Date: Fri 17-Apr-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

deftones-Webster-Chino-Moreno

Full Text:

On The Line With Chino: deftones In Town Next Week

(with cut)

BY SHANNON HICKS

HARTFORD -- The deftones will play 23 concerts this month. Twenty-three nights

of shows, out of a possible 30 gigs. One of those performances will be at the

Webster Theatre in Hartford, where the band will be appearing on April 21.

For a band with such playing power and after listening to the group's latest

release, called Around the Fur , it's a real trip to hear the fairly sedate

voice of lead singer Chino Moreno on the other end of a telephone line. One

would expect something more on in the volume range of the always-annoying

Gilbert Gottfried, maybe closer to the decibel level of the late comedian Sam

Kinnison when he was in performance mode.

However, Moreno and the late comedian seem to have the same calm approach to

life when off the stage. When Moreno called from Virginia earlier this week,

when the band was en route to a show in Washington, DC, the volume on the

receiving end of the phone call had to be turned up just to hear what the lead

singer of one of the most hyper-dynamic groups around had to say.

The deftones -- who is also guitarist Stephen Carpenter, bassist Chi Cheng and

drummer Abe Cunningham, along with touring DJ Frank Delgado -- released Around

the Fur in October 1997, marking the band's second full release. Constant

touring since, including a just-completed three-month trek through Europe, has

played a large part in the album's sucess. Turnout at shows has been

substantial, and the album has sold over 200,000 copies in six months.

"I think the new [album] is a lot better than the first one," Moreno said

Monday afternoon. "The first was our first time going into a studio. Big

studio, big producer... we were a little worried.

"After the first record, then touring for almost two years, I think we've

built confidence in ourselves," he continued. "The second record definitely

shows the growth from the last one. The second one is a little more

simplistic, but stronger when it was all put together."

Moreno feels the first song on the album, "My Own Summer (Shove It)," fully

represents the band. There's a little bit of melody, some heavier chunky

music, and of course the vocals of Moreno himself.

The band will be joining this summer's Vans' Warped Tour on July 1. There is a

minute chance a scaled-down version of the tour will visit the Meadows Music

Theatre in Hartford. In the meantime, deftones fans are encouraged to visit

the Webster next week for the headlining club show.

And bring earplugs, because Chino and the rest of the guys will be in full

performance mode.

The deftones will be at the Webster Theatre in Hartford on Tuesday, April 21.

Tickets are available in advance through Pro-Tix outlets, or can be picked up

at the door. The show is open to all ages.