evans and Chuck Doom summoned a calypso rhythm to “Bermuda Locket.” The lyrics ignite a light, "just come this way and I will bring you to life."

Lopez lures the audience deeper with the forbidden “Frontiers,” sailing off into the sun to rediscover the height of “Prurient.”

“Back in Sac, what's up?” Moreno yells at the top of his lungs. The crowd jumps at his beckon, the light of their phones waving in recognition, seizing the moment to welcome a hero. They wave their hands in empathy, accepting their star with “Telepathy.”

After all Moreno, originally came from Sacramento. A moved fan snuck on stage to pay respect, then hurled himself at the spectators. As long as you let me play, I’ll let you win.

The mood then changes as the synthesizer blaze to a somber, “1987.”

“A shoebox of ashes, a silver casket, a mother dressed for eternities, breathe in the waves.” His words reminise on identities, lost, and graves.

Shaking it off, Moreno says, “I want to dance. This is so much fun. I’m so glad that we are here. This song goes out to my pops and Uncle Chi (a tribute to Deftones bassist Chi Cheng who was left in a coma after a 2008 car accident),” as he transitioned to “Trophy.”

He then embraced fans, holding their hands to the call of “Option.” Moreno’s profound evolution, with Crosses, his fear surrendered to what is dear.

“Just open your heart and say, ‘I swear on the cross. Can you promise this to the grave?’”

Lights dim to the ringing of church bells. The music is his calling. A promise to give it all as Crosses return with an encore, the “Years” and another EP in the works for 2012.

Deftones pack Ace of Spades

2011-06-16T04:25:29Z

Sacramento-natives the Deftones played to a sold-out house at Ace of Spades Tuesday night. The Dillinger Escape Plan and Le Butcherettes joined them for a concert where all ticket proceeds were donated to the Chi Ling Cheng Special Needs Trust.

The goal of the show was to raise money to help cover medical expenses for Deftones bassist Chi Cheng, who survived a near-fatal car accident in 2008 that left him in a coma.

Cheng is now being treated by doctors in New Jersey who specialize in conditions like his. According to the One Love for Chi website, he is in a “minimally conscious state.”

“Chi’s progress is very slow,” drummer Abe Cunningham said. “We were through there last month, and we got a chance to stop by and see him. He’s in bed basically, so anything that needs to be done needs to be done for him. But these doctors think they can do something for him and it’s not about overnight. It’s definitely long term. I can never write him off because he’s my brother, and he’s a fuckin’ knucklehead, but he’s a stubborn bull, too. It’s all about keeping people aware and keeping love and good thoughts going his way.”

Le Butcherettes began the night’s festivities with a performance that can best be described as quirky with an edge. Lead singer Teri Gender Bender emerged on stage wearing a gingham frock with a white blood-stained apron.

While it’s tough to pin Le Butcherettes into one musical genre, their performance was a mix of indie rock, grunge and punk rock with a hint of sass. Gender Bender’s fearless attitude was a great way to warm the crowd up for the Deftones and Dillinger Escape Plan. She roamed around the venue – climbing the speakers like a deranged spider, crowd-surfing and running around the stage like she drank too much coffee – stopping short only of swinging from the rafters.

The high point of Le Butcherettes’ act was during the finale when Gender Bender whacked her head against the microphone stand and dropped into the crowd as if she were fainting.

The Dillinger Escape Plan followed Le Butcherettes’ funky performance with one fueled by pure energy. Guitarists climbed amps just to jump off of them and the lead singer’s growls and screams got the night’s first mosh pit started. The band members got so into their performance that, at one point, the drummer’s high-hat cymbal was stolen so that it could be used as a “rafter duster.”

To get their set started, Deftones singer Chino Moreno emerged on stage with his daughter to introduce a very special guest performance artist, David Garibaldi. Garibaldi began by smearing paint on a blank canvas hanging from the ceiling while lively music played. As his performance peaked, it became obvious what the subject of his painting was: a portrait of Chi Cheng. As the music transitioned into Rage Against the Machine and the crowd chanted “One love for Chi,” Garibaldi finished his work. The love for the fallen bassist was very touching as his family and friends took the stage and thanked everyone for their support.

The Deftones have gotten a new bassist and moved forward, but based on how emotional everyone was after Garibaldi finished his work, it was obvious that Cheng is still always on their minds.

“Having a man down is the hardest thing, but this is what we do and we decided to keep on going,” Cunningham said. “There’s been a lot of money raised from all across the world, so it’s quite a testament to how much he’s loved.”

By the time it was the Deftones’ turn to take the stage, Ace of Spades was packed full of rowdy fans ready to mosh, dance and rock out in honor of Cheng.

