Can you recall what you were feeling on the eve of Deftones’ 1995 debut album Adrenaline being released? JonnyT
I was really excited that we were putting out a proper record on a real label. I was a little nervous too—we were a new band putting ourselves out there. When the album came out, the label sent us physical copies—I think we even got cassettes back then. It was thrilling to open it up and hold something tangible. But we had no idea it would have such staying power. I never imagined people would still be listening to it, or that we’d still be a band all these years later. We still get nervous when we release new music, but we also have more confidence now, especially with this latest record.
Do you find your creativity burns brightest in hardship, or can peace be just as powerful? shenead
Both have their place, and our music has that contrast built into its core—a lot of our songs have that yin and yang. Right now, there’s a lot more peace than chaos in our lives, and I’m glad for that. Many of our earlier albums were made during crazier times, and we captured that energy. With this record, there’s a beauty that comes from the renewed energy we’re experiencing now. But it’s always good to be able to yell and scream sometimes, right? The pandemic was really hard for everyone, but as someone who’s always had the outlet of touring and performing, coming to a complete stop during Covid hit me hard. Making music—expressing all kinds of emotions—has truly been a gift.
I work at HMV in a small town, and we sell at least five copies of 1997’s Around the Fur to teenagers every week—way more than Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours or Nirvana’s Nevermind. What do you think explains its lasting appeal? DameHedwig
I’d like to think it’s because we made some good records that have stood the test of time, and people of all ages find something in them to connect with. It’s probably similar to when I was a kid discovering bands like Led Zeppelin. Not that I’m comparing us to them, but those bands had been around for years before I found them, and I connected with what they created—it’s a wonderful thing. We’ve always made a conscious effort not to date our music by following trends. We were wary of being grouped with the nu metal bands that emerged around the same time. It wasn’t about feeling superior; we just wanted our own identity. So we made creative choices to avoid being pigeonholed.
Deftones’ Covers compilation shows a wide range of influences, including several British artists from the 1980s like Duran Duran, the Cure, the Smiths, and Sade. How much did they influence your music? JimmyD
That was the first music I really fell in love with, and it felt very exotic to me as a sixth-grader. Watching Duran Duran videos with them on yachts in Sri Lanka made it seem like this faraway world. In the 80s, that was pop music, but a lot of my friends were into Michael Jackson and similar artists. I loved that too, but this British music felt different. It made me feel selective, like I had discovered something nobody else knew about. Some of that has carried over into Deftones. We’re still a hard rock/metal band, but I’ve woven in those influences naturally because I genuinely connect with that music.With this music.
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Moreno at Lollapalooza in Chicago, 2024. Photograph: Josh Brasted/FilmMagic
It seems your recent albums have had deeper, almost occult themes and symbolism. Is this intentional, or just something unconscious coming out through your art?
It’s unconscious. I’ve always been fascinated by things we don’t fully understand. I’m not endorsing any of it—I’m just curious about what I don’t know. It’s not for shock value. When I was a kid, my grandmother went to church, and we’d go to the kids’ group where they gave us an illustrated Bible storybook. It had the scariest pictures. I’d stare for hours at images like King Solomon holding a baby by its feet. Then I’d read the story—two people arguing over who the baby belonged to, and Solomon threatening to cut it in half. It still amazes me that something like that was given to kids. But I’ve always been drawn to that kind of thing.
What music did you listen to when you were 22?
I was probably touring and listening to a lot of early electronic and trip-hop. I was really into Portishead, UNKLE, DJ Shadow, and Tricky. I still love that music. It combined a lot of what I like: sample-based, drum-heavy sounds. It had hip-hop elements but slowed down, with a lot of romantic imagery.
I listen to a lot of the songs from Eros [Deftones’ unfinished sixth album, abandoned after bassist Chi Cheng was left comatose following a 2008 car crash; he died from complications in 2013] that are floating around online—especially Dallas. Do you think that record will ever be released?
