Deftones join the Ozzy Osbourne bandwagon

Published: Thursday, February 29, 1996

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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