To anyone unfamiliar with the Deftones’ sound, it’s essentially good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll. There’s crashing guitar, pounding percussion and amazingly diverse vocals, ranging from high-pitched wails to guttural screams.

“It’s good-time music,” Cunningham said. “It’s loud, abrasive, sexy, dirty, clean, ugly and beautiful. It’s all those things, and we like it like that.”

The opening song was the title track off the latest album, “Diamond Eyes.” It was followed by their single, “Rocket Skates,” during which the stage was lit bright red, a fitting backdrop for a song whose chorus is a screaming, “Guns, razors, knives!”

The evening was a rough one for concert-goers. Not a single soul escaped the summer heat. With all the aggressive energy in the room, everybody was dripping sweat. Moshers emerging from the pit looked like they had gone swimming, as did the entire band.

The Deftones performed a range of songs from old to new. Fan favorites off “Around the Fur” such as “My Own Summer (Shove It)” and “Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)” were crowd-pleasers. A few slower, more peaceful and melodic songs off “White Pony” like “Change (in the House of Flies)” and “Rx Queen” provided welcome breaks from the insanity.

To the audience’s surprise, they broke out “Passenger,” a song that most fans would probably never expect to hear since the tune is well known for including another very famous vocalist, Maynard James Keenan from Tool. Moreno sang the duet just as beautifully sans Keenan, bringing ~~Gender Bender's~~ Dillinger Escape Plan's vocalist back on stage to fill in for him.

Overall, the night was filled with love for Cheng and all the artists who contributed to the festivities. It was obvious that Sacramento was glad to have the Deftones back home.

“It’s always about good times and positivity, but this show is also to raise awareness for Chi,” Cunningham said. “I just hope everyone puts their seat belts on, because he didn’t. Wear your goddamn seat belt and enjoy life.”

11 for '11: Can't-miss Sactown summer concerts

2011-06-05T23:12:21Z

Trust me, fellow Sactowners…in about six or seven weeks, we’re going to be yearning for this.

It’s June 5, and in what should have been our first full official weekend of summer, everyone seems to be deadlocked in collective melancholy over the “WTF!” of late season rains (for these purposes, “WTF” will be officially dubbed as “weather that fails”).

We will get our sun. We will get our heat. And it’s summer, which means, we will get our shows. Here’s a look at some of the summer’s can’t miss shows in Sacramento. Cheers!

Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt – You can say whatever you want about Lyle Lovett, like his ballyhooed relationship with Julia Roberts or the fact that he bears a slight resemblance to many a Tim Burton movie villain. But the fact remains that the man is a songwriter, in the purest sense of the word. I’d like to see anyone listen to “Nobody Knows Me” and not get a wee bit misty-eyed. Ditto for John Hiatt, a similarly gifted songwriter and performer but without quite as much acclaim and clout at Lovett. But when the two team up for a solo acoustic evening at the always glorious Radisson outdoor garden venue…hold onto your emotional knickers! June 10. Radisson Hotel Outdoor Grove, 500 Leisure Ln. $49-$59. All ages. www.radissonsac.com.

Deftones – It seems that the horrific car accident that nearly claimed the life of Deftones bassist Chi Cheng in 2008 has almost become “oh right, that whole thing” sort of news, but the founding member of the venerable Sactown metal outfit remains in a minimally conscious state, and despite having shown significant signs of improvement, is still undergoing major rehabilitation and therapy. The Deftones have labored on without him, but are still fighting the good fight to help their fallen comrade. This sure-to-be raucous hometown show is being held as a Chi Cheng benefit (hence the price), and will also feature Dillinger Escape Plan and Le Butcherettes. June 14. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $50. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com; oneloveforchi.com.

Airborne Toxic Event – To quote “A Mighty Wind,” if I may… “wha’ happened?!” There was a time when this burgeoning rock outfit was in line to be the next Strokes or next Killers (or both at the same time), but they seemed to all but drop off the map after a would-be breakout in 2009. But they appear to be clawing back with April’s release of “All at Once” on Island Records, and the mildly new wave stadium rock sound appears to back in gear. June 16. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $18. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com.

Marc Broussard – It appears the time is now for this Southern gent from Louisiana, with the pending June release of his self-titled album. Broussard, a rising star for the last several years, fuses a down home blues and jazz persona (the type you’d expect to find down on the Bayou) with explosive soul and urban flare, running the gamut of influences from Stevie Wonder to Otis Redding to Brian McKnight. June 22. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $15. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Paul Oakenfold – Yep, you read that right! Get your tickets ASAP, they’re going fast for the downtown appearance from arguably (well, not really) the world’s foremost DJ. June 23. District 30, 1022 K St. $30. 21+. www.district30sacramento.com.

