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Deftones live at:
"Memorial Auditorium"
Sacramento, CA (21 Jan 2004)
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Backstage at the Memorial Auditorium on Wednesday night, a star-struck fan finally got
some face time with Chino Moreno.
"Dude, you're a big rock star," said the fan. "You get to travel all over the world.
That's so cool!"
Moreno, the lead singer for the Deftones, crouched to his knees, folded his arms into his
nylon warm-up jacket and gave a sheepish smile.
"Man, we're just trying to keep doing what we've been doing," said Moreno.
Then came another fan, asking Moreno to autograph a Deftones calendar. Hugs from a seemingly
endless procession of family and friends followed, a sizable bunch that turned the auditorium's
backstage area into a virtual mosh pit of well-wishers.
But the fuss was to be expected because the Deftones were back in Sacramento. It's a
tradition for the band to finish one of its yearlong (and sometimes longer) touring cycles
with a big finale in the group's hometown of Sacramento.
This tradition also requires the band to compile one Godzilla-sized guest list. The Deftones
(Moreno, bassist Chi Cheng, guitarist Stephen Carpenter, drummer Abe Cunningham and DJ Frank
Delgado) accommodated about 300 folks Wednesday night, though it seemed like every other
person in the crowd of 3,500 had the yellow pass that provided backstage access. (A smaller
and luckier bunch was privy to an invitation-only after-show party at K Bar on the nearby K
Street Mall.)
The tight-knit vibe continued onstage. The show's opening group, Ghostride, features former
members of Will Haven, a local metal-core band that was championed by the Deftones. Death Angel,
which also shared the bill, is the recently reunited speed-metal band that served as one of the
Deftones' primary influences.
Yet even with the Deftones' home-court advantage, plus the friends and family packing the
backstage, Moreno couldn't help but feel nervous.
"It's hard to concentrate with everyone around here," Moreno said about a half-hour before taking
the stage. "But I can't (mess) up. I mean, I live here, so I've got to make this a good show."
Meanwhile, Death Angel was riffing like crazy through its nearly hourlong set. Watching Death
Angel was like going into a speed-metal wayback machine, sleeveless denim vests and all. Back in
the 1980s, the all-Filipino band was at the epicenter of San Francisco's storied speed-metal
scene, which spawned such titans of thrash as Metallica, Testament and Exodus.
But ultimately, a band like the Deftones was needed to flip heavy metal's script. So, some 15 years
ago, the Deftones tapped into Death Angel's take-no-prisoners energy and modeled itself after Death
Angel's ethnic look. However, the Deftones welcomed more melancholy influences -- Moreno was always
a big fan of Depeche Mode and the Smiths. Band members also dug hip-hop and talked like the South
Sac homeboys that they were.
The Deftones' four albums eventually sold a cumulative 2.5 million copies in the United States.
The band also distinguished itself as one of hard rock's most dynamic and explosive live acts.
And on Wednesday, the band's 90-minute set was one of its best local gigs in recent memory. Hitting
the stage to a near hero's welcome, the Deftones kicked into a walloping version of "Minerva" and
never looked back. From the ethereal ("Change (In the House of Flies)," "Digital Bath") to an ultra-
heavy bludgeon ("Hexagram," "Lotion"), the group's sonic punches hit from many angles.
A big reason the Deftones sounded so invigorated was probably because the members were better-rested
than usual. The band has actually been home for a month. Though the group's most recent tour finished
in mid-December, logistical problems prevented them from immediately hosting a homecoming show.
Postponing its Sacramento show until Wednesday may have provided a silver lining. Moreno nailed his
parts, including the croon-to-scream vocals to "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and the shriek-fest of "7
Words." Cunningham, always a monster of a drummer, was especially keyed. Cheng swung his bass all over
the place and aided Moreno with blistering back-up screams.
All the while, mosh pits formed and spun like rapidly mutating organisms. Overcome by excitement, crowd
surfers flailed above the audience. The floorboards of the venerable auditorium almost seemed to bend
while the crowd jumped around during "Korea."
In all, it was def-initely a great show for the Deftones' friends, family and fans in Sacramento.
by Chris Macias (sacbee)
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Well I attended the Sacramento show this Wednesday and... well.... it was one of the greatest nights
of my life, no joke. Well first of all me and my buddies "franco" and "khin" drove all the way from
Bakersfield California to see the DEFTONES in there hometown. Right before the show we actually went
to Eddie Murphys house and check it out, which was freakin the coolest house you'll ever see in your
whole life (its a long story how we got to do that). But right after we headed down to the Memorial
Auditorium which was a crazy looking venue to play.
