Deftones join the Ozzy Osbourne bandwagon
Madonna’s manager also signs group with Maverick Records
By John Sabatini
Daily Bruin Contributor
Less than six months after the release of its debut album,
"Adrenaline," the Sacramento garage band Deftones is already
starting to make it big. In addition to making its on-screen debut
in this summer’s film, "The Crow: City of Angels," the young band
pulls into Los Angeles in support of Ozzy Osbourne’s national arena
tour.
After years of playing local bars and clubs throughout
California, Deftones jumped at the chance to open for the rock
icon, joining fellow Northern California crunch band Korn. Having
kicked off the tour earlier this month in Ohio, the potent
threesome will let loose tonight at the Forum as the tour enters
its final weekend.
Performing on such a large scale for the first time, guitarist
Stephen Carpenter says the enormous arena crowds and the
consistency in the concert environment have been an enjoyable
change of pace. But he admits that the first night wasn’t all that
easy.
"Ozzy’s crowds are definitely the largest shows we’ve played.
Our first show was in Cleveland only a few days ago, and I was
nervous," Carpenter says. "We had never been on a stage with that
kind of pressure. But once I got up there and got past the first
song, I pretty much just molded right into it."
Prior to this tour, most Deftones performances involved just a
few hundred people. In fact, just days before joining Ozzy on the
East Coast, Deftones played for an audience of about 300 people,
twice the legal capacity of the tiny Sacramento bar.
"That is totally fun because that’s where the vibe and the
serious craziness go on," Carpenter says. "As far as comfort on
stage, these (arena) stages are where it’s at. They’re just both
completely different. There are things about everything that I
like."
Carpenter insists Deftones even enjoyed playing shows during the
band’s early days where only a handful of people turned out.
"We still went off," he says. "It was all about just having a
good time. It made the show so much more fun, though, because those
people came to see a show. They didn’t come just to kill time."
With this summer’s release of "The Crow: City of Angels," the
sequel to the 1994 movie "The Crow," Deftones will conduct its
greatest performance yet. During a scene depicting a "Day of the
Dead" festival in Los Angeles, the band appears on screen,
performing the previously unreleased track "Teething."
In the scene, Deftones performs a concert in the background
during the film’s climactic fight scene. But sharp observers may
notice an interesting phenomenon on the band’s stage. Between
takes, Carpenter rearranged the band’s equipment, a gag which may
have been missed by director Tim Pope.
"I was trying to be sly about it and do something funny. I was
just goofing around," Carpenter explains sheepishly. "It was
nothing directed toward the director or anyone. When I watched the
movie, I wanted to be able to see if I actually got to move it
around."
As no one from the film’s production company has come forward to
complain, the stunt has apparently not yet been discovered.
But there already have been some negative ramifications
resulting from Deftones’ increasing publicity. Despite its youth,
the band has already received the common criticism from some old
fans for selling out.
"I think every band hears that when it starts to become
successful," says Carpenter. "I don’t know whether it’s jealousy or
intimidation or what it is. I think people don’t feel like they’re
getting the close attention that they thought they might have been
getting before."
Part of this early backlash may also derive from the band’s
signing with Maverick Records, a company founded by pop music
goddess Madonna. In fact, Deftones was discovered and signed to
Maverick by Madonna’s own manager Freddie DeMann.
But the relationship ends there. The band has only met Madonna a
couple of times, and she intentionally keeps her artistic distance
from bands on her label. Carpenter himself has nothing but praise
for the powerful media maven.
"That’s the woman in charge," he says. "There is no woman higher
than her. I think she’s probably got more power than the First
Lady. I’m sure when it comes to an actual number amount, a cash
value, I’m sure she’s worth more than the First Lady herself. On a
popularity vote, I’m sure she’s even more popular."
Many of Deftones’ detractors may have also been reacting to the
fact that Maverick represents such wildly popular acts as Candlebox
and Alanis Morissette. But Carpenter insists fears of selling out
are unfounded because Deftones can handle success while staying
true to its fans.
"I don’t want people to think that if we get to that level,
we’ve sold out and given up," he says. "No, that’s just plain
success. I’m sure every band dreams of that. Anyone who tells you
they wouldn’t want that would be lying to your face, flat-out.
"The notoriety you get from being famous, that’s not the dream.
It’s cool to have it, but I’d like to let everyone know that I’d
still be approachable. I want people to think that they can come up
and say hi."
So maybe the Deftones won’t be lured by the rock star lifestyle.
After all, these guys are only a couple years removed from
skateboarding after school and jamming in Carpenter’s garage. And
all four still make their home in mellow Sacramento, where they
grew up together.
"It’s pretty cool, I think," Carpenter says. "It’s the kind of
place where you want to live. It’s home. I couldn’t live in New
York City or San Francisco. I love being there and going there, but
I could never live there."
Despite this praise for Sacramento, Carpenter suggests he and
the band have very little interest in politics or politicians.
Despite growing up in the capital of the most powerful state in the
union, the band’s lyrics are generally apolitical and Carpenter
himself distinctly anti-political.
"I don’t pay much attention. They all pretty much suck,"
Carpenter says. "Big business is what’s running everything now, and
I don’t think people know that. The government’s really just a
pawn.
"I don’t hate it because it doesn’t affect me. You go on living
your same old life regardless of what’s going on. I think people
should just stand up and do what they want anyway."
For now, the members of Deftones are satisfied with performing
their music and enjoying themselves. Since their earliest jamming
and touring experiences together, the members of Deftones knew this
was all they ever wanted.
"My goal is to do this for a career. I want to be able to do
this for a while. I want to make four, five, six records,
whatever," he says. "The only message I’m really trying to convey
is for everyone to just have a good time. Enjoy the music."
MUSIC: Deftones at the Great Western Forum, tonight at 7:00 p.m.
TIX: $25. For more info, call (310) 419-3100.
"The only message I’m really trying to convey is for everyone to
just have a good time."
Stephen Carpenter
Deftones Guitarist
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