Davis Music Festival – Details are still being ironed out for this first-ever event, but a mix of downtown Davis venues will be hosting headliner, Truth & Salvage Co., which has been described as “a freight train ride down the Route 66 of American music”…by this reporter. Also performing are Shayna & the Bulldog, the Blank Tapes, the West Nile Ramblers, Jake Mann & the Upper Hand, and several more. Venues will include Odd Fellows Hall, Sophia’s, Delta of Venus, and Little Prague. June 25. For info, visit davismusicfest.wordpress.com.

Alison Krauss and Union Station – Whether wailing away with Robert Plant, or doing the “her own thing” that has been tried and true for years, Krauss is an absolute gem of a singer and performer. Ticket prices for her shows these days indicate that she has been made aware of that, but for that voice, we’ll give her a pass. June 26. Mondavi Center at UC Davis. $59.50-$125. www.mondaviarts.org.

American Idols Live – Just seeing if you’re paying attention.

The Greencards – Twangy, slippery, sharp, sweet and funky are the bluegrass-driven Americana acoustic rock tunes of this fast rising outfit. They’ve got a fresh perspective on a genre that’s making a massive comeback in popularity these days (Marcus Mumford and Seth & Scott Avett, thank you very much!). July 9. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $17.50. 21+. www.harlows.com.

The Silent Comedy – One of the quickest ways to judge a band’s growth is by the progression of venues they headline when coming to a particular city. With a boat load of shows under their belts at Shady Lady and Old Ironsides, it appears that San Diego’s tent-revival, gospel garage punk rockers have officially become a Sactown favorite. Everybody in the bar say A-MEN! July 14. Harlow’s, 2708 J St. $10. 21+. www.harlows.com.

Langhorne Slim – It’s been a full three years since this delightful punk rocker/singer songwriter hybrid has performed in Sacramento, and this will make it only his second time ever. Somewhere between Bo Diddley, Mike Ness and Bob Dylan lies Langhorne Slim – exactly who would want to escape from that triangle? July 21. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. $10. 21+. www.bluelamp.com.

Agnostic Front – Bring earplugs, it will get crazy in there when one of the unsung heroes of hardcore invade Midtown for a show they’ll probably hear as far away as Zocalo. From the East Coast, to the West Coast…gotta gotta gotta GO! Sept 10. The Distillery, 2017 L St. Cover TBA. 21+.

Sactown Rundown - May 12-18

2011-05-11T19:42:51Z

It seems like all eyes are on Raley Field this weekend – and amazingly, it’s not because of the Riverkittys.

Country superstars the Zac Brown Band (one of the few popular “country” stars these days with the guts to actually sound like country) are getting after it on the field on Thursday night, setting up the stage for Friday’s night’s Brew Fest, and Saturday’s you-knew-it-had-to-happen-eventually “Sactopalooza” party, which features cover bands of the following artists: Journey, Beastie Boys, U2, Dave Matthews Band, No Doubt, Van Halen, Sublime and INXS.

Coverpalooza?

And no, we are not even "going there" with EndFest, we're just not. So, when you’ve wrapped up the beer tastings and power chord renditions…

Pepper – OK, have we finally gotten to the point where bands like Hawaii natives Pepper (or brethren Slightly Stoopid) can finally stop being called the “new Sublime?” “Wouldn’t you want to be compared to Sublime – it’s the greatest thing ever,” Pepper drummer Yesod Williams told me in 2008, right around the time the band had established their own Law Records label and released “Pink Crustaceans and Good Vibrations.” Save for a live record and the “Stiches” EP, the band has not released a new album since, but it hasn’t stopped them from moving beyond the comparisons to other bands and establishing their own punk rock-reggae mix, becoming a juggernaut in their own right. Recent shows from the island-dwelling funksters at Ace of Spades (nee Empire) have sold out, so don’t get caught lying in the hammock. With Iration. 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $18. All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com.

Alkalai Flats CD Release – Speaking of bands that actually sound like country (see above), Sacramento institution the Alkalai Flats are throwbacks in the truest sense of the word – a band of pointed-collar gentlemen (plus newly anointed vocalist Sasha Prawalsky of Poplollys) in matching threads and stupidly awesome bow ties, playing the kind of bottle-slide, honky-tonk gin joint country that went the way of the way of the dodo with Hank Williams and Bill Monroe. Call them revivalists if you will, but they have an uncanny way of doing it with their own edge and local flare; they’re named after a Midtown hood and they call their music “leveebilly.” Two cool points! They’re celebrating the release of their new record with Mike Blanchard & the Californios and Miss Lonely Hearts. 8 p.m. Friday. Old Ironsides, 1901 10th St. $5. 21+. www.theoldironsides.com.