Ghostride was first to play and I didn't really get into them that much really. Then came Deathangle
came on and rocked the whole place. My first time hearing them and was not disapointed to the very least.
By that time we had worked our way to front of the crowd.
Then the Deftones hit it up. They had a real cool stage set up. they played these songs,
Minerva
Shove it
hexagram
nosebleed
korea
digital bath
lotion- my personal fav of the night.
needles and pins
mascara
around the fur-the best i have ever heard it live!!
feiticeira
bored
battle-axe
bloody cape
change
7 words
I think its in the right order.
Great freakin show loved every single second of it.
Made me love the band even more.
Chi mentioned that he hopes sacramento beats the lakers again and he quoted "I hate the F--KIN Lakers"
After the show i was separated from Franco and Khin show i went around looking for them around the venue.
while i was looking for them i got lost a ran right into STEPHEN!!! I talked to him for a little while then
I headed out to find my friends. When i found them we went back to where I met Stephen and waited. and
slowly one by one i met all of the Deftones, even all of Chinos family who were really nice.his dad looked
just like him. they were real cool guys but i thought abe was the coolest he stayed and talked for a long
time. also while we were waiting we met Chris Coles from Adema who is from our hometown, I guess hes a good
deftones fan. Still can't believe it happened. well thats about it. can't wait for the next deftones show
and album. be cool and support DEFTONESWORLD.
ramcrzy@cox.net
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Lets just start out by saying, if you've ever been to a deftones concert and have beenn up against the
front gate, right in the middle of chino's mic stand, and about 4 feet away from his actually stage stand
thing, then you have my props. The first band that opened (ghostride) was somewhat o..k, their lead
singer was off and tried to sing to much like a fear factory song through everything. The second band
was fucking amazing, i had heard of them before, and god damn... who ever thought a group of asian
members, with 80s style clothes, and dredlocks down to their asses would kick so much fucking ass.
This band was like the combination of slayer vocals, mixed with metallica guitar riffs, and each song
lasted about 5 - 6 minutes. they were fucking great. Now when they were done, i had made my way to the
very front gate, right in the middle of it all. i was so excited to see the deftones, since i hadnt
since the 98' ATF tour. of course the crowd went nuts when the lights dropped, and the bigass screen
in the back turned red, and the members took their positions. they played a neat intro, then busted
into minerva, with the whole hometown crowd screaming every lyric with chino. chino was badass that
night, he looked good, and was really into the music. right after the first song, chino took off his
guitar but before the crowd could react abe and stef had already busted into my own summer. it was
awesome. by the 4th song, chino had already been in and out of the crowd several times, except right
in the middle where i was. the crowd was crazy, the mosh pit was from wall to wall and taking up the
whole middle area. crowd surfers were getting tossed over my head and landed on security guards, and
even a few managed to make it on staged and jump off into the crowd. finally when stef played the intro
to korea, here came chino right up to us, i grabbed ahold of his left leg, and just screamed my lungs
out with him to the song. in the middle of the song, he took off his jacket, which me and another big
guy behind me grabbed, and the mic was all tangled with it. chino dropped the jacket and mic and just
started singing with the crowd, but the security gaurds ripped the jacket from us, and i cut my hand
open on the zipper :(. the crowd was very intense, chino actually hit someone again like he did in the
97' bizzare fest video, it was good times. it was so hot people were begging for a firehose be brought
in. atleast 4 girls around me had passed out, and it took about 5 crowd members, and 3 security gaurds
to drag them out of the mess. beer cups were flying, people with beer were crowd surfing and spilling
it every where, it was so fucking awesome, and stef played every song with perfection. the whole band
was so intune. by the 3rd to last song i had a security gaurd pull me out, and i went to the bathroom
and rinsed all the sweat out of my adrenaline shirt (which no one else had on there) and then drank
some water. i got back just in time to hop in the pit for bloody cape, which sounded so badass with
stef's guitar and chinos screaming vocals. they ended the show with 7 words, which im guessing atleast
90% of the crowd was moshing, and i mean MOSHING. all and all, that was the best concert i've been to
by far. it was fucking loud, heavy, sweaty, hot girls flashing, and most of all being front and center
and touching one of the best singers ever.
set list (as much as i can remember may not be in order)
Minerva
Summer
Digital Bath
Korea
Feticiera
Around the Fur
Bored
Nosebleed
Lhabia
Battle Axe
Bloody Cape
Change
7 words
-- brandon (sacto ca)
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First of all, I went to the two Los Angeles shows at the Wiltren- and the
Halloween show in San Diego- and by far this was the best show!!!!