We get asked about Eros a lot. It will most likely never come out. That would mean going back to that time and trying to finish unfinished work. Dallas is the only song that was close to done. This new album started with ideas we worked on individually during the pandemic. When we got together to make the record, none of us wanted to revisit those old ideas—we wanted to focus on where we are now. So going back to finish Eros doesn’t really make sense.
Usually for me, the heavier the better—but then I heard Sextape [from 2010’s Diamond Eyes], which I love (especially its mellower parts). What inspired the lyrics, and how did it become such a great song?
I don’t really remember writing the words. A lot of our songs are abstract, meant to capture a feeling. Sextape has three notes that run through the whole song—they’re lush and beautiful, and they take that side of our sound to the extreme. There’s a beauty in the sound itself. Lyrically, I just went with that emotion.
How do you separate your creative modes between Deftones and your other projects?
I don’t. Each project is its own thing, but I approach them all the same way. I react as myself—Chino. There’s no “Deftones Chino,” “Crosses Chino,” or “Team Sleep Chino.” There’s just me. I respond to the music as I am. [Pauses] I don’t usually refer to myself in the third person. Actually, I think that was the first time. It felt really weird!
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Deftones in 2025. Photograph: PR
Your cover of Sade’s No Ordinary Love is just otherworldly. Did she ever get to listen to it or give any feedback?
That was sacred ground because Sade is a unique artist. Even while recording it, it felt very special—It felt like a self-indulgent thing to do. We never intended for it to be released. The demo was recorded in my garage—we really just made it for ourselves. Honestly, the fact that it ever got out was a little scary. If you had asked me, “Would you want to cover a Sade song, knowing other people might hear it, including possibly Sade herself?” I would have said no. I’m glad people like it, though. I’m not sure if she’s ever heard it.
If you could go back in time and offer advice to your younger self, what would you tell him? — Zack_S917
There are a lot of life lessons I had to learn the hard way, and they made me who I am today. I don’t have many big regrets because everything shaped the person I’ve become. Still, it might be nice to go back to a few moments, tap myself on the shoulder, and say, “No—go that way instead.”
You must get a ton of love from fans, and I imagine the gifts can get pretty creative. What’s one of the sweetest or coolest things you’ve received from a fan? — StarrXperience
People often give me drawings of myself. I always wonder what they think I’ll do with them—I don’t even like looking at photos of myself. They’re all different styles: cartoony, pen and ink. I think it must bring the artist joy to know I’m holding onto something they created. It’s like, “You shared your art with me—I want to share mine with you.” I do appreciate it, but because of that, I have stacks and stacks—hundreds of drawings of myself—in my house.
Private Music is released on August 22nd through Reprise/Warner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about Chino Morenos quote designed to be clear and conversational
FAQs About Chino Morenos Quote I have hundreds of drawings of myself in my house
Q Wait what is this quote about What did Chino Moreno say
A In an interview the singer from the band Deftones mentioned that he has hundreds of drawings of myself in my house He was referring to fan art that people have sent or given to him over the years
Q Does he actually have a room full of selfportraits he drew
A No not at all The drawings are not selfportraits They are pieces of art created by his fans depicting him
Q Why would he keep all that fan art Isnt that kind of weird
A Most fans see it as a sign of his appreciation and connection to his audience Its not seen as vanity but as him valuing the creativity and support of the people who love his music
Q Where did he say this
A The quote comes from a 2010 interview with the UK magazine Kerrang
Q Has he ever shown any of this art publicly
A He has occasionally shared pieces on his social media accounts over the years thanking fans for their work
Q What does this say about his relationship with Deftones fans
A It suggests he has a very dedicated and artistic fanbase and that he respects their contributions enough to collect and display them in his personal space
Q Is this a common thing for musicians to do
A Many artists keep and appreciate fan gifts but openly stating you have hundreds specifically of drawings of yourself is unique and memorable which is why the quote stuck
Q What kind of art is it Like professional paintings or simple sketches
A It likely spans the entire range from quick sketches on napkins to highly detailed paintings and digital art all made by fans of all skill levels
Q Does this mean hes narcissistic
A The context of the quote and his general demeanor suggest the opposite Its interpreted as humilityhes honoring the effort of others rather than celebrating himself