McDougall – There are many possible reasons why Portland’s one-word man is a one-man band. Perhaps no one else could keep up with him, either through sessions blowing dust off of forgotten manuals of centuries old historical texts at the library that he might be able to make songs out of, or maybe the introspective whiskey sessions it must have taken to produce the kind of drink-and-think tunes he belts out. He goes nuts on the acoustic guitar and banjo, kick drum and hi-hat while romping around what is (or is soon to be) our history. “The faster that we moved, the more we showed up late/ And with our fingertips we spoke as we ate food without a plate/ and face to face was replaced.” That’s from “Ones and Twos,” do yourself a favor and check it out, especially if you live in Natomas. McDougall opens for Winter’s Fall, who are just flat out staging a boxing match between Wilco and My Morning Jacket. 9 p.m. doors, 10 p.m. show Friday. Sophia’s Thai Kitchen, 129 E St., Davis. $5. 21+. www.sophiasthaikitchen.com.

Houses – Say hello to your modern day Vivaldi. Denver’s Houses have undertaken the rather daunting challenge of crafting an individual EP inspired by each the changes in the weather – your new generation take on the venerable “Four Seasons.” Not quite as loco as Sufjan Stevens’ dream of doing an album for all 50 states, but you get the idea. But you know what, Houses got this right. Although “Winter” has yet to see the light of day, the other three are thematic slam dunks of sunny, breezy, warm, cozy and crisp indie folk and psychedelic grooves; we’d have to assume “Winter” will be by-the-fire-with-brandy fodder, but that remains to be seen. The dense jams on “Fall” particularly stand out as vintage Winterland (wait, what?) style tunes. Check out some of the seasons and some free downloads on their Bandcamp page. Weatherman accolades aside, their music is consistently playful, jovially and introspectively constructed, with occasional pop-ups of creative mayhem, howling Hammonds and classic rock homage. With the One AM Radio. 9 p.m. Monday. Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd. $10. 21+. www.bluelamp.com.

Mark Your Calendars – Deftones – Somehow, the phrase “get your tickets now” for this Chi Cheng benefit show doesn’t quite say it. With the Dillinger Escape Plan. June 14. Ace of Spades, 1417 R St. $50 (again, it’s a benefit show). All ages. www.aceofspadessac.com.

If you are planning or promoting a concert in the Sacramento area, or just know of a show you’d like to see featured in the Rundown, shoot me an email.

For a complete listing of Sacramento area music happenings, check out Ann Freeman-Clement’s Concerts, Music Events and the Local Music Scene every Friday on Sacramento Press.

Yoga class to help comatose musician

2011-01-14T01:42:37Z

The second annual “Yoga for Chi” class will be held Jan. 22 to benefit Chi Cheng, bassist for Deftones, who has been in a coma since November 2008.

“It’s an hour-long free yoga class for all ages, and it’s open to all skill levels,” said Julie McKechnie, who will be hosting the class from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at American River Crossfit, 1512 Howe Ave.

Students are encouraged to make donations, which will help Cheng’s family raise the money needed to transport him to New Jersey to see a specialist.

Cheng, who has lived in both Sacramento and Stockton, was in a car accident on Nov. 3, 2008, and though his family says he is improving, he has yet to regain consciousness, according to oneloveforchi.com, a website set up to rally support for the musician.

“His family gives updates and blogs on the website,” McKechnie said. “The family came out and asked for support.”

McKechnie doesn’t know Cheng personally, but said she has been a fan of Deftones, and she wanted to do her part to help.

“Last year, we raised just under $300,” she said. “We’re hoping for $1,000 this year.”

Gina Blackmore of Austin, Texas, founded oneloveforchi.com in March of 2009.

Blackmore said she founded the website because she wanted to help Cheng and his family in any way possible, and described Cheng as “a great guy who was always very kind to my husband and I.”

At last year’s event, Cheng’s ex-wife and son came, and McKechnie said she is expecting supporters from all over Northern California at this year’s event.

Jan. 22 is the date for the global “Wake Up Fest,” when supporters around the world will hold events for Cheng.

On the website for Wake Up Fest, lists events are listed all across the United States as well as in other countries, including the Czech Republic, The Philippines and Romania.

For people who want to donate but are unable to attend the yoga course, oneloveforchi.com has a PayPal donation button.

“It’s one small thing a fan can do,” McKechnie said.

Photos of last year's event by Jonathan Mendick.

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

2nd Annual Sac Shows Local Music Awards

2010-10-12T09:20:29Z

The music scene was alive and kicking in Sacramento this past weekend. Saturday’s Sammies Block Party presented by the Sacramento News and Review was held at the R Street Corridor. Adam Saake and Tais were masters of ceremony and did an excellent job for this venue that has been hosted by the Crest Theatre the last few years.

On Sunday another awards event was held at the Tropicana across from the Arden Fair Mall. Various awards were given in different categories. Several bands took the stage with Dance Gavin Dance closing out the show.