Eventhough they played less songs at the Sacramento Show- the Auditorium and
the atmosphere was amazing!!!!! I was blown away!!!
We were the first to arrive- getting to the auditorium around 11- 11:30. We
were the first in line- it was crazy- because we expected more people to be
there already- but we felt special cause we were there first- then at around
2:30 or show they managed the line situation and more people were already
lined up- probably 30 or so- a camara guy from some local station came out
of the auditoruim and started interviewing random people- it was weird but
we talked- and then at around 4 or so ( I think ) Chino came out to say
hello to his fans- it was crazy!!!! We were all like in shovk- for about 30
seconds- then everyone ran up to him and started yelling and taking
picutres- But you could tell that Chino wasn't too happy- and that he
doesn't like the crowding and screaming!!!! so We backed off- in about 2
minutes he was gone again- back into the auditorium. But after that you
should have seen everyone that was in line- we were all like in ozzzzzz.....
it was so wonderful!!!! Made the wait all worth it!!!!
The show- Finally at around 6:45pm they started letting people in!!!! It was
so exciting the place is awesome and so big!!! it was perfect!!! First band
opened- Ghostrider- they were actually good- I was impressed. Then Death
Angel played and eventhough they were alrite!!! I got bored- cause all their
music kind of sounded the same- in a way- so a least they got the people
hyped up!!
Then Finally- after all the waiting- the DEFTONES- come out!!! they played
awesome!!!! ALthough Chino had some red blood under his left nostrial I
thought he was bleeding or something!!! but I guess he jsut had a dry nose
or something- I can't remember in what order they played these-
digital bath
change
bored
lotion
hexagram
minerva
needles and pins
my own summer- shove it
mascara
around the fur
I can't remember the rest!!
He came into the crowd many times- got a show ripped in half and almost lost
his jacket to an idiot that must have thought he could take it- stupid
idiot!!! Chino got pist- gave him a real ugly look!!!
well my final last words!!! I loved the Sacramento show- you could tell that
lots of deftones fans were very excited- you could feel it in the air!!!
Deftones are the best!!!!
graceyfigueroa@hotmail.com
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The set was slow, tedious, and lethargic. I was in the front in the pit the whole time.
I know that Chino can sing and has many musical influences but do we really need to
hear him sing a drunken version of the 80's Lambda-Lambda-Lambda song. He made Ozzy
look as sober as a priest on Sunday.
Also, he was complaining about his belt buckle that the crowd took. Not just a belt but
a one with a "M, for Moreno". Alright they took your belt stop your complaining and after
the show you go in your Mercedes and get another to hold up your Dickies. Note to Chino,
we all cant see "Crook" standing off stage no matter how hard you look or say it.
What is up with the sitting down on the stage too? That totally turned me off, It reminded
me of when Pantera's Phil Anselmo would take a breather during their set and sing while
sitting down. That was during the end of their reign, I don't ever remember Phil doing that
during CFH or the Vulgar tour.
I mean you are standing in crowd waiting for enthusiasm and energy and then you get Paul
Simon playing guitar. Some might say well Chino is slower on his stage presence because he
is playing the guitar. Max Calaveras plays his axe and gives 100% every time that I seen
him play live?
Never mind all the songs were painfully-boorishly drawn out . All the new songs barely got
the pit going '7 words' saved it where 'bored' could not. What about playing 'Headup' or
'Engine #9' instead of 'Change ITHOF'. By the way what happened to playing an Encore??
You have to give it Chi Cheng who always interjects, when Chino goes on his rant, and Chi
actually says something intelligent to the crowd. There was a couple of points where Chino
was talking(mumbling) and the tones just started to play to get him back in focus.
I have seen them many times before and remember him being drunk as a skunk and playing with
fervor that he made it a show to remember! This last show he was in a drunken stupor and was
just going through the motions. I could have stayed home and watched the Deftones - Music in
High Places(Hawaii) DVD and had a better time. If I wanted to hear a drunk man scream and
sing, I could have called my dad on phone.
They did have this awesome 30'x30' screen in the back and during one of the songs they had the
Deftones skull glowing in red for their backdrop which was impressive to say the least.
Then after the song they took it off. They should have left it up the whole time at least it
would have added to the lacking stage persona.
The Deftones have changed for the worse for me. It seems that now that they have their loyal
solid fan base they don't have that fire inside them when they use to open up for other bands
to win the crowds over. This had to have been one the worst live performance from the Deftones
that I have seen.
Matthew Romero