A packed house rocked for several hours on Sunday night as favorite Sacramento area bands played to the delight of the packed house at the Tropicana during the 2010 Sac Shows Local Music Awards. The event started off as a red carpet gala as nominees and guest musicians entered the Tropicana.

This was an all ages show and the Tropicana was split into 2 rooms. One side was for the under 21 age group and the other side, the Awards room, was for those over 21. The stage was in front of both sides of house. The under 21 side looked like it was standing room only and bouncing energetic waves of people moved from one side of the room to another.

One performer was also an award recipient and that honor went to Arden Park Roots. They played an incredible show and got both sides of the Tropicana on their feet. Their energy remained in the club for the rest of the evening.

The 2nd Annual Sac Shows Local Music Awards winners were announced in between live music sets. Several groups took the stage during the event including Green Audio, Jonny Craig, Arden Park Roots and Dance Gavin Dance with Jonny Craig joining them. The Dance Gavin Dance set ended the evening with a very energetic performance.

Some of the award winners were:
Screamo/Post Hardcore - Batten Down Your Heart
Metal/Hardcore - Carcerys Vale
Indie/Acoustic - Autumn Sky
DJ - DJ Eddie Edul
Roots/Reggae/Funk - Arden Park Roots
Punk - The Secretions
Pop - Hero's Last Mission
Rock - Track Fighter
Special Hall of Fame Award to the Deftone's Chi Cheng
People's Choice Award - Above the City

Long thank you speeches were not the norm and a couple of the more memorable ones were given by Autumn Sky who excitedly jumped on stage to accept her award and in the excitement of the moment almost forgot her purse on stage. Danny Secretion’s advice to those who love music and have the passion to share it with the world was quite appropriate in saying “If you’re going to play music play it from the heart don’t play it for the dollar”. Finally, it was great to see Dave Buckner from Papa Roach come on stage to present an award.

The last act of the evening was the ever popular Dance Gavin Dance with their former lead singer, Jonny Craig, joining the band on stage. The Sacramento music scene continues to grow and inviting local bands to play at shows of this caliber it will, I believe, eventually explode on to the national scene. The bands that played on Sunday night were inspired when the audience showed their appreciation. The audience’s energy inspired the artists performing to dig deeper into their musical souls and bring out their best. The live music at this show was fantastic and it will be interesting to see what local area performers will play next year.

Deftones to play at Memorial Auditorium

2010-08-02T03:20:14Z

Since the release of their first studio album, “Adrenaline,” in 1995, Sacramento natives the Deftones have managed to create a sound that harmoniously blends aggressive guitars and percussion with undeniably beautiful vocals. Throughout the 15 years the group has been making music, the Deftones have built up a dedicated fan base that includes devotees of metal, experimental, hip-hop and alternative sounds.

To date, the Deftones have released six complete albums (not counting the 2005 B-sides and rarities CD), and each one delivers a different sound than the last. “Adrenaline” is filled with all the emotion and raw material that should constitute a band’s first album, while their softest and most melodic songs can be heard on “White Pony” (2000).

This year marked the release of the sixth album released by the Deftones, “Diamond Eyes,” as well as a departure from the band’s usual lineup. In the past, the Deftones consisted of Chino Moreno as vocalist, Abe Cunningham on drums, Frank Delgado on the keyboard, Stephen Carpenter on guitar, and Chi Cheng on bass. Sadly, bassist Cheng was seriously injured in a car accident in November 2008, leaving him in a “minimally conscious state,” according to the website devoted to Chi’s recovery. The Deftones persisted and recorded “Diamond Eyes” in the absence of Cheng with Sergio Vega taking over as bassist.

Although devoted Deftones fans continue to hope for Cheng’s recovery, “Diamond Eyes” does not fall short of expectations, maintaining the signature mix of harsh and haunting vocals and guitars. The album can most aptly be described as a cross between the bleak and guttural guitar of “Around the Fur” (1997) and the crisp, clean digital sounds of “White Pony.”

The video for “Rocket Skates,” one of the new singles, is relatively simple. The band plays in a deserted garage, warehouse, or factory of some kind while images of a reddish-colored room with a girl in a red dress flash across the screen. The song begins with the line, “You’re red soaking wet,” and has an easy to follow chorus with Moreno screaming, “Guns, razors, knives!” While the lyrics are as uncomplicated as the video, the imagery they conjure is clearly dark enough subject matter to suit the Deftones’ sound.

Another track of note is “Diamond Eyes,” the first song on the album, as well as the second single to be released. The song starts off with Carpenter’s heavy guitar riffs, but Moreno’s intense vocals, which border on mournful singing and bitter screaming, balance the aggression and make for a tune that is both emotionally awakening and catchy enough to sing in the shower.

To promote “Diamond Eyes,” the Deftones are embarking on a fall tour that begins Friday in Ventura and runs through mid-October. On Aug. 8 the Deftones return to their hometown to play the Memorial Auditorium.

Ultimately, the Deftones newest release should please both old fans and new listeners. Like all the Deftones’ old material, it’s impossible not to hear the emotion pouring through the tracks, and yet “Diamond Eyes” still manages to differentiate itself from all its predecessors.

“We hope that the music speaks for itself,” Moreno said in “The Creation of ‘Diamond Eyes’ (Part 5)” video, found at deftones.com. “That’s what it should do. If you make a good record, hopefully it’ll stand the test of time.… I think all of them have done that … with this one, I would think that 10 years from now it will still be relevant.”

Yoga sends 'chi' to Deftones bassist in coma

2009-10-07T17:59:16Z

Last Sunday, the Yoga Solution studio was filled with the relaxing sound of "namastes," "oms" and a meditation gong. But what spoke the loudest, perhaps, were three chants of "Chi."

On Oct. 4, 10 people came together to practice yoga and send "chi," or life force energy, to Chi Cheng, bassist for the Grammy-award-winning Sacramento band, Deftones. Cheng has been in a coma since Nov. 4, 2008, after being involved in a motor accident.

The event was organized by yoga instructor Julie McKechnie, who normally teaches classes for members of the Gold River Racquet Club. Her friend Jennifer Sadugor, the owner of Yoga Solution, 887 57th St., allowed her to use her studio for the fundraising gathering, she said.

"I'm such a big (Deftones) fan and when (Chi) had his accident, I was upset and distraught," McKechnie said before the class. Looking for updates on Cheng's condition, she found a way to help through the website www.oneloveforchi.com.

A little over six months ago, another Deftones fan, Gina Blackmore, set up the website to update fans on Cheng's status and allow fans to send "get well" messages as well as donate money to pay for his medical bills. At the time of publication, more than 2,334 donations totaling nearly $73,000 has been donated through the website.

"'One Love for Chi' touched me because I was once in the hospital and received overwhelming support from friends and strangers," McKechnie said. She decided to get her family and friends together and hold a yoga fundraiser, she said.

At a cost of $20 per person, all proceeds went to www.oneloveforchi.com. Among the attendees was McKechnie's mother, there for her first yoga lesson.

"It was great, even though I don't know (Cheng); he's a friend of a friend," said Christine Nicholson, one of the attendees. "It was a great way to get into yoga and to do something for someone else."

In fact, only one person practicing yoga on Sunday actually knew Cheng: his ex-wife Adrienne Cheng. Their son Gabriel also attended the fundraiser, but waited in the other room playing video games during the lesson.

"It was amazing; I'm blown away and really touched," Adrienne Cheng said after the yoga lesson. She mentioned that benefit shows for her ex-husband have been held all over the world.

"Chi's family wants me to thank everyone for coming to this event as well," McKechnie said after the lesson. "Our energy has made its way to (him and) his family."

The next fundraising event will be during this weekend's Second Saturday event. Vintage clothing boutique Bows and Arrows, 1712 L St., will be selling "One Love For Chi" t-shirts.

Those who want to donate can check www.oneloveforchi.com for future fundraisers or donate directly to Cheng's family for medical bills via Paypal.

Happy Xmas Sacramento. A story about music, war, and the best of friends.

2008-12-24T19:13:54Z

It was 9:00 am when I got the call.

“Sonny, it’s Abe. Hey, you want to play guitar for a session with Brian Wheat and me? The session is around noon today. We’re doing a Lennon song and it would be great if you could do it. I’d really appreciate it.”
Hmmm, let me think for a second. Play guitar at a fancy recording studio with multi-platinum Grammy-winning rock star Gods or sit in front of a computer at work. Hmmmmm, tough choice.
“I’d be honored,” I told Abe.
That was how I came to be a part of creating this rendition of John Lennon’s classic reaction to the Vietnam war, Happy Xmas (War Is Over).

So this is Christmas
And what have you done
Another year over
And a new one just begun

Originally recorded in fall of 1971, it’s striking how John Lennon’s lyrics, sentiment and timely relevance stand up today. At that time, Richard Nixon was President, the slip was showing on the war in Vietnam, and technology was developed in many ways, infantile in many more. Sound familiar? There are many holiday songs that could be covered. The fact that they chose this one was no accident.

And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young

I’ve been playing guitar for about as long as Ben Ilfeld has been alive. I fancy myself a shoe-in when it comes to covering a song, but I thought it smart to run through this radio staple once before heading to the studio. (Insert metaphoric slap in the face sound and reddening skin.) This chord progression is much tougher than I thought. (Download tablature, call off all meetings, cancel all appointments, cram like there’s no tomorrow.) I can’t go in there looking like a hack. While the song sounds simple, the chords and finger movements are anything but. “Oh yeah,“ I thought. “John Lennon was in the Beatles. He's pretty good.”

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

The session is at the Pus Cavern, a Sacramento iconic studio run by owners Joe & Lesa Johnston. We kick off with Abe Cunningham on drums, Tesla’s Brian Wheat on bass, and me on guitar. Instantly, the vibe is great. Rather than drilling the song, Wheat kicks into loops of classic riffs like Queen’s Dragon Attack. This light-hearted jamming literally and figuratively loosens us up, gets us all in the groove. Ex-Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner is producing this song, and he’s a natural leader. Things are coming along well, so well that we plan on laying down two or three songs, all of which will be sold with all of the proceeds going toward much-needed scholorships for the The Sacramento Children’s Choir.

And so this is Christmas
For weak and for strong
For rich and the poor ones
The world is so wrong
And so happy Christmas
For black and for white
For yellow and red ones
Let's stop all the fight

But rock and roll is never predictable. As we’re about to press ‘record’, Tesla’s lead guitar hero Frank Hannon arrives, a surprise to us all. In tow, mad genius and Tesla singer Jeff Keith appears like a genie that was finally let out of his lamp. His energy and storytelling had the entire studio captivated and entranced, and the session stops. Then the phone rings. Michael Grant, singer/guitarist for LA’s EndeverafteR made a flight north and is in Sacramento on his way to the studio. Add in entourage and the surprise visit of a Tesla tribute band who got wind they guys were at the studio and you can see that what started as a 3-man basic track jam has turned into a rock stallion stew…with pizza and beer.

A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear

The session went smoother than anyone could have imagined. Laughing, talking, celebrating, these are things rarely done in a recording studio, especially among guys who have never played together. It was a special day and I am proud to be a part of it. Best of all, the tracks from that day came together nicely and a host of great musicians added their sprinkles of talent to the cake. Jonah Matranga from Far, The Snobs’ Jason Boggs on saxophone, Larisa Bryski, and special to me, my wifey, Lynn sang some vocals. (see the entire list of credits here)
So in this déjà vu of turmoil and transition for our great nation, community activists and we musicians came together to celebrate each other, Lennon’s great music, and help some kids find their voice. Bless you all this holiday 2008, and I wish you the very best in 2009. Cheers.

And so this is Christmas
And what have we done
Another year over
And a new one just begun
And so this is Christmas
I hope you have fun
The near and the dear one
The old and the young
A very merry Christmas
And a happy New Year
Let's hope it's a good one
Without any fear
War is over
If you want it
War is over
Now...

LINKS and CREDITS:
Photos by Nicolas Walsh and Lesa Johnston

Lyrics from Happy Xmas (War is Over) by John Lennon, Yoko Ono and the The Plastic Ono Band

View a video of the session here

Buy the song on Amazon or iTunes (search "Pus Cavern All Stars")

A Band of Brothers: Chi Cheng Benefit at Harlow's

2008-12-11T01:06:03Z

As you have read from this storyline, Deftones bassist and good friend Chi Cheng was ejected from a car and seriously injured, resulting in a coma, a state he remains in as I write. Even though comas have been known to last as long as several years, they rarely last more than 2 to 5 weeks. Chi has been in his for over four weeks now. To augment the amazing medical care he is receiving, a band of brothers and sisters came together in Sacramento on Tuesday, December 9th to raise some much needed funds and send some positive chi to our good friend Chi.

Benefit shows are a strange thing. On one level, you have a friend lying in an uncertain state, hopefully healing his way back to this world. Yet, there we are playing music, drinking beers, having fun with friends, old and new. You tell yourself, “It’s ok, it’s for a good cause.” But you can’t help but feeling a little creepy. Ironically, it’s much like a car wreck. There are people who should be there, and others show up only to see what happened.

“People are trying to get in where they fit in,” said DJ Crook, a good friend and fellow musician. He went on: “It’s like, our friend is lying in a coma, who knows what might happen, and people here are trying to get in where they fit in!” He was right. Standing at the Harlow’s bar, a group of Velvet Revolver clones were making a scene as if they were center stage in the frat house tuning up for a night of pussy hunting. Looking at the finely crafted scenesters, it felt like someone was about to whip out a CD and say, “Hey Chino, this is my demo, will you check it out?” Thankfully, those types were the exception.

The overwhelming vibe inside Harlow’s was one of family, friends, music, and support. People from many different bands and walks of life came to show support, make a donation and send good energy. Faces from our birthing pond, the infamous Cattle Club, were everywhere you turned. It felt good, and I know Chi felt it. It’s right up his alley. Homies from back in the day, together again.

All the musicians donated their time and talents for this gig, and let me tell ya, it takes a lot of effort. Last Angels and Eightfourseven opened the night with sets of great music. Rey Osburn and his Death Valley High played a phenomenal set, only to be outdone by the reunion of Sacramento’s Tinfed. Abe Cunningham sat in with the band on one song and nearly bounced over the drum kit from hitting his in his signature “Animal” way. The much-anticipated return of Will Haven with Grady and Jeff on vocals created a frenzy. Along with Crook, Deftones DJ Frank rounded out the night.

This second of a handful of shows was a success. The money raised from these events in its entirety goes to aid Chi’s family, namely his young son Gabriel. A ton of credit goes to Jeff Irwin, Marc Mojonnier and their crew, who have been organizing these fundraisers across California. Great work, brothers. And thanks to all the venues.

Rey summed it up best from the stage: “This is for Chi.”

Photo Caption: Bassist Rick "13" Verret holds the bottom down for Tinfed and sends the low frequency to Chi.

Credit: Nicholas Walsh

My Friend Chi Cheng In A Coma, Need Your Prayers

2008-11-05T19:30:18Z

Tuesday, November 4th was to be like nearly every other Tuesday in my life. Head into the office, do some email, make some connections, then get picked up by my best friend Abe Cunningham for our weekly lunch at Tuli Bistro. But when Abe called fifteen minutes before our meeting time, I wasn't prepared for the news he would deliver.

Chi Cheng, our good friend and brother, was in a severe car wreck in Santa Clara and is in a coma. For those of you who know him, you know he's a man mountain of positivity and all smiles all the time. For those of you who don't, Chi is a native of Stockton and Sacramento, a poet, a musician, and a father. As the bassist for Deftones, he's helped elevate Sacramento's relevance on the global music map. Deftones frontman Chino Moreno is there with him, as well as family. Drummer Abe, Juan Gonzalez, and more will arrive today. There are no other details to share at this time other than he is holding up. However, he needs your help.

I call on all in Sacramento to send your prayers, positive vibes, energy, healing forces, and any other life-force you can muster Chi's way. I know his strength combined with San Jose's finest medical officers will pull him through this, but I need this entire valley to send good thoughts toward Chi's recovery.

I thank the entire Sacramento Press community in advance.

" 0-M-G!!! That band is from Sacramento?! "

2008-10-30T19:11:41Z

Time and time again I am totally shocked when I hear of a well known band being from the Sacramento area. Are you like me? I mean, Sac-town isn’t that massive, so how come we didn’t hear about them before they became a household name? I’ve constructed a small list, with names of various artists who will probably surprise you… Also - to make your life just a little easier, each link is a song by that artist.

- The Deftones -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/deftones%20change

I'm sure everyone has heard their song called “change." They have got this really hard, yet umm… well, almost brainwashing sound. This band is huge as far as underground music fans go, though they have alternated back and forth from the mainstream scene a couple of times.

- Middle Class Rut -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/middle%20class%20rut%20new%20low

My favorite band! Incredible live performances and they’re just spamming the radio with their most popular song titled “New low.” They are a 2 piece band, with tons of energy

- Papa Roach -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/papa%20roach%20scars

Now this one never fails to be a shocker. They’ve put out several albums, and worked with other bands such as Pearl Jam, Stone Temple Pilots, and Rage against Machine. The drummer from Papa Roach is now in a new drum and bass band called Last Angels, which rocks just as hard.

- 7 Seconds -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/7%20seconds%2099%20red%20balloons

You could probably call them one of the most celebrated pop/punk bands in our area. This was the band that brought along one of the most healthy trends of all time, “Straight edge youth crew.” Straight edge is when people don’t use alcohol, tobacco, or any other recreational drugs.

- Tesla -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/tesla%20signs

Yes, the same band that has autographed guitars hanging in The Hard Rock Café. They are the most successful artist from Sacramento to date! It’s funny because if you go to some of the first venues they played at, such as The Boardwalk in Orangevale, you will see their name carved into the bathroom doors with the date right next to it.

- Scott Weiland -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/stone%20temple%20pilots%20plush

Some of you might recognize this name from a band known as Velvet Revolver which also consisted of some members from Guns n Roses. Originally this micro thin singer lead a band named Stone Temple Pilots! This man has got a voice with more range than anyone I have ever heard! Scott even grew up in Folsom – who knew?!

- Cake -

http://search.playlist.com/tracks/cake%20rock%20and%20roll%20lifestyle

Everyone needs to listen to the song “Rock and Roll Lifestyle” and you’ll instantly remember who this band is. They’re quite a popular band that I recently found out are from our area…. Nice!

If you know of any other bands or starlets that come from our neck of the woods, don’t be shy - fill us in and leave a comment!